Military Coatee Belonging to James Thompson

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

This red wool military coatee is double breasted with blue lapels, a stand up collar and cuffs. There is gold lace trim around the collar as well as along the upper edge of the cuffs. The jacket has tails which extend down over the rear with pleats and a false pocket flap on each tail. The pleats provide access to a cotton pocket located in each tail. The epaulet on the right shoulder was appropriate for the rank of Ensign.

There are 39 buttons in total: 20 evenly spaced down each side of the front, 4 on each cuff (paired), 4 on each false pocket flap (paired, one missing) and 2 on each pleat of the tails. The buttons (2 cm in diameter) are plain gilded brass on the front and have”s” surrounded by a wreath on the reverse.

Pictured underneath is a layered vest as it would have been worn during the war. It is also red wool and has brass gilded bullet buttons down the front. There are also two pockets in the front and a stand up collar. The vest is lined with beige cotton and has two cloth tape ties at the waist in the back.

This uniform belonged to James Thompson of Whirlpool farm who fought during the War of 1812.

Date of Original