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GENEALOGICAL NOTES AND ANECDOTES THOMAS SPRIGG
According to tradition, the portrait above is of Thomas SPRIGG (ABT 1630, Kettering, Northamptonshire, England - AFT 9 May 1704 and BEF 29 December 1704, Northampton, Prince George’s County, Maryland, British North America). It depicts a gentleman past the age of fifty whose head is adorned with a long full-bottomed periwig in the style of Louis XIV. He is wearing a single-breasted coat, probably made of velvet, that has deep cuffs, large pockets, and is without collar or cape; a pocketed waistcoat (pronounced "weskit"); and, from his neck, a long stock that was made of linen. His left hand, which is gloved, is resting on the hilt of a smallsword (the English cousin of a French rapier). Under his left arm is nestled a gilded tricorne that matches his coat and waistcoat and which, in the fashion of the late 17th century, was meant to be carried beneath an arm, not worn atop a superabundant wig. The whole style of dress is Baroque, in the manner of a professed cavalier, and not Rococo. It is possible that the portrait was executed at any time between 1680 and 1730. And, for that reason, claim has been made to the effect that the portrait is of the younger Thomas SPRIGG (ABT 1660, Calvert County, Maryland, British North America - ABT 1738, Prince George’s County, Maryland, British North America), not his father. But, in as much as the subject's mode of dress (long full-bottomed periwig, deep cuffs, long stock, and tricorne under the arm) is more typical of the late 17th century than it is of the early 18th, the portrait may be fairly judged as having been finished at some time previous to 1710 and, therefore, as being the likeness of the elder Thomas SPRIGG. The fashion in wigs began in 1624 when, to conceal his premature baldness, Louis XIII of France began wearing them. Louis XIV, his son, continued the tradition with the greatest gaudium. After the onset of the 18th century, wigs - which, according to their expense, were fabricated from the hair of horses, yaks, and humans - began to be lighter in colour (with the help of powders and bleach) and shorter in cut. With the close of the 17th century, toward the opening of the era of Rococo, wigs became less full so as better to accommodate the wearing of hats. Furthermore, the stock grew shorter and cuffs became shallow. About the elder Thomas SPRIGG, see G0499A: Thomas SPRIGG (Sr.), Lieutenant in Descendants of Thomas Sprigg (1604 - BY 14 January 1677/78). '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' For his contribution to this web page, gratitude is owed to Mr. John Field Pankow. Persons contributing to this web page are not responsible for the use which its author has made of their information or points of view. All such errors as may be found herein are entirely the fault of the author of this web page. RETURN: Descendants of Thomas Sprigg (1604 - BY 14 January 1677/78) GENEALOGICAL NOTES AND ANECDOTES: TABLE OF CONTENTS GENEALOGICAL NOTES AND ANECDOTES: HOME This web site is always under construction. For entries preceded by an asterisk (*), further information is forthcoming. Persons wishing to contribute information to this web site, or who wish to make inquiries, may do so by addressing their email to:
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