There is a letter accompanying this dress dated 1946 Oxford. My dear Joyce, Here is the empire dress given me by Aunt Beatrix Norcliffe. She said it belonged to Mrs Best nee Mary Norcliffe our great grandmother, your great great grandmother and was probably her wedding dress. She was married in 1807, and I suppose it was taken away by her and brought back to Lanston when our grandmother Mrs Norcliffe succeeded she save it to Aunt Beatricex. People used muslin for wedding dresses, it was embroidered on the Indian muslin in India. I exhibited it here once andmine and 1 other were muslin as the muslin ones did not survive like the silk ones. Ever yours affectionately Rosamond Metcalfe.
probably her wedding dress, of fine muslin, the narrow bodice with Indian tambour embroidery in a zig zag design enclosing flowerheads, to edges, short slightly puffed sleeves caught into a band with cream braid and similar embroidery, inner cotton flaps to enclose the bosom, the back tightly pleated into the high waist, the horizontal fall front similarly embroidered and with drawstring, the left side with more dramatic embroidery with the edition of a meandering spray of flowers, continuing in a curve round the hem, shoulder to front hem 56 in or 1.45 m; back shoulder to train hem 8 ft or 2.45 m.
Excellent. I do not think the cream braid is original. It seems to have been applied in a not very professional way ie. there is a gap under the arm. Photos available. There are some light brown markings on the lower side train. Also a little repair to the very train hem. overall 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 in or 4 x 6.5 but this hardly notices. There are also two small holes to the back, both lower
The wearer of the dresses Mary Norcliffe Dalton b. 11 February 1790; d 17 March 1837 Great Grandmother of writer of the letter:
m 11 June 1807 Dr Charles Best of York M.D. (Edinburgh) b. 5 February 1779; d. 30 July 1817,
Two children:
Mary Ellen Best, 1809-91, water colourist and recorder of interiors. See The World of Mary Ellen Best by Caroline Davidson.
Rosamond Best, afterwards (S.M. 2 May 1862) Norclife of Langton. b 21 July 1808 d. 19 Aug 1881; m 12 May 1830 Henry Robinson of York, Attorney (son of Rear-Adm Hugh Robinson) b 20 Dec 1800; d 30 Dec 1858; Grandmother of writer of the letter
13 children including:
Rev Charles Best Robinson, afterwards (1862) Norcliffe of Langton b. 20 Oct 1833; d. 4 May 1896 unmarried.
Rosamond Robinson b. 14 July 1835; d. 1 Dec 1860 m. 17 Jan 1859 the Rev Frederick Metcalfe, Fellow of Lincoln Collge, Oxford B.D. d 1885. Mother of writer of letter.
Beatrix Robinson, afterwards (1862) Norcliffe (Vevey, Switzerland, unmarried. Aunt of witer of letter.
Thomas Robinson, afterwards (1862) Norcliffe of Langon, J-P. b. 19 Sept 1845; d 1 May 1903 unmarried.
Francis Best Robinson, now (1862) Norcliffe, Lord of the Manors of Langton, Eddelthorpe and Westow and of half of Howsham (Langton Hall, near Malton and Petersgate House, York. b. 14 August 1851. d…..
Mary Robinson, afterwards (1862) Norcliffe, b 14 March 1838; m 29 Jan 1867. Lieut Gen Edward Howard-Vyse, Col of 3rd Hussars, J.P> (The Lawn, Witham, Essex); Uncle and Aunt of writer of letter.
Three children
Including
Joyce Norcliffe Howard-Vyse b. 26 Aug 1904, Great niece of letter writer and addressee of letter.
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