Important York , Pennsylvania Sampler,

in memory of William Marshall, circa 1818

In Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers & Pictorial Needlework 1650 - 1850 , vol II, Betty Ring discusses a small group of distinctive mourning samplers worked under the tutelage of a York , Pennsylvania schoolmistress. Figure 476 illustrates a sampler worked in memory of George C. Stoher, circa 1822, which is strikingly similar to our sampler, which was worked in the memory of William Marshall, circa 1818. Other related examples are in the Historical Society of York County and the Dauphin County Historical Society. We are pleased to offer this newly discovered sampler, a splendidly worked addition to this group, which is attributed to William Marshall’s only child, daughter Elizabeth Marshall, who was born in 1804.

Two tall female figures in mourning costume flank a large white stone memorial tomb with a lush willow tree above. A rich green lawn and an extravagant border of garlands of flowers and leaves form a strong visual framework. The faces, hair and arms of the two figures are painted onto the linen, as is the case on the other samplers worked at this same school. The composition, technique and execution are almost identical to the example published by Betty Ring. Overall this is a large and beautifully realized piece.

William Marshall was born in Ireland circa 1755 and emigrated to the United Sates by 1790. In 1806, then married and with a daughter, he became a citizen of the United States . His naturalization took place in York County and a photocopy of this document accompanies the sampler. It indicates that Mr. Marshall has “behaved as a man of good moral Character … [who will attend] to the Principles of the Constitution of the United States and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same … he will support the Constitution and absolutely and entirely renounce all allegiance to an Foreign Prince or Potentate.”

Research indicates that William Marshall was a merchant in York ; it seems from the inventory taken after his death that he was a merchant of fine fabrics. His estate was substantial, totaling almost $4600 exclusive of real estate. In addition to the four houses in York, three empty lots and various acres left to his wife, Mr. Marshall left a plantation in Harford County , Maryland to his daughter. Elizabeth seems to have married George Mehring, a farmer of Maryland in 1830; they had seven children and Elizabeth died in 1853 in Maryland . The file that accompanies this sampler includes photocopies of many documents including the will and inventory of William Marshall as well as Orphans Court and other legal proceedings.

The sampler was worked in silk and paint on linen and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted and is in a fine mahogany frame.

AMERICA'S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER
936 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
215-627-7797 fax 215-627-8199

Copyright @ 2008 by M. Finkel & Daughter, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this website may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without the permission in writing from M. Finkel & Daughter, Inc. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.