POLLY FARNSWORTH (1794 - 1846, GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS) NEEDLEWORK PICTORIAL SAMPLER, silk on dark linen, nine rows of letters and numbers above an eight line verse that in part reads "Polly Farnsworth is my name / America is my nation / Groton is my dwelling place / Christ is my salvation.", lower quadrant featuring a central two-story house with two chimneys and green windows, flanked by a picket fence and two trees, inscribed "Wrought by Polly Farnsworth, Groton December 18, 1806" below house, all within an undulating vine border with stylized flower heads. Later birds-eye maple frame. Circa 1806. 25 1/2" x 17" sight.

Provenance: From a private Lynchburg, VA collection.
Purchased directly from a descendant of Polly Farnsworth, the maker of the present lot.
Catalogue Note: Mary Polly Farnsworth (1787-1846) was born in Groton, MA and died in Millbury, MA. She attended the Groton Academy from 1803 to 1806 where she likely executed this sampler. In fact, descendants of Polly Farnsworth still attend the academy, which was chartered in 1793 as a co-educational college preparatory school. Its name was changed to Lawrence Academy in 1845 to honor the generous support of Amos and William Lawrence. The Academy, one of the nation's most exclusive, is the tenth oldest boarding school in the United States, whose alumni rolls include a number of important American individuals.

Very good visual condition, horizontal fold line in center with partial separation and narrow losses, some losses to stitching at upper row of letters and grass below the house.