Australian Dress Register

Elizabeth and Samuel married at Holy Trinity church in Hull, Yorkshire, on 21 April 1793. The newly married couple, expecting their first child, left London on 1 July 1793 on the ship 'William'. They arrived in Port Jackson in March 1794 with their daughter Ann, who was born during the eight month journey. Reverend Samuel Marsden was an important figure in colonial New South Wales. As the chaplain to New South Wales, 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.

Life in the new colony proved extremely isolating. In 1796 Elizabeth Marsden wrote: 'We seem in our present situation to be almost totally cut off from all connexion with the world especially the virtuous part of it. Old England is no more than like a pleasing dream' (Marsden 1796).

Right from the beginning, the colonists of the remote penal settlement that became Sydney wanted to maintain a fashionable appearance. Conscious of fashion's role in signifying status and respectability, the colonial elite, including the family of Samuel Marsden, eagerly awaited the irregular shipments of goods from Europe, India and China. The Powerhouse Museum's collection of Marsden costumes appears restrained in style but of good quality fabric and finish, reflecting the family's social and financial position in society.

A fine cord is inserted in the front waist channel to strengthen the seam.

The silk has a woven floral pattern, not embroidery.

The dress is made from a featherweight silk damask with woven floral pattern enlarging towards the hem.

It is thought the expensive figured silk of this gown had been restyled 29 years after Elizabeth's wedding (1793) for her daughter, Ann's, wedding in 1822.

The front bodice panel is cut on the bias. The skirt is cut on the straight.

Elizabeth Fristen (d. 1835) married Samuel Marsden (1765-1838) in 1793.

Ann Marsden (1794-1885) married the Rev. Thomas Hassell (1794-1868) in 1822.

They had 3 sons and 5 daughters.

The Marsden collection consists of a bonnet veil c1800, a linen habit shirt c1820, 2 silk day dresses, 1825-35 & 1835, a muslin ball gown 1822, baby John Marsden's dress 1803

catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1891305

Tiny holes in the bodice at the right side indicate the bodice may have been fastened with pins.

A fine cord threaded through a channel in the high waist seam may have broken, since it now only remains in the front bodice.

There are perspiration stains under the arms.

There are small areas of red/brown stains scattered over entire garment.

Seams under arms partially deteriorated, causing fabric to fray.

Several holes in the skirt have been conserved. Two holes (lower back and lower front) have been repaired with BEVA 371 impregnated stablitex. The bodice has been detached from the skirt at the back and resewn more recently with rough running stitches in white cotton thread.