Coat, Military

Object Name:

Coat, Military

Object ID:

2010.028.01

Date:

1898

Description:

Embroidered dress uniform coat, Spanish-American War. Worn by Sergeant Edward C. Webster (1879-1916) of Derry, NH. Dark blue wool. Four brass buttons on front, and three on each sleeve, all with eagle and "I". White sergeant's chevrons on upper sleeves, and two pairs of gold and white stripes on lower sleeves. Purple silk lining embroidered with red flag with three stars, shield, Philippine flag, purple flag with "46.U.S.V.", and large initials "ECW". Enameled shield-shaped pin on collar; red, white, and blue with gold lettering: "PHILIPPINE / SERVICE / U.S.V. / '99-'01".

Material:

Textile
Wool
Silk
Cotton

Dimensions:

L-28 inches

Provenance:

Edward Clinton Webster (1879-1916) was the son of John E. and Cornelia (Case) Webster of Derry, NH. He was educated at Pinkerton Academy and first served in 1898 as a bugler in Company H, 8th Massachusetts Volunteers. On September 13, 1899, Webster enlisted in the 46th Regiment, United States Volunteers. He rose to the rank of sergeant major, serving two years in Cuba and the Philippines. Upon his return from military service, Webster married Ethel B. Tuttle on October 5, 1901 at South Framingham, MA. Webster operated an auto repair shop in Framingham until his death on February 8, 1916, when his car was truck by a train in Northboro, MA. These materials were collected and preserved by Edward C. Webster's sister, Nellie E. Webster (1882-1947) of Derry. They were then passed to Edward's son, John E. Webster, Sr. and Vera Wentworth Webster, to John E. Webster, Jr. and Gail Webster, to Chester and Marilyn Webster Ham and their families.

The embroidery inside the coat is said to have been done by a Philippine girl when Sgt. Webster was serving there.

Credit Line:

Gift of the John E. Webster Family and the Chester and Marilyn Webster Ham Family

People:

Webster, Edward C. (1879-1916)

Subjects:

Spanish-American War