Provenance: Mary Ann Borden was born, lived and died in Fall River, Bristol County. Massachusetts. Her parents were Thomas (1794-1896) and Catherine Borden (1790-1874), to whom three children were born: Mary Ann on January 14, 1827, John Luther who died on October 10, 1836 aged three, and an infant unnamed who was born and died in 1831. Mary Ann at age nine stitched this sampler in 1836 as a memorial on the death of her younger brother, John Luther, who had passed that year. Mary Ann grew up, and lived a very long life in Fall River, never marrying. At age 42, she was living with her parents, her mother aged 80 and father aged 76, listed as having no occupation, with a personal estate of $500, perhaps caring for her parents. Forty years later, at age 82, she is living as a boarder, in the same town, Fall River. Mary Ann died at age 83 on June 16, 1910, and was buried in the same cemetery as her beloved brother, Oak Grove Cemetery
in Fall River, Massachusetts.
 
Stitching Notes: stitches used are four-sided stitch, cross stitch over two, and cross stitch over one. When working the over ones on the model, 100/3 silks were used instead of the NPIs. Lettering is done in shades of black as are the dividing bands. A cheerful and simple border of pink and red flowers cheers up this well-executed sampler by a big sister’s loving hands.