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

1865

March Sunday 5th Matron stayed all day. went to church in the eve. The Revd. Mills preached in the morn. Mr Roseby in the afternoon, all the inmates behaved well except Catherine Richards, she feigned crying and disturbed us at prayer, called her away and ordered her to sit by the window. before she had been there 10 minutes she walked out of the room. The bedroom keys were then given to Melinda with orders to give her the choice, either to return to the service or to be locked up - she choose the latter

Monday 6th Had a very trying day, owing to the rebelious conduct of two of the new arrivals , who refused to work & demanded to go out.

Tuesday 7th Nelly Birmingham brought in a H.Cab by her poor Mother, who with her hands clasped said, "Oh for love of God take pity on me, and let me bring in my wandering girl," she was allowed to remain in the committee room untill the comt. met at 3 oclk, on condition that they would submit to be locked up, as it (was thought she wanted to entice some of the inmates out) dinner was sent to them at 1 oclk. The Sub Comt. decided that she could not be received because of her previous bad behaviour.

1865

March 8th Wedensday [Wednesday]. Nelly B whom the ladies refused to admit yesterday, called this eve. [evening] divested of her ample crinoline &c scarsly [scarcely] enough rags to cover her, and two black eyes!! she said "tell Mrs Roberts I'll be here to see the ladies tommorrow [tomorrow]" & then skiped [skipped] accross [across] the street to a very ill looking man that was waiting for her.

Thursday. 9th

Friday 10th. Matron had to go to Capt. Fowler, Ship "Normahal" [Nourmahal] to settle washing a/c £16.17..8. Ellen Kinchley aged 15. asked for readmission she was sent to ask Mrs Goolet [Goodlet] since she conducted herself so badly when here, she however went to Mrs Thos. Smith & brought a note requesting her admission.

Saturday. 11th Very busy getting new clothing made up for our additional inmates as well as seeing to washing bills &c &c. Gave the messenger 5/. to buy a case of apples, as a reward for diligence and extra work for the Ship. the inmates were much pleased with them they eat them with their bread and treacle, for tea.

1865

March 12th Sunday Agnes O.Brian made her escape last night she has been a great plauge, so mischievous and idle. Mary Moore & Theresa O.Brian also went. Mr. Roberts found them in a house of ill fame. Ellen Kinchly wanted to go out, said she would climb the wall, if not let out.

Monday 13th Ellen Kinchley will neither work nor let others, & her filthy habits are so disgusting and so she would neither [own?] nor clean under her bed, nor wash her clothes, she was expelled. It was with deep angst that so young a girl 15 years was sent away, but there was no alternative. as she put all authority at defiance.

Tuesday 14th Miss Finkham Matron at Darlinghurst gaol having told Mr Roberts (when visiting Elizth. Strickland there) that she would be "liberated on the 14th at 1/2 past 6 oclck" and as Elizth. promised him that she would come back to the Refuge, he went this morn. at 6 oclck to fetch her, after waiting 1/2 hour, Eliz and another girl, about her own age, came out and altho. E.S. has both father and Mother, neither of them were there to try to rescue her - not one, except [TR?] to warn her, or to invite her home. The Mother came this eve. between 8 & 9 oclck to enquire if Elizth. were here, as we were assembled for eve. worship, she was requested to join with us. (she is a Roman Catholic) and the Matron would speak to her afterwards about Elizth.

1865

Wedensday March 15th Mrs Jos. Thompson visited all the inmates, spoke kindly and encouraginly to them and gave a Volume of "Sunday at Home" for their use. and presented 5/6 to Melinda towards purchasing a winter dress. Mrs & Miss Langly (Maitland) also & Mrs Langley proposed that the inmates have a tea party.

Thursday 16th Thursday eve., ½ past 8 oclk, whilst Capt. Mitchel was addressing the inmates a well dressed young woman rang the bell & asked to "see the Manager" Matron invited her to the service, promis'd to enter into her troubles afterwards.

Friday 17th The young woman above named said she came to enquire the terms &c a Sister 4 yrs younger than her, "had a missfortune" and she was anxious to put her away before their Mother found out. was willing to pay a pound a week. ref'd her to Mrs Goolet.

Saturday 18th

Sunday 19th

Monday 20th Maria Drew came at 8 oclk with a note from Revd. Vidall requesting admission for her. she was very reluctantly received, owing to former bad conduct

Teusday 21st This morn. Maria Drew was very ill, delirum Termens [delirium tremens], wanted a Doctor, holding out as a threat that she might die in an hour. Matron promised to write for Dr. Nathan after breakfast. but she wanted him at once - she said she wanted to go out then.

1865

March 22nd Wedensday. Mrs. Harris formerly an inmate (whose besseting sin was drunkenness) called to see us, Matron looked at her, then said I need not ask, have you kept your temperance pledge? for I can tell by your face, that you have, she said she "hoped to keep it as long as she lives" she asked could she purchase a hymn book like those we used, for she so often thought of "scraps of hymns", we used to sing at Morn. and eve. worship, but could not remember them thro. she paid for one, (which we shall replace) and seemed quite pleased in having it.

Thursday 23rd. A Mrs. Cooper brought a note from Rev. Moreton, stating that she had a step daughter aged 16 yrs. whose conduct had given them great trouble from her infancy. she robd. them and made away with a £10.10. watch, &c &c - would not work and had stayed out all night. and she wanted to get her into the Refuge. said she had left her locked up, and had given her servant orders not to let her out. 1 oclk a note was brought from Mrs C stating the girl had got away. and taken her clothes with her. but if they could find her they would bring her here without delay. Kate Scott is exceefingly troublesome at school, teachers had to send for the Matron