Western Australia, Walter PENKETH, born 1831, Salford, Lancashire

[BAC3]

Hello,

Convict Walter PENKETH arrived in WA aboard the "Minden" in October 1851 and was awarded a Conditional Pardon on 30/09/1853.

I am led to believe by a certain website, citing Western Australia, Australia, Convict Records 1846-1930, that he re-offended several times after 1853.   Neither the Convict Database for Fremantle Prison nor the TROVE newspapers provide any such confirmation.   Could it be I am being "led" up an ancestral garden path

If anyone can help I would be more than grateful.

Thank you,

BAC3

[matthewj64]

This is probably him in Victoria in 1860

'If Walter Penketh, late of the Dredge, Geelong, will call at the Supreme Court Hotel on Monday, 26th inst., he will hear of employment'
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5693631

M

[BAC3]

Thank you for that TROVE item.

I had noticed from PROV that he may have migrated to NZ (Otago) and also returned to England about the same time.   All very confusing.   Possibly if the re-offences mentioned prove to be incorrect then the Victorian citations will take on more significance to investigate.

BAC3

[sparrett]

Few more sightings in Victoria and NSW and Otago NZ

List of unclaimed ship letters for month ending Oct 1855 at Melbourne. Penketh Walter
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/154865787/18211601

NSW Gazette 1859. Letters returned from the country and lying at Sydney PO. Penketh Walter, Fairfield
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/228716842

Published in Otago Witness. Penketh,Walter is disqualified from electoral listing in 1862 in district of Hampden
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18620510.2.20.2

List of unclaimed letters in Dunedin, 1864
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT18640801.2.20.3

Sue

[BAC3]

Hello Sue,

Sadly there has not been any response to the basic question of his re-offending in WA.

However, given his Conditional Pardon in September 1853 there is every possibility the references you have unearthed from 1855 onwards are true.   And, as Walter PENKETH is such an unusual name it does bring into play the balance of probabilities   Conversely, the geographical spread of his unclaimed letters also supposes someone knew of his whereabouts and that he must therefore have been in touch.

Curiouser and curiouser............

Tony

[sparrett]

Yes,
Not only is the spread of his unclaimed letters surprising, but to me, the fact there were letters at all!

His prisoner records state he is an unmarried shoemaker and semi-literate
https://fremantleprison.com.au/history-heritage/history/convict-database/

Is such a man likely to be checking the newspaper for appointments at a hotel to lead him to employment?

Then registering to vote in NZ and being disqualified.

Is he sighted in the UK census records following his Otago listings?

Sue



 

[matthewj64]

From Grey River Argus, Volume VII, Issue 464, 5 January 1869, Page 2
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GRA18690105.2.8

'A young man named Walter Penketh, better known as Wat. the Baker, died here on Monday morning, after only a week's illness...

M

[matthewj64]

From Ancestry

1861 departed Victoria for Otago per Genii, born about 1835 (as Walter Penketh)

1862 departed Victoria for London per Swiftsure, born about 1831 (as W Penketh)

1863 arrived Melbourne per Morning Light from Liverpool, born about 1831 (as Walter Penketh) and under the same number 4499 - Alfred Penketh 36y; Hughes family, James 25y, Ann 25y, Eliza infant, John 41y, Ann 15y

M

Note - have not seen any evidence of further troubles with the law, can you maybe link to the site with the claim?

[sparrett]

1863 arrived Melbourne per Morning Light from Liverpool, born about 1831 (as Walter Penketh) and under the same number 4499 - Alfred Penketh 36y; Hughes family, James 25y, Ann 25y, Eliza infant, John 41y, Ann 15y

 

Alfred was a plasterer born 1828 Salford, Lancashire.
He married Mary WALSH in Salford in 1848 and had a number of children.

He is present on the 1861 England census with wife and family.

It appears he travelled with Walter to Australia on Walter's 1863 return trip, leaving his family behind in Salford.

By the 1871 census he is back with wife and family in Lancashire.

Perhaps a reconnoitre which proved unsuitable for him or not to his liking, or something like that.

Sue