Sophronia Barlow

We are always pleased to be able to offer a sampler with such a delightful pictorial register. The fine double-chimney Federal house, large basket and smaller building with flowering vines are wonderfully appealing. Both the house and smaller structure have gates that lead up to them, and are set among many trees and assorted plants. The sampler is signed by Sophronia Barlow, age 9 in 1821, who also included the place name - Canterbury - a town about 40 miles east of Hartford.

Her two-line cautionary couplet reads, “Remember your Creator now / In youth while time will it allow.” The initials, ML, are likely those of her teacher. A delicate border frames the composition well on three sides, with a geometric border along the bottom, grounding it nicely. 

Sophronia was born on October 27, 1811, the daughter of Captain Darius and Almira (Sumner) Barlow who were married in 1805. The family had ties to Woodstock and Canterbury, both towns in Windham County. In 1839, Sophronia married Rev. John Burleigh Guild (1809-1853), a Baptist clergyman who preached in various towns in Connecticut. The published Guild family genealogy describes him as a strong anti-slavery man. Sophronia and John had four children and she died in 1848. She is buried along with family members in Grove Street Cemetery in Putnam, Connecticut. 

The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted and is in a walnut frame with a gilt liner.