Going a bit farther... because we have historic sites which are related
to significant eras and famous people in the history of the US and of
the state of Virginia, not only do our historians carefully pursue the
written evidence, but they also are able to explore the archeological
evidence left behind. In Jamestown, Williamsburg, and areas of
interest due to modern development, i.e., in Richmond for example, as
well as during the restoration of homes of former Presidents
(Washington, Madison, Jefferson, and Jefferson's retreat in Bedford:
"Poplar Forest"), exhaustive research has been done, and there is no
evidence of bobbins or anything else which would suggest the production
or trade of lace. This does not imply, however, that the citizens of
Virginia who were wealthy and also culturally astute were not captivated
by the beauty of the laces which could be imported from Europe - and
evidence supports that they did, indeed, import fine lace from Europe.
However, our country developed over many decades and numerous centuries,
and as settlers made their way west, those who followed had an easier
path to follow, and were able to bring with them more and more treasures
from their previous lives. So, technically speaking, I think that the
later settlers had an easier time of it, and were better able to carry
with them their treasures. So... as a result, you see (for example)
that there was a large and successful settlement of people in the
northern Midwest who made lace as it had been made in their homeland.
I think this would be a fascinating subject for someone to pursue for a
book...
Clay
Alex Stillwell wrote:
Yes, members of my guild demo at local historic sites even though lace was not
a normal activity of the early settlers. I live in the far west of the USA
and modern history only started in the 1840's in this country. It was settled
by people who walked across the USA and carried all their possessions in a
wagon. Some of the diaries of the settlers mentioned that a woman might carry
a crochet hook or a tatting shuttle in her pocket clear across the country
because nothing frivolous was allowed in the wagon. Bobbin lace equipment
would not have been included, even if the lady knew how to do it.
The settlers may not have been able to take their bobbin lace equipment in the
wagons, but after they became settled they could have made the equipment.
Pillows are easy to make and bobbins can be whittled, parchments are prepared
from skin and thread and pins would have been available. The limiting factor
would have been the demand for lace in the area - at that time lace was not
made for enjoyment but as a source of income. If there was a demand and if it
was sufficiently lucrative it could have been a way of earning extra money.
However, there would probably be some evidence of this in the form of
advertisements, possibly in newspapers, even in dressmakers adverts. Has
anyone seen one?
Alex
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