shift & chemise

Summary

Fine white linen smock. Wide neck with original linen drawstring, short opening in front. Short full low-set sleeves in even finer quality linen; cuffs finer linen still. Neck and cuffs edged with bobbin lace, English or Flemish, contemporary late 17C. Sleeves and very wide neck suitable for wearing with the low bodices of the late seventeenth century, or the very early mantuas. Initials embroidered in cross stitch at front opening : "E P". The initials relate to her maiden name, EP, Elizabeth Palmer. Elizabeth Palmer was born before 1669 (when her father died) and was married on 15 September 1690. She died around 1720. The shift must therefore date from the 1680s. Attached note states : "Chemise of Elizabeth Doley d. of H Palmer of Olton End and Ann... Mother of Ann wife of W Shepperd of Great Rollwright who was the Mother of Elizabeth wife of the Rev. W. Harries of Brynhifrid who was Mother of Jane Ann Elinor (b.1745) wife of Capt. WA Wilson of Hawarden, Carmarthen who d. at Lincoln, 1808".