Images(3)

Breeches

Date1790-1800

OriginEurope, Poland, Warsaw

MediumWool, linen, bone, silk

DimensionsInseam: 15 inches Outseam: 22 inches Waist: 36 inches

Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2023-31

DescriptionHeavy brown knit unlined worsted breeches. The knees each close with four buttons. Originally the buttons were all a matching silk or silk and worsted death head buttons. These breeches do not have a separate garter, the interior is simply faced in linen. On top of the interior linen garter, blue green velvet is sewn to help hold the stockings in place. The death head buttons are worked over bone molds. The waistband closes with three buttons and one below the fall or flap. The waistband also has one fob or watch pocket. The breeches also retain their original suspender or braces buttons. At the center back the breeches adjusted with a buckle fitted with a “T” shape chape much like a knee buckle.

Construction History:
1) Initial construction ca. 1790

Label TextBy the end of the 18th century, mens breeches started to rise well above the waist and fit tighter on the thigh. These wool knit breeches, taking advantage of the stretch for fit were an excellent choice for the cold northern European climate of Poland, Russia, and modern day Ukraine.
ProvenanceThis pair of breeches was worn by Lewis Littlepage (1762-1802) who was born in New Kent County, Virginia. Little page died in 1802, leaving his small estate to his stepbrother Waller Holladay. The surviving objects passed directly through the Holladay Family until gifted to the Valentine Museum in 1952 by Mr. and Mrs. A. Randolph Holladay II. In 2022, the objects were transferred to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Inventories taken after his death list numerous pairs of breeches, but none specifically mentions knit breeches:

"Clothes of Lewis Littlepage not to be found in his trunk...11 prs of breeches, 7 prs mentioned on Mr. Stevenson's list."

"List of cloaths belonging to Lewis Littlepage taken from the information of Jacob David Wacker, August 16th 1802....24 pairs breeches at least....1 pair gallies"

"Particular list of cloaths found in the trunks of Lewis Littlepage August 16, 1802...13 pr breehces...1 pr gallies..."

"List of cloaths formerly the property of my brother Lewis Littlepage decd take 31st January 1804...8 pr breeches."