Martha Smith Sampler

The whimsical sampler stitched by Martha Smith features a tall, thin man with a top hat and walking stick, a small, light-colored dog, two flower urns, a moth, a bird, and a rose. It is believed to have been stitched between 1865-1880.

Is it possible that Martha stitched a sampler to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln? The tall man in the distinctive black top hat with a walking stick could be a nod to President Lincoln.

In some instances the moth motif represents mourning, and birds have been known to be revered as harbingers of death. Were these two motifs also clues Martha left revealing her deep sadness for President Lincoln’s passing?

What we do know is that this quaint sampler offers a glimpse into the creative needlework abilities of a young girl who crafted a work of beauty that lives on more than 150+ years later.