Dress, 1828-1832

This dress was worn by Thankful Scott Merritt, wife of Benjamin Merritt. She joined the Society of Friends in 1811, later became a preacher, and was the great-grandmother of the donor. The Merritts were New York Quakers: In Troy from 1813 to 1815; New York City from 1815 to 1830; Troy again by 1834; White Creek from 1842 to 1845; and Staten Island by 1848. Mr. Merritt was first a China merchant and afterwards a dry good merchant.The apron-front dress was very popular from 1828 to 1832. This also…