Pair of Pockets

PeriodCirca 1750 - 1780

Place MadeNew Jersey, U.S.A.

MediumDimity cotton, linen, cotton twill tape

Dimensions12.88 × 10.88 in. (32.7 × 27.6 cm)

ClassificationsCostume, Women's

Credit LineGift of Miss Anne A. McClees, 1934

Object number568

DescriptionA pair of women's pockets constructed of sturdy cotton dimity, with the distinctive vertical or warpwise cords or ribs in the weave, with plain woven linen back panels. Each pocket includes a bound slit in the upper half to allow access to the pocket contents. Narrow woven cotton twill tape is sewn across the tops of both pockets, with additional twill tape sewn to the right and left upper corners to allow pockets to be tied around the wearer's waist.
Curatorial RemarksPockets, either in pairs or singly, were part of virtually every 18th century woman's wardbrobe. At that time, petticoats and gowns were not constructed to include pockets. Rather, side slits in these garments allowed for separate pockets to be worn underneath, tied around the waist by cording or tape. Pockets could be highly ornamental, made of fine linen and colorfully embroidered, or constructed of sturdy materials for everyday wear as in the case of this pair of pockets. Both pockets show several areas where the owner mended and darned various small holes and tears, and both pockets include a panel of linen added at a later time to reinforce the bottom seams. Women carried a variety of items in their pockets, including sewing equipment such as scissors, pin and needle cases, handkerchiefs, among much else. Pockets even appear in a popular 18th century nursery rhyme, "Lucy Locket lost her pocket, Kitty Fisher found it; Not a penny was there in it, only a ribbon round it." In the early 19th century, pockets somewhat fell out of favor, as the highwaisted dress styles did not easily accomodate the sometimes bulky accessories.NotesThis pair of pockets was donated by Miss Anne A. McClees (1855 - 1945). One of five children of John Marshall McClees (1817 - 1879) and Mary Ann Conover (1815 - 1910), Miss McClees was a lifelong Freehold resident, working as a typesetter and compositor at the Monmouth Democrat newspaper on Main Street. Later, McClees worked as a proofreader for the Freehold Transcript newspaper. The identity of the pockets' maker and owner has not been determined. However, McClees had deep roots in Monmouth County on both her father's and mother's side. She donated several other items to the Historical Association from her mother's Conover relatives and ancestors, and these pockets may well have been made in Freehold by a Conover family member in the mid 18th century.

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