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Allen, John Walter
DESCRIPTION
NameAllen, John Walter
Date of Birth1827Date of Death1876OccupationCarpenterBiographyJohn Walter Allen (known as Walter) was born in 1827 in Dover, England to Richard and Ann Allen.
He married Priscilla Aldridge in 1847 and they had three children.
The family sailed to Australia on the 'Gilmore', arriving in Sydney 19 October 1855.
On the death of his first wife, he married Charlotte Dunster.
The English census records for 1851, show Walter and Priscilla Allen residing in Folkstone, Kent. Their children were Richard bn.1848, Priscilla Bn. 1850 (died 1853), and Walter John bn.1854.
Shipping records show Walter and Priscilla arrived as assisted immigrants, in Sydney 19 October 1855, with children, Richard Aldridge and Walter John.
Walter had no relatives in the colony however Priscilla had a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Morris, living in Kiama. Walter's occupation was listed as a carpenter.
On arriving in Sydney in 1855 they appear to have lived there for a time. Sadly, Priscilla died in 1858, 3 years after arriving in the colony.
The earliest record of Walter in the Shellharbour district is Walter's name on a petition to William James to support his nomination for council in July 1859.
In 1861, Walter married Charlotte Dunster, and in 1868, the records show Walter purchased a store in Addison St. Shellharbour.
In 1871, Walter purchased land from T.A.Reddall and built a residence next to the store, and named it 'Karamia'. In 1871, he took over the postal service.
Walter appears to have played a significant part in the early life of Shellharbour district. He was involved with the Shellharbour Navigation Co. acting as an auditor along with Mr. Barr.
In the 'Kiama Independent', Walter voted for steam to be introduced to improve communication with Sydney, for the prosperity of the shippers.
In the 'Town and Country' Newspaper - 'A Tour to The South', Walter is described as a leading storekeeper in 1871.
Walter supported the call for an improved school premises, and took part in the school end of year activities, playing the flute in a duo with Mr. Aitken who played the piano.
Walter became an undertaker, possibly due to his carpentry skills, and conducted funerals for a number of years.
Walter and Charlotte Allen had several children.
Joseph Dunster Allen bn.1862 Shellharbour, married Ann Rachael Wickham in 1892 at Bowral, died died 1946 Shellharbour.
Edward Allen bn 1864 Shellharbour, married Ann Mary Elizabeth Lavender in 1905 at Hay N.S.W., died 1936 Waverton NSW.
Charlotte Allen bn 1866, died 1946.
George Allen bn. 1867 Shellharbour, died 1951 Wollongong.
Adelaide Jane Allen bn.1870 Shellharbour, married Henry Percy Stacey in 1898 at Albion Park, died 1947.
Walter Allen died in 1876 and was the first person to be buried in the new Church of England Cemetery in Albion Park. His wife Charlotte continued the business after Walter's death with the help of their sons.
Sources:
Shepherds and the Tale of the Gander, The Pheasants and the Hats-Robyn J Musgrave.
Shellharbours Forgotten Cemetery and Selected Pioneers. - W & T Nunan.
Tongarra Heritage Files.
150 Years Shellharbour. -Dorothy Gillis
Shipping Records.
Green Meadows. - W.A. Bayley.
External LinkShellharbour storeDeath noticeDeath of Walter AllenWalter Allen undertakerInvolvement with schoolNew school premises needed..Auditor for Shellharbor Navigation Co.Introduction of SteamLeading storekeeperFuneral conducted by W Allen
Date of Birth1827Date of Death1876OccupationCarpenterBiographyJohn Walter Allen (known as Walter) was born in 1827 in Dover, England to Richard and Ann Allen.He married Priscilla Aldridge in 1847 and they had three children.
The family sailed to Australia on the 'Gilmore', arriving in Sydney 19 October 1855.
On the death of his first wife, he married Charlotte Dunster.
The English census records for 1851, show Walter and Priscilla Allen residing in Folkstone, Kent. Their children were Richard bn.1848, Priscilla Bn. 1850 (died 1853), and Walter John bn.1854.
Shipping records show Walter and Priscilla arrived as assisted immigrants, in Sydney 19 October 1855, with children, Richard Aldridge and Walter John.
Walter had no relatives in the colony however Priscilla had a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Morris, living in Kiama. Walter's occupation was listed as a carpenter.
On arriving in Sydney in 1855 they appear to have lived there for a time. Sadly, Priscilla died in 1858, 3 years after arriving in the colony.
The earliest record of Walter in the Shellharbour district is Walter's name on a petition to William James to support his nomination for council in July 1859.
In 1861, Walter married Charlotte Dunster, and in 1868, the records show Walter purchased a store in Addison St. Shellharbour.
In 1871, Walter purchased land from T.A.Reddall and built a residence next to the store, and named it 'Karamia'. In 1871, he took over the postal service.
Walter appears to have played a significant part in the early life of Shellharbour district. He was involved with the Shellharbour Navigation Co. acting as an auditor along with Mr. Barr.
In the 'Kiama Independent', Walter voted for steam to be introduced to improve communication with Sydney, for the prosperity of the shippers.
In the 'Town and Country' Newspaper - 'A Tour to The South', Walter is described as a leading storekeeper in 1871.
Walter supported the call for an improved school premises, and took part in the school end of year activities, playing the flute in a duo with Mr. Aitken who played the piano.
Walter became an undertaker, possibly due to his carpentry skills, and conducted funerals for a number of years.
Walter and Charlotte Allen had several children.
Joseph Dunster Allen bn.1862 Shellharbour, married Ann Rachael Wickham in 1892 at Bowral, died died 1946 Shellharbour.
Edward Allen bn 1864 Shellharbour, married Ann Mary Elizabeth Lavender in 1905 at Hay N.S.W., died 1936 Waverton NSW.
Charlotte Allen bn 1866, died 1946.
George Allen bn. 1867 Shellharbour, died 1951 Wollongong.
Adelaide Jane Allen bn.1870 Shellharbour, married Henry Percy Stacey in 1898 at Albion Park, died 1947.
Walter Allen died in 1876 and was the first person to be buried in the new Church of England Cemetery in Albion Park. His wife Charlotte continued the business after Walter's death with the help of their sons.
Sources:
Shepherds and the Tale of the Gander, The Pheasants and the Hats-Robyn J Musgrave.
Shellharbours Forgotten Cemetery and Selected Pioneers. - W & T Nunan.
Tongarra Heritage Files.
150 Years Shellharbour. -Dorothy Gillis
Shipping Records.
Green Meadows. - W.A. Bayley.
External LinkShellharbour storeDeath noticeDeath of Walter AllenWalter Allen undertakerInvolvement with schoolNew school premises needed..Auditor for Shellharbor Navigation Co.Introduction of SteamLeading storekeeperFuneral conducted by W Allen
CONNECTIONS
Allen, John Walter. Shellharbour City Council, accessed 09/10/2024, https://discovershellharbour.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/15859