Volume 2: Daily journal book, 30 September 1864-22 October 1870

1864

Dec 9th Friday. General Committee meeting of gentelemen, they requested Matron to place monitors, or wards women to each of the inmates bedrooms, whose duty is to see that order & cleanliness be observed. Elizth. Thompson, Agnes O.Brian & Emma Locky are chosen. Emily Brown was poorly with soar throat and in pain in her side, gave her arrowroot when she recovers, she is to be wardwoman also hoping thereby to induce herself to observe rules.

Saturday 10th Nelly O.Brian asked admittance, she is not quite 14 yrs. old, her "mother turned her out because she had plenty of mouths to full without her's" E.B still complains of her side, not up can only take tea or arrowroot. She has often been advised to be more carefull after a bath & not to go about with her hair wet & dripping.

Sunday 11th. E.B had a bad night. Matron read in the morn. to her, as she lay in bed. from a beautiful little book she wept. Melinda very ill, - in bed all afternoon, Matron took Emma Locky & Elizth Adley to church in the morn. by request of Ladies Sub Committee. After dinner sent to Dr Nathan's because E Brown was worse. The Dr perscribed, called on her the way home at Watt's and got her medicine which was given to her directly. got back to the Refuge 20 past 3 oclk. Mr. R. Blain had began the service. Kate Scott begd to be admitted. and promised to stay 12 months and behave better than when here before.

"christ for everyone" - x

1864

Monday 12th Nelly O.Brian was so noisy idle and disobedient Matron obliged to send her away before breakfast Dr Nathan visited E. Brown - says she dont ail much. Two policemen took Kate Scott in charge for robbing her Mother.

Tuesday 15th Ladies sub committee Three girls admitted. Emily Brown was visited by her "brother"? told him he could not she her again without a letter from her father. as Matron had heard, he was not her brother.

Wednesday 14th Blanch Spreadbrow seems delighted with the prospect of shelter and protection in the Refuge. there is hope, when they see the value of a home.

Thursday 15th E. Brown has been very noisy and troublesome probably the prospect of not being allowed to see her brother? maybe the cause.

Friday 16th The wife of Revd. Robn. Blain kindly offered to conduct eve. prayers. & whilst Matron went for a prayer Book Emily Brown set the girls on to laugh. she also spoke out very rudely.

Saturday 17th Having found that much time was lost through having prayers after breakfast, arrangements are made to have prayers at 1/2 past 6 oclk. Was at last obliged to send Emily Brown away.

Sunday 18th The new plan commenced this morn. all the inmates present. Revd - Bickford dissapointed as this afternoon Matron had scripture reading - and after singing & prayer. had 5 that could not read and taught them lessons from spelling books Revd R. Blain lectured in the eve. Fanny Quinn & Elizth Adley were taken to Church in the morn. by Matron. F.Q. had not been before for

1864 Dec? 19th Monday. Blanche S. had letters fr. home today, from her Mother & Sister. Matron saw Eliz Adley crying asked what was the matter. she could not speak for some time at last she said " because I have been so wicked". She was directed to the Lamb of God etc -

Teusday 20th Ladies Sub Committee. Three admitted No minister this even. Matron had scripture Reading. all present, and very orderly. there was a thunderstorm soon afterwards some of the most wicked were dreadfully frightened

Wedensday 21st 1/2 past 6 oclk & several inmates absent, directed the to ring the bell a second time & in a few minutes they were all collected. Mrs Wise called and presented Christina Neild with material for a print frock and 6 numbers of B Workman. Matron was sorry to find that several of the inmates were envious, taunting poor Christie with bad conduct etc - and made her turn her joy with mourn. -

Thursday 22nd. Given C a holiday so that she can make the skirt "in time for Xmas' & Blanche is cutting out the body for her. Mr Baptist has sent a present to the inmates of a bag of Flour, 50lbs 1/2 cwt potatoes, 12 lbs Sugar 2lbs Plumbs. 2 lbs Currants c peel 1/2 lb. 1/2 lb Spice. 3 Bottles Ginger wine. 3 Bottles Lemon Syrup. - 1 Doz Eggs. 2 Doz Lemons. 4lb. Suet 1/2 a Sheep. 16lbs Roast Beef. Kidney Beans

The girls are in high glee prepairing for Xmas washing their clothes, scouring and decorating the rooms with evergreens etc

1864

Dec:23rd Friday. Elizth Adley remains very weak and poorly gave her a little ginger wine in her gruel. Elizth Williams (the half caste) is exeedingly hard to manage and her language is so bad.

Saturday 24th. Mr H Hossack presented the inmates with 150 fine apricots for a desert after the Xmas dinner.

Xmas day 25th. No minister in the afternoon. had spelling class. after dinner the Matron gave out the deserts & then we sang, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow".

Monday 26th. Given the inmates a holiday. on condition that they are kind and gentle one to another. Eliza Simmonds has been swearing, although she had repeatedly promised not to, There was also found hidden under her pillow a pair of Mrs Andersons stockings and 2 pieces of candle. There are 4 pocket hkfs missing & she is suspected of throwing them down the closet when she saw she was found out. Mr T Roberts called with the parents of Sarah Burmingham. she has been here four month, and they did not know untill he told them, where she was.

Tuesday 27th. Ladies sub com. Agnes O.Brian wanted to go out, because her Mother had not been to see her. so Matron went to her Mother after tea & advised them to visit her occasionally she (Agnes) is exeedingly idle. scarcly possible to get any work done by her.

Wedensday 28th. Agnes's sister came, Matron told her of Agnes's two great faults, idleness and telling fals hood and requested her to caution and advise her. after which we hope she may improve.

1864

Dec 29th Thursday. Elizth Riley was brought yesterday by her Mother, but as her conduct was to bad when in before & having escaped twice, Matron refused to take her untill she brought a note from Revd. T. Smith

Friday 30th Elizth (half cast indian) has been more easily managed this last few days, Matron begins to hope concerning her. Elizth Strickland too is improving a little [little is heavily underlined]. Sarah Birmingham's mother came to see her last even. Matron enquired respecting their plans, if they would like to take her home etc (seeing that they were in good circumstances, the Father builder & now building [Agnesse's?] Church and the mother keeping a little shop) she " thought she had far better stay in the Refuge, at least for 12 months." Matron thus told her that the Patrons of the Refuge expected those that could afford to assist in the maintainance and instruction of their wayward children. she said they would do so. would tell me what her husband said about the amt. when she came next. a Sheet belonging to Blanche S was found torn, and the piece used to mend her Crenoline.

Saturday 31st a dirty Ellen Holmes half cast creature came this morn. with a note from Revd Mr. T. Smith. after her bath she allowed to go to bed. she being so exhausted. Mary Lorden has been wanting to go out, she will "never go before the ladies again" Blanche is very restless wanting to go also. she is evidently afraid of being brought before the ladies for tearing the sheet.