Embroidered Sampler made at the Female Association Quaker School 1813

This embroidered sampler was made in 1813 at the Female Association Quaker School by Charlotte Gardner, who was only twelve years old. It offers a glimpse into the lives of young women within the structured environment of a 19th-century Quaker education. Samplers were common exercises for young women, combining needlework skills with moral instruction. Gardner’s piece is dedicated to Mary M. Perkins, a member of the Female Association, and includes a poem reflecting on wisdom and purpose. These lines suggest the values instilled in these young women, emphasizing intellectual and moral virtues. While demonstrating skill in needlework, the sampler also reveals the constraints placed on young women's identities and roles during this time. Embroidery became both an act of personal expression and a reflection of societal expectations. Gardner's sampler serves as a tangible reminder of the intersection of education, gender, and identity in early 19th-century America. It prompts reflection on the blend of personal aspiration and social conditioning in shaping young women's lives.