Sterling in Worcester County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Mary Sawyer’s Birthplace

Photographed By Roger W. Sinnott, May 31, 2010

1. Mary Sawyer’s Birthplace Marker

Inscription. Mary had a little lamb . . . — Birthplace of Mary E. Sawyer (and her lamb) 1806 - 1889 — Sterling, Ma.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Arts, Letters, Music • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1806.

Location. 42° 25.884′ N, 71° 44.211′ W. Marker is in Sterling, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. Marker is on Maple Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is just before Maple Street ends in a T with Rugg Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 108 Maple Street, Sterling MA 01564, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lancaster (approx. 1.2 miles away); "Mary Had a Little Lamb" (approx. 1.3 miles away); Lafayette’s Tour (approx. 1.3 miles away); Rowlandson Rock (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named Rowlandson Rock (approx. 2.6 miles away); Prescott Grist Mill (approx. 2.7 miles away); Sawyer-Carter Bridge (approx. 2.9 miles away); Site of Mary Rowlandson’s Capture (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sterling.

Regarding Mary Sawyer’s Birthplace.

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Mary Elizabeth Sawyer of Sterling, Massachusetts, probably inspired the popular nursery rhyme, “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” When she was about 10 years old, a lamb she’d been caring for followed her to school, and an older schoolmate named John Roulstone penned the opening lines of the poem. Sarah Josepha Hale of Boston published a much-expanded version together with some other poems in 1830.

The original house in which Mary Sawyer was born stayed in the family for generations. Sadly, it was destroyed by fire in August 2007.

Also see . . . Mary Had a Little Lamb. Wikipedia entry about the authorship of the poem. (Submitted on May 31, 2010, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts.)

"Story behind rhyme survives fire" image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Roger W. Sinnott, May 31, 2010

2. "Story behind rhyme survives fire"

Worcester Telegram and Gazette article
The house was destroyed in August 2007.
A modern house, intended to look like the original, is under construction where the old one stood.
Click for more information.

View of Yard Looking North image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Roger W. Sinnott, May 31, 2010

3. View of Yard Looking North

<i>Original Home of Mary Sawyer "Mary and her Little Lamb" Sterling, Mass.</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1920

4. Original Home of Mary Sawyer "Mary and her Little Lamb" Sterling, Mass.

<i>Where Mary (Sawyer) and the Little Lamb Went to School Sterling, Mass.</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1910

5. Where Mary (Sawyer) and the Little Lamb Went to School Sterling, Mass.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2010, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 2,544 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2010, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. 4, 5. submitted on October 1, 2015. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.