Description:

A marking sampler done on green linsey-woolsey, this piece was most likely a schoolgirl exercise done with a single colour thread. There are five alphabets and one set of numerals (1-6). Nancy graciously included where she was from and her birth date, making genealogy relatively easy to find.

Nancy's verse is the poem "The Desire", from Thomas Dilworth's schoolbook, A New Guide to the English Tongue, first published in 1740. She failed to include the first two lines: 

     From my beginning, may th'Almighty Powers
     Blessings bestow in never-ceasing showers

Size (W x H): 12 1/4 x 14 5/8 inches

Stitches: Cross, eyelet, hemstitch edging

Media: Silk on linsey-woolsey

Genealogy:

Nancy was born October 1792 in Charlton, Worcestor, Massachusetts, the oldest child of Alpheus and Abigail Williams. Siblings were Harvey (1794), Susannah (1796), Oliver (1803) and Emeline (1806). There is such a large gap that we are certain there are more siblings and research continues.

Nancy married Edwin Edwards (1799-1845) in 1824. Records indicate she died 22 April 1826 in Waterford, Oakland County, Michigan - the day she gave birth to her daughter Mary. Mary lived until 1909, having married Stephen Loveridge, a painter, in 1847. Nancy's grandchildren were Alpheus (1848), Charles (1857), Ida (1858), Emma (1860) and Eve (1862). The 1850 Michigan census indicates that baby Alpheus was born in Massachusetts and that Mary's aunt Susannah (Voorheis) was living with them. Further research indicates that son Charles died at the age of 32 of consumption. 

Verse:

Nancy Williams s Sampler Charlton June The 1
She was Born Nov the 28^th 1792 aged 11 y.s, 1803

May I most happy be and always blest !
Of ev'ry Joy of ev'ry Wish possesz'd:
May Plenty dissipate all worldly Cares,
And Smiling Peace bless my revolving years