Embroidered Picture (USA)

Unlike the majority of samplers, which were made as part of the needlework education of schoolgirls, this example was worked by Margaret Hoog (née Broderick, born c. 1854) to commemorate her 1875 marriage. In the center of the sampler, instead of the usual alphabets, verse, or family history, Margaret has stitched a message to her husband: "John the Hoog/Love/Remember me/Margaret Hoog/Married 1875 June 3." Above this is an eagle perched atop a United States shield. In its talons are multiple flags, including those of America, Belgium, where her husband was born, and possibly the Red Ensign, a British naval and merchant flag that was sometimes used on Irish merchant vessels. Around these central elements are a whimsical mix of swooping birds, flowering sprigs, baskets of flowers, and symbols that include stars, eyes, an anchor, and a heart pierced by an arrow. Depicted in the sampler’s lower section is a train leaving a town and passing into a rural landscape. Behind it are houses and a horse and carriage. One of the train’s cars is marked "PRR" for Pennsylvania Railroad.


Margaret and John Hoog were married in Manhattan. All that is currently known about them comes from the information on their marriage certificate. Margaret was born in Ireland, and was the daughter of Patrik and Catherine Broderick. John (born c. 1850), the son of Cornelius and Maria Hoog, was originally from Belgium. It is not known when Margaret or John arrived in the United States, but both were residing in New York at the time of their marriage. Margaret’s reference to her husband as "John the Hoog" may have been a joke between the couple, possibly indicating that his last name had been "de Hoog" prior to his immigration. Although only twenty-one at the time of her marriage to John, Margaret had been married once before and was probably a widow. Her last name at the time of her second marriage is difficult to discern on the marriage records, but may have been Peragia or Perazia.


The sampler’s message, with its plea "remember me," hints at an impending separation. While it is possible that John Hoog was divided from his bride by his profession – listed as seaman on their marriage certificate – the image of the train indicates that his journey was to be by rail rather than by sea. It is conceivable that he left New York in an effort to improve their circumstances, and that Margaret planned to join him once he was established in a new location.


It is not known whether the Hoogs were ever reunited. One possible outcome to their story is found in the 1888-89 New York directory, which contains a listing for "Hoog, Margaret, widow John." There is no evidence, however, that the listing refers to the couple named in this sampler, so such a sad ending to their story is by no means certain.

Embroidered Picture (USA); Embroidered by Margaret Hoog (American, b. Ireland); wool and cotton embroidery on wool foundation; Frame H x W x D: 55.9 x 76.2 cm (22 x 30 in.) Warp x Weft (unframed): 51.4 x 72.4 cm (20 1/4 x 28 1/2 in.); Gift of Myra M. and William H. Mathers; 2008-31-23