Images(4)

Leather Breeches

Date1820-1830

OriginAmerica, Virginia

MediumBuckskin, Linen, Copper Alloy (Brass)

DimensionsWaist: 29 inches, Inseam: 23 inches, Outseam: 34 inches

Credit LineGift of Ercle Herbert

Object number2018-333

DescriptionDark colored buckskin breeches cut with no inseam and very high waist. The breeches have a flap front and two exterior side pockets. The breeches close at the knees with four buttons and ties. The back of the garter has a small button for attaching boot garters. The waistband has four buttons for attaching suspenders and a fob or watch pocket. Breeches tie at back with 3 punched holes to either side. The center back and the flap on the front are lined in a very fine leather. Each of the buttons are shanked through the leather and a thong of unknown material holds them in place. The waistband of the breeches is fully interfaced with linen that was sized or glued to the waistband.
Label TextThese breeches have a history of being worn by John Randolph of Roanoke. Born on June 2, 1773 in Hopewell, Virginia, John Randolph was the son of a very wealthy planter. At the young age of 26, he was elected to the House of Representatives and remained there from 1799 to 1813. He lost reelection in 1812 but served in the House again in 1814 and 1816-1825. He later was appointed as a state Senator to fill a vacant seat and held that position from 1825 till his retirement in 1827. Under the Jackson administration, Randolph served as the Minster to Russia in 1830, but resigned due to health problems.

In his older age, clothing helped define Randolph and many of his colleagues commented on his attire. Frederick William Thomas's 1853 book John Randolph, of Roanoke: And Other Sketches of Character, noted that Thomas distinctly recognized Randolph in Baltimore through his descriptions. Thomas described Randolph "His long thin legs, about as thick as a stout walking-cane, and of much such a shape, were encased in a pair of tight smallclothes, so tight that they seemed part and parcel of the limbs of the wearer. Handsome white stockings were fastened with great tidiness at the knees, by a small gold buckle, and over them, coming about half-way up the calf, were a pair of what I believe are called hose, coarse and country knit. He wore shoes. They were old-fashioned, and fastened also with buckles—huge ones. He trod like an Indian, without turning his toes out, but planking them down straight ahead. It was the fashion in those days to wear a fan-tailed coat with a small collar, and buttons far apart behind, and few on the breast. Mr. Randolph’s were the reverse of all this, and, instead of his coat being fan-tailed, it was what we believe the knights of the needle call swallow-tailed; the collar was immensely large, the buttons behind were in kissing proximity, and they sat together as close on the breast of the garment as the feasters at a crowded public festival. His waist was remarkably slender, so slender that, as he stood with his arms akimbo, he could easily, as I thought, with his long bony fingers, have spanned it. Around him his coat, which was very tight, was held together by one button, and in consequence an inch or more of tape, to which it was attached, was perceptible where it was pulled through the cloth. About his neck he wore a large white cravat, in which his chin was occasionally buried as he moved his head in conversation; no shirt collar was perceptible; every other person seemed to pride himself upon the size of his, as they were then worn large."

Buckskin breeches were certainly apart of his wardrobe and newspapers reported that upon going to Russia as the new Minister he wore "a blue coat, buck-skin breeches, and white top boots, the whole set off with a broad white belt drawn tight around the body and over the coat from which dangled and large dragoon’s sword."
InscribedTag attached to the breeches reads "John Randolph's Leather Breeches"