Breeches
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Lemuel Grosvenor
(American, 1752 - 1833)
Dateabout 1785-1790
MediumHand-stitched wool, linen, and leather, with brass buttons
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across hips): 28 x 19in. (71.1 x 48.3cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. John J. Beattie, III, through the Manuscript Committee of the Connecticut Society of the Colonial Dames of America
Object number1957.23.1
DescriptionCream-colored kerseymere (twill-woven wool) breeches with large brass buttons and broad fall. The breeches close at center front with three large (over 1 1/4 inches diameter) flat brass shank buttons. Covering the lower section of the front of the breeches is a broad fall, which buttons on the lowest button of the center front and then extends to either hip where it again fastens with two small flat brass buttons. None of the buttons on these breeches are stitched to the fabric itself; rather, the shanks come through a small hole in the fabric and then a narrow strip of leather is threaded through the shanks. The leather strip is then stitched down its length to the lining fabric. There is a watch pocket on the proper right front of the breeches.
The legs are open along the outside seam for about 7 inches and close with small, flat brass shank buttons. These buttons are not stitched directly to the fabric; rather, the shanks are inserted through small holes in the fabric and then threaded with a twill-woven tape. The tape is then stitched to the fabric. The buttons on the knee bands are missing.
The breeches are constructed to be tight in front, but are full in the seat to allow for movement. The back of the breeches are gathered into the waistband, which is split at the center back. Worked holes on either side of the center back show that a lacing controlled the fit of the waistband.
The lining of the fall and the lower sections of the front panels are constructed of a slightly coarse cream-colored twill-woven wool (not the same as the kerseymere). The pockets extending below the front panels are constructed of plain-woven linen. The waistband is lined with coarse plain-woven linen.
These breeches were originally owned by General Lemuel Grosvenor of Pomfret, Connecticut. On November 7, 1789, General Washington visited Lemuel Grosvenor and appointed him the first Postmaster of Pomfret, with offices opening January 1, 1795. Lemuel Grosvenor served as Postmaster for nearly 40 years until his death in 1833.
The legs are open along the outside seam for about 7 inches and close with small, flat brass shank buttons. These buttons are not stitched directly to the fabric; rather, the shanks are inserted through small holes in the fabric and then threaded with a twill-woven tape. The tape is then stitched to the fabric. The buttons on the knee bands are missing.
The breeches are constructed to be tight in front, but are full in the seat to allow for movement. The back of the breeches are gathered into the waistband, which is split at the center back. Worked holes on either side of the center back show that a lacing controlled the fit of the waistband.
The lining of the fall and the lower sections of the front panels are constructed of a slightly coarse cream-colored twill-woven wool (not the same as the kerseymere). The pockets extending below the front panels are constructed of plain-woven linen. The waistband is lined with coarse plain-woven linen.
These breeches were originally owned by General Lemuel Grosvenor of Pomfret, Connecticut. On November 7, 1789, General Washington visited Lemuel Grosvenor and appointed him the first Postmaster of Pomfret, with offices opening January 1, 1795. Lemuel Grosvenor served as Postmaster for nearly 40 years until his death in 1833.
Status
Not on view
