Lucy Hicks
The woman with her back to us is Lucy Hicks, the 'no-nonsense' matron of the Hyde Park Barracks. In 1879, when this drawing was published, she was 47 years old and pregnant with her 14th child.
Lucy had lived in this room with her growing family since 1861, juggling home life, motherhood and never-ending work. After 1862, this included lodging and 'hiring out' newly arrived immigrant girls, as well as overseeing the welfare of elderly and destitute inmates in the upstairs wards of the Hyde Park Asylum.
In the early years, Lucy was helped by her first husband, John Applewhaite, who took on the role of Master of the asylum. After his death in 1869, Lucy ran the barracks with a small team of helpers and family members. The institution closed in 1886.
Lucy had lived in this room with her growing family since 1861, juggling home life, motherhood and never-ending work. After 1862, this included lodging and 'hiring out' newly arrived immigrant girls, as well as overseeing the welfare of elderly and destitute inmates in the upstairs wards of the Hyde Park Asylum.
In the early years, Lucy was helped by her first husband, John Applewhaite, who took on the role of Master of the asylum. After his death in 1869, Lucy ran the barracks with a small team of helpers and family members. The institution closed in 1886.