Hats Circa 1776
James Madison is seldom connected to a amusing (somewhat) story, so here is one to treasure!
Head coverings for both men and women have always held an important place throughout history. Some religions demand them inside a place of worship. Or even a special head covering for only inside a place of worship, Some traditions insist they be worn at all times – even in one’s own home.
Then there is the tradition of removing one’s hat. In a restaurant, for example. Or at a funeral. Or in a theater (ladies please remove your hat).
The styles and variations of said head coverings of course, change with the times. So do price tags.
In Colonial America, the traditional male hat was the tricorn: a three-cornered hat you will see in most portraits, re-enactments, movies, or historical sites of the 18th century. The hat itself offers a few variations, depending on the status/wealth of the wearer.
Country-folk wore a different style called a Long Hunter Hat, with a rounded crown and a broad circular brim. The style lasted for decades – even through the Civil War. They were mostly for woodsmen and farmers and connoted little affluence. Then, some folks wore coonskin caps, made wildly popular when Benjamin Franklin went to Paris and wished to appear distinctively “American.”
But the plain black (or occasionally gray) tricorn shown in 18th century portraits of men was practically universal in towns and cities. Some had variations in brim shape. Some were adorned via braid in varying degrees, and possibly a cockade or feather. Or both. White braid was gentry; gold braid was wealthy. Cockades usually designated substantial prestige and wealth. They were usually for the highest echelon.
James Madison, Colonial Councillor
James Madison (1751-1836) was the antithesis of imposing. Both small and slight in stature, he was somewhere between 5’ and 5’6” depending on source. Since the average man’s height circa 1776 was 5’7”, and Madison was invariably identified as a small fellow, 5’4” is likely more accurate. Or even generous. No source ever identified him as more than 125 lbs. Ergo, his physical appearance was far from commanding, a la General George Washington, and JM was always happy to remain in the background.
He was also a quiet man, not given to dramatic oration a la his fellow Virginian (and then-Governor) Patrick Henry. He preferred the comfort of the small table, and it is said, under less formal conditions, he was a delight. Insightful, witty, worth engaging in conversation. And definitely worth listening to.
His large family were well-to-do planters in Orange County VA, at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. JM also possessed of very impressive brain, honed well at the College of New Jersey (Princeton). According to most historians, he was the best educated of all our Founding Fathers, with an equivalent of a Masters Degree (or better) in what was then called governmental studies. Political science today.
Study, philosophy, research and deep thinking came naturally to him, as did the admiration and respect of those who knew him. Upon his maturity, Madison was easily elected to Virginia’s Assembly. It did not take long before his genius for astute political philosophy was recognized and he was named to the Governor’s Privy Council.
But by 1778, the British Army evacuated Philadelphia, then capital of thirteen erstwhile colonies “DBA” the United States of America. They sailed down the coast poised to harass Virginia and points south. A Redcoat Army led by the traitor Benedict Arnold made the situation all the more loathsome as their southern campaign quickened.
The Purloined Hat
One day (according to a story said to be related to young Nicholas Trist by the elderly Madison himself many years later), Councillor Madison’s hat was stolen! Some thief broke a window in the boarding house where he was staying.
An embargo had been placed several years earlier on any British import goods, and none of the local hatters had the goods to replace it.
It was, of course, UNTHINKABLE for a gentleman, let alone a young member of the Governor’s Privy Council to be caught outdoors without his hat.
So Madison stayed in his rooms for two days. He could/would not be seen in public.
Finally a French merchant who dealt in snuff sold him (at an enormous price), a coarse hat – likely similar to the Long Hunter Hat. But the crown was entirely too small, and the brim was entirely too broad. Poor Jemmy. It was laughable. His friends and co-councillors had much merriment from the situation.
But Madison had the disposition and good nature to be able to laugh at himself, and wore that ill-fitting and ill-appropriate hat for the rest of the session. And he was respected all the more.
Sources:
Brookheiser, Richard – James Madison – Basic Books, 2011
Moore, Virginia – The Madisons: A Biography – McGraw Hill, 1975
https://millercenter.org/president/madison/life-before-the-presidency
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