Priscilla Sharp

A beautifully made sampler, this is signed, “Priscilla Sharp her sampler / made in the 12th year of her age” and dated 1787 in large numbers at the end of the first large alphabet. The 18th century origin, quality of the needlework, strong aesthetics, and fact that the maker was from prominent Quaker families all add to the appeal of this fine sampler. 

In keeping with its 18th century origin, the sampler was worked in a highly vertical band format. The lower register is quite impressive as the motifs are worked entirely in the queen’s stitch, which indicates a particularly high level of talent in the needle arts. The row along the bottom edge of the sampler, a handsome parade of hearts, was also accomplished fully in the queen’s stitch. 

Priscilla was born in 1775, the youngest of 13 children of John and Dinah (Peacock) Sharp of Evesham Township, Burlington County, New Jersey. John (1724-1788) was the son of John and Ann (Haines) Sharp who were married in 1717 at the Mount Holly Meeting House. Much information about the family is published in Richard Haines and His Descendants A Quaker Family of Burlington County, New Jersey Since 1682 by John Wesley Haines. 

Additionally, other publications supply further history of the Sharp family in America, which began when brothers William and Thomas Sharp sailed from England and settled in Evesham Township, also in 1682.

On March 7, 1799, Priscilla married Sharon Middleton (1780-1865) and they remained in Evesham where they had at least 5 children. A copy of her husband’s beautifully handwritten will is included in the file of research that accompanies the sampler. Priscilla died in 1865 and is buried in Marlton Cemetery.

The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted into a fine mahogany frame.