Archive Record
Images
Additional Images [15]
Metadata
Scope & Content |
Letter about a lace shawl worn by Elizabeth Taylor Minor at a party given in the honor of General Lafayette in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1825. The letter was written by Jane Minor to Mrs William Henry Dunn of Rapidan, Virginia in Culpeper county on July 25,1912. The letter reads as follows: Lace Shawl-In 1825, Elizabeth Taylor, wife of Col. Thomas Minor, jr. were the chief hostess & host at a Fete given in honor of "General Lafayette" in the town of Fredericksburg, Va. Mrs Minor was gowned in a corn colored satin brocade gown, made very low round the neck & long pointed bodice, small or short puffed sleeves. The gown was open in front & fell off in a long snaking train trimmed in chantilla lace flouncing. The front or underskirt was handmade of rows of 5 different kinds of real val lace. (It was my mothers petticoat when she was married.) The Fete began at 2 p.m. & Mrs Minor draped a chantilla black thread lace shawl over her shoulders, as well as an addition of a black velvet hat to her costume, & long black lace mitts. After sunset her full dress was seen, the hat & shawl being laid aside. Elizabeth Taylor, was the daughter of James Taylor, 4th direct descentant of James Taylor 1st of Carlysle & lived at his plantation, known as "Midway" Caroline co. Va. James Taylor 4th was in the house of Burgesses also one of the signers of the "Declaration of Independence." (Have not been able to verify that James Taylor the 4th was a signer of the Declaration of Independence). Lieut Thomas Minor jr. was son of Capt Thomas-a merchant. He was an aide to Gen. Washington under Genl Stevenson at the surrender of Yorktown & rose from Lieut to Col. noted for his valour, integrity & honor. He & his wife lived at her old home "Locust Grove" near "Guinea" Caroline [ct.] Va. For years the bricks for the house were brought over by Capt. Minor & after his death in 1776 he left all to his wife "Alice Thomas" & she left all to their son & his wife Thomas Minor jr & Elizabeth Taylor. They had 10 children. Dr. Hubbard Taylor Minor who married Jane Blake (my grandparents) - Ben Blake Minor my father-Virginia Maurey Otey my mother. Both Gen. Washington & Gen. Lafayette, were friends of our great grand Parents. My father at 7th of 16 sons. Gen. Lafayette in the home of his grand Parents where he lived for years as he lost his mother after two weeks old. Dr. Hubbard Taylor Minor's 2nd wife was Malvina Crutchfield & they were related to the Jones, Mortons, Watsons, Thorntons, Talifero, Reids & many others. On my mothers side, Bishop James Hervey Otey married Eliza Pannell. All the Pannell of Chalk Level, Petersburg & all Virginia are related. On both sides of the house both women of men have been English, scott & irish, musical, literary & scholars. I hope you can make out my writing. We have missed you both, you certainly escaped a very severe storm yesterday afternoon. Hope you are resting & enjoying the sweet mountain air. I long to get Zelle off somewhere. We are all just as usual & your vacant chairs at the table are filled by two gentlemen. I hope you will enjoy the shawl. I thank you again, believe me. With kind regards to you both. Very truely Jane Minor "The Guerrant" Richmond, Virginia July 25, 1912 In 1834 Col. Minor buried Gen. Lafayette took his death cold & died in April 1 month after he acted as pall bearer to Gen. Lafayette. Lace shawl was brought from England in 1755 by Capt. Minor - a merchant. Cost these days - $500.00. |
Year Range from |
1912 |
Year Range to |
1912 |
Subjects |
Shawls Lace Gowns Gowns, Evening Hats Plantations Letter Party |
Search Terms |
Guinea Station, Virginia Richmond, VA Fredericksburg, Virginia Caroline County, Virginia Carlyle, VA Chalk Level, Virginia Petersburg, Virginia Rapidan, VA Culpeper County, Virginia |
People |
LaFayette, General Minor, Col. Thomas Jr. Taylor, Elizabeth Dunn, Mrs. William Henry Minor, Elizabeth Taylor Taylor, James Blake, Jane Minor, Benjamin Blake Washington, George Thomas, Alice Minor, Capt. Thomas Stevenson, Gen. Minor, Dr. Hubbard Taylor Blake, Jane Otey, Virginia Maury Maury, Virginia Crutchfield, Malvina Otey, Bishop James Hervey Pannell, Eliza |
Collection |
History Museum of Western Virginia |
Imagefile |
053\1982122-3.JPG |
Number of images |
21 |
Object Name |
Letter |
Object ID |
1982.122 |