Wonderful. The gold spots would gleam by candlight. The last buttonhole on the right hand side has been replaced by a buttonhole and the button transferred to the lower flap. This would hold the waistcoat firmly down. This was probably worn by the son John Anthony (1798 -1821).
Provenance: This waistcoat came from the family of Thomas Crewe Dod Esq (1754-1827) of Edge Hall, Malpas, Cheshire. Thomas commenced his military career in the 16th (Queen’s) Light Dragoons as Cornet in August 1775 when he was 21. He went to America with his regiment in August 1776, under Lieutenant George John Burgoyne. Promoted to Lieutenant in 21st regiment of (Light) Dragoons, he was gazetted captain into the 23rd regiment on 28 September 1781, the regiment returning to England in 1778 . He was gazetted captain in 23rd regiment of (Light) Dragoons in 1781. His regiment were the first to land in India in 1782 and on 27 July 1785 Dod was promoted to major. He eventually resigned from the Army to return to his Cheshire estates. He took part in the formation of the Cheshire Provincial Cavalry in 1798 and was commanding officer of the Western Cheshire Yeomanry raised in 1803. He married Anne, daughter of Ralf Sneyd of Keele, Staffs on 20 September 1786 when he was 32. They had six daughters and two boys. It is the boys who interest us because some of the waistcoats and breeches bought would have been worn by them. Thomas (1794 – 1810) who died unmarried age 16 and John Anthony (1798 -1821) who died in India aged 23.
The white cotton ground woven with gold spots on a very feint gold coloured hoizontal stripe, with deep rounded collar above twelve pairs of self covered flat buttons, each with a spot, the last button on the right hand side has been replaced by a buttonhole, the button transferred to the lower flap, embroidered buttonholes, two welt pockets, the back and lining of cotton.
Nape to hem 24 in; 62 cm
Underam 37 in; 94 cm
No staining, just generally a very little grubby. I would imagine because this is cotton a conservator could clean it.
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