Dress, Wedding
Object number2013.117.6 a,b
Date1822
MediumCotton; Metal
Credit LineGift of Rebecca A. Farrar
DescriptionWedding dress and cap.
Dress is beige muslin with small embroidered square-pattern throughout. Lace in front of neck. Long sleeved, puffy shoulders; cuffs of embroidered accents. Embroidered floral accent on bottom hem. Seven hooks on back of bodice. Nine decorative buttons on outside of back opening. Bonnet is beige muslin with embroidered diamond pattern throughout and crocheted panels around back of head and horizontal on top of head; ruffle edge.Dimensions54 x 19 x 22 in. (137.2 x 48.3 x 55.9 cm)Historical NotesWedding dress and cap The dress was orginally worn by Margaret Smiley Hamilton at her marriage to Alexander Hamilton in 1822. Hamilton was from Washington County, Pennsylvania. The dress was reworked and worn by another member of the family. The neck, bodice and cap sleeves were altered much later This is the same Hamilton family that is connected with the Hamilton house at Meadowcroft, donor Rebecca A. Farrar believes Alexander and Margaret might have even built that house and also resided there, although this is not confirmed. Margaret and Alexander had 5 children: William, Robert, Alexander, Agnes and Mary. Mary Hamilton married Thomas Montford in 1862.
Previous owner
Margaret Smiley Hamilton
(1796 - 1859)
Related person
Alexander Hamilton
(1796 - 1879)
Related institution
Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village
On View
Not on view
1862
1934
1830-1835
c.1870
1857
1914
1897
1903
c. 1909