Mary L. Meirs, 1838
Name/Title
Mary L. Meirs, 1838Entry/Object ID
2002.3.1Tags
Alphabet Sampler, Canvas work, Counted-thread embroidery, Embroidery, SamplerDescription
The sampler with serrated ivory border enclosing floral meander, further enclosing a complete alphabet with five registers above a pictorial scene with a brick house, gazebo and trees; antique water giltwood frame; glassContext
This large sampler was worked by Mary Meirs, a young lady from a prominent family in the town of Cream Ridge, Monmouth County, New jersey. The needleworked scene along the bottom depicts a vine-covered gazebo, lustrous teal blue trees, two winsome white sheep and a detailed 1830's five-bay brick house with widow's walk. The two tables under the gazebo support baskets of fruit and the deep green lawn bears the inscription, "Mary Meirs Cream Ridge May 1838." the sampler is bordered on four sides with a queen's stitched strawberry and vine border and narrow outer sawtooth border. A very accomplished needleworker, Mary worked in concert with an obviously knowledgable and talented schoolmistress. Mary Meirs' family had lived in Monmouth County for many generations. She was born in Cream Ridge on March 17, 1826, the second of the five children born to Thomas and Rebecca (Conover) Meirs. She married John R. Longstreet, a musician, farmer, and landowner on the last day of October 1844 at the home of her parent sin Cream Ridge. John and Mary lived in a twelve room farmhouse in the nearby town of Davis for many years, and their ten children were born there between 1845 and 1862. Mary died at the age of 83 and was buried at the Old Yellow Meeting House in Cream Ridge, where she had been a member of the choir for most of her life.Collection
ERS Sampler CollectionCategory
Sampler