1817 schoolgirl needlework sampler stitched by Sarah Preston, silk on linen, three alphabets, two tree pictures and verse: "Jesus permit thy gracious name to stand as the first effort of a youth full hand/ and while her fingers on the canvas move engage her tender heart to seek thy love". Signed "Sarah Preston her work she done in the 14th year… She was born November the 24th in 1803." Old but possibly not original wood frame with gilt rabbet edge, old Woodrop and Lothrop, Washington, DC framing company label en verso. Sight 12 5/8" x 9 3/4" sight, 13 3/4" x 10 3/4" framed. Genealogy research shows a Sarah Preston born in Smithburg, Monmouth Co., NJ in November, 1803. She was the daughter of William Preston and Sarah Hutchison. She married Issac Johnson in 1831 and at some point they moved to Baldwin, Randolph Co., IL. Her parents were also in Baldwin, IL in the 1850 census. CONDITION: Very good condition with overall even toning. Not examined out of frame.