Rare Needlework Sampler, Sarah Swett, Haverhill, Massachusetts, circa 1783

Worked in silk stitches on a linen ground; signed Haverhill May the 7 Sarah Swett, Born in the year of our Lord 1771.

American Needlework Treasures: Samplers and Silk Embroideries from the Collection of Betty Ring at the Museum of American Folk Art (p. 12, fig. 17)

Some mellowing of linen; some fading in inscription at the bottom of sampler; frame not original.
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Sarah gave her birthdate and ended with a bold rendition of the Boston band pattern below this frequently found verse:

This needle work of Mine doth tell when a child is learned well By my Parents I was taught not to spend my time for naught

Sarah's work appears to be a forerunner of a large group of Haverhill samplers (dated 1801-1813) that have a sharply defined three-sided border with the same geometric side border used here (see Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc., The Theodore H. Kapnek Collection of American Samplers, Sale 4531Y, January 31, 1981, Lot 43). Sarah Swett was the daughter of Nathan Swett (b. 1739) and Sarah Frie of Haverhill. She married Theodore Brickett of New Andover on September 27, 1795.  They moved to Andover, Maine and had four children. (Additional information provided by Carol and Stephen Huber).