Object Number 2002.0001.003

Object Name

Pocketbook

Category

Textiles (Needlework)

Credit Line/Donor

Gift of the Estate of Wilhemina duPont Ross

Creator (Role)

Mary Perrin (Possible maker)
September 24, 1737
Mary Perrin (May) was born on September 24, 1737 in Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Noah Perrin Jr. (1708-1788) and Mary Scarborough (1710-1773). Noah and Mary married in 1736, and Mary Perrin was the eldest of their four children. Noah’s 1788 will survives and names his children Mary, Moses, and Son Perrin. Mary created this needlework picture ca. 1750 in Boston, possibly using a design created by Sarah Parsons Moorhead (1706-1774), who advertised her services as a drawing, painting, and japanning teacher in the Boston Evening Post in 1748 and 1754. Mary Perrin married Moses May on February 25, 1760 in Boston. Moses, according to Historic New England, "kept a store on Orange (now Washington) Street selling West-India, British and French dry goods." Moses died on January 24, 1815. Mary's brother, Son Perrin May (1767- 1844) was the father of Mary Perrin May (Bradlee) (1815-1877) who was the mother of Alice Bradlee (Chase) (1846-1925). A note on reverse of this needlework was signed by Katharine Bradlee Hammond, whose grandmother was the sister of Alice Bradlee Chase, and therefore was also a descendant of Mary Perrin (May). The inclusion of Alice’s name may indicate that the needlework was passed through this line originally, rather than that of Katharine Bradlee, her sister (for whom the author of the note was presumably named). Alice may not have had children with her husband Theodore Chase, which may explain the transfer to her sister’s line. Mary's brother, Son Perrin May (1767- 1844) was the father of Mary Perrin May (Bradlee) (1815-1877) who was the mother of Alice Bradlee (Chase) (1846-1925). A note on reverse of this needlework was signed by Katharine Bradlee Hammond, whose grandmother was the sister of Alice Bradlee Chase, and therefore was also a descendant of Mary Perrin (May). The inclusion of Alice’s name may indicate that the needlework was passed through this line originally, rather than that of Katharine Bradlee, her sister (for whom the author of the note was presumably named). Alice may not have had children with her husband Theodore Chase, which may explain the transfer to her sister’s line. The note on the reverse reads: "Alice was Alice Bradlee who married Theodore Chase. She was my grandmother Crowninshield's sister [signed] Katharine Bradlee Hammond". Another label on the back reads "Worked by Mary [Perin] Alice's Grandmother. / Important Boston School needlework – Ron Bourgeault / Sat. Nov. 9, 1993 – See Betty Ring Book with Furniture outside / on Label "Alice Bradlee who married Theodore Chase/ She was y grandmother Crowninshield’s sister…Katherine Bradlee Hammond /" Other label "Worked by Mary Perin from catalog Alice's grandmother." For a full genealogy of the family, descendants, Sarah Parsons Moorhead, and more of Lea Lane's research, see the object files in Registration. (RGW, 02/18/2016)

Place of Origin

New England, United States, North America

Origin Notes

Probably Connecticut or Massachusetts.

Date

1740-1790

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Inscription; Inside, on front of one pocket; "NOAH PERRIN" (embroidered thread)

Materials

Wool; Silk; Linen; Cardboard; Canvas

Techniques

Embroidered (Irish stitch), Canvaswork, Woven (plain), Sewn

Construction Description

Hand-embroidered

Dimensions (inches)

Dimensions (centimeters)

Object Description

Text available soon.