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Breeches
Breeches
Breeches

Breeches

PeriodCirca 1793
Place MadeNew Jersey, U.S.A.
MediumSilk, linen, cotton
Dimensions28.5 in. (72.4 cm)
ClassificationsCostume, Men's
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Charles G. Bennet and Miss Louise Hartshorne, 1935
Object number832
DescriptionA pair of men's breeches in pale blue silk, fully lined with thin plain woven cotton muslin. The breeches are constructed with a three-button front fall with a button waistband. Pockets with button flaps are set on both left and right side seams, with an additional small watch pocket set into the left side of the waistband. The waistband adjusts at the center back with two pairs of eyelets and laces without a gusset panel. The closefitting breeches close along the left and right sides of the legs with seven self-covered buttons and buckle straps.
Curatorial RemarksThe Historical Association has a number of artifacts owned and used by John and Mary Loyd Hendrickson. In addition to clothing items, the Association also has a clothes press made by Middletown furniture maker Fenwick Lyell (accession number 1984.2.1) and a set of shield back side chairs (1995.530), likely made as wedding gifts for the couple's marriage in 1793.NotesThese elegant sky blue silk breeches were worn by Monmouth County resident John Hendrickson at his wedding to Mary Loyd (1772 - 1865). Hendrickson was born on June 13, 1773 in Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He and Mary were married on November 27, 1793 and settled in Middletown. The Hendricksons had seven children. John Hendrickson died at the age of 34 on January 21, 1807 and was buried in the Hendrickson Burying Ground in Middletown. Mary Loyd Hendrickson never remarried, dying at the age of 93 in 1865. After her son Charles married Julia Ann Schureman, Mary Loyd Hendrickson lived with the family until her death. John Hendrickson's wedding breeches are part of a large group of Hendrickson family garments which entered the Historical Association's collection in 1935 and include Mary Loyd's ivory silk wedding slippers (please see accession number 849).
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