The Legacy of Two Faiths

In the early 1970’s Faith Trumbull McClellan had recently married John LeBaron and the young couple needed money for a downpayment on their first house. Faith knew she had a valuable family heirloom to barter. She had inherited a magnificent embroidered “overmantel”that was stitched by her ancestor, Faith Trumbull prior to the Revolutionary War. Although it was a difficult decision, Faith LeBaron realized it was time for the piece to leave the family.  She contacted the Colchester firm of Nathan Liverant and Son and arranged for the sale. At the time of the transaction Faith LeBaron said she hoped that it would someday end up in a museum but she also realized that the dealer could sell it to private individual and she would never see the needlework  again.

In October 2010, Faith Trumbull LeBaron visited The Connecticut Historical Society to see the exhibition, ConnecticutNeedlework 1740-1840: Women, Art and Family.  .  She knew that Nathan Liverant and son had honored her wishes and sold the mantelpiece to the Connecticut Historical Society, but she had not seen Faith Trumbull’s masterpiece in forty years. She remembered the frame being in disrepair and parts of the needlework being frayed. Her brother remembers it as just “old and dusty.”Mrs. LeBaron was thrilled to see the piece on display and to learn that the embroidery that was so precious to her family had been so well-cared for.  It will remain on view at CHS, together with other examples of Faith’s work, through March 26, 2011.

For more information on ConnecticutNeedlework 1740-1840: Women, Art and Family, go to www.chs.org.