Wilson County, Tennessee pictorial needlework sampler dated 1838, made by Mary Saunders Martin (1825-1881). Rare all-pictorial sampler featuring a rose border, enclosing a fruit basket, butterflies, and multiple birds, including parrots, a stork, and peacock, flanking a central male figure. Roosters, three dogs, and a rabbit are also depicted. Signed and dated "Miss Mary Martin 1838" lower center. Float mounted under glass atop an ivory mat in a molded wood frame. 16 1/2" x 16 3/4" sight; 22" x 22 1/2" framed. Note: According to the Tennessee Sampler Survey, which documented this sampler, Mary Saunders Martin (1825-1881) was born to George Winchester Martin, a tanner, and Judith Bradley of Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennessee. Mary wed William Pitt Hickerson, a lawyer, in 1843. The couple moved to Manchester, Coffee Co., where they had five children. Mary died in 1881 and her husband in 1882. Both are buried in the Hickerson-Wooten Cemetery in Manchester, Coffee County. It is possible that Mary stitched this sampler at the Campbell Female Academy in Lebanon under the tutelage of Harriet Abbe and Sophronia Abbe Kilbourn. A copy of the Tennessee Sampler Survey report for this sampler will be made available to the winning bidder. Note: Mary's daughter, Frances (Fanny) Hickerson Wooton (or Wooten), made the Crazy Quilt in lot 593 in this auction, and 3 other quilts from this family are also included in this auction. See lots #593 and 594. CONDITION: Hole, 2 1/2" x 1", upper left between floral border and edge. Two small holes with staining upper left, each approximately 1/4". 3/4" hole near center, affecting rabbit's tail and the ground beneath stitcher's name. Hole, 1 1/2" at lower left edge. Two holes, 1/2" diameter, upper right border. Three stains, upper right edge, largest 2". A few scattered smaller stains and ground losses. Some edge fraying and small losses at edges.