The deep, dark stories of Maitland Gaol’s first 20 years are about to be revealed.
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During the past few years haematologist turned Hunter historian Dr Pamela Harrison has been working on a chronological account of the gaol’s earliest years.
In her book – Life and Death in Maitland Gaol; The First Twenty Years 1849-1869 – Harrison has unearthed examples of extreme justice, sadness and tragedy with women the most likely victims.
“Working on this book is how I came across this information about these women,” Harrison said.
Changes to the NSW vagrancy act in 1852 also heralded a significant increase in the number of destitute women sent to prison.
“The women were sent to prison because they didn’t have any visible means of support,” she said.
Harrison discovered that at least 11 babies were born at the prison and 243 lived there between 1849 and 1857.
“There wasn’t a hospital at this time, so all the babies born here in Maitland Gaol were born in the cells,” Harrison said.
But Harrison also has a strong familial link to the jail.
“My great, great-grandfather [John Wallis] was the governor of Maitland Gaol for 16 of the 20 years of my research from 1851 to 1867 and John’s son became the school master and clerk here at the gaol,” she said.
The book will be launched at the Maitland Gaol chapel on Thursday, April 17, at 10.30am.
Register at info@maitlandgaol. com.au or phone 4936 6482.