Images(3)

Moccasins

Date1750-1780

OriginAmerica

MediumDeerskin leather, silk ribbon, metallic braid , glass beads, tin cones, wool yarn, linen thread.

DimensionsOL: approx. 9"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1999-73,1&2

DescriptionA pair of leather moccasins. Constructed of tan-colored deerskin, trimmed with white glass beads, silk ribbons, tin cones filled with red worsted, and metallic woven tapes. The rounded toe is gathered in for shaping, with the front seam from toe to instep covered by metallic tape. Center-back seam from heel to cuff also covered with metallic tape. Two fold-down cuffs are decorated with salmon pink and pale blue ribbed silk ribbons and stitched-on white glass beads. Tin cones are stitched to fronts and edge of cuff. Unlined.
Label TextWith the outbreak of the War for American Independence, King George III, quickly dispatched troops to quell the rebellion. In August 1776, Captain Frederick Thomas of the 1st Foot Guards arrived in North America. Sometime during his deployment with his troops between New York and South Carolina, he acquired these Native American moccasins. For English and European travelers to North America, Native American objects, especially moccasins, were commonly collected for cabinets of curiosity as evidence of their time spent in the “untamed New World.”

Made from deerskin, the flaps around the ankle are trimmed with British or European silk ribbons and white glass beads, with native-manufactured tin cones filled with English red woolen yarns. By the late eighteenth century, English and European powers maintained well established trading connections with Native communities, allowing for a flow of goods back and forth between the two cultures. These moccasins are made with a center front seam, decorated with glass beads and tin cones. The addition of European or English metallic lace possibly emulates popular English shoe fashions at the time. Frederick Thomas returned to London in 1783 after being captured at the Siege of Yorktown. Thomas was killed in a duel on September 4th 1783 and the moccasins descended directly through his family before entering Colonial Williamsburg’s collection.

InscribedA note accompanying the moccasins reads: "Red-Indian Moccassins brought back from N. America by Col. Frederick Thomas (1st Grenadier Foot Guards) who served in the American War of Independence 1775-80, and who was subsequently killed in a duel with Col. Hon. Cosmo Gordon Sept. 1783. He was son of Sir Edmond Thomas 3rd Bart."
ProvenanceAccording to family history, these moccasins were collected by Colonel Frederick Thomas, a British officer during the American Revolution, and taken back to England by him in 1780. They descended through one British family for five generations. Col. Frederick Thomas; by succession to Sir Godfrey Thomas, the 9th Baronet, London, England; by succession to Sir Michael Thomas , the 11th baronet, London, England, grandson of Sir Godfrey Thomas; Christopher Bryant, Old Lyme, Connecticut.

According to family history, this pair of moccasins were collection by a British officer during the American Revolution and taken back to England by him in 1780; descended through one British family for five generations. Provenance provided by vendor: A note accompanying the moccasins reads: "Red Indian Moccasins brought back from N. America by Col. Frederick Thomas (1st Grenadier Foot Guards who served in the American War of Independance 1775-80 and who was subsequently killed in a duel with Col. Hon. Cosmo Gordon Sept. 1783. He was the sone of Sir Edmond Thomas 3rd Bart." By succession to Sir Godfrey thomas, the 9th Baronet, London, England. By succession to Sir Michael Thomas , the 11th baronet, London, England, grandson of Sir Godfrey Thomas. Christopner Bryant, Old Lyme, Connecticut.