Family Record Sampler 1827

This Family Record Sampler was stitched by Emma H. Flint in 1827. The combination of embroidered text, decorative borders, and the warm, aged fabric creates a tableau that invites contemplation on the themes of family, memory, and time. The sampler is structured around its textual elements: alphabets, numbers, and family records meticulously stitched in neat rows. This grid-like arrangement is softened by the surrounding floral motifs. These botanical forms introduce an organic rhythm to the composition. The act of stitching itself becomes a form of inscription, embedding personal and cultural values into the fabric. The formal structure of the sampler mirrors the social structure it seeks to preserve. It challenges notions of fixed meaning, allowing for individual interpretation and remembrance. The embroidered artifact becomes a site where personal history and cultural memory intertwine.