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Work shoe

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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This is typical of a unisex work shoe for the early 19th century. It was made on a straight last, having no right or left. The uppers were usually stitched by women working in their homes as part of the "putting out system". They were paid so much per pair of uppers stitched. This was during a time when women's work options outside of the home were extremely limited. Cordwainers then put the soles on these shoes in their workshops.

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