Man's Uniform Coat
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Elias Ingraham
(American, 1805 - 1885)
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1825
MediumHand-stitched wool, white metal buttons, metallic braid, and cotton cord trim
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center back length x breast circumference): 32 x 38in. (81.3 x 96.5cm)
Other (sleeve length): 27in. (68.6cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Morton C. Treadway and Edward Ingraham
Object number1959.29.1
DescriptionRed wool broadcloth tail coat, with high standing collar. Each side of the coat front is decorated with eight short rows of brownish cord couched with black thread; at each end of the cording is stitched a large silver-tone metal ball button. The slightly curved sleeves are set smoothly into the armscye. The sleeves end in a cuff, open along the back seam, and decorated with cording in a similar manner to the coat front, but without buttons. The collar is edged with flat metallic gold braid. The coat closes in front with brass hooks and eyes. This may not be the original closure. The ball buttons are early replacements of what were probably originally flat brass shank buttons; there are buttonholes worked within the decorative cording on the proper left side of the coat; these are too small to use with the large ball buttons. (It was not uncommon for militia companies to sell uniforms; the militia company which purchased the garments would change them according to their taste and so the ball buttons were probably added five or ten years after the coat was first made.)
The back of the coat is seamed at center back and to either side of the center back with a curved seam exending from the armscye to the waist. At this point, the side back seam meets a pleat extending the length of the tail. The pleat is pressed closed for its entire length, and stitched closed at the bottom. There is a faux-pocket flap mounted above each tail, with four of the non-functioning ball buttons stitched directly below the flap. The fabric of the tails are turned back at the bottom corners and stitched down; a diamond-shaped patch of the red broadcloth, edged with gold braid, is stitched over the turned-back corners where they meet in the lower center of the tail.
The front and the tails of the coat are lined with red wool broadcloth. A functional pocket is located in the proper left tail, accessed from the inside. The broadcloth is so heavily fulled that seam finishes are largely unnecessary. The back seams are trimmed closely and left raw, as are the bottom edges of the tails, the sleeve cuff openings, and the lining at the back of the neck. The sleeves are lined with plain-woven white cotton, now yellowed. The coat appears to be domestically made, as there is little effort at tailoring.
NotesHistorical Note: It is believed by the donors that this uniform coat was worn on military training days by their great grandfather, Elias Ingraham. He came to Bristol, Connecticut, in 1824, where he founded the Ingraham Clock and Watch Company.The back of the coat is seamed at center back and to either side of the center back with a curved seam exending from the armscye to the waist. At this point, the side back seam meets a pleat extending the length of the tail. The pleat is pressed closed for its entire length, and stitched closed at the bottom. There is a faux-pocket flap mounted above each tail, with four of the non-functioning ball buttons stitched directly below the flap. The fabric of the tails are turned back at the bottom corners and stitched down; a diamond-shaped patch of the red broadcloth, edged with gold braid, is stitched over the turned-back corners where they meet in the lower center of the tail.
The front and the tails of the coat are lined with red wool broadcloth. A functional pocket is located in the proper left tail, accessed from the inside. The broadcloth is so heavily fulled that seam finishes are largely unnecessary. The back seams are trimmed closely and left raw, as are the bottom edges of the tails, the sleeve cuff openings, and the lining at the back of the neck. The sleeves are lined with plain-woven white cotton, now yellowed. The coat appears to be domestically made, as there is little effort at tailoring.
Status
Not on view
Object/Object
