POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Dress worn by Ann Marsden at Government House Ball

Object No. A7882

The 'Empire' style muslin gown and petticoat is one of a number of costumes in the Museum's collection that were worn by the Marsden family, and is believed to have been worn by Ann Marsden (1794 - 1885) to the Government House Ball in 1822. Ann was the daughter of Reverend Samuel Marsden, a prominent figure in colonial New South Wales, and Elizabeth Marsden. On 1 January 1793 Marsden accepted the appointment as assistant to the chaplain of New South Wales. Elizabeth and Samuel married at Holy Trinity church in Hull, Yorkshire, on 21 April 1793, and the newly married couple, expecting their first child, left London on 1 July 1793. Ann was born on the ship 'William' during the eight month journey to Australia, and the family arrived in Port Jackson in March 1794. As the chaplain to New South Wales, Reverend Samuel Marsden endeavoured, with some success, to improve the standard of morals and manners. Samuel soon became a leading figure in colonial life, combining, sometimes controversially, his job as the colony's clergyman with that of magistrate, missionary, wealthy landowner and farmer. On 12 August 1822, Ann Marsden married Reverend Thomas Hassall (1794 - 1868), who had opened the first Sunday school in Australia in May 1813, and was ordained a deacon on 15 April 1821 and a priest in June the same year. The Hassall family had long been friends with the Marsdens and the match was deemed appropriate to the social standing of a chaplain's daughter. Ann and Thomas had three sons and five daughters, their eldest son, Reverend James Samuel, becoming a noted pioneer clergyman. Right from the beginning, the colonists of the remote penal settlement that became Sydney wanted to maintain a fashionable appearance. For Sydney's elite, fashionable dress confirmed their status in the colony, clearly defining not just wealth but also their moral superiority. It was to Britain and France that they looked for news of the latest fashions and hand coloured fashion plates inserted in monthly periodicals provided them with details of the latest silhouettes, hairstyles and accessories. More immediate news was obtained by examining the dress of women of the latest shipboard arrivals from England. The colonial elite, including the family of Samuel Marsden, eagerly awaited the irregular shipments of goods from Europe, India and China. At first the lack of local stores, dressmakers, tailors and supplies meant they frequently relied on friends and family 'at home' to purchase and ship the latest styles. By the 1820s commerce was thriving and a wide range of dressmaking and tailoring skills were locally available, however many still preferred the prestige of a European import. Balls held at Government House were a lavish affair, attended primarily by the families of government officials along with military and naval officers and their families. A T Yarood's account of Samuel Marsden's life reports: 'The Marsdens took little part in the fashionable world of Sydney; the dinner parties and balls held by the leaders of society were not graced by the four highly eligible daughters of the parsonage' (Yarwood 1977). The Marsdens were a pious family, which is reflected in the rather refrained style of their clothing, and were not frequent attendees of such lavish events. This ball gown is based on the same pattern as Ann's wedding dress. The Marsden's were quite wealthy by this time so could afford more elaborate local and imported fashions, however although of good quality and finish, like the wedding dress it is quite plain and discreet by the standard of contemporary English fashion, particularly for a ball gown. Ann was an excellent needlewoman and she may have made these gowns herself, or with the assistance of a local seamstress. This fine tambour-embroidered muslin was probably imported from India. The collection of costumes worn by the Marsden family was transferred from the Royal Australian Historical Society to the Museum in 1981. This collection includes some of the earliest surviving examples of colonial dress worn and made in Australia, and gives insight into both the life of the Marsden family and early colonial dress. Michelle Brown 2007 REF: Winkworth, Kylie, (ed. Robert Barton) 'A Companion to the Mint Collections: Australian decorative arts from the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences at the Mint', Trustees of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney, 1982 Yarwood, 'Samuel Marsden: the great survivor', Melbourne University Press, Carlton, 1977, p251