Molly Hyde, 1773
Name/Title
Molly Hyde, 1773Entry/Object ID
2007.1.2Tags
Alphabet Sampler, Colonial British America, Counted-thread embroidery, Embroidery, SamplerDescription
The well-composed border on this sampler is unusual and features fruit and flowers on a naturalistic vine. Along the bottom are whimsical eyelet-stitched designs. The rectangular tent-stitch sampler with scrolling floral border around central panel depicting alphabet and numbers above "Molly Hyde, aged 13/year 1773" above intertwined flowers with serrated leaves above aphorism, "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." The sampler was worked in silk on linen, and is mounted into a 18th century black and gold frame.Context
Molly Hyde, age 13 in 1773 and living in Lebanon, Connecticut, worked this outstanding bordered band sampler. A central band depicts serated leaves and flowers tightly worked in tent stitch over an aphorism that was typical of the period. Pre-revolutionary samplers are rare. Born on June 20, 1760, Molly Hyde was one of the twelve children of Major and Mary (Clark) Hyde, of Lebanon, Connecticut. The Hyde Genealogy, published in 1864, traces the family from emigrant ancestor William Hyde ((1563-1640) who settled in Norwich, Connecticut in the 1630's. Major Elijah Hyde, according to this book, "was a wealthy and respectable farmer, and for many years represented the town of Lebanon in the state legislature. He took an active part in the revolutionary struggle and was one of hte confidential friends of the first Governor Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut. He was an officer of the cavlary in the service of the United States of America for some time during the revolution." At age 20, Molly married her second cousin, Daniel Hyde and they removed to New York State. Their eleven children were born between 1781 and 1796. Molly died in 1836 in Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York.Collection
ERS Sampler CollectionCategory
Sampler