What are men actually wearing in the Carolinas?

 Men's clothing sometimes can be easier to find than women's clothing when examining estate and inventory records in the 1700s.   Earlier in the period, clothing is listed more frequently but by the 1770s, household or trade goods are listed more often than clothing. In this post, I will examine men's clothing listed in estate and inventories from the following counties; Duplin, New Hanover and Cumberland, North Carolina.  

John Matchet, 1774 Duplin County, NC inventory of estate

John Matchet lived in Duplin County, NC and his inventory from his estate listed the following clothing items:  2 hats, 4 coats, 5 jacket, 3 pairs of breeches, 1 pr of trousers, 5 shirts, 2 prs of stockings, 1 pair of Indian boots, 1 pair of shoes and buckles, 1 silver shoe buckle, 1 pair of knee buckles, 1 stock buckle, 2 razors and 1 watch

Not much description of the textiles of his clothing but as you can see he has both coats and jackets and breeches and trousers.   One thing to note is the Indian boots.   I have seen these mentioned in other inventories like in A Holden's estate in 1774 again from Duplin County.   Are these moccasins or a boot that you would wear while hunting?

Maurice Nevin, 1767 New Hanover County, NC inventory of estate

Next we have Maurice Nevin of New Hanover County who estate was inventoried in 1767.  Again we see 2 coats, 2 pairs of breeches, 2 jackets, 3 pairs of Hose, 4 shirt, 2 handkerchiefs, 1 hat, 1 pair of shoes, 1 pair of silver buckles.    Are the 2 coats actually long bodied coats or are they waistcoats?  As there are no waistcoats listed in this inventory.   Also, the word hose is used instead of stockings.   Is this traditional hose or just a term used by the person carrying out the inventory?  Also note the 2 muskets and pistol listed at the top. 

Here we have the inventory of James Steele of Cumberland County in 1774.   He has 2 coats, 3 jackets, 1 pr of leather breeches, 2 prs of plush breeches, 1 pr of thread hose.  Down at the bottom of his inventory they list 2 coats and 2 prs of breeches

James Steele, 1774 Cumberland County, NC inventory of estate

Another 4 coats are listed but I wanted to point out that Mr. Steele was a freemason.  As he has 1 freemason apron, 1 pr of white gloves and a 1 T-- Wigg in his inventory.   Again, note razors, strops and shaving boxes listed in his estate.   I have seen other freemason items listed in a few other inventories across North Carolina.

Andrew Gunderson, 1774 Cumberland County NC inventory of estate

Here we have Andrew Gunderson's inventory and they list the following items.  1 old blue jacket, 3 old pairs of trousers, 2 old ozenbrig shirts, 2 old linen shirts, 1 old stamped jacket, 1 old pair of shoes, 7 shillings of Proclamation money.

Not much here but the two types of shirts, ozenbrig and linen. a blue jacket and a stamped jacket?  We find stamped fabric for women's clothing but for men's?   Would this maybe be a banyan of stamped linen or just a typical jacket?  

Richard Beaughan's inventory, 1771 Cumberland County NC

So here at Cross Creek, NC in Cumberland County we have the inventory of Richard Beaughan. 1 blue coat trimmed in silver buttons, 1 camblet coat, 1 surtout coat, 1 red jacket, 1 pr of doe skin breeches, 1 pr of shoes, 4 shirts, 1 pr of copper shoe buckles, 1 pr of silver knee buckles, 1 pr of sleeve buttons, 1 hat,

In this inventory we see a little bit of description of the clothing, blue coat with silver buttons and a red jacket and the copper shoe buckles.  This is the first time I have seen doe skin breeches listed.  Normally we see leather breeches noted in inventories and that is something I will go into for a later blog post. 

Inventory of James Bradley 1771 New Hanover County, NC

I'll conclude with this inventory of James Bradley who was a merchant in the Wilmington area.  His inventory is broken down into saleable goods like textiles and products that would be sold in his store and also furniture in his house.   

11 shirts, 14 cravats, 7 linen waistcoats, 7 prs of thread stockings, 6 nightcaps, 2 prs of nankeen breeches, 1pr of ticken breeches, 1pr of sheets, 4 coats & waistcoats, 2 prs of breeches, 1 camblet cloak, 1 pr of silver shoe and knee buckles, 8 tortoise shell jacket buttons, 1 pr of broken Scotch Pebble sleeve buttons, 1 silver watch, 1 wig and wig box and 1 hat.   The tortoise shell jacket buttons are interesting as well as the broken scotch pebble sleeve buttons.  Wonder what those looked like?

Thanks for checking out the blog.   What would you like to see more of?   Leather breeches, fancy coats and waistcoats listed?    There is more to explore and there is some amazing clothing in the Carolinas during the 18th century for sure. 

Women's Clothing on the cusp of Revolution

 Guess who's back from a hiatus?  Your friendly history nerd, clothing geek and researcher....

Back in 2024, we had the 250th anniversary of the Edenton Tea Party which was a fun event to participate at - Got to be fancy with a chintz gown, big hair and such.   Anyhoo.....Things are starting to kick off this year with the 250th anniversary of two major events here in North Carolina - the battle of Moore's Creek and the Halifax Resolves. So thought this would be a good time to bring the blog back to life and share what I've been researching for the past few months.

So what are women wearing in the early to mid 1770s in North Carolina?  Checked, black and white silk bonnets, black silk hats, red, blue and green cloaks, calico gowns, striped gowns, white linen gowns, "short" gowns, quilted petticoats and etc.   I'll examine a few inventories and wills to show what women are wearing here in North Carolina prior to 1776.

Amelia Mott, 1771 New Hanover County, North Carolina

Inventory of Amelia Mott, 1771 New Hanover County, NC.  Source: New Hanover County, North Carolina Original Estate Records, Ca. 1741-1942; Author: North Carolina. Probate Court (New Hanover County), North Carolina. Superior Court (New Hanover County)

Amelia has the following items: 1 Caster hat, 1 red cloak, 1 black silk hat, 1 old striped gown, 1 calico gown, 1 green shirt coat (petticoat), 1 shift, 1 bedgowns, 1 blue quilted petty coat, 1 bed gown, 1 shift, 1 old check apron, 1 calico gown, 1 check apron, 1 pr of gloves, 1 white apron, 1 homespun gown, 1 striped blue gown, 1 white bed gown, 1 old shift, 1 apron, 1 apron.

I love that they give detail (of sorts) to the gowns, striped, calico, homespun and even a striped blue gown.  While her bedgowns are generic in listing though she does have a "white" bed gown. Also note the blue quilted petty coat.

Barsheba Jones, 1772 Johnston County, North Carolina

Will of Barsheba Jones, 1772 Johnston County North Carolina.  Source: Johnston County, North Carolina Wills; Author: North Carolina. County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions (Johnston County)

Then we move in land to Johnston County, North Carolina where I found this gem within the past few days and absolutely love it as Barsheba gives the following items to her daughter Margaret Smith:

  1 quilted petticoat, 2 shifts, 1 pr of shoes and shoe buckles, 1 pr of worsted stockings and garters, 1 cap and handkerchief, 1 checked apron, 1 checked bonnet, silver sleeve buttons, 1 pr of leather gloves and choice of all the gowns.   While the rest of her clothes to be equally divided amongst the rest of all her daughters.  You wonder what else did she have in her wardrobe?

You may have notice that I bolded the word checked bonnet.   Yep, checked bonnets are here in North Carolina.  This is probably the latest I have seen reference to them.  I wish they would have noted if the bonnet was made of silk or of linen.    

Mary McConnell, 1774 Guilford County, North Carolina

Now we move even further inland to Guilford County and we find the will of Mary McConnell dated November of 1774. So Mary leaves to her daughter Mary Blyne: one gown and petticoat, her cloak and one pair of best blankets.  She bequeaths to her one daughter Martha Leacky one petticoat, a wraper and some bed curtains, then to her younger daughter she gives her one of her gowns .   Then on the next page she lists:

Mary McConnell will, Guilford County, NC:  Wills, 1771-1943; Author: North Carolina. County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions (Guilford County) Notes: Wills, Vol A-B, 1771-1838

She gives Margaret McBride daughter to Francis McBride her corded poplin gown; she leaves her shoe buckles to her son and then Agnes the daughter of James Blayer receives her bonnet.    What exactly is corded poplin?  Is it safe to guess that maybe Mary is a Quaker?   I haven't found evidence of that yet but something to look into.

Dorothy Seares, 1774 Wilmington, North Carolina

Back at the coast and in Wilmington proper......Dorothy's inventory lists 1 green silk umbrella, then down below it lists: 1 calico gown, 1 white linen gown, 1 white apron, 2 white caps, 1 pr of silver shoe buckles, and 2 plain gold rings.   

Dorothy Seares, 1774 New Hanover County, estate record and sale. New Hanover County, North Carolina Original Estate Records, Ca. 1741-1942; Author: North Carolina. Probate Court (New Hanover County), North Carolina. Superior Court (New Hanover County)

In the sale of her estate, they list a gown and apron being sold at 17 shillings, 8 pence; while another gown is sold for 1 pound, 1 shilling - which gown was worth more?  The calico gown or the white linen?

Then we conclude with the records of two men's estates.  The 1775 estates of William Wooten in Hyde County, NC and Dr. James Ward of New Hanover County, NC.

Estate sale of William Wooten, 1775 Hyde County, NC.  Source: Hyde County, North Carolina Estate Records, 1735-1944

Being sold are the following items: 1pr of stays, 1 quilt (guessing quilted petticoat); 1 chintz gown, 1 apron, a capshen, 1 pr of sleeves, 1 gown, 1 hood, wearing apparel, and a gown body.

While Dr. James Ward has a few ladies' items in his inventory such as: 2 sprigged aprons, 1 silk gauze cap, 1 white silk bonnet, 1/2 yard of ribbon, 1 fan and 1 paper box. and 2 1/4 yards of striped lawn.  I'll probably go back to examine his estate in a later blog as he has a plethora of textiles and clothing.

Inventory of Dr. James Ward 1775 New Hanover County, NC.   New Hanover County, North Carolina Original Estate Records, Ca. 1741-1942; Author: North Carolina. Probate Court (New Hanover County), North Carolina. Superior Court (New Hanover County)

Thanks again for checking out my blog.   I hope you enjoyed these inventories and wills.   They let us have a sneak peek of the past and allow us to learn more.   Till next time.  Keep researching and always ask questions!