Description:
Pair of women's shoes made from white kid leather, and featuring a pointed toe and small, narrow heel. Each shoe is decorated with a matching, off-white silk pom pom at the front of the throat, or opening. One shoe has a partial label affixed to the insideL [PEL]ATIAH REA, SHOE STORE, No. 39, Marlboro' Street, One door south of the Blue Bell. (Rips mended gratis)." Peletiah Rea (b.1771 in Chelmsford, MA) was likely the retailer of these shoes, which may have been made north of Boston, a center of shoe making in New England during the 18th and 19th centuries. Historic Deerfield owns another, later pair of shoes with Rea's label; see 2001.36. Rea announced in the April 16, 1803 issue of the Columbian Centinel and Massachuestts Federalist (Boston) that his store moved from No. 31 to No. 39 Marlborough Street, the address printed on the label seen in this pair. By 1808 his business diversified or shifted to retail shoes, boots, hats, and "English goods." At this time he was also accepting money issued by certain US Banks, including Gloucester, Berkshire, and Detroit. By May, 1808, his business had moved to "No. 2, NW corner of the old State-House," and by October, 1816, he had added blacking made by Alexis Yvonnet to his store's inventory. Rea married Patty Rolf In Reading, Massachusetts on January 20, 1795. He may have been widowed, for he appears to have remarried (Emily Powers) at the age of 50 in Boston on October 21, 1821.
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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2021.9 |
