Born in New Jersey on 24 February 1719, Rebekah Watson stitched this unique sampler when she was 14 years old. The verse is especially curious, and almost certainly has a double entendre:

The higher the Tree the riper the PLUMB the richer the Cobbler the blacker his Thumb

Following the brilliant Irish stitched section at the centre is a series of family initials. IW and AW refer to her parents, John and Abigail Watson. EK is probably her elder, married sister, Elizabeth Kostor. In 1737, Rebekah married Joseph Scattergood of Burlington, New Jersey. She died in Philadelphia on February 22,1800. The sampler was given to The Scarlet Letter by Mrs. Dorothy Scattergood, a direct descendent of Rebekah Watson Scattergood.

Stitches used are cross, satin, back, Irish, stem, and eyelet. Stitched on 35 count linen, the finished size will be approximately 10"x10", closely approximating the original. The project is recommended for intermediate level needle workers.

Kit contains fabric, silk or cotton thread, needle and instructions.