Sarah 'Tabitha' Babbitt was born in Hardwick, Massachusetts. Details about her parents and early childhood are scarce, but it is known that she came from a modest background.

Sometime in the early 1800s, Tabitha Babbitt joined the Shaker community in Harvard, Massachusetts. The exact date is unknown, but it likely occurred after she reached adulthood and possibly after a period of spiritual searching. The Shakers, known for their communal living, pacifism, and gender equality (within their unique religious framework), provided her with a structured and purposeful life.

During this period, Tabitha Babbitt resided and worked within the Harvard Shaker community. She engaged in various crafts and is credited with several inventions, most notably the circular saw for use in the community's woodworking shop. While some debate exists over the precise details of her inventions and their documentation, this period represents the peak of her creative activity.

Beyond her inventive period, Tabitha Babbitt continued to contribute to the Shaker community through her labor, skills, and spiritual devotion. The specific details of her work and activities are largely undocumented but reflect a life dedicated to the values and practices of the Shaker faith.

Tabitha Babbitt died in Harvard, Massachusetts, one day after her 74th birthday. She spent the majority of her adult life dedicated to the Shaker community. Her legacy rests primarily on her attributed inventions and the ingenuity she brought to daily life within the community.