Only the Clothes on Her Back

"Only the Clothes on Her Back" by historian Laura F. Edwards explores how textiles such as clothing, bedding, and accessories served as a vital form of property for marginalized Americans between the Revolution and Civil War. Through engaging stories from the lives of ordinary people—many of whom used textiles as currency, credit, or capital—the book reveals how law transformed these goods into secure assets that facilitated economic participation and access to governing institutions. This examination offers a fresh perspective on the intertwined histories of law, economy, and social status in early America.