Post by spence on May 9, 2019 9:12:41 GMT -7
In another thread Black Hand mentioned having seen a reference to a purple oilcloth, and the question came up as to how the old boys obtained the purple color. I have not seen that reference, and have no idea how they obtained the color, but it is obviously common in the period, and I would assume not overly expensive. Some period references:
From Magazine of American History, V. 12 (1884), description of chief justice John Marshall when he was a militia lieutenant, 1775 or 1776:
"...a round black hat, mounted with a buck's tail for a cockade, a purple hunting-shirt, and trousers of the same material fringed with white."
From lists of goods bought at Philadelphia, shipped via Fort Pitt to Kaskaskia by Baynton, Wharton and Morgan, about 1768. They are descriptions of the patterns on cloth.
1 2 purple
5 2 Purple ground
2 fine purple ground
1 super fine purple Copper plate
1 fine purple ground
single purple Cotton
The Pennsylvania Gazette
January 1, 1767
PHILIP WILSON, Is just arrived from London, and has brought with him a large, general and quite fresh assortment of dry goods, which are now opening at his store in Water street, opposite Baynton, Wharton and Morgan, and which he will sell on very reasonable terms, consisting of... Mens wash, tan leather, cloth coloured, crimson, purple and white lamb gloves; womens flowered, purple, white grained and white glaized, and cloth coloured lamb gloves and mitts.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
April 11, 1754
RUN away, on the first of March last,. from John Cuming of Trenton, a Dutch servant woman, name Maria Kummerafield….Had on when she went away, a light yellowish colour gown, and a worsted damask petticoat, much the colour of the gown, a short calicoe sack, of a purple and blue colour, and dog skin shoes.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
August 24, 1785
Just imported in the Brigantine Commerce, Capt. James Darrell, from London, ….5 and 6 qr. scarlet, drab, light and dark blue, brown, claret, garnet, sage, purple and pea green, coarse cloths;
A compilation of the colors of hunting shirts reported on runaways in the AWI period shows 9 of purple.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
January 22, 1767
MEASE and MILLER, At their store in Front street....Also an assortment of Indian goods, which they will sell exceeding low, among which are, best French matchcoats, blue, red and black strouds, purple and white napt halfthicks, scarlet, rose, star and striped gartering,
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE
April 11, 1771
SOLD at John Greenhow's Store, near the Church in Williamsburg,…. doctors Vials, green, blue, and purple Spectacle , for preserving weak Eyes,
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE 3
April 18, 1777
NORTHUMBERLAND, March 21, 1777. RUN away from the subscriber.... He had on a brown broadcloth coat patched under the arms, with a reddish coloured velvet collar to it and slash cuffs, a purple broadcloth waistcoat, with gold basket buttons,
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE 2
August 3, 1775
RUN away from the subscriber, in James City, a short, thick, strong limb'd, Virginia born mulatto fellow; he is about 21 years of age, and by name GEORGE, and has a bashful countenance. He had on, when he went away, a new leather cap, and an old cotton coat, dyed of a purple colour; the rest of his clothes I do not remember.
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE
March 30, 1739
Runaway...his Cloathing was a blew Broadcloth Coat and Wastecoat, a dark colour'd Kersy Coat , and a Pair of purple colour'd Leather Breeches:
THE SOUTH CAROLINA GAZETTE
August 10, 1738
Charleston, South Carolina
This is to give Notice, that Mary Robinson Widow of Th: Robinson deceased, still carries on his Trade in the same House, viz Mr. Laurens's House Number (3) near the New-Market, she has ready made Buck and Doe skin Breeches, either natural or black, purple and Cloth Colours, likewise white Leather, a choice parcel of fine Wool. She also dresses Deer Skins with or without the Hairs, dyes, washes and mends Buck-skin Breeches.
The South Carolina Gazette
May 8, 1742
THIS is to give Notice to all Persons, that the Subscriber is removed from New Market-Square to a House formerly inhabited by Mr. John Lee, Turner, opposite to the Crown-Inn, where all Gentlemen and others may be served as formerly with Leather Breeches, Jackets, Spatterdashes plain, black or purple colour'd.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
February 3, 1763
LAST Night run away.... Had on, when he went away, a brown cut Wig, a small three cocked Hat, green Sailor’s Jacket, with red Flannel under Jacket, which is old, and mended before, with a Piece of new red Flannel, is lined with white Flannel, and has flat white Metal Buttons; new Buckskin Breeches, purple coloured Yarn Stockings, and turned Pumps, with flat square white Metal Buckles.
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE
December 22, 1768
AUGUSTA, Nov . 16, 1768.
RUN away from the subscriber in Augusta , on the 1st of this instant, a convict servant man named THOMAS KERR, who had on when he went away a new felt hat, a light blue cloth coat, a purple coloured vest, a coarse shirt, old leather breeches, woollen stockings, a coarse pair of linen wrappers, new shoes, and a pair of large brass buckles;
Revolution in America; Confidential Letters and Journals 1776-1784 of Adjutant General Major Baurmeister of the Hessian Forces, translated by Bernhard A. Uhlendorf, Library of Congress #57-6221
“They wear black, white, or purple linen blouses with fringe on their sleaves and collars in Spanish fashion.”
The Pennsylvania Gazette
September 21, 1749
Just imported in the sloop Dolphin, Capt. Le Gros, from London, and to be sold by WILLIAM EDGELL, At his store, the lower end of Market street, under Capt. William Spafford's, cheap for ready money, or short credit, Cloth colour'd paduasoys and English sattins, cloth colour'd and changeable taffeties, gorgoroons, mantuas, English damasks, duffels, blanketing , strouds, half thicks, 3 qr. and 7 eights garlix, fearnothings, 7 qr. 8 qr. 9 qr. and 10 qr. blankets, flannels, waddings, blue duffel coating, blue and white pencil callicoe, black and cloth colour'd broadcloth, druggets, printed linnens, and purple callicoes, yard and 6 qr. muslin, shaloons, duroys,
The Pennsylvania Gazette
January 22, 1767
MEASE and MILLER, ....HAVE just imported in the last vessels from London, Liverpool and Bristol, a large and neat assortment of merchandize, suitable for the approaching season, which they will sell on the most reasonable terms for ready money, or short credit. Also an assortment of Indian goods, which they will sell exceeding low, among which are, best French matchcoats, blue, red and black strouds, purple and white napt halfthicks, scarlet, rose, star and striped gartering, bed lace, taffety ribbons, vermilion, 3 qr. and 7 eights garlix, Canada guns, cutteau and Indian knives, F and FF gunpowder, bar Lead, &c. &c.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
May 22, 1729
Run away the 18th Instant, ...a Servant Man named John Mackmaman, an Irishman, a short brisk Fellow, talks much, wearing black curl'd Hair, aged about 30, pock-fretten, brownish broad Cloth Coat and Jacket lin'd with Camlet, with curl'd Brass Buttons with Wooden Moulds, an Ozenbrig or Homespun Shirt, new long Ozenbrig Trouzers, strip'd Ticken Breeches, Worsted Stockings, purple colour'd, good Shoes.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
February 27, 1766
Philadelphia, February 19, 1766.
RUN away,... 'Tis supposed he has stolen, and taken with him, a plain China faced Silver Watch, Maker’s Name and Number forgot, with a striped purple or Straw coloured Ribbon, instead of a Watch string, and a small Brass Seal;
Spence
From Magazine of American History, V. 12 (1884), description of chief justice John Marshall when he was a militia lieutenant, 1775 or 1776:
"...a round black hat, mounted with a buck's tail for a cockade, a purple hunting-shirt, and trousers of the same material fringed with white."
From lists of goods bought at Philadelphia, shipped via Fort Pitt to Kaskaskia by Baynton, Wharton and Morgan, about 1768. They are descriptions of the patterns on cloth.
1 2 purple
5 2 Purple ground
2 fine purple ground
1 super fine purple Copper plate
1 fine purple ground
single purple Cotton
The Pennsylvania Gazette
January 1, 1767
PHILIP WILSON, Is just arrived from London, and has brought with him a large, general and quite fresh assortment of dry goods, which are now opening at his store in Water street, opposite Baynton, Wharton and Morgan, and which he will sell on very reasonable terms, consisting of... Mens wash, tan leather, cloth coloured, crimson, purple and white lamb gloves; womens flowered, purple, white grained and white glaized, and cloth coloured lamb gloves and mitts.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
April 11, 1754
RUN away, on the first of March last,. from John Cuming of Trenton, a Dutch servant woman, name Maria Kummerafield….Had on when she went away, a light yellowish colour gown, and a worsted damask petticoat, much the colour of the gown, a short calicoe sack, of a purple and blue colour, and dog skin shoes.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
August 24, 1785
Just imported in the Brigantine Commerce, Capt. James Darrell, from London, ….5 and 6 qr. scarlet, drab, light and dark blue, brown, claret, garnet, sage, purple and pea green, coarse cloths;
A compilation of the colors of hunting shirts reported on runaways in the AWI period shows 9 of purple.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
January 22, 1767
MEASE and MILLER, At their store in Front street....Also an assortment of Indian goods, which they will sell exceeding low, among which are, best French matchcoats, blue, red and black strouds, purple and white napt halfthicks, scarlet, rose, star and striped gartering,
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE
April 11, 1771
SOLD at John Greenhow's Store, near the Church in Williamsburg,…. doctors Vials, green, blue, and purple Spectacle , for preserving weak Eyes,
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE 3
April 18, 1777
NORTHUMBERLAND, March 21, 1777. RUN away from the subscriber.... He had on a brown broadcloth coat patched under the arms, with a reddish coloured velvet collar to it and slash cuffs, a purple broadcloth waistcoat, with gold basket buttons,
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE 2
August 3, 1775
RUN away from the subscriber, in James City, a short, thick, strong limb'd, Virginia born mulatto fellow; he is about 21 years of age, and by name GEORGE, and has a bashful countenance. He had on, when he went away, a new leather cap, and an old cotton coat, dyed of a purple colour; the rest of his clothes I do not remember.
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE
March 30, 1739
Runaway...his Cloathing was a blew Broadcloth Coat and Wastecoat, a dark colour'd Kersy Coat , and a Pair of purple colour'd Leather Breeches:
THE SOUTH CAROLINA GAZETTE
August 10, 1738
Charleston, South Carolina
This is to give Notice, that Mary Robinson Widow of Th: Robinson deceased, still carries on his Trade in the same House, viz Mr. Laurens's House Number (3) near the New-Market, she has ready made Buck and Doe skin Breeches, either natural or black, purple and Cloth Colours, likewise white Leather, a choice parcel of fine Wool. She also dresses Deer Skins with or without the Hairs, dyes, washes and mends Buck-skin Breeches.
The South Carolina Gazette
May 8, 1742
THIS is to give Notice to all Persons, that the Subscriber is removed from New Market-Square to a House formerly inhabited by Mr. John Lee, Turner, opposite to the Crown-Inn, where all Gentlemen and others may be served as formerly with Leather Breeches, Jackets, Spatterdashes plain, black or purple colour'd.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
February 3, 1763
LAST Night run away.... Had on, when he went away, a brown cut Wig, a small three cocked Hat, green Sailor’s Jacket, with red Flannel under Jacket, which is old, and mended before, with a Piece of new red Flannel, is lined with white Flannel, and has flat white Metal Buttons; new Buckskin Breeches, purple coloured Yarn Stockings, and turned Pumps, with flat square white Metal Buckles.
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE
December 22, 1768
AUGUSTA, Nov . 16, 1768.
RUN away from the subscriber in Augusta , on the 1st of this instant, a convict servant man named THOMAS KERR, who had on when he went away a new felt hat, a light blue cloth coat, a purple coloured vest, a coarse shirt, old leather breeches, woollen stockings, a coarse pair of linen wrappers, new shoes, and a pair of large brass buckles;
Revolution in America; Confidential Letters and Journals 1776-1784 of Adjutant General Major Baurmeister of the Hessian Forces, translated by Bernhard A. Uhlendorf, Library of Congress #57-6221
“They wear black, white, or purple linen blouses with fringe on their sleaves and collars in Spanish fashion.”
The Pennsylvania Gazette
September 21, 1749
Just imported in the sloop Dolphin, Capt. Le Gros, from London, and to be sold by WILLIAM EDGELL, At his store, the lower end of Market street, under Capt. William Spafford's, cheap for ready money, or short credit, Cloth colour'd paduasoys and English sattins, cloth colour'd and changeable taffeties, gorgoroons, mantuas, English damasks, duffels, blanketing , strouds, half thicks, 3 qr. and 7 eights garlix, fearnothings, 7 qr. 8 qr. 9 qr. and 10 qr. blankets, flannels, waddings, blue duffel coating, blue and white pencil callicoe, black and cloth colour'd broadcloth, druggets, printed linnens, and purple callicoes, yard and 6 qr. muslin, shaloons, duroys,
The Pennsylvania Gazette
January 22, 1767
MEASE and MILLER, ....HAVE just imported in the last vessels from London, Liverpool and Bristol, a large and neat assortment of merchandize, suitable for the approaching season, which they will sell on the most reasonable terms for ready money, or short credit. Also an assortment of Indian goods, which they will sell exceeding low, among which are, best French matchcoats, blue, red and black strouds, purple and white napt halfthicks, scarlet, rose, star and striped gartering, bed lace, taffety ribbons, vermilion, 3 qr. and 7 eights garlix, Canada guns, cutteau and Indian knives, F and FF gunpowder, bar Lead, &c. &c.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
May 22, 1729
Run away the 18th Instant, ...a Servant Man named John Mackmaman, an Irishman, a short brisk Fellow, talks much, wearing black curl'd Hair, aged about 30, pock-fretten, brownish broad Cloth Coat and Jacket lin'd with Camlet, with curl'd Brass Buttons with Wooden Moulds, an Ozenbrig or Homespun Shirt, new long Ozenbrig Trouzers, strip'd Ticken Breeches, Worsted Stockings, purple colour'd, good Shoes.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
February 27, 1766
Philadelphia, February 19, 1766.
RUN away,... 'Tis supposed he has stolen, and taken with him, a plain China faced Silver Watch, Maker’s Name and Number forgot, with a striped purple or Straw coloured Ribbon, instead of a Watch string, and a small Brass Seal;
Spence
