Volume 1: Sydney Female Refuge Society meeting minutes, 15 February 1864 - 30 December 1864

but as the Ladies could not discover any thing wrong with her, they thought it was better she should remain till next General Meeting before she be finally admitted. At a Meeting of the Ladies General Committee of the Sydney Female Refuge held on Friday 1st Feb.y 1867 Present Mrs Graham Mrs Breillat and Mrs John Raymond_ The minutes if last Meeting read also the Matron's Journal also the Sub Committee Report. Two new inmates admitted, Kate Barry sent from jail where she had been put for prostitution, she is the unfortunate girl that attempted suicide rather than give evidence against her Father. The other Esther Brane [?]. A third was spoken to Charlotte Perry and allowed to remain till next General Committee. she has been in twice before and escaped once, taking the Refuge's clothes with her. She looks such a child the Ladies did not like to refuse taking her in but thought it might have a good effect if staid a short time on trial. The 4th Mary Ann Barber, a Ward, wanted to be admitted but was not thought a fit person, as she did not appear to be a fallen girl, she has been 6 years in the School of Industry was apprenticed to a mistress but was rather unfortunate in her litera [?], Mrs Breillat knew her and so under the circumstances she was allowed to remain a few days till Mrs Roberts hoped to get her a place. Two girls would go out they said if we did

She will go out. The Ladies spoke faithfully to her but could make no impression. She is remain till next Sub Committee and if not sorry for her conduct to be expelled. Julia Cunningham was very impertinent to the Ladies and will go out. The Ladies refused she having only been admitted eleven days previously. Mary Ann Lyons say she will go out is very sullen and obstinate the Ladies talked to her but refused to permit her to leave.

Mrs Roberts applied for one month's leave of absence on account of health - Miss Gulbraith to take her place and Miss Wright to^assist - Mrs Roberts to remain as [protection?]. The Ladies consider the Matron should be allowed to go and promised to recommend that the [gentelman's?] Committee grant her application.

At a Meeting of the Ladies General Committee of the Sydney Female Refuge held on Friday 5th April 1867, Present: Mrs Graham , Mrs Jos. Thompson Mrs Hay , Mrs Raymond Mrs Mills , Mrs John Dawson and the Secretary.

The minutes of last Meeting read also The Sub Committee reports.

No business of any consequence. One applicant Mary Grey spoken to. She is a married woman and not quite a subject for this Institution but as she did not appear to have any house, the Ladies decided that she should remain for one month at least on trial and in the hope that her husband might claim her.

At a meeting of the Ladies General Committee of the Sydney Female Refuge held on Friday 3rd May 1867. Present Mrs Breillat Mrs Graham Mrs Thos Smith Mrs Mills Mrs Hay Mrs Speer & Mrs John Raymond

Minutes of last meeting read and also the Matron's journal. Read a very satisfactory letter from one of the old inmates who is in a situation. Saw another who called and is in a situation in Hunters Hills For the last nine weeks & looks very respectable. Saw three new inmates

Marian Holdsworth a widow with four children has been drinking but will not own to anything worse.

The Ladies allowed her to remain till next General Committee to allow times for some situation to be found for her she was so anxious to reform. The ladies did not like to put her out.

Mary Ann Smith also a widow been leading a bad life eight years calls herself thirty six but looks more than ten years older admitted. Mary Smith a miserable looking object says she is twenty four and looks fifty could not get a satisfactory account from her. The Ladies all think she is imbecile she was in a very dirty state and her hair was obliged to be cut off.

The Committe thinks Hyde Park Asylum the best place for her and recommend she be sent there.

A letter from Mrs Graham to Mrs Goodlet was read for stating that Mrs McGregor and Mrs Marsden Jones have gladly consented to become members of Committee. Cordially approved of the Secretary to write them to attend the next meeting.

At a meeting of the Ladies General Committee of the Sydney Female Refuge held on Friday 7th June 1867. Present Mrs E Deas Thomson Mrs Graham Mrs Speer Mrs Macgregor Mrs Dawson Mrs Jos [Joseph] Thompson Mrs Breillat Mrs Mills Mrs Smith and Mrs J C Raymond

Minutes of last meeting read and also the Sub Committee report and Matron's journal.

No new applicants, all going on quietly and no business to be attended to.

A letter was read from Mrs Joy requesting that her name should be withdrawn from the Com mittee because she resides in the country.

At a meeting of the Ladies General Committee of the Sydney Female Refuge held on Friday 5th July 1867

Present Mrs Dawson , Mrs Allen Mrs McGregor , Mrs Breillat Mrs Jos [Joseph] Thompson , Mrs Hay Mrs Mander Jones [?] , Mrs Hill & Mrs I. C. Raymond

Minutes of last meeting read also the Subcommittee reports and Matrons journal

Five new applicants were admitted one is a child name Dwyer only 12 years of age her mother is quite a young woman & as widow this girl will not remain in a situation being always about the street with [?illegible?] boys

Eliza Logan came from the Infirmary has been leading an improper life about ten weeks She seems very penitent

Sarah Ann Green 15 years old she says she has been married for twelve months to a sailor. She came from New Zealand to Newcastle & thence to Sydney.

Emily [?Johnson?] 13 years old she uses very bad language and otherwise very troublesome To be admitted conditionally and to come before the next General Committee

Aged 15 ran away from her parents who are at the Diggings in the Bathurst district she has been in the House of the Good Shepherd several times & its feared will not remain for any length of time in the Institution.