History - Family Portraits
Miss Mary Ingram (1638-1652) attributed to Sir Peter Lely (1618 - 1680)
The subject is probably Mary Ingram (1638-1652), daughter of Sir Thomas Ingram, later Chancellor of the Duchy
of Lancaster. She is reputed to be the 'Blue Lady', one of the Temple Newsam ghosts. The traditional story
is that one day, while returning to Temple Newsam after visiting relatives at Barrowby near Garforth her coach
was attacked by three robbers. She was pulled from it and everything taken from her. The shock was so great
that she developed an obsession, which took the form of hiding her valuables in various parts of the house,
as she was in constant fear of being attacked. This obsession remained with her to the end of her short life
and it was said that she could never rest for long periods.
The portrait was probably painted for her parents Sir Thomas and Lady Ingram (nee Frances Bellasyse) and given
to their relatives at Temple Newsam on the latter's death in 1680. It appears in every Temple Newsam inventory
since at least the late 19th century.
Temple Newsam 22.111/48
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