The sampler is being sold by dealer Amy Finkel, who has it on consignment from its current owners. It seems to have traveled down in the Cornelius family for at least four generations until it was sold (see the old inscribed backing of the original picture frame in the file.) The maker, Sally Cornelius (1792-1877) was the daughter of Elias Cornelius, M.D. (1758-1823) and Rachel Stoker (1764-1836). Dr. Cornelius was a graduate of Yale University, and served as a surgeon in the Revolutionary War. The family lived in Somers, New York, in northern Westchester County, where Dr. Cornelius practiced medicine. Sally married Talmon Perry (1791-1826) at Somers in 1824. They had one child, Talmon Cornelius Perry (1826-1909). Sally's husband died after only two years of marriage, and she did not remarry.
