Huldah Perley

Documented America samplers from the mid 18th century are considered rarities and we are pleased to offer this fine example. The samplermaker, Huldah Perley, was born March 21, 1742, to a prominent family in Boxford, located north of Boston and west of Andover. We can estimate that she was approximately 13 years old when she stitched this fine sampler with its very delicate needlework. Similar to other mid 18th century Massachusetts samplers, it is a band sampler in format, with no borders, again consistent with its date. The inscription on the sampler reads: “Huldah Perley born March 21 1742 / Huldah Perley is my name / English is my nation / Boxford is my dwelling place / Christ is my salvation.”

Huldah was the third of six children born to Francis Perley (1705/6-1765) and Huldah (Putnam) Perley (b. 1716), who were married in Boxford in 1734. Francis was a highly regarded citizen of Boxford, a large landowner who also operator a tannery and held many civic offices, “a man of ability, integrity and judgment who was held in good esteem,” according to History and Genealogy of the Perley Family, by M. V. B. Perley, 1906. From 1738 until 1764 Francis served as hog reeve (an animal control officer tasked with preventing potential damage that stray swine might cause, or appraising damage if it occurred - not a minor concern), fence viewer (an official who would determine responsibility for the building and upkeep of fences, which needed to be “hog tight and horse high”), selectman (chief administrator of a town) and town treasurer. The Perley genealogy book publishes the inventory of Mr. Perley that was taken upon his death and photocopies are included in the file that accompanies the sampler.

In 1764 Huldah married Lt. Col. John Robinson (born 1735 in Topsfield) and they settled in Westford, Massachusetts, further west in Middlesex County. He served in the Battle of Concord, 1775 and was the officer who led three companies of Minutemen, taking command against the British in this historic battle. Huldah and John became the parents of eight children. They resided on a farm and he served as town selectmen. John died in 1805 and Huldah died in 1812.

The sampler was worked in silk onto tan linen. It is in very good condition with very slight loss and has been conservation mounted into a black carved and painted frame.