Images(2)

Dress

Dateca. 1820

OriginAmerica, New Jersey or New York

MediumCotton

DimensionsChest: 22 inches (pulled in with draw strings slightly)
Overall Length: 28 inches

Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2022-131

DescriptionVery plain cotton dress with a high waist. Narrow bodice is gathered slight into a band. A draw string runs along the interior of the neck line and at the waist. Three tiny pleats go around the end of the sleeves which is also trimmed in folded Van Dyke edging. The hem mimics this same design with an addition of another narrow pleat. The dress is completely open down the center back, with the same pleats and edging as found at the hem.Label TextPrior to the age of being fully potty trained, boys and girls both wore gowns. It is suggested in the paperwork that survives with this garment that a young boy may have worn this gown. Boys tended to stay in gown until the age of 3-5 years old or fully potty trained and able to unbutton their trousers.ProvenanceThis child’s or infant's dress was given the Valentine Museum before being transferred to Colonial Williamsburg by Delia Hayden Page (1882-1976). Another child’s dress was also transferred from the Valentine (2022-138) and has a history of being worn by Cordelia Adelaide Hayden Gilham (1826-1913). While it is not mentioned in the paperwork, this garment came from the same donor and is possibly related.

Delia Hayden Page (1882-1976) Donor
Emma Hayden Gilham (1855-1933) Mother of donor
Cordelia Adelaide Hayden Gilham (1826-193) Grandmother of donor
Maria Sanford Hayden (1790-1857) Great grandmother of donor

Mrs. Colonel Bumford remains unknown.