Description:Linen background. Coloured silk threads in cross stitch. Alphabet, verse, simple border patterns, crown, heart, flower, tree and bird motifs. Inscribed: 'Ann Upton her work 1806'. From the Staffordshire County Collection.
Verse: 'Jesus permit thy sacred name to stand
A feeble effort of an infant hand And
whil her fingers on the canvas move Engage her
tender heart to seek thy love Imprint this
virtue in her youthful frame and make her
chiefest good her greatest aim.'
Towards the end of the 18th century, samplers taught not only sewing but also literacy in the forms of alphabets, numerals and religious texts. These grew in importance and became an almost essential part of sampler making throughout the 19th century.