Man's Uniform Coat
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Monson Hayt
(American, died 1805)
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1777-1783
MediumHand-stitched wool broadcloth with glazed twill wool lining and linen interlining, with brass buttons and gold and silver thread embroidery
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length): 42in. (106.7cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Henry L. Mills
Object number1896.9.1
DescriptionRed wool broadcloth, with blue facings, collar, and cuffs. The coat is constructed with a flared skirt and a center back vent. The body is shaped by a center back seam and two slightly curved seams which extend from the armscyes down the back and meet the skirt pleats to either side of the back vent. These pleats are open along one edge, but held closed at the bottom by a non-functioning button. There is also a decorative button at the top of the pleats, and also two non-functioning buttons stitched inside this opening. The sleeves are narrow and curved; they are seamed along the top and inside of the arm. (The sleeves have been altered by inserting a gusset of red plain-woven wool into the inside arm seam.) The blue wool facing extends 21 inches from the bottom of the collar; it is decorated with flat brass shank buttons arranged in pairs and heavy gold thread faux buttonholes, cut partially (but not intended to be used to button and unbutton the facing). This same decoration appears on the cuffs (although the metal thread here appears to be silver rather than gold) and at the center lower back. The coat front opening is cut with a curve; there is one hook and eye at the opening in the chest area.
The coat is lined with undyed twill-woven calendered wool. It is interlined with plain-woven linen in the area of the cuffs, along the front opening, and under the buttonholes on the collar. The red wool broadcloth is so heavily fulled that the bottom edge of the coat is left cut and unfinished. It shows no sign of raveling.
Worn by Monson Hayt (formerly identified as Munson Hoyt) as part of his officer's uniform with the Prince of Wales's Loyalist regiment during the American Revolutionary War.
The coat is lined with undyed twill-woven calendered wool. It is interlined with plain-woven linen in the area of the cuffs, along the front opening, and under the buttonholes on the collar. The red wool broadcloth is so heavily fulled that the bottom edge of the coat is left cut and unfinished. It shows no sign of raveling.
Worn by Monson Hayt (formerly identified as Munson Hoyt) as part of his officer's uniform with the Prince of Wales's Loyalist regiment during the American Revolutionary War.
Label TextRare surviving example of an American Revolutionary War military officer's uniform coat from a Loyalist (Tory) regiment. The original owner was Munson Hoyt (d. 1805), a native of Norwalk, Connecticut. From 1777 to 1783, Hoyt served as a lieutenant in the Prince of Wales's British American Regiment, which was organized in Middletown, Connecticut, in the summer of 1776. Hoyt's "redcoat" is constructed of red wool broadcloth, with blue facings, collar, and cuffs. The facings, cuffs, and center lower back are decorated with flat, brass shank buttons arranged in pairs and faux buttonholes stitched with heavy metallic thread. The faces of the buttons are unornamented.
NotesHistorical Note: Worn by Monson Hayt (formerly identified as Munson Hoyt) as part of his officer's uniform with the Prince of Wales's Loyalist regiment during the American Revolutionary War.Status
Not on view
Object/Object
