This portrait of Mary Reibey was made when she was in her late 50s and had risen to a respectable and affluent position in Sydney society.

Accompanying the portrait is a non-contemporaneous bakelite rectangular label with black print giving title and donor information.

Neg. held by Freeman Studio.

Mary Reibey, baptised Molly Haydock, was born in Bury, Lancashire, England. Convicted of horse-stealing at the age of 13, Mary was sentenced to 7 years transportation to the Colony of New South Wales. In 1794, she Mary married Thomas Raby. Mary became a highly successful business woman and trader. Several variants of the surname were used including Raby, Raiby, and Reiby with Reibey, being the adopted spelling by the family in later years.
-- Reference: Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol.2, 1788-1850. Carlton, Vic.: Melbourne University Press, 1967