Antique Samplers

Elizabeth Neavel,
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania,
1829

Sampler size:
16½" x 17"

Elizabeth Neavel was the daughter of Henry and Catherine (Leaver) Neavel of Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, north of Philadelphia. She was born on January 21, 1818 and was baptized at St. Peter's Yellow Church in North Wales. Henry and Catherine had been married in 1813 according to a notice in the newspaper of the county seat, Norristown. Their initials appear prominently on Elizabeth's sampler along with those of her siblings, Elias, Jeremiah, and Abigail (MMN was likely a younger sibling who died in infancy). Elizabeth did not marry and died sometime between 1829 and 1839.

Elizabeth made this handsome sampler in 1829 when she was 11 years old. It shares its composition and many salient features with other known samplers from this area of Montgomery County, specifically the fine double-chimney Federal house and lawn with little sheep and dogs, tall trees and a prominent pot of flowers. The unusual straight-lined leafy cartouche is also a regional characteristic, with roots in the Quaker sampler design prevalent in the area. The fine black lettering also shows a strong Quaker school influence.

This sampler was in the collection of Theodore H. Kapnek , one of the most highly regarded collectors of American samplers. This collection was exhibited at the Museum of American Folk Art and sold, after the death of Mr. Kapnek, at Sotheby's in 1981. An extensive research file accompanies this sampler with photocopies of the 1830 will of Henry Neavel, and many other interesting legal documents relating to the family. Catherine Neavel, as a widow, lived with her son Elias for many years. He became a weaver and lived in Norristown.

The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted and is in a maple and cherry cornerblock frame.

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