Re: Want info on 1920s 'Black Maria' pronounced Ma-rye-ah

Posted by West Peterson On 2009/11/23 10:01:52

Isn't the correct spelling, "Patty Wagon"??

"The Patty Wagon was first used by the British when they would transport Irish prisoners in the wagons and they would refer to them as "patties", short for St Patricks. The term was very derrogative to them. The Wagon was particularly busy after July of 1822. Following Denmark Vesey's insurrection, free black sailors were not allowed to roam the streets of Charleston like they once did. They were transported from their ships to the Whipping House by Black Maria until their ships were ready to leave port."