Rare Embroidered and Painted Silk Needlework Picture, Deborah Clapp Briggs, Hingham, Massachusetts, Dated 1796

Worked in silk threads and chenille on a painted silk ground signed Deborah Clapp Briggs, aged 14 years, Derby School.

Ronald Bourgeault Antiques, Hampton, New Hampshire, September 24, 1985

American Needlework Treasures: Samplers and Silk Embroideries from the Collection of Betty Ring at the Museum of American Folk Art  (p. 61, fig. 98)

Some splits and fraying of fabric at the top and bottom; new frame.
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The Derby School opened in Hingham in 1792 and still functions today. At present, pieces from this school compose the only known group of American silk embroideries in the neoclassical taste that positively predates 1800 (see ANTlQUES , June 1979, p. 1243).

Deborah Clapp Briggs (1782- 1799) was the daughter of shipwright James Briggs (c.1752-1792) and Deborah Clapp (1761-1782) of Scituate.

Deborah Clap Briggs was named for her mother who died four months after her birth.  In the so-called 'Tomb Yard, east of the First Parish Church in Norwell Village, is a tomb bearing this inscription on the flat slate covering.  "This Tomb was erected and these bodies Deposited by ye desire of Miss Deborah Clapp Briggs.  She Died Aug. ye 10^th 1799—Aetat 17 Years & 4 Months.  She was the orpan Dautr of Mr. James Briggs ye 3^rd & Mrs. Deborah his wife her Mother Mrs Deborah Briggs Died Augst 11^th 1782 AEtat 21 Years Mrs Hannah (Hannah Barker Briggs) ye wife of Mr James Briggs Died may ye 16^th 1792 AEtat 67 Years her Father Mr James Briggs ye 3^rd Died Octbr ye 12^th 1792 AEtat 40 Years who are here Deposited until the General Resurrection."  Hannah Barker Briggs was Deborah's grandmother.  Before her early death at age 17, Deborah lost both of her parents and her grandmother.