Mennonite apron of bleached, plain-weave cotton and black two-ply silk embroidery. Apron is gathered at the top and sewn onto a waist band with a commercial tape string at each end.
At top center is a dark brown cross-stitched design of a central star flower on triangle base, surrounded by seven stars or crosses. The separated initials "M S" flank this design and large crosses flank initials. Three different embroidered borders of black silk combine with drawnwork at bottom above a one-inch self-fringe secured with black stitches.
Provenance
Purchased by donor from the Rev. Fred Weiser in 1997. Weiser notes there are about 15 aprons known; see article in Der Regebogge written "some years ago."
Staining around embroidered design and initials from bleeding embroidery, near top. Age discoloration with small stains overall. Stains along sides. Several thread "pulls". Areas of missing embroidery on three crosses at bottom. Small hole at lower right of design.
Conserved Nov. 1997 by Dorothy McCoach of Bethlehem, PA
Object ID
G.97.39.9
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Hampton Randolph, Sr., Heritage Center Collection
Black sequined , floor length gown with several layers and lace overgown. Bodice: solid black fabric with 5.25 in band 2in above waist, with 8 stays 2 each front, sides, and back. Band design of medallions and starbursts of various shades of blue embroidered to netting. Some gold thread in circles. Band had stitched to dress at top edge tacked at intervals at bottom. Closed with hooks at back. Overlay of black netting with black sequins tapering to 5 in long points with equin covered dangling about every 2 in apart (19 balls total) in front. 5 balls remain in back (4 points in back) solid black bodice solid black bodice is a "v" in front. Black lace covers neck to front waist "v." 4.5in high collar with 5 stays to support collar of 2.5in wide band of black lace, lined with sheer fabric. band of gray fabric is hand stitched to top with gathered black netting. Closed with 8 black hooks and eyes.
Set in long sleeves (26in from shoulder to cuff edge) of same black netting as neck, lined with sheer black fabric. Short sleeve of solid black dress fabric. 2 in placket at cuff edge with 2 small black shank buttons and thread loops for closure. Top of cuff decorated with 3 gray ribbon flowers with black sequin centers and one gray ribbon knob above center flower. Sleeve edge is trimmed in gathered black netting. (1.5in wide).
Skirt consists of three layers.Fisrt layer is black netting with black in vertical floral designs in sequins cascading from thigh area to hem. .75 in wide black folded fabric sewn about 1in above lower edge in alternating 3.5 in and 9 in loops. Lower edge back with gathered black filmy fabric 1.5in wide.
Second layer is underskirt of sheer fabric, with 1.5in wide gathered strip of same fabric.
Third and innermost layer is solid black fabric. gathered 7in wide strip is attached 11in from hem. Below that a 4 in wide panel with 5 rows of pintucks. The bottom is edged in gathered 1.75in wide strip of black fabric
All three layers tacked to one another about 10-11 in. 2 closures in back. Placket 1 solid black fabric dress placket, 19in long with 18 metal hooks and eyes, some alternating (hook, eye, hook etc) on one side. Placket 2 lave and sequins beginning at base of decorative blue-desgn, 14in long with 19 hooks and 10 black thread button hole stitch "eyes" for hooks. Placket is torn at base.
Woman's dress -- waist and skirt -- of blue linen or coarse, loose weave linen and lace. Skirt of turquoise fabric with 2 5.5in wide ecru lace inserts machine chain stitched around entire skirt. No lining. Waist edged in white fabric folded to cover raw edge. Machine stitched. Front section of skirt (5in wide) is flat with 10 2.5in long waist darts on each side from around to back placket. 9.5in long back opening has 3 hooks and eyes on underside; 7 on outer edge with "eyes" all covered with buttonhole stitch in matching threads: 4 ecru 3 turquoise. From waist: 3 in of toruquoise; 1 lace panel; 6in fabric panel with 7 pin tucked seams; 1 lace panel; 21.5in of turquoise wiht 9 pin-tuck seams ending at top of 2.5in hem. 6 box pleats in lower section of skirt, 3 on each side of a flat 7in in center front. All seam raw egdges are bound with a turquiose color binding Top 4 in of pleats seamed on inside to hold pleats in place. Hem is machine stitched. Binding on placket edges is shredding Some holes. Soiled hem.
Short sleeved bodice matches skirt with same turquoise fabric and lace. High neck (3in with gathered trim on edge) of lace with 3 stays to hold collar up. Bodice fastens with 5 hooks on veritcal edge as well as 5 hooks along left shoulder edge and 3 hooks along lower edge of collar. 2 17.5in long lace strips edged in gathered lightweight turquoise fabric are attached in back at underarm level. These are placed over shoulders to hang in front. Front lace pieces and turquoise fabric taper from shoulders to a "v" at center front. 7 rows of pin tuck seams on turquoise fabric. Bottom "v" shaped lace is attached to a gathered strip of fabric that fits the wear's waist. The lace "v" hangs over the waist in front. Spots in fabric on bodice front. Spots in fabric on bodice front. Repair at left sleeve shoulder seam. Some indication that lace strips may have at one time been lined with the filmy fabric that is also edging for neck, sleeves and over the shoulder flaps.
Black silk taffeta dress, circa 1910. Trim is of dark chenille, chain stitched embroidery on each side of central front panel. Snaps fasten at left front.
Executioner's hood, or cap, of "black Albert twill serge", was made by John C. Dinan and mentioned twice in the June 29 New Era article "MURDERERS PAY PENALTY." It was worn by Lee Furman, convicted murderer, for his hanging on June 29, 1905.
Hood is form-fitted to a round head shape, with a protrusion at the middle of side (for nose?). Hood narrows at the neck and flares strongly out to shoulders and extends to mid-chest in length. Vertical flap extends from bottom to perhaps jaw line, where there is a small, circular opening, likely to accomodate the rope. Flap is secured by 3 cloth-covered buttons. Expertly sewn, likely by a local seamstress or tailor.
Also included with gift is a postal card postmarked Sept. 9, 1905 from H.S. Eckels & Co. in Philadelphia to Mr. J. Fred. Fisher at 128 N. Duke St., Lancaster, PA. message is handwritten in black ink: "Hood use(d) on Lee Furman Hung Thursday June 29, 1905 for the killing of Samuel Ressler "Toll gate Keeper" July 1, 1904." See NOTES on Fisher.
Provenance
Hood was purchased by Mayor Smithgall for $100 from a woman whose father reportedly had acquired it from the mortician. Postal card is unexplained (J. Frederick Fisher was a clerk for the P.R.R. and boarded at 504 N. Queen St. according to the 1890 Directory.
Quaker bonnet owned and worn by Mercy Moore Carter Wood. Black silk shell on both brim and back. Back is lined with loose-weave linen scrim, pleated, and back is gathered on the top where attached to the brim. Linen tape and lining connect brim to back inside. 5"-deep brim lined in white silk.
On bonnet back at bottom is a black silk ruffled skirting trimmed above with a prominent bow. Wide black silk ties attached to base of brim, approx. 23" long, have unfinished, fraying ends.
Mercy Moore Carter Wood (b. Nov. 29, 1822 and d. Sept. 14, 1911) married James Wood in 1845, lived on a farm in Little Britain Twp. near Kirk Mills and raised 8 children. James Wood was a farmer and bank director. The Woods were members of the Eastland Friends Meeting, located in Little Britain Twp. between Wrightsdale and Kirks Mills.
Photo of Mercy Wood in file, with inscription on reverse side of frame (now discarded) is: "Mercy Moore Carter Wood/ Taken on her 80th/ Birthday 1902/ on the Wood farm at family reunion." Photo is mounted on board imprinted "C.W. Thomas/ Electric Block/ Oxford, PA."
See also G09.2.2 -- cap belonging to same owner.
Provenance
Descended in family to donor who is the great granddaughter of Mercy Wood.
Brown mildewed spotting on brim lining. Overall darkening of linen lining, especially at neck. Outer shell of bonnet has sprinkling of light mildew spots.
Object ID
G.09.02.1
Place of Origin
Little Britain Twp.
Credit
Heritage Center Collection, gift of Ruth C. Wodock
Woman's cap of black silk, worn by Quakeress Mercy M.C. Wood. Well-made, likely by a millinery shop that specialized in such headwear; at least some stitching seems to be hand-done. Cap was perhaps worn under bonnet (G09.2.1)
Viewed from side (collapsed), the cap front is about 6" deep (front to back) at the top. The back section is about 3.5" deep and is gathered at bottom with a draw string of 1/4"-wide black ribbon. Cap ties attached at front bottom corners are 12" long and 3" wide, but reduced by pleating. Ends have a 1"-wide hem. Stitching done in brown thread.
Mercy Moore Carter Wood (b. Nov. 29, 1822 and d. Sept. 14, 1911) married James Wood in 1845, lived on a farm in Little Britain Twp. near Kirk Mills and raised 8 children. James Wood was a farmer and bank director. The Woods were members of the Eastland Friends Meeting, located in Little Britain Twp. between Wrightsdale and Kirks Mills.
See G09.2.1 for bonnet of same owner.
Provenance
Descended in family to donor who is the great granddaughter of Mercy Wood.
See file of bonnet for: short bio on Mercy Moore Carter Wood, history of Eastland Friends Meeting, family tree, history of Little Britain Township, and "A History of the Little Britain Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, 1804-1954" by Helen Wood Shortlidge.
Credit
Heritage Center Collection, gift of Ruth C. Wodock
