Mrs. Ellis, Teacher

Marble Hill Female Academy (Green and Pink Group)

Ellen Mordaunt Oldham was one of eight children born to Richard Oldham and Tabitha Rives/Reeves. The family originated in Brunswick County, VA, and was in Davidson County before 1818. In 1830 they were living in Williamson County. Ellen made her sampler at Mrs. Ellis’ Female Academy, also known as the Marble Hill Female Academy, ten miles southwest of Nashville in Davidson County, just over the line from Williamson County.

Ellen’s sampler has a green and cream palette (faded from the original pink), which relates to several other samplers that originate in the counties north of Nashville. Interestingly, Mrs. Ellis’ advertisement for her female academy gives references from these counties.