Jemima Fortune Cunningham 1883 - PDF DOWNLOAD
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Jemima Fortune Cunningham stitched this sweet sampler when she was 10 years old in 1883, while attending Oakbank School in Glasgow, Scotland.
Jemima chose a single cranberry, crimson red for the entire piece. It was only after removing the frame and mat that a hidden border was revealed.
In August 2022, after removing the back and matting I discovered there was a card that had been carefully tucked in the back by her daughter, Agnes Smith Buchanan Rodgers, dated September 1, 1993.
The card, written in her own hand, explained that her mother, Jemima, had stitched the piece in 1883. There was a also a bill of sale for the framing done August 31, 1993, one day before Agnes gingerly placed the card in the back to honor her mother.
To hear more about Jemima's sampler and the exciting discovery of the card in the back of the sampler go to
and also
Thank you to the stitchers who provided the additional information below about this sampler.
Agnes, the hero of this story was born in 1909 in a village called Bonnybridge not far from Falkirk, Stirling seemingly the youngest of the family and the only girl. She was named Agnes Smith Buchanan, sometimes called "Nan."
In 1935 she married Marcus Rodgers and had at least 2 children in the early 1940s. Alice died in 1999 at the grand age of 90 and is buried close to where she was born.
Jemima Mill ( or Mills) Fortune Cunningham was born in 1873 in Kelvin, nowadays it is part of Glasgow. Her parents were Thomas Cunningham and Janet, also known as Jessie Mill, who married in 1866 and went on to have a son and 5 daughters, two of whom, Euphemia and Ann died as a babies.
Thomas was a baker by trade and it is likely the family moved to the Glasgow area from Dundee with the hopes of better opportunities. Jemima married Peter Buchanan in 1895 and as I mentioned they had 4 children, James, Thomas, Peter and Agnes. Soon after they married Peter and Jemima moved to Bonnyridge, where they remained throughout the rest of their lives.
Thomas and Jessie CUNNINGHAM were married 25 Jun 1866 at their home 13 Fish Street, Dundee she being Janet MILL, a Power Loom Weaver. Her parents were David MILL a mechanic deceased and Ann FORTUNE Previously MILL maiden surname NAIRN as per her marriage cert. On her death cert David is a Ship Carpenter, on her baptism record he is an engineer.
In 1871 Thomas CUNNINGHAM a Master Baker and Jessie were living in Dunning, Perthshire
In 1891 they were still at the same address with the children;
Jessie 19 Cottonweaver
Jemima 17 Cottonweaver
Thomas 15 Bakers Apprentice
Margaret 10 scholar
In 1901 Thomas is living at 210 Possil Road, Glasgow still as a baker but on his own with 2 servants and a boarder. Jessie died 3 Sep 1893 at 447 Garscube Rd, Glasgow aged 53 of Carcinoma.
Now going back:
Thomas CUNNINGHAM was born 31 Mar 1843 his parents being James CUNNINGHAM and Euphemia CUNNINGHAM nee MASON who were married 1839 in Dunning. Euphemia was born 13 Nov 1816 at Abdie, Fifeshire and married for the second time on 1 Apr 1849 to George SCOTT.
In 1851 Thomas aged 8 born Dunning, Perthshire, Scotland was living with his mother Euphemia SCOTT aged 30 and stepfather George SCOTTa labourer at 21 Muct Road, Dunning along with his brother William CUNNINGHAM 10 born Dunning and his 2 half siblings John 2 and Isabella 6 months both born Dunning. The who family was living with Euphemia’s Uncle James BAIN aged 60 born Abidie, Fifeshire who was an Inn Keeper.
The finished piece measures 94W X 49H stitches and contains no speciality stitches. It's suitable for all stitching abilities and would be pleasing on linen or Aida.
