Schoolgirl Needlework Sampler by Mary Grimmett of Lewis County, TN, signed and dated 1844. Silk on linen, rendered entirely in cross stitch. Strawberry border surrounding two Biblical verses from Psalms: "The Lord is My Shepherd" and "Give unto the Lord the Glory Due unto his name / Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" (in cartouche) over a pictorial decoration of two baskets of fruit, flanking a small red bird. Housed under glass in a gilt wood frame. Sight: 9 3/4" H  x 10 1/4" W. Frame: 12" H x 12 1/2" W. Note: this sampler has been documented by the Tennessee Sampler Survey.  Mary Grimmett was born 1833 in Lewis County, Tennessee to Elizabeth McAnally Grimmett and William Grimmett. She married John Simmons and they had eight children together. She died Feb. 19, 1900 in Loves Branch, Maury County, Tennessee. A packet of genealogical information is available to the winning bidder. 

PROVENANCE: Private Tennessee collection. 

Very good condition overall; not examined out of frame. Thread of first verse ("The Lord is my Shepherd") and cartouche outline was light colored to begin with and is now very faded, otherwise, the colors remain vivid with no apparent losses. Some discoloration to ground, particularly to the left side of the sampler. Later frame with some wear and surface losses.