Montgomery County, Tennessee needlework sampler, silk on linen, signed Martha E. Edmondson and dated 1828. Sampler features a zigzag border enclosing four rows of alphabets and 1 row of numbers, over a verse, "Folly of Envy / Can you discern another's mind? Why is't you envy? Envy's blind. Tell envy, when she would annoy/ that thousands want what you enjoy / Martha E. Edmonson's Work Born Nov. 10 1816 Montgomery Cty Tennessee." Below the verse is a decorative guilloche motif stitched band, a band of floral decoration, and additional date and lettering "August 1st 1828 S. E. N.E." Framed under non-glare glass. Sampler: 14" x 10 1/2". Frame simulating wormy chestnut: 18" x 14 1/2". Note: this sampler has been documented by the Tennessee Sampler Survey. Their research indicates Martha Elizabeth Edmondson was the first child born to Samuel Edmondson and Nancy Jane Jones. Her parents came to Montgomery County from Virginia shortly after their marriage in 1815, and settled near Palmyra. Edmondson was a prosperous farmer. Martha may have stitched her sampler at Mrs. Harrison's Female School, seven miles north of Palmyra, founded 1822. Martha married James A. Mathis in 1839 and had six children. She died sometime after 1880. (Biographical information courtesy the Tennessee Sampler Survey). (Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.caseantiques.com)

Sampler appears to be stapled to backing board at top edge. Not examined out of frame. Overall light fading and toning/light discoloration, mainly to center. No apparent holes or repairs.