Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-07-22
y Nothing TO Wear.n
People who have " nothing to wear" are re-
ferred to the following regulations made by the
Legislature of Massachusetts,, in l772.


People who have " nothing to wear'' are re-
ferred to the following regulations made by the
Legislature of Massachusetts,, in l772.
APPAREL.
Although several Declarations and Orders
have been made by this Court against excess in
Apparel, both of Men and Women. which have
not taken their effect as were to be desired but
on the contrary we cannut but to our grief
take notice, that intolerable excess and bravery
hath crept IN upon us, and especially amongst
people OF mean condition, to the dishonor of
God, the scandal of our profession, the consump-
ZION OF Estates, and altogether unsuitable to
our poverty and although we acknowledge it
70 DC matter of much difficulty, in regard to
the blindness ofmen minds, and the stubborn
ness OF their wills, to set down exact Rules to
conilne all sorts OF persons; yet we cannot but
account 1t our duty, to commend unto all sorts
Oh persons, the sober and moderate use of these
blessings, which beyond expectation the Lord
hath been pleased to afford unto us in this will
derness, and dislike that men or women of mean
condition, should take upon them the garb of
gentlemen wearing Gold or Silver lace or But
tons, or Points at their knees, or to walk in
great Boots; Or Women of the same rank to
wear Silk or Tifiny hoods or ScarG, which
though allowable to persons of greater Estates,
or more liberal education, yet we cannot but
Judge it intolerable in persons of such like con-
dition:
1t is therefore Ordered by this Court and the
Authority thereof; that no person within this
Jurisdiction, nor any of their relations depend
ing upon them, whose visible estates real and
personal, shall not exceed the true and indiffer-
ent value of tho hundred pounds; shall wear
any Gold or Silver lace, or Gold and Silver But
tons, or any bone lace above two shillings per
yard, or silk hoods, or scrafs, upon the penalty
of ten shilings for every such offence, and every
such delinquent to be presented by the Grand
jury; And forasmuch as distinct and particular
rules in this cese sutabls TO the estate or quality
Of the person cannot easily be given 1t is fur
Their Ordered by the Authority aforesaid, that
the Select Men or every Town OF the Major
part of them, are hereby enabled and required
from time to time, to have regard, and take
notice of Apparel of any of the Inhabitants of
their several Towns respectively and whatsoever
they shall judge to exceed their ranks and abili-
ties in the costliness or fashion of their Appar-
ell in any respect, especially in the wearing of
Ribbons or great Boots, Ueather being so scarce
a commodity III this County, Lace, Points &C.,
Silk Hoods or Scarfs, the Select men aforesaid
shall have power to assess such persons SO often
ding in any Of the particulars above mentioned
in the Country Rates, at t,co hundred pounds es-
} tate, according to that proportion that such
men use to pay to whom such Apparel is suita-
BILE and allowed, Provided this Law shall not
;, extend to the restraint of any Magistrate or
public Officer of this Jurisdiction, their Wives
and Children, who are left to their discretion in
wearing of Apparel, or any settled Military
Officer, or Soldier in the time of Military SER
vice, or any other whose education and employ
ment have been above the ordinary degree or
whose estates have been considerable, though
now decayed.
AsAN ADDITION TO THE LAWS ABOUT APPAREL.
Whereas excess in Apparel amongst us, I'M
: becoming Wilderness condition, and the pro-
t fession Of the Gospel, whereby the Rising Gen.
. GRAFTON are in danger to be Corrupted and Eff
. terminated which practices are witnessed
: against by the Laws of God, and sundry Civil
f and Christian Nations:
h 1t is therefore Ordered and Enacted by this
:. Court, and the Authority thereof. That al
- persons within this Jurisdiction, whether thu
= Children, or Servants that are under govern
ment in Families, that shall wear any Apparel
exceeding the quality and condition of theil
! Persons or Estate, or that is apparently con
trary to the ends of Apparel and either O.
these to be so judged by the Grand-jury ant
% County Court Of that Shire where such cam
v plant or presentment is made: All such per
81 sons being Convicted, shall for the first offenc
be Admonished; for the second offence pay
fine Of twenty shillings for the third offenc
forty shlllings, and so following, as the Offences
are multiplied, to pay forty shillings time t.
2 the Treasury Of that County. Also ifany Tay
lie lor shall make or fashion any Garment for sucl
Children or Servants under government as afore
said, contrary to the mind and order of thei
g. Parents or Governours every such Taylo
shall for the first offence be Admonished ant
i for the second offence, forfeit double the valu
ct of such Apparel Or Garment as he shall fashio
t. or make, contrary to the minds and order O
70 their Parents or Governours half to the Own
er, and half to the Country. And all GRAND
jury men are hereby enjoined to Present a
:, those whom they do judge breakers of tn
iS Order.