Antique Sampler

Mary Anne Wiley

In the early 70's when we were living in the KC area, my late husband's mother came to visit and brought with her this old sampler that was done by Ray's great-grandmother in 1843 (she may have been his great-great-grandmother) when she was only 10 years old. What a treasure! I am pretty sure it is in the original frame with the original glass which is kind of wavy and a little pitted. I read in a book about some of the old samplers having very sad verses stitched on them since in that era life was hard with much illness and not the miraculous cures we have nowadays. This is no exception. The verse little Mary Anne Wiley stitched was......

My age it is now half a score

And I perhaps shall see no more

Remember death to all is nigh

Youth as well as aged may die.

Alas I am an orphan left

Now of parents I am bereft

Now oh Lord I look to thee

Each of thy orphans help to be.

We once were six in a family

In deaths cold bed thou hast laid three

Lord teach us to improve each day

Ere thou dost call the rest away.

Yea in thy love remember me.

Mary Anne Wiley 1843

She then stitched in her mother's birthday, her birthday, etc. Notice the way that she would start a word and not have room and then just continue it on the next line. I will post those closeup pictures of that part of the sampler, also. I think this is one of the most precious things I have ever seen. There is also a picture of Mary Anne as an adult along with her sampler. I hope you enjoy this lovely bit of the past.

(Click to enlarge)