The Fenton History Center’s textile collection is extensive. There about 10,000 textile items in the collection. They range from baby bonnets to aprons to doilies to uniforms, shoes, coats, suits and dresses. While rearranging the many acid-free textile boxes in the store room, a late Victorian era dress was found in need of a new box. In looking over the condition of the dress, which is very good, its design, detail and craftsmanship were impressive.

The decision was made to put it on display in the Fenton drawing room. The dress is made of a heavy, black satin with a foliar design woven into it. The bodice and front of dress are heavily beaded, including beaded tassels. It hangs elegantly.

The dress was owned by a Mrs. Frederick Hyde. Now, a little detective work was required to see if we could learn more about Hyde. We discovered through our research that she was born Carrie Joie Jones in July 1865 to Sidney and Anna (Dickey) Jones of Jamestown. Sidney was the youngest child (14th) and the seventh son of Solomon and Clarissa (Hayward) Jones, who were early settlers of Jamestown, first settling in Kiantone in 1810. Later they moved into Jamestown to a property located a couple of miles north of the boat landing in an area that is now known as Clifton. The landing became known as Jones’ Landing. Sidney was a grocer on East Third Street. He was a brother-in-law to the William Hall family, William and John Breed family and the William Tew family.

Carrie Jones married Frederick W. Hyde, the son of Rev. William L. and Frances (Rice) Hyde, in 1894. The Rev. William Hyde was the chaplain for New York’s 112th Regiment from Chautauqua County. In 1866, Rev. Hyde wrote the book, “History of the 112th Regiment of NY Volunteers.”

Carrie was about 20 years old when this dress was made. We know she graduated from Jamestown Academy in 1883 and attended one year at Wellesley College, but we don’t know which year. Her obituary gives a well-rounded picture of Mrs. Hyde. She had a good sense of humor, walked everywhere until she broke her hip in 1953 and had “a grasp” of financial and political affairs which made her a “valued member of many groups.” Carrie was an active member of the Fortnightly, Mozart Club, Browning Society, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Chautauqua County Historical Society. She followed in her mother’s footsteps, one of the organizers of the WCA Hospital, by serving as a member of its governing board of directors for more than 50 years. She served on the Jamestown Board of Education, the first place women could serve as an elected official. She would have been acquainted, if not friendly, with both of Governor Fenton’s daughters, Josephine and Jeannette. Although the Fenton girls were a generation older, they were involved in the same organizations. They were all members of the First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown. They were in the same social circle, which is where this dress could have first been seen gliding across the dance floor or giving a toast to the new year.

Frederick Hyde was employed with the Jamestown Evening Journal, first as a reporter, then editor and finally as managing editor until 1905. He was the index clerk with the New York State Assembly from 1903-04 and treasurer of the Dahlstrom Metallic Door Company. He then became an officer of the National Chautauqua County Bank until 1918. Frederick served in the Spanish-American War and WWI. He was a major with the Fenton Guards, a forerunner to our current National Guard.

Carrie and Frederick had twin daughters, Janet and Carolyn. Janet died in infancy and Carolyn married Gale Lukens Cheney. Carrie Hyde died on Oct. 20, 1956, at the age of 91. She outlived her husband, who passed away on June 11, 1943. The Hyde family is buried in Jamestown’s Lake View Cemetery.

This information all came from handling a black dress from our textile collection. Imagine all the other stories hidden away in the hundreds of textile boxes stored here in the museum.