by Alden O'Brien
There were few American industries prior to the Revolutionary War, but Lynn, Mass., was considered the “shoe capital of the world” in the 18th century. The shoes featured above—made of an unglamorous everyday leather—nevertheless have the fashionable flat sole and pointed toe popular during the late 1790s. They also bear a decorative detail: incised stripes to give a textured effect.
Everyday styles are a rare enough find, but we are fortunate to know the maker’s name associated with this pair: An earlier owner wrote on the sole that they were made by Abel Alley of Lynn. Census and other records confirm Alley family members in Lynn at this time, but DAR Museum curators have not yet pinned down an Abel Alley.
An early example of an American-made product, these shoes are a rare treasure because they document the conventional style of an era through seldom-saved apparel.