Infant's Dress

Clothing MakerMade by Melancy Williams (American, 1777 - 1864)

Original OwnerOriginally owned by Grace Goodrich Markham (American)

Date1864

MediumHand-stitched cotton

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across shoulders): 21 1/4 x 9in. (54 x 22.9cm)

ClassificationsCostume

Credit LineGift of Beverly Dobbin

DescriptionInfant's dress of white cotton, with a short-waisted bodice decorated with a V-shaped design of whitework embroidery. The centers of the larger eyelets in the embroidery are worked with needle lace. The embroidery is edged with flat strips of scalloped and embroidered self-fabric. The neckline is wide and is controlled by a drawstring. The short sleeves consist of two layers of scalloped and embroidered self-fabric ruffles. The armscye is piped. The skirt is gathered into a narrow waistband. The lower front of the skirt is embroidered with a floral design matching that on the bodice. The center front of the skirt is trimmed in a V-shape with strips of scalloped and embroidered self-fabric. The bottom edge of the skirt is similarly scalloped and embroidered. The center back of the dress is open for ten inches and closes with drawstrings at the waist and neckline.

Object number1986.43.1

NotesHistorical Note: Melancy Williams (about 1777-1864) made this dress, including the lace and embroidery, for her great granddaughter, Grace Goodrich Markham. In March 1864, she was going to travel from Boston to Hartford to see her great granddaughter, but she died on the morning of her journey, while saying grace before breakfast.

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