Images(10)

Suit; coat; trousers; shirt; stock

Date1825-1834

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Pulaski County

MediumWool; linen; cotton; brass

DimensionsA, Coat OL 44 1/2 in.; Chest 41 1/2 in.; Waist 34 3/4 in.
B, Trousers OL 50 1/4 in.; Waist 35 3/8 in.
C, Shirt OL 39 1/4 in.; Chest approx. 48 in.
D, Neck Stock OL 17 1/4 in.; OW 4 1/2 in.

Credit LineGift of Mary Draper Bennett Ellison

Object number2025-35,A-D

DescriptionA - A man's coat made of navy wool, cut at the waist with skirts behind. The coat body is double breasted and fastens with brass buttons down the center front. The coat has a large notched collar. The collar, shoulders, and center front of the coat are interfaced with red wool and linen. There is a pocket in the interior of the skirts. The sleeves are gathered at the shoulder and end in cuffs that fasten with buttons (now missing). The sleeves are lined in cotton.

B - A pair of men's trousers made of navy wool. Trousers fasten down center front with three button. Narrow fall flap buttons over the front opening. Trousers have a watch pocket in front and two pockets at the sides that fasten with fabric covered buttons. Trousers are lined at waistband, center front opening, and fall flap. Darning at the seat suggests repair in the period.

C - A man's shirt with a gathered front and short standing collar. The shirt is cut from squares, rectangles and triangles and gathered to fit the body. The center front of the shirt has an inserted panel gathered at the top (neckline) and bottom. The front and back shirt panels are seamed down the sides but left open about 9 1/2 inches from the hem. The shirt is lined at the shoulders. The sleeves are full and end in cuffs which close with sleeve buttons. The shirt fastens down the center front with four buttons. There is an ink inscription, "J Draper", underneath the center front gathered panel.

D - A man's neck stock made of black velvet with a pleated black silk ribbon sewn to the front. The neck stock is lined with cream silk. The neck stock fastens with a tab and a buckle.Label TextJoseph Draper wore this suit not long before his death at the age of 40 in 1834. Draper was born in 1794 in Wythe County, Virginia (now Pulaski County). He was active in state and federal politics throughout his life. He was admitted to the bar in 1818 and became commonwealth's attorney in 1823. He later served in the Virginia State Senate (elected 1828) and won special elections to the federal House of Representatives in 1830 and 1832. He was a supporter of Andrew Jackson.

By his death in 1834, Draper's personal property was valued at over $6400. He owned a house and lot, town lots, 40 acres of land outside Evansham (later Wytheville), Virginia, and a farm in Draper's Valley. He enslaved at least fifteen people.Inscription(s)[Shirt, written in ink below the center front gathered panel] J DraperMark(s)[Coat buttons, mark on back of the button] Horstmann PhiladelphiaProvenanceJoseph Draper (Wythe County, VA); 1834, passed by descent to John Samuel Draper (Pulaski County, VA); 1904, passed by descent to John Samuel Draper [1872-1955] (Pulaski County, VA); 1955, passed by descent to Margaret Finley Draper (Pulaski County, VA);