Maria D. Bigelow

Signed, “Wrought by Maria D. Bigelow aged 11 years Marlborough 1837,” we find this to be a particularly praiseworthy sampler. The subject matter is very appealing – various alphabets, an uplifting couplet, an inscription that includes the town name, beautiful flower branches and an organic border of blossoms on leafy vine – and it is laid out in a careful, balanced composition. The couplet, “Hope wipes the tear from sorrow’s eye / And Faith points upwards to the sky,” is typical of the sentiments of the period and more uplifting than many.  

Maria was born on November 29, 1825, the oldest of eight children of Lambert and Emily (Dickinson) Bigelow of Deerfield, Massachusetts. Published histories tell us much about the family; Lambert served in many civic positions in Marlborough including Town Clerk and Town Treasurer. Genealogy of the Descendants of John White … 1638-1900 by Almira Larkin White (Haverhill, 1900), states that he was, “highly respected by all, honest, upright in his dealings, and a faithful servant.” His grandfather, Lieutenant Ivory Bigelow (1741-1804), also of Marlborough, served in the Revolutionary War and was one of the leading men of the town. Their immigrant ancestor was John Bigelow (1616-1703) who was born in Suffolk, England and sailed to Massachusetts at age 14, in 1630. 

While researching the family, we wondered if Maria’s mother, Emily (Dickinson) Bigelow (1804-1869), was related to the poet, Emily Dickinson. While not closely related, they are distant cousins, both descendants of John Dickinson (1564-1637).

In 1846, Maria married William Morse, and they had two children. She died in 1875 and is buried in Maplewood Cemetery in Marlborough. 

The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted and is in a fine period, gold leaf frame.