Embroidered Sampler: Starr Coat of Arms 1770s

This embroidered sampler was created by Sarah Starr when she was thirteen years old. Samplers like this one were common in the 18th and 19th century United States, particularly among young women from middle- and upper-class families. These pieces served multiple purposes. They demonstrated a girl's skill in needlework, an essential accomplishment for women at the time and were often incorporated into the marriage trousseau. But they were also educational tools, teaching girls literacy, basic arithmetic, religious verses, and family history. The symbols in Sarah Starr's sampler speak to the social status of the Starr family. The coat of arms would have been a sign of family pride and heritage. The inclusion of birds, flowers, and alphabets reflects a blend of decorative skill and educational content. These samplers reflect the values and expectations placed upon young women in early America and are invaluable resources for historians. By studying them, we gain insights into the lives, education, and social roles of women in this period.