East Tennessee, possibly Knox County, needlework sampler made by Mary Elizabeth "Polly" Amos, circa 1837. The silk on linen sampler, rendered entirely in cross stitch, features rows of alphabets and numbers over a central urn pictorial emblazoned with the stitcher's signature, and surrounded by trees, plants, baskets of fruit and flowers, a bird and a little black dog. Enclosed within a broad flower and vine border. Painted wood frame with molded edge (possibly old/original). Sight – 15 1/2" x 15 1/4". Framed – 19" x 18 1/2". Note: this sampler has been documented by the Tennessee Sampler Survey. A copy of the genealogy report for the stitcher is available to the winning bidder. According to the TSS research, Mary Elizabeth Amos (1826-1902), nicknamed "Polly", was born to William Amos and Mary Elizabeth Dickey in Spartanburg, SC. The family moved to Roane County, Tennessee between 1826 and 1830. Miss Amos's sampler was likely made at a female academy in neighboring Knox County, as Roane County had no known schools for girls at that time. Polly Amos married her first cousin, Rev. Presley Lacky Amos in 1842 in Roane County. He was a Baptist Preacher and Farmer. The couple had seven children together. He died in 1896 and Polly died 6 years later. Both are buried in the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Lenoir City, Loudon County.

PROVENANCE: Private Tennessee Collection.

CONDITION: Several large areas of discoloration and light staining (sampler has been professionally cleaned). Repaired 3/4" hole to center ground, near bird beak. A couple of other tiny holes/losses. Repaired tear or area of ground loss upper left corner, about 1 1/2". Not examined out of frame.