Black beaded purse of rectangular shape. A black silk band trims the mouth at top, enclosing the black twill-weave cotton tape drawstrings. Main body of bag has black beads mounted on a crocheted tan cotton mesh grid through which the off-white muslin interior lining is visible. Fringe at bottom has beaded openwork ending with intertwining loops.
"Presented by Mrs. Albert Rosentein 1860" Gold oval broach, with grapes made of tiny white beads in middle, and chains hanging (something must have been attached) and matching earrings
grapes are missing from broach and all are missing from one earring. It looks like there should be another chain on the broach and both earrings but there aren't any.
Crocheted black cotton Miser Purse with single crochet pattern throughout. Sock-like form has one round end and the other a squared off opening that is stitched closed. All but center section of purse is decorated with rows of steel beeds incorporated during crocheting. Elongated hole in side provides access for coins and is safeguarded by two encircling, sliding rings of steel with a pierced pattern, 3/8" wide . Both ends of purse decorated with teardrop shapes suspended from small rings, similar to charm bracelet jewelry. Single cluster at round end and attached singly along with disks at blunt end, like a fringe.
Brown silk bonnet with ties. 5 large pleats at top/at brim over back of bonnet, gathered at center back neckline. 4 pleats on both sides for even-looking pleats and gathers all along neckline edge. 5-inch wide flat matching bow sewn onto back at neckline. 6.5-inch wide brim/visor with two 2.5-inch wide dull green ribbon ties (21 inches long) sewn on each side of lower edge of brim.
Written in pencil on cardboard inside bonnet: "Lillah Ballunce 6-1869"
Inside of stiff brim lined with ivory mesh. 3 stiff paper pieces slipped between pleats for extra support. 3-inch wide piece of plastic mesh sewn around base of brim. White ribbon at center back of neck for gathering and trying to adjust size. Thin covered wire all around lower edge/neck and around entire brim. 2 wires also along interior edge of widest pleat, from top center to neckline.
Handmade rectangular grater crudely fashioned with tinned sheet iron and having 14 staggered slits of 1.25" width and raised edges for cutting. All four edges are folded to back, but the two long sides are rolled over wire to stiffen length of tool.
Crudely fashioned tin tool has wear and imperfections at blades and back corners. Abrasions and corrosion scattered overall. Peeling paint or corrosion.
Ladies' cloth handbag constructed of raspberry colored velvet and silk with green and blue windowpane interior.
Small oval-shpaed drawstring bag. Double construction with green drawstring and upper 4 inches are reddish-striped satiny fabric. 3 strands of fine variegated (tans, greens and reds) corn woven and stitched over seams: outer edge and where 2 fabrics are joinged. Tag: "Ladies' handbag of 1862 and badges by C.T. Emmons."
Silk, green and brown plaid dress, hand sewn. Store bought, brown yellow green trim, long sleeve, bodice, and flounce. Sleeves, bodice, and flounce lined in polished cotton.
Possible later alerations, including the conversion of the neck into v-neck, also possible alterations to hem, trim, and sleeve.
Green and wine colored silk damask weave, wide striped, with floral design, and narrowewr multi-colored stripes, with black velvet trim on sleeves, tan polished cotton lining on bodice, and blue polished cotton lining on skirt panel. Breast padding in bodice, wooden stays in bodice. Finely stitched, with various colored thread. Right side pocket. Closes right over left.
Brown silk 1850-1860 day dress. Coat style sleeves with fringe around cuff. Wooden stays in bodice. Unique acorn shaped buttons down the front of the bodice. Back seams of bodice altered/let out. The skirt is pleated through the front and gaged in the back portion. The bodice is lined in a linen. The bodice and sleeves are fully lined, and the bottom seven inches of the skirt are lined in a darker brown polished cotton similar to the color of the dress.
Olive-Green silk damask weave dress. Possibly for younger child, includes growth plate in lower portion of skirt. Bodice has gathered front, fully-lined bodice and sleeves, large bodice closures, lace collar.
Lavender silk wedding dress owned by Sara Minster of Philadelphia who married John James Evans of Pleasant Farm, Little Britain Township. The bodice fastens in the back and the front of the bodice is fan pleated to the center. The sleeves are detachable, leaving the pin-touched cap sleeve. The bottom half of the skirt is lined in brown polished cotton and wool hem tape is sewn on the inside bottom of the skirt.
