Sampler

Maker Jane Ann VanDerveer

Period1852

MediumPlied wool thread on linen

Dimensionssight: 24.5 × 20.25 in. (62.2 × 51.4 cm)

SignedThe sampler is signed "Jane Ann VanDerveer / aged 12 years / Freehold Oct 19th 1852."

ClassificationsNeedlework

Credit LineGift of the Estate of John W. VanDerveer Jr., 1995

Object number1995.9.2

DescriptionA large rectangular sampler worked on a sturdy linen ground in plied wool thread in bright shades of red, pink, sage green, olive green, dark green, medium bue, pale yellow, tan (which may have originally been purple), black, and cream white. Embroidery stitches include cross, satin, and Algerian eyelet. The upper half of the sampler includes five separate alphabets on eight lines, beginning with a half-inch upper case alphabet from A to Z, with Z worked backwards, a 7/8 inch upper case cursive alphabet from A to Z, ending with numerals 1 through 9 and 0, a one-inch satin-stitched upper case alphabet from A to Z, with Z worked backwards, a one-inch Algerian eyelet-stitched upper case alphabet from A to Z, and a one-inch lower case alphabet from a to z. A variety of linear borders separates the alphabet lines and are worked in herringbone and cross stitches. The lower half of the sampler includes a large central full-blown rose spray flanked by two rose wreaths. Below these motifs is the inscription "Jane Ann VanDerveer / aged 12 years / Freehold Oct 19th 1852," flanked on the left by a lily spray and on the right by a cluster of morning glories. A strawberry vine border runs along all four sides.

Curatorial RemarksThe large Berlin wool work samplers of Jane Ann and Elizabeth VanDerveer present a fascinating glimpse into the education of Freehold girls. Both attended the respected Freehold Young Ladies Seminary, Jane Ann for one year and her sister Elizabeth for at least two. There they studied a variety of subjects, all of which were extensively described within the pages of the Seminary's annual catalogs. What was not mentioned in the course descriptions, however, were sewing or needlework lessons. Prior to their enrollment in the Seminary, the sisters appear to have been taught elsewhere locally, possibly by private instruction or at a day school where needlework was offered. By the mid 19th century, the development of more standardized public school opportunities combined with the efforts of early female educational reformers meant that the tradition of offering specific "female" instruction such as ornamental needlework was fast falling by the wayside. The Freehold Young Ladies Seminary seems to have embraced this up-to-date outlook in its educational offerings. NotesJane Ann VanDerveer (1839 - 1917) of Freehold completed her large sampler in the fall of 1852 at the age of twelve. A virtually identical sampler was worked a year and a half earlier by Jane's younger sister, ten-year-old Elizabeth (1841 - 1920). Jane Ann was one of eight children of John H. VanDerveer (1810 - 1896) and Jane Schenck Smock (1809 - 1892). Jane Anne married Freehold farmer John David Vanderveer (1836 - 1901) on 30 November 1859. John was her second cousin and the brother of Hannah Matilda Vanderveer Perrine, whose sampler is in the Association's collection (see accession number 1416). Jane Ann and John David had one son, David I. Vanderveer (1860 - 1932). The couple is interred in Maplewood Cemetery in Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey. It is known that Jane Ann Vanderveer attended the prestigious Freehold Young Ladies Seminary for at least one year. Although the Association's collection of annual catalogs for the Seminary is far from complete, Jane Ann appears listed as a student in the 1856-57 issue when she was seventeen. Her younger sister Elizabeth appears in both the 1856-1857 and 1857-1858 Seminary catalog. The Seminary's prospectus listed subjects including art, French, and music, but did not mention any specific needlework instruction. It is clear that both Jane Ann and younger sister Elizabeth received embroidery lessons from the same skilled instructress. Both sisters worked the exact same design, with the only true difference being the name, age and date inscription.

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