About this artwork
This early American family record lists births, marriages, and deaths in the Raymond family. It pays special tribute to George Raymond; a poem stitched in the lower-right column suggests that he died as a child. The work was sewn by Harriot Augusta Raymond—who may have been George’s sibling—when she was 11 years old.
The fine black thread used to stitch early family records is often the first material to deteriorate. The iron in the black dyes reacts strongly to light and environmental conditions. As a result, the dates, names, and verses for which samplers are known and cherished slowly disappear.
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Status
- On View, Gallery 58
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Department
- Textiles
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Artist
- Harriot A. Raymond
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Title
- Family Record
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Place
- Boston (Object made in:)
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Date
- Made 1809–1829
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Medium
- Linen, plain weave; embroidered with wool and silk in cross stitches
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Inscriptions
- FAMILY RECORD (underscored with embelished line)/ Isaac Raymond born December 13th 1776 / Charity Sawyer born December 24th 1779 died Marc[h] / Married January [January 9] 1804 / (Left Column; columns divided by double vertical line) Births / George H Raymond born Sept 16, 1804 / H[arriet] A R[aymond born June 3] 1808 / S[usan] A [Raymond born Feb. 2] 1812/ Mar[y Elizabeth born Nov 6, 1815] / Se[...] ------------------------------------- Wrought by Harriet A Raymond / Aged 11 years (Right Column; columns divided by double vertical line) Deaths / [George H] Raymond died [...] Peace to [his gentle] shade / his soul is free / Eased from the pains of sad / mortality / [Crown]'d with innocence / by virtue blest / For earth to good he flew to/ heaven for rest / Ceas(e) then fond parents check / the pensive sigh / The child of innocence will never / die
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Dimensions
- 44.1 × 42.2 cm (17 3/8 × 16 5/8 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Sarah E. Raymond Fitzwilliam
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Reference Number
- 1917.289
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/73029/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
