The Project Gutenberg eBook, Two Centuries of Costume in America, Vol. 1 (1620-1820),
by Alice Morse Earle

TWO CENTURIES OF COSTUME IN AMERICA
MDCXX-MDCCCXX

ALICE MORSE EARLE
AUTHOR OF "SUN-DIALS AND ROSES OF YESTERDAY" "OLD TIME GARDENS," ETC.

VOLUME I

Nineteen Hundred and Three

Madam Padishal and Child.

To George P. Brett

"An honest Stationer (or Publisher) is he, that exercizeth his Mystery (whether it be in printing, bynding or selling of Bookes) with more respect to the glory of God & the publike aduantage than to his owne Commodity & is both an ornament & a profitable member in a ciuill Commonwealth.... If he be a Printer he makes conscience to exemplefy his Coppy fayrely & truly. If he be a Booke-bynder, he is no meere Bookeseller (that is) one who selleth meerely ynck & paper bundled up together for his owne aduantage only: but he is a Chapman of Arts, of wisdome, & of much experience for a little money.... The reputation of Schollers is as deare unto him as his owne: For, he acknowledgeth that from them his Mystery had both begining and means of continuance. He heartely loues & seekes the Prosperity of his owne Corporation: Yet he would not iniure the Uniuersityes to advantage it. In a word, he is such a man that the State ought to cherish him; Schollers to loue him; good Customers to frequent his shopp; and the whole Company of Stationers to pray for him."

--GEORGE WITHER, 1625.

CONTENTS

VOL. I

I. APPAREL OF THE PURITAN AND PILGRIM FATHERS

II. DRESS OF THE NEW ENGLAND MOTHERS

III. ATTIRE OF VIRGINIA DAMES AND THEIR NEIGHBORS

IV. A VAIN PURITAN GRANDMOTHER

V. THE EVOLUTION OF COATS AND WAISTCOATS

VI. RUFFS AND BANDS

VII. CAPS AND BEAVERS IN COLONIAL DAYS

VIII. THE VENERABLE HOOD

IX. CLOAKS AND THEIR COUSINS

X. THE DRESS OF OLD-TIME CHILDREN

XI. PERUKES AND PERIWIGS

XII. THE BEARD

XIII. PATTENS, CLOGS, AND GOLOE-SHOES

XIV. BATTS AND BROAGS, BOOTS AND SHOES

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN VOLUME I

MADAM PADISHAL AND CHILD

Frontispiece

This fine presentation of the dress of a gentlewoman and infant child, in the middle of the seventeenth century, hung in old Plymouth homes in the Thomas and Stevenson families till it came by inheritance to the present owner, Mrs. Greely Stevenson Curtis of Boston, Mass. The artist is unknown.

JOHN ENDICOTT

Born in Dorchester, Eng., 1589. Died in Boston, Mass., 1665. He emigrated to America in 1628; became governor of the colony in 1644, and was major-general of the colonial troops. He hated Indians, the Church of Rome, and Quakers. He wears a velvet skull-cap, and a finger-ring, which is somewhat unusual; a square band; a richly fringed and embroidered glove; and a "stiletto" beard. This portrait is in the Essex Institute, Salem, Mass.

EDWARD WINSLOW

Born in England, 1595; died at sea, 1655. One of the founders of the Plymouth colony in 1620; and governor of that colony in 1633, 1636, 1644. This portrait is dated 1651. It is in Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth, Mass.

JOHN WINTHROP

Born in England, 1588; died in Boston, 1649. Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge; admitted to the Inner Temple, 1628. Made governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1629. Arrived in Salem, 1630. His portrait by Van Dyck and a fine miniature exist. The latter is owned by American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass. This picture is copied from a very rare engraving from the miniature, which is finer and even more thoughtful in expression than the portrait. Both have the lace-edged ruff, but the shape of the dress is indistinct.

SIMON BRADSTREET

Born in England, 1603; died in Salem, Mass., 1697. He was governor of the colony when he was ninety years old. The Labadists, who visited him, wrote: "He is an old man, quiet and grave; dressed in black silk, but not sumptuously."

SIR RICHARD SALTONSTALL

A mayor of London who came to Salem among the first settlers. The New England families of his name are all descended from him. He wears buff-coat and trooping scarf. This portrait was painted by Rembrandt.

SIR WALTER RALEIGH

Born in Devonshire, Eng., 1552; executed in London, 1618. A courtier, poet, historian, nobleman, soldier, explorer, and colonizer. He was the favorite of Elizabeth; the colonizer of Virginia; the hero of the Armada; the victim of King James. In this portrait he wears a slashed jerkin; a lace ruff; a broad trooping scarf with great lace shoulder-knot; a jewelled sword-belt; full, embroidered breeches; lace-edged garters, and vast shoe-roses, which combine to form a confused dress.

SIR WALTER RALEIGH AND SON

This print was owned by the author for many years, with the written endorsement by some unknown hand, Martin Frobisher and Son. I am glad to learn that it is from a painting by Zucchero of Raleigh and his son, and is owned at Wickham Court, in Kent, Eng., by the descendant of one of Raleigh's companions in his explorations. The child's dress is less fantastic than other portraits of English children of the same date.