SARAH FRANCISCO
1839 - 1916
Sarah's Crimes
Sarah Fransisco - circa 1912
Sarah Francisco was a notorious inmate of Adelaide Gaol. She amassed a total of 295 convictions resulting from her drunkenness and unruly behaviour, mostly around Port Adelaide. Her first conviction was in 1872. Subsequent convictions included drunkenness, indecent language, assault, resisting police, riotous behaviour, abusive language and disturbing the peace.
Sarah had her ‘own cell’ in Adelaide Gaol’s 2 Yard. The current occupant was immediately evicted whenever she was brought in and Sarah moved back into her familiar surroundings. On one occasion the keeper told her that everyone who came in three times in one year had to go into 1 Yard. Sarah, infuriated at not being given ‘her cell’, threw off her hat and shawl, kicked the officer fiercely in the shins and started a fight. This earned her a further fourteen days including seven on bread and water. On another occasion when being released, Sarah advised the gaol authorities to keep the same clothes and cup for her, as ‘she would be back in a day or two’.
Sarah Francisco spent over 16 years in Adelaide Gaol in short sentences, was sentenced to 12 months five times and spent 12 Christmas Days in Gaol. Many of her sentences were served concurrently.
The Adelaide Gaol Register of Prisoners include her offences as assault, indecent language, habitual drunkard, disturbing the peace, breaking two panes of glass, incorrigible rogue, idle and disorderly, assaulting police, abusive and insulting words, and being a rogue and vagabond. Under Trade or Calling, Sarah is variously described as housewife, washerwoman, servant, prostitute or charwoman.
Sarah continued her drunken lifestyle and even when over 70 years of age still spent much of her time in Adelaide Gaol. Many of her terms were concurrent and had she served her full terms of imprisonment she would have spent over 180 years in gaol!
Sarah had her ‘own cell’ in Adelaide Gaol’s 2 Yard. The current occupant was immediately evicted whenever she was brought in and Sarah moved back into her familiar surroundings. On one occasion the keeper told her that everyone who came in three times in one year had to go into 1 Yard. Sarah, infuriated at not being given ‘her cell’, threw off her hat and shawl, kicked the officer fiercely in the shins and started a fight. This earned her a further fourteen days including seven on bread and water. On another occasion when being released, Sarah advised the gaol authorities to keep the same clothes and cup for her, as ‘she would be back in a day or two’.
Sarah Francisco spent over 16 years in Adelaide Gaol in short sentences, was sentenced to 12 months five times and spent 12 Christmas Days in Gaol. Many of her sentences were served concurrently.
The Adelaide Gaol Register of Prisoners include her offences as assault, indecent language, habitual drunkard, disturbing the peace, breaking two panes of glass, incorrigible rogue, idle and disorderly, assaulting police, abusive and insulting words, and being a rogue and vagabond. Under Trade or Calling, Sarah is variously described as housewife, washerwoman, servant, prostitute or charwoman.
Sarah continued her drunken lifestyle and even when over 70 years of age still spent much of her time in Adelaide Gaol. Many of her terms were concurrent and had she served her full terms of imprisonment she would have spent over 180 years in gaol!
Sarah's Background
Globe Hotel, Port Adelaide where Sarah once took a horse and an apron full of cakes
Sarah Francisco was born Sarah Wearing in Ireland around 1839. She was the daughter of a blacksmith. Her mother died when Sarah was five and she was sent to live with an aunt on a dairy farm.
A potato disease devastated Ireland in the decade from 1845. The resulting famine caused over two million people to emigrate and seek a better life. Many young women, including Sarah’s elder sister, left Ireland and migrated to Australia. Sarah followed her sister and arrived in Port Adelaide aboard the Peerless on 7 November 1866. A year later Sarah married John ‘Frank’ Francisco, a seaman from Genoa, at St Patrick’s Church in Grote Street, Adelaide.
Sadly the marriage was an extremely unhappy one. Francisco went on heavy drinking bouts and was continually violent towards Sarah. He once tried to throw her down a well and several times attempted to poison her. On one occasion he hit her in the face with a brass candlestick - Sarah carried the scar across her mouth for the rest of her life. Frank usually spent the days fishing or just loafing around. One day he came home complaining of a pain in his ankle. He went to bed and stayed there for the next three years. Doctors recommended a change and suggested a two week break away from home could benefit his condition. Frank left but didn’t return. Sarah never saw him again.
The marriage however did produce two sons, Joseph and John. Sarah was passionately fond of her boys and the task of providing and caring for them fell solely to her. She would set off at 3 am with one child in her arms and the other on her back, working until 11 pm cleaning hotels or taking any job that would keep the three of them fed and clothed.
Sarah was busily working one day when Joseph rushed in breathlessly telling her that Johnny had fallen down a cutting where they were playing. Sarah rushed to the site and called a doctor but the boy was only able to whisper a few words before he died in his mother’s arms. It was grief and sorrow over the loss of her five year old son that began Sarah’s downward spiral into drunkenness.
In 1895 Sarah’s name appeared in the press during a coroner’s inquest. She had assisted a young fellow hotel worker, Alice Burgess, when her newborn baby died. In stark contrast to how she was generally described, the coroner depicted Sarah as thoughtful, reliable and responsible. Unfortunately, this lapse in Sarah’s customary behaviour didn’t last too long and she soon returned to her old ways of drinking to excess.
A potato disease devastated Ireland in the decade from 1845. The resulting famine caused over two million people to emigrate and seek a better life. Many young women, including Sarah’s elder sister, left Ireland and migrated to Australia. Sarah followed her sister and arrived in Port Adelaide aboard the Peerless on 7 November 1866. A year later Sarah married John ‘Frank’ Francisco, a seaman from Genoa, at St Patrick’s Church in Grote Street, Adelaide.
Sadly the marriage was an extremely unhappy one. Francisco went on heavy drinking bouts and was continually violent towards Sarah. He once tried to throw her down a well and several times attempted to poison her. On one occasion he hit her in the face with a brass candlestick - Sarah carried the scar across her mouth for the rest of her life. Frank usually spent the days fishing or just loafing around. One day he came home complaining of a pain in his ankle. He went to bed and stayed there for the next three years. Doctors recommended a change and suggested a two week break away from home could benefit his condition. Frank left but didn’t return. Sarah never saw him again.
The marriage however did produce two sons, Joseph and John. Sarah was passionately fond of her boys and the task of providing and caring for them fell solely to her. She would set off at 3 am with one child in her arms and the other on her back, working until 11 pm cleaning hotels or taking any job that would keep the three of them fed and clothed.
Sarah was busily working one day when Joseph rushed in breathlessly telling her that Johnny had fallen down a cutting where they were playing. Sarah rushed to the site and called a doctor but the boy was only able to whisper a few words before he died in his mother’s arms. It was grief and sorrow over the loss of her five year old son that began Sarah’s downward spiral into drunkenness.
In 1895 Sarah’s name appeared in the press during a coroner’s inquest. She had assisted a young fellow hotel worker, Alice Burgess, when her newborn baby died. In stark contrast to how she was generally described, the coroner depicted Sarah as thoughtful, reliable and responsible. Unfortunately, this lapse in Sarah’s customary behaviour didn’t last too long and she soon returned to her old ways of drinking to excess.
Salvation Army Conversion
Salvation Army Band outside Adelaide Gaol - Circa 1912
The Salvation Army began its mission in Australia at an open air meeting organised by John Gore and Edward Saunders in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens on 5 September 1880. The first officers arrived in February 1881. A Salvation Army corps in Port Adelaide was established late in 1882 where Army members attended hearings at the police court. The magistrate would permit some of those sentenced to go to the Salvation Army Home instead of prison, if they agreed.
Susie Roberts, Sarah Francisco, Sgt Maj. W. Roberts and unknown friend
Around 1894 a young Salvationist, Susan Morris, spent time with Sarah Francisco in her cell at the Port Adelaide lock-up trying to get Sarah to consent to such an arrangement. Sarah steadfastly refused to be part of it. Following her marriage to William Roberts in 1903, Susan Morris became Sergeant-Major Mrs Roberts. While selling the 'War Cry' around the streets and hotels in Port Adelaide she often met up with Sarah Francisco and had a chat.
Sarah’s familiar lifestyle continued until 15 April 1912 when she suddenly consented to accept the offer of the Salvation Army Home instead of 3 months in gaol. The magistrate and court staff had the unique experience of hearing Sarah plead “Guilty” for the first time. Sarah kept her promise and stayed at the Home. She later moved into a small room at the rear of the Roberts’ house in Queenstown.
Sarah’s familiar lifestyle continued until 15 April 1912 when she suddenly consented to accept the offer of the Salvation Army Home instead of 3 months in gaol. The magistrate and court staff had the unique experience of hearing Sarah plead “Guilty” for the first time. Sarah kept her promise and stayed at the Home. She later moved into a small room at the rear of the Roberts’ house in Queenstown.
Sarah's Death
Sarah Francisco and Susie Roberts - Circa 1912
Sarah did have some relapses and returned to her room ‘worse for wear’ but she was never arrested again. By now, she was into her seventies and using a stick because of rheumatism but she enthusiastically supported the Self-Denial Appeal. At Sarah’s insistence the Roberts took her to all her familiar hotels where she demanded a contribution for the work of the Salvation Army. Not one publican refused. Sarah also asked to call at the Adelaide Gaol before returning home. The head warder came out and had a friendly word before adding his donation. Sarah thanked him and told him she wouldn’t be returning and that he could let ‘her cell’ to another occupant.
Sarah’s health deteriorated as the months passed by. Her devotion and prayers became stronger but her health continued to decline. Sarah became weaker and finally slipped into unconsciousness before her ‘promotion to glory’.
Mrs Roberts placed the following simple death notice in the paper:
"FRANCISCO – On November 2, 1916, at the Salvation Army Home, Gilbert Street, Adelaide, Sarah, the beloved friend of Mr. and Mrs. W. Roberts, Queenstown, aged 77 years. A patient sufferer at rest."
In 1907 Sarah had forced a promise of a free burial from an undertaker. He kept his promise and Sarah was laid to rest at Cheltenham Cemetery. Many people attended the funeral and the Salvation Army band played in affectionate remembrance of the notorious Sarah Francisco who held a record 295 convictions but whose life and soul had been transformed by the power of God.
Sarah’s health deteriorated as the months passed by. Her devotion and prayers became stronger but her health continued to decline. Sarah became weaker and finally slipped into unconsciousness before her ‘promotion to glory’.
Mrs Roberts placed the following simple death notice in the paper:
"FRANCISCO – On November 2, 1916, at the Salvation Army Home, Gilbert Street, Adelaide, Sarah, the beloved friend of Mr. and Mrs. W. Roberts, Queenstown, aged 77 years. A patient sufferer at rest."
In 1907 Sarah had forced a promise of a free burial from an undertaker. He kept his promise and Sarah was laid to rest at Cheltenham Cemetery. Many people attended the funeral and the Salvation Army band played in affectionate remembrance of the notorious Sarah Francisco who held a record 295 convictions but whose life and soul had been transformed by the power of God.
Article submitted by
Sue Polkinghorne
Copyright - 2014
Sources:
Much of the information in the Sarah Francisco story came from a series of articles published as weekly serialised stories in the War Cry from 30 December 1916 to 12 May 1917and Dr Yvonne Reynolds Phd thesis “Progress, Pubs and Piety: Port Adelaide 1836 - 1915”
Photos - Salvation Army newsletters
Sue Polkinghorne
Copyright - 2014
Sources:
Much of the information in the Sarah Francisco story came from a series of articles published as weekly serialised stories in the War Cry from 30 December 1916 to 12 May 1917and Dr Yvonne Reynolds Phd thesis “Progress, Pubs and Piety: Port Adelaide 1836 - 1915”
Photos - Salvation Army newsletters