Description
<p>Londoner Catherine Rathell opened a milliner’s shop in Williamsburg in 1766, relying largely on imports from Great Britain. Margaret Brodie, a young mantuamaker trained in London, joined her in her business in 1771. About a year after the passage of the [Virginia Association] and its subsequent nonimportation agreement, Rathell decided to close her business. Brodie posted Rathell’s advertisement in the November 24, 1775 edition of the <em>Virginia Gazette</em> published by Purdie. Rathell sailed for England shortly afterwards, but tragically her ship sank off the coast of England on her return and she did not survive the wreck.</p>
