2000.134.2

This dressed was worn by Rachel Sears Snyder (b.1853-d.1940) of Sonoma, California. (Sears family name prominent in Sonoma County, e.g. Sears Point.) She was married in 1874 to Jacob Rink Snyder (b.1812-d.1878) who was John C. Fremont's Quartermaster in the California Battlion, 1845 and a Representative in 1849 at the First Constitutional Convention in Monterey; from 1850-1852 he was a partner of James King of William. In 1853 he was Assistant Treasurer of the United States and Treasurer of the San Francisco Mint. He retired in 1861 and became a Sonoma vintner. The dress, of printed brown silk with a small tan leaf pattern, is in a "Mother Hubbard" style, long sleeves, small rounded collalr, high yoke accented with a small ruffle from the gather skirt fasten to the yoke, buttoning down the front (16 domed brown buttons - all present - into 16 handmade button holes), long leg-o-mutton sleeves, small box pleated flounce at hem. There is a small half belt (built into the dress) that fastens in the front (at the natural waist, while in the back there is a dropped waist. The lining is of tan/brown cotton twill, with the skirt lined in a dark printed cotton showered with red roses and a dark band of highly glazed cotton (Holland cloth?) just above the hem.

Used: Rachel Sears Snyder | At home | Sonoma

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