Lois Putnam,

 Linsey-Woolsey Sampler, Danvers, Massachusetts, 1811

sampler size: 14” x 14¾” • framed size: 18” x 18¾” • sold

A fine sampler worked on a handsome green linsey-woolsey ground, this is signed, “Lois Putnam’s Sampler Danvers / Wrought in the 13th year of her age 1811.”  She carefully worked two eyelet-stitched enclosures for some of her alphabets and a wonderful narrow border of satin stitches frame her inscription. Notably, the uppercase alphabet worked along the top of the sampler includes regional characteristics from this area of Essex County, Massachusetts.

The verse is one favored by many teachers and samplermakers, “Jesus permit thy gracious name to stand/ As the first effort of an infants hand/ And while her fingers o'er this canvas move/ Instruct her tender heart to seek thy love/ With thy dear children let her share a part/ And write thy name thyself upon her heart.” We particularly like that it refers directly to the process of stitching the sampler.

Lois Putnam was born on September 20, 1797, the fifth daughter of Nathaniel Putnam (1746-1800) and his second wife, Ruth Butler Putnam (1768-1850) of Danvers, Massachusetts. Nathaniel was a cabinetmaker who is listed in Artists and Craftsmen of Essex County Massachusetts by Henry Wyckhoff Belknap, (The Essex Institute, 1927). Much is published about the Putnam family and extensive photocopies from A History of the Putnam Family in England and America by Eben Putnam (Salem, Mass, 1891) are included in the file that accompanies the sampler. Lois was a sixth generation descendant of the immigrant ancestor, John Putnam, who was born circa 1680 in England and died in Salem Village, now Danvers, in 1662.

In 1824, Lois married George West (1802-1867) and they lived in Danvers where they had two daughters. She died in 1855 and is buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Danvers.

 The sampler was worked in silk on linsey-woolsey and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted and is in a figured maple frame.

 

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