Kati Sherman of my staff offered the
following response:
“My guess is that it is probably
referring to bombazette, which Webster’s defines as “A sort of thin
woolen cloth. It is of various colors, and may be plain or
twilled.” Alternative names/spellings for this fabric are bombazet,
bombasette and (as suggested below) bombazine. It was more of a winter
fabric, used for dresses or waistcoats.
For additional interest, the term is
related to the Old French bombace
which means “cotton padding,” and from which we get the word bombast.”
Gregory Sanford
(802) 828-2369
From: Center for research on Vermont list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kristin
Peterson-Ishaq
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 11:19
AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Query Re
"Bombayette"
-------- Forwarded Message --------
I found an item in a 19th century Hinesburgh store
account book -- bombayette -- and have been unable to find a definition for it.
The closest I've come is "bombazine" - silk warp, wool weft,
dress material, often used for mourning. I wonder of anyone in the CRV list
knows anything about this? Many thanks,
Elise Guyette
Elise A. Guyette
VT
Coordinator of Special Projects
Educational Consultant for History & Social
Sciences
So.
802.658.1209 / 802.233.8587
www.vermontsocialstudies.org
"The complete education gives one not only power of
concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate." Martin
Luther King, Jr.
----End of Forwarded Message---