Pair of Women's Shoes
PeriodCirca 1830
Place MadePossibly Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
MediumSilk satin, linen, leather
Dimensions5 × 2.88 × 8.63 in. (12.7 × 7.3 × 21.9 cm)
InscribedThe left slipper includes a cursive inked inscription which appears to read "Miss Rodger," who may be the shoemaker.
ClassificationsCostume, Women's
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Frank P. Jones, 1941
Object number1529
DescriptionA pair of woman's shoes, known as slippers, constructed of ivory silk satin uppers, with a shaped heeless narrow foot ending in a slightly squared toe. A thin brown leather sole is sewn with very fine seams to the uppers, and has delicately stamped motifs including a large floral/foliate spray and smaller floral blossoms. The edges of the soles are edged with a narrow diamond chain border lightly stamped into the leather. The interior of the slippers are lined with lightweight ivory linen, and a linen covered insole. The shoes include an inner side lacing closure, with tiny hand-sewn eyelets along both edges. The left slipper retains its silk satin tongue, while the right slipper does not. Both slippers retain their narrow woven silk flat laces, tipped by long delicate brass aiglets. The slippers are ankle height.Curatorial RemarksThe distinctive style, fabric, and lack of wear indicate that this pair of shoes were wedding slippers. The complete lack of heels, combined with the side laceup fastenings, narrow uppers ending in slight square toes, and ankle height point to the shoes' manufacture sometime in the very early 1830s. The shoes have virtually no signs of wear save for very slight abrasions on the leather soles. Several of the Lalor family girls married while at Bow Hill, but the manufacture date of the very early 1830s seems to indicate that the owner and wearer was Elizabeth Tilton (1809-1875). The left shoe includes a neat handwritten inscription "Miss Rodger." It is tantalizing to think that this may be the name of the shoemaker herself. Traditionally, shoemakers or "cobblers" were men, apprenticing for about seven years as boys to learn the trade. Women could, at times, be part of the shoemaking process, tackling the less strenuous portions of the construction including finishing and packing. These wedding slippers are delicate and would have not required to strength that typical boots and shoes would have demanded.NotesBarnt De Klyn built his mansion "Bow Hill" outside of Trenton near Hamilton Township in 1790. The house was best known for being rented by Joseph Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, as a home forhis mistress Annette Savage. The original 1790 structure burned in 1811, and was rebuilt in 1815. De Klyn's daughter Catherine (Kitty) married Irish immigrant Jeremiah Lalor against her father's wishes. After reconciliation in later years, De Klyn left his property and several hundred acres to his grandson, Jeremiah Lalor Junior (1800-1865). According to the 1883 History of Burlington and Mercer Counties, New Jersey by E. M. Woodward, Jeremiah Lalor "during the early years of his business life engaged in mercantile pursuits in New York City," later retiring to the Bow Hill estate and taking up farming. Lalor married Elizabeth Tilton (1809-1875) in around 1830. The couple had at least eight children including Beatty, Julia R., Mary, Elizabeth, Caroline, Kitty, William, and Francis. Whatever Jeremiah Lalor's business was, it was highly successful. In the 1850 Federal Census, Lalor's real estate was valued at $35,000. Ten years later, the 1860 Federal Census listed Jeremiah Lalor with real estate valued at $100,000 and personal estate valued at $50,000. The Association has a number of items from the Lalor-Barricklo-Fouche family who lived at Bow Hill during the later 19th century. These delicate wedding slippers may have been owned and worn - just once - by Elizabeth Tilton at her wedding to Jeremiah Lalor in 1830.
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