Object Name: Dress
Object ID: 1903.009.02
Place of Origin: Mount Vernon, VA
Date: 1770-1785
Description: Gown, originally owned and worn by Martha Washington. Round. Silk tobine weave with a predominately purple ground with a 1.5" x 1.25" three-flower motif with overshot yarns in gold and shades of purple. Ecru color linen plain weave bodice lining. Hand stitched. Fabric 18" wide. Closed robe construction where skirt is closed all around creating a single garment. Pleated drop-panel skirt front with twill tape ties on each side allows wearer to step into gown. Elbow-length sleeves. Open V-shaped front with two robings, one on each side, extending back shoulder area of gown. Three pleats on each sleeve extend from shoulder top to shoulder back. Bodice back pleated and top stitched in "English style." Skirt attached to bodice in 1" pleats. Skirt drop-front panel forms 6" openings at either side for stepping into gown. Drop-front panel ties around waist with a silk twill tape (a longer cotton twill tape has been added later to ends of the silk tape). Two 19th or early 20th-century dress shields stitched to lining, one under each arm.
Material: Textile
Silk
Linen
Provenance: Originally owned and worn by Martha Washington (1731-1802). The dress, and a waistcoat probably worn by George Washington, were acquired by Dr. Claudius B. Webster (1815-1902) of Concord, NH, while serving as Assistant Surgeon at the Freedman's Bureau at Arlington, VA, fall 1863 through spring 1864. The dress and waistcoat were donated by Dr. Webster's sister-in-law, Susan M. Webster (1835-1919) of Concord.
Credit Line: Gift of Susan M. Webster
People:
Washington, Martha (1731-1802),
Custis, George Washington Parke (1781-1857),
Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870),
Lee, Mary Anna Custis (1808-1873),
Webster, Claudius B. (1815-1902),
Webster, Susan M. (1835-1919)
Subjects:
Civil War,
Slaves