| Object ID |
1961.29.1 |
| Object Name |
Uniform |
| Early Date |
1803 |
| Late Date |
1803 |
| Description |
When William Jarvis was a young merchant in Boston in 1801, he was appointed by President Jefferson as Charge D'Affairs and Consul Portugal where he subsequently took up residence. Shortly after arriving in Lisbon in 1803, a prince was born into the royal household and Consul Jarvis, together with other high-ranking officials, was invited to celebrate the event. After much consideration, Jarvis ordered an American naval uniform of exquisite taste and embroidery, complete with large, gilt buttons decorated with the American eagle, to be specifically made for the occasion by Carter's of London.
Jarvis returned to the United States with his family in 1810 bringing with him a herd of Merino sheep, the pride of Spain where they had been raised exclusively for centuries and for which strong penalties existed for exporting them. Two years later in 1812, Jarvis purchased almost the entire village of Weathersfield, Vermont, where he continued to raise sheep for several years. As a result of Jarvis' efforts, Merino sheep flourished in Vermont from 1830 to 1850 where they took many prizes. Jarvis died at the age of 89 having been a political and financial leader in the town of Weathersfield, an influential leader of the Whig party, and nationally known as an advocate for high protective tariffs. |
| Credit |
Gift of Leavitt Hunt and Mrs. William Patterson |
|
