Mary Van Pelt Smith’s Sampler

Mary Van Pelt Smith (1832-1895) made this embroidery sampler during her childhood at her father’s farm in the Castleton area of Staten Island. She was the daughter of Jeremiah Smith of Long Island and Sarah Van Pelt of Staten Island. This sampler has been passed down in the family over 5 generations. I can’t help but wonder what (if anything) the embroidered pictograms on the sampler meant to her. Fortunately, she embroidered her full name on the sampler, so we can give it an approximate date, maker’s name and location. Isn’t it sweet?

Mary Van Pelt Smith's Sampler circa 1840

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