Images(7)

Under Drawers

Date1822-1830

Maker Richard Yeo

OriginAmerica, New York, New York City, 165 Water St

MediumLinen

DimensionsOutseam: 43.5 inches Inseam: 28.25 inches Waist: 35 inches total (waistbands measure 17 inches each)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2018-271

DescriptionA pair of linen under drawers with high waist line. The drawers are made in two separate parts, the legs and the quilted top. The top portion is made of a 2 over 1 twilled linen. The lower side seam from the leg meets the upper portion with 5 vertical channels filled tightly with cotton cording. Seven 5/8 inch herring bone tapes radiate out from the side seam and are carefully backstitched to the twilled linen curving down over the belly to the center front. The top and center front edge is bound in the matching tape ½ inch herringbone tape. The center back is also reinforced with two vertical channels filled with cotton cording. Five eyelets were worked to each side and a narrow 1/8 inch flat braid inserted. The long braid crisscrossed at the back and were sewn into a ½ inch wide plain woven tape so the wearer could pull all the braids at the same time, pulling the garment firmly across the abdomen. The legs are made from a plain woven linen and constructed with the seam allowances turned to the exterior. Each leg is bound around the bottom and the vent faced with ½ inch plain woven tape. The tops and bottoms were backstitched together with the allowances to the exterior and then covered with a ½ inch plain woven linen tape. No buttons remain on the garment, however the twisted thread stumps survive with 7 finely worked silk buttonholes down the center front.
MarkingsStamped into the waistband: Richard Yeo's Patent N. York
ProvenanceThe underdrawers descended through the Johnston / De Forest Family and were probably worn by John Johnston (1781-1851). Johnston married Margaret Taylor and had several children. Their first son John Taylor Johnston (1820-1893) married Frances Colles. Their first daught Emily Johnston (1851-1942) married Robert Weeks De Forest (1848 - 1931). Robert Weeks De Forest (1848-1931) was director & 1st president of The Met, a NYC philanthropist & President of the American Red Cross during WW I. The De Forest's lived at 7 Washington Square in New York City. Emily De Forest moved out of that home in 1932 and the homes contents moved their Cold Spring Harbor Estate named “Wawapek.” Several trunks of clothing were discovered in a carriage house, including the underdrawers.