Fern Sellers – Christmas Eve

THE FERN SELLER—CHRISTMAS EVE. This is an original and characteristic sketch, in which perhaps our artist has sacrificed a little fidelity to nature. In this instance the object seems to have been to embody an idea thoroughly and faithfully rather than exhibit skill in the delineation of female beauty. What the holly is to the…

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Two women & their shops

This is just an excuse to share these two photos. Not your usual shops! (Gulgong & Hill End both started as gold towns, hence the rough & ready nature of the buildings.) Above: Woman and shop-house, Hill End (NSW) American & Australasian Photographic Company 1870-1875 From the Mitchell Library,State Library of NSW Below: Woman with…

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Feather Curlers & Cleaners

Sydney Gazette, 11 August 1825 Not an occupation I can find out much about. Feather curlers were used by milliners to produce suitable feathers for their hats. However, if you read down through these advertisements you’ll see they’re offering a different, if related, service. Bearing in mind here, hats were necessary fashion accessory, and if…

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Governess or Lady Help?

GOVERNESS OR LADY HELP ? TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS. Sir,–I belong to that unhappy class of persons known as governesses, where every accomplishment is required, and the salary is, with few exceptions, what a good cook would decline to take. If a lady can teach English, music, singing, French, Latin, Italian, German, &c.,…

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100 Years of Disappointed, Disgruntled, Discredited Husbands

Sydney Gazette, 16 October 1803 Sydney Gazette, 19 June 1808 Sydney Gazette, 12 February 1810 Hobart Town Gazette, 19 October 1816 Hobart Town Gazette, 12 August 1820 Sydney Gazette, 16 October 1823 Sydney Gazette, 23 October 1823 Sydney Gazette, 9 January 1826 The Australian, 10 September 1828 Sydney Monitor, 20 September 1828 Sydney Gazette, 21…

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Mrs Butterworth

It would be easy to fill these page with hotel keepers, for I come across many of them in my Launceston Hotel project. It was a common occupation for women, and the licensing board, at least in Launceston, preferred married couples, although the case was sometimes argued for a young, single male on the basis…

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Mary Sullivan: female searcher

Adelaide Observer, 7 December 1872 Express & Telegraph, 1 August 1873 South Australian Register, 14 November 1873 Express & Telegraph, 31 January 1873 South Australian Chronicle, 21 November 1874 South Australian Chronicle, 4 November 1874 Express & Telegraph, 17 May 1882 Adelaide Observer, 23 July 1892 South Australian Register, 1 August 1893

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Mrs Spearman

Most obituaries about business women focus on their activities after the death of the husband. This one talks about her involvement in the business alongside him. ANOTHER old colonist was yesterday removed by death in the person of Mrs Mary Ann Spearman, of Landale-street, Invermay. The deceased lady was the widow of the late Mr…

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Whereas My Husband… Or, What’s Good For Gander

Sydney Gazette, 28 July 1821 This is sequel to 100 Years of Disappointed, Disgruntled, Discredited Husbands. I have transcribed the longer advertisements/letters where the text might be too small to read and included the image, except where it’s an ongoing debate wherein I have just included the text. TO THE PUBLIC.— WHEREAS Mr. Thomas Arkell…

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Maggie

She married William Skilling/Skillion in 1873. They had two children. Then a few years her later, her husband is arrested and sent off to gaol for six years, and at the same time, her mother is also gaoled. So at 21, Maggie is left looking after her own children, her mother’s young kids, and running…

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