16/05/2026
Just a further write up on our previous post after a few inquiries. Mary Hutchinson (née Oakes), born in 1810, was the third daughter of Francis and Rebecca Oakes (née Small). Her mother, Rebecca, was the first white girl born in Australia. Rebecca was born in Sydney on 22 September 1789 and later became known as one of the first Anglo-Australians to marry in the colony.
Mary Hutchinson (1810–1880) devoted much of her life to working with female convicts. In 1826, she married Reverend John Hutchinson (1792–1866), the first Wesleyan minister to be ordained in Australia.
In January 1832, Reverend Hutchinson became Superintendent of the Female House of Correction, also known as the Cascades Female Factory in Hobart. At the same time, Mary was appointed Matron of the Cascades women’s prison, where she oversaw and cared for the female convicts of Van Diemen’s Land.
This large portrait, previously identified as depicting Mary Hutchinson being the Sitter was exhibited in 2008 in the Women Transported exhibition at the Parramatta Heritage Centre. Interesting that the artist has included a bunch of large keys in the painting placed in an area of prominent view. Are these Mary’s Cell keys? The exhibition explored the lives of women in Australia’s convict female factories.
Mary later became Superintendent of the Female Factory in Launceston. She was widely recognised for her efficiency and dedication, serving in the role until her retirement in August 1854.
The artist responsible for this portrait has not yet been definitively identified, although several possible attributions are still being researched.
This painting is an important facet connected to the early colonial history of 19th-century Van Diemen’s Land. It has been professionally conserved.
