Background
Mary was the eldest daughter and third child of Samuel Reynolds, master of the Plympton Earl grammar school, Devonshire, by his wife, Theophila Potter. She was 7 years older than her brother Joshua Reynolds and her fondness for drawing is said to have influenced him when a boy. In 1740 she provided £60, half of the premium paid to Thomas Hudson the portrait-painter, for Joshua"s pupilage, and 9 years later advanced money for his expenses in Italy.
Sir Joshua Reynolds painted two portraits of his sister Mary, one made about 1747, the other when she was aged about 60 years of age.
Both portraits descended to her great-grandson, George Stawell of Great Torrington.
Their other siblings included Frances Reynolds and Elizabeth Johnson.