Cross-stitch sampler by Anne Thomas, Wales, 1864. We’re continuing to recap our top 12 posts of 2012. #10 is this needlework sampler from the Waukesha County Museum, which was stitched by Anne Thomas of Wales (United Kingdom) in 1864. Anne’s daughters Mary and Elizabeth came to Wisconsin in the 1890s, joining other relatives who had previously settled in the Waukesha area.  When we first posted this sampler in July, a follower in Wales shared a rough translation of the Welsh verses: “When I bow my head to dieLet me see your blessed loveSee the open heavensThe son of man to the right of the Father.  Smile upon me Lord of GraceOn the shores of the blue river of deathGive your lovely presenceAs I leave this world for the next.”   via: Waukesha County Museum by way of Wisconsin Decorative Arts Database
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Cross-stitch sampler by Anne Thomas, Wales, 1864.

We’re continuing to recap our top 12 posts of 2012. #10 is this needlework sampler from the Waukesha County Museum, which was stitched by Anne Thomas of Wales (United Kingdom) in 1864. Anne’s daughters Mary and Elizabeth came to Wisconsin in the 1890s, joining other relatives who had previously settled in the Waukesha area. 

When we first posted this sampler in July, a follower in Wales shared a rough translation of the Welsh verses:

“When I bow my head to die
Let me see your blessed love
See the open heavens
The son of man to the right of the Father.  
Smile upon me Lord of Grace
On the shores of the blue river of death
Give your lovely presence
As I leave this world for the next.”  

via: Waukesha County Museum by way of Wisconsin Decorative Arts Database

Source: content.wisconsinhistory.org

Bethesda Presbyterian Church, Winnebago County, Wisconsin.

This church in the unincorporated community of Ring, Wisconsin was built in 1856 and features stained glass windows with Welsh inscriptions. The example shown here is Psalm 119:105—”Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Photographs by Michael Cooney, 2010.

via: Pioneer Churches Collection, Oshkosh Public Library

Source: oshkoshpub.cdmhost.com

Listen: "He's the Lily of the Valley," Gymanfa Ganu in Pickett, Wisconsin, 1940.

As mentioned in the previous post, descendants of Welsh migrants to Wisconsin have gathered at the Peniel Chapel every year since the early 20th century for Gymanfa Ganu—a musical event featuring hymns sung in four-part harmony. In 1940, Helene Stratman-Thomas and Robert F. Draves recorded the congregation as part of the Wisconsin Folk Music Recording Project sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Library of Congress.

via: Wisconsin Folksong Collection 1937-1946, Mills Music Library by way of University of Wisconsin Digital Collections

Gymanfa Ganu singers at Peniel Chapel, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin.

In August, the Peniel Chapel near Pickett, Wisconsin will host its 90th annual Gymanfa Ganu—a traditional Welsh festival of sacred choral music sung in four-part harmony. The chapel itself was constructed in 1856. Photographs by Michael Cooney, 2010.

via: Pioneer Churches Collection, Oshkosh Public Library

read more: Welsh Gymanfa Ganu Association of Wisconsin

Source: oshkoshpub.cdmhost.com

Tell everyone who inquires after us that we think the country will prove very agreeable to us. We are only sorry that we did not come earlier, but “better late than never.” The land in general is exceptionally good, and although thousands come here the country is so immense that there is yet plenty of Government land.

John and Margaret Owen, Baraboo, Wisconsin, 1847. Letter home to family members in Wales.

via: “Documents: Immigrant Letters,” Wisconsin Magazine of History 13:4 (1930)

Source: content.wisconsinhistory.org

Cross-stitch sampler by Anne Thomas, Wales, 1864. This needlework sampler, which includes two verses in Welsh and one in English, was stitched by Anne Thomas of Wales. Anne’s daughters Mary and Elizabeth came to Wisconsin in the 1890s, joining other relatives who had previously settled in the Waukesha area. The first Welsh immigrants to Wisconsin arrived in 1840.  via: Waukesha County Museum by way of Wisconsin Decorative Arts Database read more: Sadie Rowlands Price, “The Welsh of Waukesha County,” Wisconsin Magazine of History 26:3 (1943) UPDATE: beccatoria provided a rough translation of the two Welsh verses on the sampler. Anyone happen to recognize the source material? “When I bow my head to die Let me see your blessed love See the open heavens The son of man to the right of the Father.   Smile upon me Lord of Grace On the shores of the blue river of death Give your lovely presence As I leave this world for the next.”  
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Cross-stitch sampler by Anne Thomas, Wales, 1864.

This needlework sampler, which includes two verses in Welsh and one in English, was stitched by Anne Thomas of Wales. Anne’s daughters Mary and Elizabeth came to Wisconsin in the 1890s, joining other relatives who had previously settled in the Waukesha area. The first Welsh immigrants to Wisconsin arrived in 1840. 

via: Waukesha County Museum by way of Wisconsin Decorative Arts Database

read more: Sadie Rowlands Price, “The Welsh of Waukesha County,” Wisconsin Magazine of History 26:3 (1943)

UPDATE: beccatoria provided a rough translation of the two Welsh verses on the sampler. Anyone happen to recognize the source material?

“When I bow my head to die
Let me see your blessed love
See the open heavens
The son of man to the right of the Father.  
Smile upon me Lord of Grace
On the shores of the blue river of death
Give your lovely presence
As I leave this world for the next.”  

Source: content.wisconsinhistory.org

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