A collection of clothing items from the wife and daughter of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) with provenance. Pieces include: 

1. Lace collar and sleeves set worn by Eleanor Boyle Ewing Sherman (1824-1888) for her portrait by George Peter Alexander Healey, now held at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (1935.10.2). Silk sleeves with cotton lace trims and collar. Silk sleeves at widest 8 in., tapering to 4 in., approx. l. 10 in. Collar approx. 8 x 3 in.

2. Cotton petticoat worn by Maria Ewing Sherman Fitch (1851-1913). With cotton lace trim along lower hemline. With original tie closure. Waist approx. 16 in. flat. Full length approx. 37 in.

3. Silk dress worn by Maria Ewing Sherman Fitch (1851-1913). Seafoam green silk dress with silk lace trim on sleeves and down the front of the gown. Pink embroidery along hemline, sleeves, and front. Embroidery of flowers in wreaths along front of gown and on sleeves. With an attached silk pink ribbon. Shoulder approx. 14 in. Sleeves approx. 7 x 9 in. Waist approx. 21 in. flat. Full length of gown approx. 54 in.

4. Silk cap worn by Maria Ewing Sherman Fitch (1851-1913). Seafoam green silk cap with silk lace trim featuring cotton embroidery of flowers. Cap approx. 10 in. flat with 3 in. lace trim. Some small staining. 

5. Pleated purple capelet. Purple wool with black cotton piping designs and small black-and-gold buttons for embellishment. Capelet lined with purple satin. Collar and ties made from black satin. Shoulder approx. 14 in. Collar approx. 8 in. flat. Capelet approx. 17 in. long. 

Ellen was born to prominent Whig politician Thomas Ewing (1789-1871) in Lancaster, Ohio. The Ewings also took care of Sherman after his father died in 1829, so Ellen and William knew each other for decades prior to their marriage in 1850. During the Civil War, Ellen was incredibly vocal about her pro-Union stance, advocating for Abraham Lincoln as president in 1860. She passed away in 1888. 

While married to William, the couple had eight children, including the eldest, Maria. Born in 1851, Maria married Thomas William Fitch, a seaman from the U.S. Navy, in 1874. Records say that around 2,000 people attended her wedding, including President Ulysses S. Grant. The couple stayed together until Maria's passing in 1913. 

An incredible, traced example of fashion from the mid-19th century. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Women, Women’s History, Suffragettes, Women’s Movement, Suffrage]

Conditions vary. Complete condition report available upon request. 

Discoloration and small staining on sleeve and cuff set. 

Green dress with considerable small stains and holes throughout gown and ribbon.