Images(2)

Pelisse

Dateca. 1820

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Fauquier County (worn in)

MediumSilks, wool

DimensionsOL 53 3/8 in.; Bust 27 ¾ in.; Waist 24 3/8 in.

Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2023-172

DescriptionBeige silk pelisse with a raised waistline and long sleeves with a short cap oversleeve. The cap sleeves are gathered with fullness in the back. The pelisse fastens with eight matching fabric covered buttons sewn down the center front of the bodice. The bodice and skirt are lined with another beige silk, and the skirt is faced with the outer silk. The pelisse is interlined with wool batting. The pelisse has a two-layer collar; the top is rounded, and the bottom has a star-like shape and extends over the back and shoulders. The pelisse has a separate waistband tacked on in the center back. The collar, cuffs, waistband, and the left front of the bodice are trimmed with cream colored braid.
Label TextAccording to donor history, this pelisse descended through the family of John Marshall (1755-1835), Richmond resident and fourth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Tracing the family back, the wearer may have been Margaret Wardrop Lewis (1792-1829), wife of Thomas Marshall (1784-1835) and daughter-in-law of John Marshall. She may have worn this pelisse when she and her husband were moving into a new addition constructed for them at Marshall's childhood home in Fauquier County, Oak Hill.
InscribedThere is a fabric tag sewn in the lining at the back of the neck, "V.96.61.10"; this is the previous number assigned by the Valentine Museum.
Provenanceca. 1820 probably worn by Margaret Wardrop Lewis (1792-1829) (Fauquier County, VA); prior to 1996, passed down by descent to Margaret Marshall Forsyth Bushnell (Richmond, VA); 1996-1997 given to the Valentine Museum (Richmond, VA); 2023-present given to Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)