DORCAS SEWING MACHINE
US 11.934 Daniel Harris November 14, 1854
In 1854 sold by American Sewing Machine Company
Agent: John P. Bowker, Boston, Massachusett
... Dorcas liked to sew, but she didn't have a fancy sewing machine with a buttonholer or a sleeve attachment. She sewed by hand in her home in Joppa, the main seaport of Judea, about thirty-five miles northwest of Jerusalem. "Dorcas" was a discipline and belonged to one of the first Christian congregations. And one of her favorite ways to serve Jesus was to serve the poor in her community. The Bible says Dorcas always did good and helped the poor. Not just on Sunday or at Christmas time or when her church or the post office had a food drive. Sewing clothes for the needy was one way Dorcas helped...
Real Girl of the Bible - by Mona Hodgson
We read about Dorcas in the ninth chapter of Acts 9:36-42(NKJV):
At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise". And she opened her eyes and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa and many believed on the Lord.