Waterville's Sampler Maker
In 1834, the Sargent House was built by Edward Sargent and Rowena Edwards Sargent. In August of 1839, Rowena P. Sargent was born to the couple. Ten years later, on her tenth birthday, this young lady completed a hand stitched sampler which exists to this day. On May 9, 1861, she married Seth Duane Bingham of Wyandot, Ohio and they eventually settled in Haskins, Ohio. Two children were born to them, Jessie May Bingham, born May 8, 1864, here in Waterville and Frederick H. Bingham, born December 30, 1867, in Haskins, Ohio. She died at the age of 44 on November 1, 1883 and is buried in Wakeman Cemetery along with other Sargent family members.
This is the only known surviving sampler made in Lucas County. There have been no other documented Lucas County samplers. Although plain in composition and lightly faded, Rowena Sargent’s sampler displays excellent stitching techniques. Letters and numerals are nicely done in block and script in cross-stitch and Algerian eye stitch – a relatively difficult stitch to master.
Rowena also tells us her name, the date she completed her work and her place of residence – Waterville, Lucas County, Ohio.
What makes this sampler so unique is the fact that the Sargent House at 118 South River Road still exists and is a museum owned by the Waterville Historical Society.