Name/Title
SamplerEntry/Object ID
2004.005.2Description
This American sampler was worked by Catherine Bell of Geneva, New York. Catherine was born on February 22, 1830 in Geneva, one of eight children born to father Thomas Bell (born in Ireland) and mother Sophia Bell (born in Scotchtown, Orange County, NY). Through her mother's side, Catherine's ancestry can be traced back to their late 1600s migration to New York and the family's migrations throughout New England. On May 24, 1854, Catherine married William Rupert and they had six children. Catherine and William lived their lives out in New York and both died there in the early 1900s. At the top of her sampler, Catherine worked five alphabets and one set of numbers. She included her initials "CB" at the end of two lines of the alphabet. Along with her signature "Catherine Bell aged 11 years", she worked the simple but pious verse: "Before my heart can understand / Or learn to keep thy great command / May my young fingers be employed / To praise my meritorious Lord." A red basket filled with flowers is found next to the verse. Catherine used brown silk threads in her alphabets, verse and signature and red, green and pink wool threads in her basket and border.
Catherine Bell married William P. Rupert. Their daughter Catherine Bell married Dr. John Albert Robson. Their son Orson married Winifred Bly (1923) - their son John Gardner married Dorothy Cayward 1947.
Pencil inscription on interior backing board: Framed / Oct 26 - 1913 / By / J. W. Robson / Olean, / N. Y. / For My Mother
In 2024 it became necessary to dispose of the frame due to damage. The inscription could no longer be seen.Collection
Genesee Country Village and MuseumMade/Created
Manufacturer
Catherine BellDate made
1841Place
City
GenevaState/Province
New YorkCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaDimensions
Height
15 inWidth
14-1/8 inDimension Notes
Dimensions given include frameRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Bell, Catherine
