Silk Textile Document

DateMay 25, 1758

MediumSilk, Wood, Gold

Dimensions6 3/4 inches by 6 5/8 inches

Credit LineGift of the Daughters of Mr. Francis Moale Early, son of Alexander Reiman Early, Jr. (Rear Admiral, USN) and Elizabeth Dence Early

Object number2021-42

DescriptionFragment of silk brocade from Ellin North Moale's wedding gown, set into a wooden frame covered in gold trim.Label TextFamily tradtion holds that this fragment of silk brocade is from the wedding dress of Ellen North (1740-1825), who married John Moale (1730-1798) in Maryland in 1758.Inscription(s)The back of the frame is inscribed

"Piece of the --illegiable-- John Moale. Ellin North was the first white child born in Baltimore, MD."

Much of the inscription is lost due to water damage on the back.ProvenanceThe fabric descended through the Early/Moale families

Francis Moale Early (1922-2004)
from
Alexander Rieman Early Jr. (1892-1962)
from
Alexander Rieman Early (1870-1913)

Alexander Rieman Early married into the Moale family. He married Francis Moale (1868-1924. From here the fabric descends directly to Ellin North Moale

Francis Moale (1868-1924)
from
Henry Moale (1838-1890)
from
Col. Samuel Moale (1773-1857)
from
John Moale (1730-1798) who married Ellin North (1740-1825)

The book entitled Baltimore: Biography from 1912, listed the wedding gown fabric in the possession of Walter de Curzon Poultney, the youngest child of Samuel and Ellin Moale (Curzon) Poultney. The book notes "The house in which he lives was occupied by his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth (Moale) Curzon, and among the personal mementoes which he prizes highly are a pair of her mother's brocade shoes and brocade dresses, and a piece of the brocade of which the wedding dress of her grandmother was fashioned."