Mourning Apron
1886Black silk mourning apron, with pleated skirt and boning at the waist, rising to a peak at the centre of the midriff. It features decorative stitching, black piping and a ruched hem, with a strap at either side of the waist, designed to be passed around the waist and tied at the wearer's back.
This apron belonged to Harriet Doonan, the wife of Fremantle Prison Acting Superintendent Joseph Doonan in the 1870s. This object was donated to the Fremantle Prison Collection subsequent to its display in the 'Escape! Fremantle to Freedom' exhibition in 2006.
Details
Details
Harriet Doonan arrived in Western Australia in April 1854 onboard the ship Sea Park. She subsequently married Mr Joseph Doonan, and together they had three sons, two daughters and seventeen grandchildren. Harriet died in February 1908. Joseph Doonan was the Acting Superintendent of the Convict Establishment at the time of the Fenian escape in 1876. As an Irishman, he was subject to internal investigations as to whether he was a part of the conspiracy. He attempted suicide, but survived, and went on to establish a general store in Adelaide House on Adelaide St, Perth.
