Man's Wedding Waistcoat
Period1845
Place MadeNew York or New Jersey, U.S.A.
MediumSilk brocade, glazed cotton twill, brass
Dimensions19.5 in. (49.5 cm)
ClassificationsCostume, Men's
Credit LineGift of Mrs. George MacDonald, 1934
Object number683
DescriptionA man's waistcoat of ivory silk brocade, with a shawl collar, a curved breast welted pocket and two welted hip pockets at left and right front. The back of the waistcoat and the front lining are constructed of ivory cotton twill with a glazed finish. Two narrow rear waist straps with a brass two-pronged adjustable buckle are sewn into the side seams and allow the wearer to adjust the fit around the waist and back. Small self-covered buttons are sewn down the front of the waistcoat as closures.NotesEmily Somers Stagg was born on October 2, 1825 in New York to John Peter Stagg and Sarah Somers Stagg. Emily married William A. Haines on February 19, 1845. William was born on October 21, 1822, in Elizabeth Town, New Jersey. The couple had four children: sons William Augustus Jr. (1846), John Peter (1853), and Richard T. (1855) and daughter Emily Stagg (1858). The family appears in the 1860 Federal Census with the surname misspelled as "Harris." Willilam was listed as a "merchant." The family apparently relocated at some point, as the 1870 Federal Census has the Hanes (again misspelled) family living in Greehburgh, Westchester County, New York, where William was again listed as "merchant," and a real estate value of $60,000,indicating the level of success William enjoyed in his business. An 1877 New York City Directory listed William and his son William Jr. as merchants at 378 Broadway. William Sr.'s home address was listed simply as Irvington, another Westchester County town located right on the banks of the Hudson River. William and Emiily traveled, and visited Europe in 1868 with their oldest son. William A. Haines died on March 5, 1880, in Palatka, Florida. He was interred in St. George Episcopal Graveyard in Flushing, N.Y. Emily died on August 12, 1907 and was buried at All Saints Cemetery in Greenwood, NY. The Association also has Emily's cotton net lace wedding veil in the collection (see accession 682.)
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