This little curiosity came to me with some other textile items I recently acquired. 

Viewed simply as a piece of cross stitch it’s nothing special but it is elevated by the handwritten note attached to it. Penned in beautiful cursive handwriting, the note reads:

‘Worked by Sarah Allen 1851 Love and best wishes to dear Elsie from Granny Taylor (Sarah Allen Feb 23 1918’

My understanding is that 1851 refers to the year Sarah Taylor (nee Allen) was born but I’m unsure what the other dates mean.

Things are further confused by a second note, written in pencil in a different hand, which reads:

1851
1917 ) Worked by Granny Taylor aged 88.
1926
Elsie Hill

What a mystery!

The piece measures approximately 5.5 inches by 3.25 inches. The years are worked in pink and green cross stitch.

Maybe someone out there recognises these names.....