Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1996.04.21 |
Object Name |
Coat |
Date |
c.1901 |
Features |
Sealskin (?) fur coat, 3/4 length, full skirt with centre back vent, reverse to the right, loop and crocheted button fasteners, tight at neck fastening with hook and eye closure, loop and hook fasteners on collar to create stand-up collar, collar round form. c.1901 |
Object Story |
Sealskin has been used for centuries by the Inuit people due to its resistance to water and the cold allowing for lightweight protection from artic conditions. The sealskin jacket as well as other products of the same material became very popular in the early 1900s due to a peak in seal hunting during the time. This blouse was owned by Janet Bogart Conger in the early 1900s. Janet was born in Belleville in 1839 to Abraham L. and Isabella (nee Young) Bogart. In 1857 Janet married Peter de Sidnia Conger on November 19th in Belleville who owned the Conger Coal Company in Toronto and eventually became the mayor of Belleville. The two had 4 children, Maude in 1860, Jessie in 1862, Helena in 1864 and finally Fredrick in 1869. 10 years later, in 1879, Peter was in a train accident which caused irreparable damage to him which he reportedly never recovered from. Said damage may have been the cause of his heart attack 6 years later which resulted in his death. After Peter's death Janet became a very wealthy widow and took to travelling to New York and France. In her free time Janet became a writer and a socialite. After returning to Napanee, Janet met and married her second husband Dr. William Cox Allen who was previously the mayor of Cornwall. William died in 1901 followed by Janet on March 17th, 1909. After her death Janet was buried beside her first husband Peter in Belleville Cemetery. |
People |
Conger, Helena, c1864- Conger, Janet Bogart, 1839-1909 Conger, Jessie, c1862- Conger, Frederick, 1869-c1929 Conger, Maude Seymour, 1860-1930 Conger, Peter Conger, Peter D. |
Subjects |
1890's 1900's Woman Women Costumes Clothing & dress Widows Wealth Wealthy people Writers Socialites |
Search Terms |
Belleville Belleville Cemetery Napanee France Paris 1890s 1900s Costume, 1900 |