Sarah "Tabitha" Babbitt was born in Hardwick, Massachusetts. While details surrounding her early life before joining the Shakers are sparse, her New England upbringing likely instilled values of hard work, resourcefulness, and community, traits that would later define her contributions to the Shaker society.

In the late 1790s, Tabitha Babbitt joined the Shaker community in Harvard, Massachusetts. This decision marked a pivotal moment in her life, leading her to embrace the Shaker values of simplicity, celibacy, communal living, and a strong work ethic. The Shaker emphasis on equality between men and women also likely appealed to Babbitt, providing her with opportunities to develop and express her talents.