Kris Gaskin and Carolyn Ravenscroft will give a Gallery Talk on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 11:00 on the second floor of the Duxbury Free Library in front of the display case.  

The display features a man's black wool coat, discovered in the attic of First Parish Church, along with other items belonging to past ministers of the church, and subsequently donated to DRHS in 2015. The label C. F. Hovey & Co places the manufacture date between 1848 and 1914. Charles Fox Hovey (1807 - 1859) began his company in 1833 as a wholesaler, then opened a retail space on Summer Street in Boston. He was an abolitionist, supporter of the temperance movement as well as women's rights, and set up a trust with $50,000 to give financial support to those causes.

Also on display is a bible and psalm book, and a photograph of Rev. Josiah Moore, pastor of First Parish from 1834 - 1881. During this time the current building was erected (1841). While we don't know who wore our coat, the dates make it very possible to have been Josiah. The Moores bought Captain Gamaliel Bradford's house on Tremont Street, just up from the church, and across the street from our Gershom Bradford house. 

This event is presented by the Clothing and Textiles Committee of the DRHS in partnership with the DFL.