Historical information

This dress belonged to Alice Frances Henty (1852-1932) the youngest daughter of Francis Henty (1815-89) and his wife Mary Ann Henty [nee Lawrence] (1821-81). It is recorded that Alice wore the dress at the age of six. Alice's father, Francis Henty, was the youngest son of Thomas Henty, who with his family, their retainers and property moved to the Australian colonies between 1829 and 1832. In 1834, Francis’ older brother, Edward, sailed from Launceston in Van Diemen’s Land to what was to become Portland in the western part of Port Phillip District [Victoria]. Francis, together with the first flock of Merino sheep [in Victoria], followed some months later. The first and second generations of the Henty family established vast pastoral properties in the Western part of the Port Phillip District. Francis Henty managed ‘Merino Downs’ near Casterton, while also living in his retirement at ‘Field Place' in Kew.

Significance

The Henty Collection of nineteenth and twentieth century clothing, including outerwear and underwear, was collected, stored and exhibited over time by female family members descended from Francis and Mary Ann Henty. During the twentieth century, items from the collection were modelled in two fashion parades by various descendants [1937, 1959]. The items in the collection are historically and aesthetically significant, with provenance provided by oral and written tradition within or held by the family. A number of the items in the collection are very rare survivors, and provide researchers with the evidence needed to reconstruct the lives of notable women in the Port Phillip District [later Victoria] during the nineteenth and early twentieth century.

Physical description

Girl's two-tone, one-piece cotton voile dress from the 1850s has a high round neck and short sleeves has a lace insert on the front of the bodice and matching lace at the rear. The layered skirt is bordered with lace.

Measurements (mm):
Girth - Neck 609.6, Chest 635, Waist 558.8, Cuff 203.2, Hem circumference 2108.2.
Vertical - Front neck to hem 685.8, Front waist to hem 508, Back neck to hem 723.9, Back waist to hem 534.4, Sleeve length 63.5.
Horizontal - Neck to sleeve head 38.1, Cross back 304.8, Underarm to underarm 406.4.