Vignette 2
Dress, c. 1835 (left)
Woven cotton dimity
URI 1952.63.45
Belonged to the grandmother of Franklin Cushman, Emily Wiliams Harris (1802 - 1875).
This fine muslin fabric with a dimity checked pattern may have been imported from India or England, and available to the Williams family because of their family’s business interests.
The high-waisted silhouette was popular in the 1830s, when both Susan and her sister Emily were having children. The dress is meticulously constructed, as are other garments in the collection, suggesting that Susan and her family were accomplished seamstresses.
Dress, 1834 - 1838 (right)
Cotton muslin
URI 1952.64.41
Although Franklin Cushman thought this dress may have been worn by Abigail Chandler Williams (1747 – 1834), Susan Crouch’s grandmother, the large sleeves became popular just at the time of her death in 1834, remaining fashionable until 1838/9 when replaced by a new style that collapsed the upper part of the sleeve.
As with the dimity dress, this loosely-fitting garment could be worn without the constraints of a corset or numerous petticoats. The shape could accommodate pregnancy or be worn in the casual setting of a woman’s home as a wrapper.