Mary Balch, 1773. #SA000065

Image courtesy of Rhode Island Historical Society

Mary Balch, 1773

Sampler Archive ID:	SA000065
Maker:	Mary Balch
Maker Birthplace:	Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
Maker Age:	years
Place Made:	Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
Year Made:	1773
Decade Made:	1770-1779
Owner:	Rhode Island Historical Society
Accession Number:	1979.30.1
Object Credit:	Gift of Forest and Daphne Choate, 1979-06-23
Contributor:	Rhode Island Historical Society

Physical Characteristics

Object type:

Sampler

Needlework techniques:

Embroidery

Shape:

Tall rectangle

Object Dimensions:

14.3 H x 11 W (inches)

Framed Dimensions:

There is no frame.

Borders:

Decorative Bands:

Dividing Lines:

Enclosures:

Cartouches: Un

Text types:

Alphabet, Number series, Personal name, Place name, Date, Verse, Biblical scripture, Maker signature, Motto or aphorism

Text medium:

Stitched

Click to View Text Transcription:

Give me O Lord thy early grace
Nor Let My soul Complain 
That the Young Morning of my Days
Hath all Been spent in vain

Youths now disclosing buds peep out & shews [shows]
Her April head. and from her green bed.
she as the primrose. Early blows 
Look on these flowers. so fades my hours

Mary Balch Born in 
February 9

Cato Doth say to Old and to Young
The First step to Virtue is Bridle the tongue

 Mary Balch 
Born February 
9 1762 and made 
This March 24. 
 Newport in 
  Rhodisland 
    1773

Motifs/Symbols:

Animals, Architectural, Birds and insects, Floral and plant, Human figure, Human made object, Religious, Religious - scene of Abraham killing Isaac

Scenes/Pictures:

Domestic, house & yard, domestic - house with pairs of people

Ground:

Linen

Ground Condition:

Wear:
Cleanliness: Stained Spotted
Loss: none noted

Thread:

Silk Metal

Thread Colors Front:

Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Green, Pink, Red, Tan, White, Yellow

Thread Condition:

Borders: Moderate loss
Text: Slight loss
Symbols: Moderate loss

Other Materials:

Other, metal laid on the linen

Stitch Types:

Cross, Chain, Eyelet, Half cross, Knotted, Long and short, Queen or rococo, Satin, Straight, Tent, Bullion knot, encroaching satin, couching

Thread Count:

Vertical:
Horizontal:

Maker History

Sources for the following information may be viewed by clicking on the links."

Sources for unlinked items are coming soon.

Birth Name:	object,Rhode Island, Vital Extracts, 1636-1899
Birthdate:	object,Rhode Island, Vital Extracts, 1636-1899
Birth Location:	Rhode Island, Vital Extracts, 1636-1899 County: Newport State Rhode Island, Vital Extracts, 1636-1899
Death Date:	Rhode Island, Vital Extracts, 1636-1899
Death Location:	cemetery records
Religion:	FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND BAPTISMS
Parents:	"Let Virtue Be a Guide to Thee" by Betty Ring,Rhode Island, Vital Extracts, 1636-1899	"Let Virtue Be a Guide to Thee" by Betty Ring, Rhode Island, Vital Extracts, 1636-1899	"Let Virtue Be a Guide to Thee" by Betty Ring,Rhode Island, Vital Extracts, 1636-1899
	"Let Virtue Be a Guide to Thee" by Betty Ring,Rhode Island, Vital Extracts, 1636-1899	"Let Virtue Be a Guide to Thee" by Betty Ring,Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915	"Let Virtue Be a Guide to Thee" by Betty Ring,Rhode Island, Vital Extracts, 1636-1899
Marriages:

Children:

Object History

Previous Owners:	Name: Forest and Daphne Choate, 1979 Relation to maker: Unknown
Conservation:
Exhibitions:	Title: Let Virtue be a Guide to Thee: Needlework in the Education of Rhode Island Women, 1730-1830 Host: Rhode Island Historical Society Location: Providence, RI Date: Nov. 1983
Literature:	Author(s): Betty Ring Title: Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers & Pictorial Needlework 1650-1850, Vol. I Publication/Publisher: A. A. Knopf Date: 1993 Author(s): Betty Ring Title: Let Virtue be a Guide to Thee: Needlework in the Education of Rhode Island Women, 1730-1820 Publication/Publisher: Rhode Island Historical Society Date: 1983

Object Details

Mary Balch, 1773

Physical Characteristics

Maker History

Sources for unlinked items are coming soon.

Object History

Related Objects

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