Woman's Shoes
Original OwnerPossibly originally owned by
Mary Simpkins
American, born 1744
ShoemakerMade by
Jonathan Hose & Son
English
Dateabout 1773
MediumHand-stitched silk brocade, lined with linen; silk-covered wooden heel and leather sole
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 5 x 3 x 8in. (12.7 x 7.6 x 20.3cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineMuseum purchase
DescriptionCream-colored silk with brocaded design of flowers in shades of pink with green foliage; wooden Louis heel is also covered in this brocade. The heel is three inches high at center back. The toe is a rounded point. Two latchets cross the vamp and would have been held closed with a buckle. The underside of the tongue is lined in a cream-colored woven stripe silk. The interior of the shoe is lined in plain-woven linen. The center back seam, "dog leg" side seams, and edges are all bound with cream-colored silk ribbon. Leather sock lining and continuous leather sole. The shoes are "straight," not right and left.
Object number1953.16.0a,b
MarkingsPrinted paper label glued inside one shoe: "Made by / JNo. HOSE & SON / At the Rose in / Cheapside, near / Milk Street, LONDON."NotesHistorical Note: According to the family history, these shoes were worn by Mary Rand (1776-1840) when she married Jeremiah Fitch in Boston on 10 May 1804. Jeremiah Fitch was the son of Jeremiah Fitch of Bedford. Because the shoes date too early for Mary Rand Fitch, it is likely that they were first worn by her mother, Mary Simpkins (b. 1744), daughter of William Simpkins, when she married Robert Rand, son of Robert Rand, of Boston, Massachusetts, on 3 June 1773.Subject Terms
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