Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Nightshirt |
Catalog Number |
2006.4.16 |
Date |
ca. 1860 |
Material(s) |
Linen; |
Dimensions |
H-40 W-18 inches |
Description |
This is a man's nightshirt that was machine made. It is made of unbleached linen and has long sleeves. The sleeves have plain edges--no cuffs. It is cut square across the bottom and has a four button front closure. It has reinforced buttonholes. There is an attached collar and three patch pockets--one on the proper left breast and one on each hip. |
Notes |
This shirt probably belonged to R.A. Alexander (1819-1867). This collection was selected by KHS staff who were invited to the Woodburn Mansion in 2004 when the contents were being dealt with by the family in prepreparation for selling the home to Lucy Breathitt. The original Woodburn farm in Woodford County totaled 2,000 acres purchased in 1790 by Robert Alexander. By 1990 the acreage had been divided among Airdrie, Binderton, Lanark, and Woodburn farm, all owned by descendants of the original Alexander. Woodburn was brought to national prominence as a thoroughbred breeding operation in the 1850s and 1860s by Robert's son, Robert Aitcheson Alexander (R.A.), who did more for the cultivation of purebred stock than any other man in America, according to William Warfield as quoted in Giants of the Turf. Between 1861 and 1882 the farm dominated the American turf to an unequaled extent. Though breeding less than 5 percent of the nation's thoroughbred foals from 1868 to 1880, it bred 54 percent of the winners of the Belmont, Travers, Saratoga, Jerome, and Dixie stakes in those years. During the Civil War, guerrilla raiders, including Sue Mundy, stole horses from Woodburn Farm. Some of the horses were recovered by Union troops including Bay Chief and Abdallah. Both died shortly after, Bay Chief having been shot in the skirmish and Abdallah of Pneumonia and exhaustion. At the time their combined value was estimated by R.A. as $32,000. Abdallah's bloodline is still carried today by the best harness race horses. Over the years the Alexander family maintained Woodburn farm mansion along with its library, now in the KHS rare books collection, and many artifacts that pertain to the family and the history of animal husbandry on the farm. See the book, "My Kingdom for The Horse" by William Preston Mangum II |
Collection |
Dr. Alexander J. Alexander Collection |
Subjects |
Men's clothing Sleepwear Clothing & dress |
Search Terms |
Woodburn Farm Versailles (Ky.) Kentucky |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |