Mary Ann Herapath 1822-1895

Mary Ann Herapath (née Walker) married the stockbroker Spencer Herapath in 1845. Spencer Herapath had made his money on the railways and the couple could afford to live in London in middle class comfort. Together they had nine children.

Following her death in 1895, Mary Anne's daughter Marion Sambourne preserved two mourning bodices worn by her mother in 1884-1885. These items form the basis of the Messel Collection, being the first items of clothing to be kept in memoriam.

Little is known about Mary Anne's specific fashion style. The only garments worn by her which survive are these elegant and conventional mourning bodices bought from London dressmakers. Family photographs show her wearing similarly smart and conventional dresses.