Two American samplers. 1st item: Sampler made by Hannah Higgins (b. circa 1826), silk on linen, rendered entirely in blue cross stitch with four lines of alphabet and numbers above poem, "Jehovah Jesus condescend to bless/[th]e early, with thy love and righteousness,/And daily, teach me how to praise, and pray,/For God regards, what little children say.", over signature and date "Hannah Higgins May 10th, 1839". Housed under glass in an ebonized wooden frame with gilt top and sight edge. Sight: 7 1/4" H x 12 3/4" W. Framed: 8 1/2" H x 13 7/8" W. Biographical note: Research indicates that Hannah Higgins, born circa 1826 in England, was listed as the housekeeper for Silas Higgins during the 1870 U.S. Federal Census. 2nd item: Sampler, silk on linen, with six rows of alphabet and numbers above poem "[r]ecall the former day/Improve each fleeting hour before its past/And know each fleeting hour may be thy last" over signature and partial date "Sophia B. Turner Dec…" with strawberry bouquets to lower corners and strawberry border. Housed and matted under glass in a giltwood frame with ebonized top edge. Sight: 15 5/8" H x 12 7/8" W. Framed: 22 1/4" H x 19" W. Early to mid-19th century.

PROVENANCE: Private Hawkins County, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: 1st item: Fading of thread and scattered discoloration of linen commensurate with age. Scattered minor holes to lower quarter, center, and left side, largest measuring 3/4" x 1/4". 2nd item: Fading of thread and toning of linen commensurate with age. Scattered areas of discoloration to lower left quadrant. Partial loss to thread comprising poem and date.