Mary Wilson, Lady Ashe (c.1632-1705)

manner of Sir Peter Lely (Soest 1618 – London 1680). Oil painting on canvas, (?) Mary Wilson, Lady Ashe (1632-1705), in the manner of Sir Peter Lely (Soest 1618 – London 1680). 1760-65. Three-quarter-length portrait of a woman seated in an interior with a vase of flowers to her right, wearing a dark blue cloak over a golden brown dress. Traditionally called Catherine Bowyer, but since this was painted in the early 1760's, it cannot be of her, and given that there is a copy of it at Raynham inscribed 'Ly Ash', it is much more likely to show the wife of the 1st Bt, Sir Joseph Ashe (Dining Room). Mary Wilson was the daughter of Robert Wilson a London merchant and Katharine Rudd. She married Sir Joseph Ashe, 1st Bt., son of James Ashe and Grace Pitt, before 1658. She died on 27 November 1705. She was buried on 8 December 1705. Her will (dated 19 October 1702) was probated on 4 January 1705/6. Her son was Sir James Ashe, 2nd Bt (b. 27 Jul 1674, d. 8 Nov 1733). Felbrigg, Norfolk (Accredited Museum)