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

1865

Feby. 8th Wedensday. Received a letter and a cheque £5.0.0 on a/c of Emma Lockey from Mrs A,.Paterson. to pay Emma's travelling expenses to Illalong Yass where she is going to service.

Thursday 9th. Matron went to Caldwell Terrace to ask Mr Bates to pay the ballance of washing bill £5.2.1. they promised to send it. Elizth. Smith begins to show signs of restlessness

Friday 10th. Mrs Rickards, Kate's Mother called to say that they had considered about what the Matron proposed, e.i. to contribute towards her maintainance and her husband said he would pay £4 pr. an if she stayed in. Capn. McLeary complained that there was not suficient gloss on his Shirts. Matron sent for Gum Arabic to put in starch.

Saturday 11th. Elizth. Smith hid herself in the cottage in the drying ground & when found would not go to school, after tea she was sent for Matron enquired of her, was it true that she had been trying to induce Margt. Lamb to escape with her. she denied that, but owned that she had said she would go herself she was warned that if she went, she would never be taken back. she would not listen to advice & she is gone. The Gum has improved the starch giving extra gloss and newness to the shirts &c - Mrs Street called to know our terms for washing. Mrs Deas Thompson having recommended us.

1865

Feby. 12th Sunday. Revd. Sellars held service in the afternoon he expressed himself pleased with their good behaviour. although we "had some horrid countenances amongst them".

Monday 15th. The Matron went to visit a sick duaghter 1/2 past 6 oclk.

Teusday 14th. Returned at 9 oclk. Sarah Brown sent to the Hospital at the asylum. Emma Lockey had a print dress a present from Mrs Breilat and most earnestly exhorted by her, to be a good girl.

Wednesday 15th

Thursday 16th. Jane Dillon has at last yielded and seems to try to mangle properly. have sent Cathn.Wardell to assist as her eyesight is bad she can not sew.

Friday 17th. Mr A Howitt brought a beautifully bound book "The Helping Hand" as a present to Emma Lockey.

Saturday 18th. Lady Young & Miss Dalton visited. her Ladyship said "there was a marked improvement in the laundry - the floor so clean and everything in its place. Mr H Hassack gave the inmates a singing lesson on the 'Sol. Fa' system. Mrs Breilatt sent a Rose wood work box & a handsome prayer Book a present to Emma Lockey.

1865

Feby. 19th. Sunday. Revd. Mills held divine Service in the Morn. all the inmates clean and orderly. A Howitt in the afternoon and eve.

Monday 20th.

Teusday 21st. A publican's wife from "Wagga Wagga" called, wishing to engage a Servant from here, she was told to call in the afternoon when the sub Committee meet. altho it was doubtfull if they would consent to any one going to an hotel.

Mr & Mrs Farrington Sarah's parents called to see her, and gave a donation of £1.1.0 stating how thankfull they were for what had been done for their girl.

Wedensday 22nd. Melinda has been laid up in bed all day with a sick head ache.

Thursday 23rd. Matron went with Betsy Young to the Pawn Brokers. the Ladies having consented to redeem her clothes, it was* 7 oclk when we started returned 1/2 past 8 oclk. and as there was no Minister conducted the eve. worship & then retired very much fatiugd * Betsy could not be spared any sooner from the iorning [room?]

1865

Feby. 24th Friday. General Committee of Gentelmen

Saturday 25th A Mr Anderson from Dr Steels Church was sent by Mr Hossack to conduct eve. worship

Sunday 26th Louisa Hinton, a girl who formerly was an inmate came to spend the day here (had leave fm. her mistress) she heard Mr Howett in the morn. & Revd. Bickford who held a most interesting service in the afternoon. Left a 4 oclk for Balmain. All the girls were clean, orderly and attentive, would that we might hear even one ! crying, " what must I do to be saved."

Monday 27th

Teusday 28th Having heard that Elizth. Strickland was in Darlinghurst Jail. Mr T Roberts was asked to visit her. he said " well Elizth. I am sorry to find you here, the last time I saw you you were running away from the Refuge and the Matron running after you. she cried very much, said if she was taken back she would be a good girl.

Wedensday March 1st Catherine Wardell has broken the mangle this morn., and been disobedient & naughty, Revd. Bickford, calld in - he had her in the comt. room talking and advising her, and also prayed with her. may his efforts be blessed for her good - is the humble prayer of the Matron.

1865

March 2nd Thursday. Busy preparing for the reseption of the girls that the ladies hope may be induced to enter, after the meeting tongt. 6 girls were induced to go to the Refuge. but when we got out of the buss 2 of them said they wd. rather go home to arrange matters & come in the morn.

Friday 3rd. Ladies & Gentelmen's General committee 4 girls were admitted. They were induced to come through hearing the addrresses of Rev T. Smith and Rev. Graham at the midnight meeting.

Saturday 4th. One more girl came late yesterday, who had promised the clergymens wives she would at the midnight meeting. Ellen McGuiness from Maitland brought a note from Mrs Hills requesting us to admit her.

Isabella Cluley and Harriet demanded to go out that they considered "this place too dull". When trying to persuade and point out the fearful consequences of sin & reminded of what they heard Revd T. Smith say at the meeting. That girls leading such a life only lived on an average, 7 years, Isabella said "I dont care, I can only die once". But you must live to all eternity!! "I don't care I'll go out" & hearing footsteps she screamed out. "break open the gate, they wont let us out, send some of the forty theives to get us out