Pair of Samplers, Mary Ann Moore

Two splendid samplers were made by Mary Ann Moore and, quite fortunately, they have remained together for these 190 years. Sue Studebaker published both of them in her excellent book, Ohio Samplers Schoolgirl Embroideries 1803-1850 (Warren County Historical Society, 1988), stating, “Mary Ann produced not one, but two, beautiful samplers, an unusual accomplishment for a young girl.” 

The sampler finished in 1833 was worked under the instruction of a known schoolteacher, Letitia M. Heston, a Quaker lady who taught in Baltimore before going west. A house and fence scene is set on a lawn of various shades of green, two small animals grazing on it and trees and flowers growing from it. Two beautiful garlands of carefully stitched flowers frame the top and bottom of the composition, with a blue bowknot capturing the center of the lower garland. A pair of cornucopias filled with grape bunches, berries and flowers embellish space on the right and left sides.

The 1835 sampler shows a more advanced composition and greater needlework skill. The outstanding, large central basket of flowers and several small bouquets and floating sprigs of flowers are all beautifully worked. It shares characteristics with another excellent Clinton County sampler, made in 1838 by Esther Whinery, illustrated as figure 69 in Ohio Samplers Schoolgirl Embroideries 1803-1850 and in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Mary Ann and Esther were likely taught by Elizabeth Mendenhall, as attributed by Sue Studebaker. 

Ancestors and Descendants of Andrew Moore 1612-1897 by John Andrew Moore Passmore (Philadelphia, 1897) traces the family from the immigrant Quaker ancestor, Andrew Moore who was born in Scotland in 1612. Five generations later, Mary Ann was born on September 28, 1822, the eldest of eight children of Haines Moore (1796-1885) and Elizabeth Antram (1804-1890), who were married in 1822 in Clinton County, in southern Ohio. Elizabeth was a Friend, born in Virginia and Haines was born a Friend in Pennsylvania. According to History of Clinton County, Ohio (W. H. Beers & Co, Chicago, 1882), Haines settled in Wilmington in 1814 or 1815. He was a cabinetmaker with a property on Main Street.  

In 1852, Mary Ann married Lewis Walker (1807-1872), a native of Clinton County. They had a son, Orlando, who was born in 1857. Mary Ann died in 1864 and is buried in the Haines Moore family lot in Sugar Grove Cemetery in Wilmington. 

Both of the samplers are worked in silk on linen. The 1833 sampler is in very good condition with a minor water mark line along the bottom. The 1835 sampler is in excellent condition. Both have been conservation mounted. The 1833 sampler is in its fine original molded mahogany frame. A similar style frame has just been made for the 1835 sampler.