Alexander Biggs: Taylor from London

An extraordinarily informative advertisement was inserted in the October 19, 1785, issue of The Carlisle Gazette by Alexander Biggs who thought very highly of his skills as a tailor and a party planner who courted the local gentry.

“Alexander Biggs, taylor from London in the Alley westward of the Court-house, makes men cloaths, ladies riding dresses, and every branch of the business in the most elegant taste, newest fashion and on the most reasonable terms; also describes the different colours of cloth and silks which adds lustre to every complexion in which the discerning and polite of every country in Europe are so carefully studious in the choice of cloaths—Likewise Hussar dresses for boys under eight years of age, in the French, Prussian, Austrian and Russian manner, which beautifies their pretty shapes, now entirely hid by a slovenly jacket and trousers; or fancy dresses in various forms, suitable to their shapes and complexions. As there is some talk of a masked ball taking place this season, I most respectfully inform the gentry, that from a VAST FUND of experimental knowledge, I can suit every mind with a proper dress, viz. Sultan, Eastern Prince, Turk, Rabbi, Friar, Hussar, Hollander, Chinese, Tartar, Spaniard, and many of the characters in celebrated plays, Likewise will direct the ladies to make up their own dresses, viz. Sultana, Eastern Princess, a Grecian, Chinese or Russian Lady, Nun, Abbess, Shepherdess, Milk Maid, Flower Girl, Haymaker, and many others too tedious to mention. If this magnificent and delightful entertainment should take place, I will assist to decorate the ball room saloon, and lay out the sideboard of refreshments in the real and true taste, being well acquainted with every mode used at the Pantheon in London, which is celebrated throughout Europe for the standard of taste. The expense will be but trifling if properly conducted. The new fashion surtout or any cloaths out of the common beaten tract, made here only: and will wait on the gentry in any town not exceeding fifty miles, to superintend the masquerade.”

There is no indication in the newspapers for 1785 or 1786 about a ball being held in Carlisle, but if a masquerade ball did occur it was probably given by the exclusive Carlisle Dancing Assembly. The Dancing Assembly was formed circa 1782 by Carlisle’s most prominent gentlemen. The season consisted of three balls which were arranged and overseen by two managers who arranged the refreshments, the music, the order of the dances and sent invitations to prominent young ladies recommended by its members.

Alexander Biggs considered leaving Carlisle early in 1786. In his advertisement in The Carlisle Gazette in April 1786, he stated that he has laid aside his intention of leaving town, and with the utmost gratitude thanks his friends and customers for their former favors. He listed his cost for the following clothing: A suit of superfine cloth in any fashion was 19 shillings; of second cloth 18 shillings, and of homemade cloth at 17 shillings. A jacket was 4 shillings and 6 pence. Breeches cost 5 shillings. A single coat was 9 shillings, 6 pence, and a Great coat of cloth cost 9 shillings. The cost of Ladies riding dresses varied according to the fabric and the workmanship involved. Biggs then complimented himself, writing; “Those [clothes] of my make have been distinguished not only in this town but distant places by ladies of the first taste in dress—for a particular air, neatness of work, and elegance of fitting, which ever adds beauty to the beautiful sex. Tho’ my prices are moderate, I can assure those ladies and gentlemen that please to employ me, that their work shall be performed as well as any master in Philadelphia can perform in any respect whatever.”

By August 1786 Biggs had relocated his business to the area of Callender’s mill outside of Carlisle. He advertised that he had “reduced his prices lower than any taylor in town or country, and as the people of this place may sometime or other pay a little attention to the make of their cloathes by observing the vast superiority of those made in other places, likewise may it happen that strangers on their journey might have particular fine work or laced cloaths to make which cannot be performed here with any propriety, I beg leave to inform them, that for excellence of work which requires exact symmetry in all its parts; and the truest mechanical judgment in execution, I perhaps may vie with any of my business in the most celebrated cities.”

Alexander Biggs disappears from local records after 1787.