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On display

This item is on display at Melbourne Museum

Summary:: White cotton dress with extensive broderie anglaise. Believed to have been made in Victoria for Mary Ann Fleming, daughter of Scottish immigrants Janet Robertson and Robert Fleming, who arrived in Van Dieman's Land in 1830.

In 1836 Janet and Robert crossed Bass Strait to Victoria with their two sons and two ex-convict servants. They bought land in Collins Street in Melbourne's first land sale on 1 June 1837. Less than one week later, Janet gave birth to another son. She gave birth to six more children, of whom four died before the age of three. Janet herself died at the age of 48, in 1856. Robert Fleming grazed sheep on the land that is now Flemington Racecourse.

Janet and Robert's daughters were Janet Cleghorn (1830-pre1836), Janet (1839-1910), Mary Ann (1840-1913) and Elizabeth (1843-1844).

The child's dress was made in Australia following traditions brought from Scotland. It was passed down through the family.
Description:: White cotton with extensive broderie anglaise on bodice, belt and skirt. Skirt gathered to waist; scallopped hem. Short sleeves, gathered to cuff and shoulder; boat neckline. V-line bodice.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Mr Gerald Brown, 1999

Discipline:	History
Dimension Comment:	Waist to hem 39; shoulder to hem 64; waist diam. 26; shoulder to shoulder 29

Tagged with:	handcrafts, needlework, settlement
Themes this item is part of:	Childhood & Youth Collection, Clothing & Textiles Collection, Migration Collection
On Display at:	Melbourne Museum
Primary Classification:	CLOTHING
Secondary Classification:	Child
Tertiary Classification:	outerwear
Place & Date Made:	Victoria, Australia, 1842-1845 Date based on family history provided in catalogue entry.
Place & Date Used:	Victoria, Australia, circa 1845-1850s Date based on family history provided in catalogue entry.
Past Owner:	Robert Fleming
Past Owner:	Janet Fleming
References:	Information on the dress's provenance supplied by the donor.