vest

Man's white and pale purple jacquard silk vest woven with images of Lafayette in lozenges formed by laurel branches and the word "LAFAYETTE"; collar is possibly intended to be convertible: might be either high standing or narrow shawl form; slightly beaked waist; single-breasted, with seven small flat self-covered buttons; seven buttonholes; margins edged with fine cord; two straight-welt pockets, one at each side of waist; collar is self-faced; fully lined with white cotton; backed with white cotton; two pairs of linen tape ties at back waist; base at back is straight.

Gift of Sandra Boyd. Old typewritten note with vest: "THIS VEST WAS WORN BY MAJOR CLARKSON AS MASTER OF CEREMONIES AT THE BANQUET AND BALL GIVEN IN HONOR OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE AT THE HOUSE ON MAIN ST. NOW OCCUPIED BY HENRY ROBINSON."

The style of the vest is possible for 1824, when Lafayette returned to the United States. However, the style, with its fine-corded edging, fits very well into the 1830s, so it could have been made a decade later.

"Major Clarkson's" identity is uncertain. However, he may have been Major Matthew Clarkson, born on Whitehall Street, New York City (October 17, 1758, April 25, 1825), and buried at Flatbush, Long Island. The Clarksons owned property in Flatbush, on Flatbush Avenue, which was originally called Main Street. An neighboring farm house which was built as early as the Clarkson house (Axtell house, Winthrop Street and Main Street/Flatbush Avenue) was later bought by a Dr. John Robinson, who lived there from 1845 to 1879. (The Social History of Flatbush, and Manners and Customs of the Dutch ...Mrs. Gertrude Lefferts Vanderbilt, 59)

The Robinson house was much grander than the Clarkson residence. It should be noted that the history that accompanied this vest said that Major Clarkison was Master of Ceremonies at the "house now occupied by Henry Robinson," but it did not claim that the house belonged to Major Clarkson himself.

Domine Freeman purchased seven acres of land in Flatbush on Main Street between Avenue C and Church Avenue and built a house in 1735. His only child Anna Margaretta married her cousin David Clarkson. (Mrs. Gertrude Lefferts Vanderbilt, The Social History of Flatbush, and Manners and Customs of the Dutch Settlers in Kings County D. Appleton & Company, 1881, 195) David and Anna Margaretta Freeman Clarkson's son was Matthew Clarkson’s father, David Clarkson. He was born in New York City, June 3, 1726, died at Flatbush, New York, November 14, 1782. "When his brother, Matthew, who lived at Flatbush, died, he purchased the home-

stead and used it as his country seat. . . .When the great fight took place on Long Island, in 1776, his house was rifled by the British, and his city home was entirely destroyed by fire, September 21, 1776.. . Accordingly he removed to New Brunswick, New Jersey, but later re- turned to Flatbush. He married in New York City, May 3, 1749: Elizabeth, daughter of Philip and Susanna ( Brockholles ) French (GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY OF SOUTHERN NEW YORK AND THE HUDSON RIVER VALLEY, 1914.)

In Rivington's New York Royal Gazette (1779-10-02): "By letters from Philadelphia we are informed that a duel has been fought between Matthew Clarkson, son of Mr. David Clarkson, of Flatbush, Aid-de-camp to General Arnold, and Major-General Charles Lee. . .) (The Clarksons of New York: A Sketch, Vol 2, p 50). In 1783, Matthew Clarkson, now a Lieut.-Colonel, "after an absence of seven years, returned to Flatbush, to a home lately made desolate by the death of a devoted father." (Ibid, 94)

Matthew Clarkson was appointed brigadier-general of the militia of Kings and Queens counties, in June, 1786. Carol Kregloh 2014-01-15

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