18th Century Fashion Note: Temperance Pickering Knight

I recently spent a delightful day at the UNH Museum, reveling in my first experience with the Irma Bowen Collection, ably guided by Astrida Schaeffer, costume historian and mannequin maker at Schaeffer Arts.

Among the one of the most striking pieces in the collection is a dazzling canary yellow quilted petticoat, of silk, lined with wool and flax, worn by Temperance Pickering Knight (1731-1823) of Newington. The second wife of John Knight, she was married 15 March 1759. Knight had a profitable business: he ran the ferry between Newington and Dover Point.  This would explain the high end wardrobe items belonging to Temperance Knight.

I recently visited her burial site in Newington with its broken marble slab. (Images forthcoming.) We can thank the foresight of family members and UNH instructor, Irma Bowen, for the survival of this rare garment. Fortunately, Irma Bowen, began collecting examples of needlework and textiles back in the 1920s for the benefit of her students. The fact that we can actually put a name and a biography with this striking, well-crafted and expensive garment, amplifies its significance tremendously. Knowing an approximate time period when it was worn and where, has attracted the attention of students and costume historians over several decades.

For further information on the Bowen Collection and Temperance Pickering Knight and her petticoat, see
http://www.unh.edu/news/news_releases/2000/june/mg_20000619museum.html

Silbrocade paten, prob. owned by Temeprance Pickering Knight
c.mid 1700s, Courtesy UNH Museum. Thank you to Dale Valena, Director