Breeches Belonging to George Ball- c. 1800

Description

Sponsors

This item is a part of the 1812 History digitization project. This project was made possible with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canadian Culture Online Strategy.

Media Type

Object

Description

These breeches belonged to George Ball who was born in Schoharie, N.Y. in 1765, and moved to Upper Canada as a United Empire Loyalist. He served in the War of 1812, was a partner in the establishment of Ball's Mills, and was the original recipient of General Sir Isaac Brock's cocked hat. In his declining years George lived at "Locust Grove" in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The breeches were fashioned from camel coloured wool felt and feature pewter and brass buttons on the legs and cuffs. The breeches also have a brown triangular shaped piece on the back of the waistband. Though the colour is faded, more protected areas reveal the original rich hue. Wear marks on the breeches are absent. There is also a fall front of 8” wide, 2 suspender buttons on the front and back, buttons and buttonholes at the knee and a buttonhole for a knee buckle. The 1810's style breeches were more fitted and the length extended to the knee where stockings or high boots covered the lower leg. Metal buttons fastened the drop front and would have held suspenders. Large pockets on either side appear to have a wing detail because of a two inch extension of the pocket above its outside seam. One small pocket on the front right side presumably housed a watch. Buttons are reinforced and the inner waist band measuring 34"is lined with linen. The shorter jacket front of this period dictated a higher waistline and drop front to cover the fly. Approaching 1820, fashion changed in favour of full length pants.

Date of Original

c. 1800

Dimensions