SOLD

Early to Mid-Indian War Army Officer’s Kepi found at Hampstead Manor House (1825) in New Kent, Va. – We obtained this Indian War kepi from the current owner of Hampstead, in New Kent County, Va. (see history of house and occupants below) The kepi, which remains in overall fine condition, with the exception of a few minor insect nips, was manufactured, as indicated in the embossed maker’s label, in the interior crown of the cap, by the well-known purveyor or military equipment, Ridabock & Co., of New York. Although the Ridabock family began their business in 1847 and continued throughout the Civil War, they achieved prominence after the war, when they took over the production of militaria from Baker and McKenney, also a well-established purveyor of military goods. Established at 141 Grand St., in New York City, the Ridabock Company continued in business until the end of WWII, moving to a variety of other locations, in the City of New York. As of this listing, neither we nor the owner of Hampstead are aware of the actual provenance of this cap, as no one, in the immediate family or ancestors, appeared to have served in the U.S. Army or N.Y. state forces; a family friend, from New York, stayed at Hampstead, during the mid to late 19^th century, so we are conducting some research to see if this individual had some connection to the cap; should we find a connection, we will update the listing.

As for condition and structure, the cap retains a great, deep blue color, as well as it original chinstrap and brass adjuster buckle; the chinstrap is affixed to the cap, on both sides of the brim, by two New York cuff buttons.  The leather, enameled brim is bound and has a size “7” paper label affixed to its underside. The interior of the cap is lined in a black silk, with a drawstring closure. The sweat band is in excellent condition, with one small area of detachment. A black cord appears at the very back of the interior of the cap, for hanging the kepi on a rack. As mentioned, the black enameled, interior crown is embossed with the Ridabock & Co. name and address. Appearing on the exterior front of the kepi is a c. 1870s to 1880s cavalry insignia – sheet brass (back filled with lead solder), cross sabers, with the company letter “A” at the intersection of the two sabers. This insignia has been affixed to the front of the cap via a large, pin, that was attached to the crossed sabers, many years ago.

This is a very nice example of an early to mid-Indian War cavalry cap.

Ridabock Co., makers of uniforms for officers of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps since 1847, have leased the second floor and part of the third floor at 420 Madison Avenue through Brown, Wheelock, Harris, Stevens, Inc. The Ridabock family, which has operated the business through the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and World War I, is moving from 65 Madison Avenue to larger quarters to outfit officers in the present war.

Ridabock & Co. trade catalog, 1885 (see attached pictures)

“RIDABOCK & CO., SUCCESSORS TO J.H. MCKENNEY & CO., [BAKER & MCKENNEY] MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN MILITARY GOODS, 141 GRAND STREET, NEAR BROADWAY, NEW YORK”

[New York, 1885. 48pp, illustrated. Original printed title wrappers and staples. Elaborate illustrations of military hats and helmets, swords and sword belts, ornaments and epaulettes, drums and covers, saddles, and other military dress.

Brief history of Ridabock & Company: a dress uniform company in Brooklyn, established in 1849; successors to J.H. McKenney & Co. established in 1847 former company…. Catalog published: Baker & McKenney Company Manufacturers of and Dealers in Military Goods Ridabock & Co. 141 Grand St. New York – showing that property at 140 West 36th St was also owned by the company in 1911; Ridabock & Co., 140 West 36th St, 1917;

65 Madison Ave at 27th St address in labeling and advertising May, 1934

this company falls off the grid in the late 40’s; last record in publication is 1947.

Apparently, this was a company maintained after the passing of the original owner,
held in trust, with an address for headquarters that appears to be on the site of the New York Life Building. The high point, in the company’s history, appears to have been in the 1890’s.

 

Hampstead

U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Virginia Landmarks Register

 

Designated VLR

October 6, 1970

Hampstead is a historic plantation house located near Tunstall, New Kent County, Virginia. It was built about 1825, as a two-story, rectangular Federal style brick dwelling with a hipped roof. The front facade features alternating window bays and pilasters and a central two-story pedimented projecting portico. Also located on the property are the contributing ruins of a granary, an 18th-century cottage and an icehouse^[

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

Virginia Department of Historic Resources

Hampstead, New Kent County

Virginia Landmarks Register Listing Date 10/06/1970

National Register of Historic Places Listing Date 12/18/1970

The full drama of the Federal style is played in this strongly architectural mansion, one of the state’s most ambitious and successful works of the period. All features of the house—the delicate classical detailing, the monumental proportions, and the beautiful masonry and joinery—exude superior quality. Dominating the interior is a flying circular stair winding from basement to attic and separated from the hall by a screen of columns. Hampstead’s designer has not been identified, but the house has many parallels to works by John Holden Greene of Providence, R.I. As in several of Greene’s buildings, much of Hampstead’s detailing follows illustrations in Asher Benjamin’s American Builder’s Companion (1806). Hampstead was built ca. 1825 for the planter Conrade Webb. Webb attended Brown University and could well have sought assistance from Providence’s leading architect to carry out such a singular undertaking.

Hampstead, New Kent County

Virginia Landmarks Register Listing Date 10/06/1970

National Register of Historic Places Listing Date 12/18/1970

The full drama of the Federal style is played in this strongly architectural mansion, one of the state’s most ambitious and successful works of the period. All features of the house—the delicate classical detailing, the monumental proportions, and the beautiful masonry and joinery—exude superior quality. Dominating the interior is a flying circular stair winding from basement to attic and separated from the hall by a screen of columns. Hampstead’s designer has not been identified, but the house has many parallels to works by John Holden Greene of Providence, R.I. As in several of Greene’s buildings, much of Hampstead’s detailing follows illustrations in Asher Benjamin’s American Builder’s Companion (1806). Hampstead was built ca. 1825 for the planter Conrade Webb. Webb attended Brown University and could well have sought assistance from Providence’s leading architect to carry out such a singular undertaking.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMEN T OF THE INTERIOR

(July 1969) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

INVENTORY – NOMINATION FORM

Hampstead i s a two-story, brick Federalist mansion with a hipped roof,

deck and balustrading. The brick is laid in Flemish bond but covered

stucco below the first floor level . The main (north and south)

facades of the circa 1825 structure are identical with alternating window

bays and pilaster s and a central two-story pedimented portico , the order

used being an original , un-copied one. Al l columns and pilaster s are

un-fluted with attic bases; the capita l consists of a waterleaf motif

rising to a ring of egg and dart molding just below the abacus. The

entablature consists of a plain architrave below a frieze of triglyphs and

metopes with leaf medallions and is completed by a projecting cornice

with regulae. Only the entablature with the balustrading is carried out

around the entire building . Both main entrances have sidelights as well

as an elliptical fanlight with a three-part window on the second level .

All bays except for the two main entrances have inset panels with sunbursts

between stories .

 

The central hall is dominated by a magnificent free-standing spiral stair

on the west that is separated from the hall by a graceful three-arched

screen supported by Roman Ionic columns. An abundance of decorative

plaster cornices and circular ceiling designs are used in the first floor

rooms with King of Prussia marble mantels in the two east rooms; some of

the doorways are framed by twin colonettes on either side of the opening,

supporting entablatures with projecting cornices above. Alteration s to

the exterior and interior are minor.

Outbuildings include the ruins of a granary, an eighteenth-century

cottage and an icehouse.

Hampstead was one of several Webb family properties in New Kent County.

Already a substantial plantation by the late-eighteenth century,, i t

became one of the most considerable in ante-bellum Virginia . The

property declined in the post-Civil War period, but has returned to

something of its former eminence through the efforts of the twentieth century owners – the William J . Wallaces.

George Webb introduced the Webb family to Virginia early in the eighteenth

century. He was soon established as a political and social leader in

New Kent County: serving as a justice of the court and vestryman of St.

Peter’s Parish. In one or the other capacity Webb regularly witnessed

the effect of provincial policy , law, and custom on the live s of

individual men and women of all ages and conditions. This background is

reflected in his manual on “The Office and Authority of a Justice of the

Peace” – a book “of immense help” to contemporary officials , which

remains “one of the most informative books of that time (Mays, Pendleton,

1:50).”

George Webb achieved colony-wide acclaim and historic importance as the

author of “Webb’s Justice” ; the family continued prominent in Virginia

society and politic s until the death of his grandson, Conrade, in 1842.

Conrade (1778-1842) inherited Hampstead from his father, Foster Webb.

The younger Webb, a man of trained intellect (B.A., M.A. Brown University)

and experienced as a planter, brought Hampstead to rank among the foremost

of Virginia plantations . During the 1820’s, he undertook to build his

great house on the high bluff overlooking the Pamunkey River.

This building , although somewhat provincial in it s handling, is one of

the most impressive and ornamented Federalist structures in the Commonwealth.

Its size is enhanced by the elongation of the portico and the use of

pilasters and is entirely suited to the prominent site . Webb’s dynastic

ambitions died with him in 1842. His children having preceded him to

the grave, this “handsomest house in New Kent County (Lancaster)”

descended to various relatives passing out of the family in 1889, to descendants of Confederate General John Rogers Cooke, son of Union Army General Philip St. George Cooke and brother-in-law of Confederate General JEB Stuart (Flora Cooke was Stuart’s wife).

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES

– Farrar, Emmie Ferguson, Old Virginia Homes Along the James. New York, 1957

– Hastings, W. T. Conrade Webb of Hampstead, 1958.

– Lancaster, R. A. Historic Virginia Homes and Gardens, pp. 261-64.

– Mays, David J . Edmund Pendleton, 1721-1803. A Biography, 2 vols. , 1952, 1:50

– O’Neal, William B., Architecture in Virginia , Virginia Museum, 1968.

– Sydnor, Charles S. Gentlemen Freeholders, 1952, pp. 78-93, 112-119.

– Webb, George, The Office and. Authority of a Justice of the Peace …

Williamsburg, Virginia , 1736.