Waistcoat
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Colonel William Ledyard
(American, 1738 - 1781)
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1781
MediumHand-stitched linen, with buttons made of wooden (probably) discs covered with linen
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length from shoulder to hem x width across chest): 29 x 18 1/2in. (73.7 x 47cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Maria Ledyard
Object number1841.5.0
DescriptionWaistcoat of white linen, woven with stripes created by alternating reversing twilled stripes. Eleven-button closure at center front. The buttons are made of linen-covered wooden (probably) discs. The waistcoat skirt is cut to slope away in front below the hips. There is a pocket covered by a flap on each side of the front at hip level. The back of the waistcoat is plain-woven linen, pieced at the proper right shoulder. The waistcoat is lined with a finer plain-woven linen, and the buttonholes are faced with linen matching the back. The center back seam has a five-inch long vent.
This waistcoat was worn by Colonel William Ledyard when he was killed by a British officer during the taking of Fort Griswold on 6 September 1781. A 1 1/2-inch horizontal cut indicating the piercing of the sword is evident on the proper left side; there is a smaller cut on the proper right side, suggesting that Colonel Ledyard was run through from the side. The proper right shoulder is cut through, possibly done to remove the waistcoat from the stricken soldier. The shirt worn by Colonel Ledyard (#1844.48.0) shows sword cuts on either side of its back panel, which correspond to the size and area of the sword cuts on the waistcoat. For the holes to match up, the shirt would have been slightly twisted around Ledyard's body, as he actively defended himself at the time he was stabbed.
NotesObject Note: This waistcoat is among the earliest costume donations to the Connecticut Historical Society, given in 1841 by Mrs. Maria Ledyard, Colonel Ledyard's daughter-in-law. According to Thompson Harlow, "An early attempt at restoration [of Ledyard's shirt, 1844.48.0] was made by our first Librarian, Thomas Robbins (1844-1856) when he had the shirt washed and the bloodstains removed so as not to offend the 'delicate females' who happened to see the costume on display." [Thompson Harlow] "Costume Conservation," CHSB 24(1) January 1959, p. 29. Presumably, the waistcoat was washed at the same time. (Bassett 4/18/2001)This waistcoat was worn by Colonel William Ledyard when he was killed by a British officer during the taking of Fort Griswold on 6 September 1781. A 1 1/2-inch horizontal cut indicating the piercing of the sword is evident on the proper left side; there is a smaller cut on the proper right side, suggesting that Colonel Ledyard was run through from the side. The proper right shoulder is cut through, possibly done to remove the waistcoat from the stricken soldier. The shirt worn by Colonel Ledyard (#1844.48.0) shows sword cuts on either side of its back panel, which correspond to the size and area of the sword cuts on the waistcoat. For the holes to match up, the shirt would have been slightly twisted around Ledyard's body, as he actively defended himself at the time he was stabbed.
Status
Not on view
Object/Object
