Sampler made at the Moorestown Friends School 1804

This sampler was stitched around 1804 at the Moorestown Friends School by a young Margaret Schanck, likely as part of her education. These samplers were more than just decorative; they were a crucial part of a young woman's upbringing. In the context of early 19th-century America, such samplers represent the intersection of education, gender expectations, and social status. For young women of the time, particularly within the Quaker community, needlework was a demonstration of domestic skill, patience, and moral virtue. The sampler's verse speaks of trials and affliction, reflecting a broader cultural emphasis on piety and resilience. These textiles offer a glimpse into the lives of women and girls, inviting us to consider the intricate ways in which identity and history are woven together. We might reflect on the emotional labor embedded in each stitch. The sampler encapsulates the constraints and possibilities that defined young women's lives during this period.