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Walter Leonard
Walter Leonard was born in County Meath, Ireland in 1815. New research has now located his place of birth and many new details of his life are included in the second edition of From Meath to Balmain now available. His father’s name was Nicholas but his mother’s name is unknown. On 10 December 1836, at the age of 21, he was convicted at Meath on a charge of stealing a coat and sentenced to seven years’ transportation. The convict indent records that he had one former conviction for which he served a four month sentence. His physical description is noted as:
5’41⁄2” tall, with a dark, sallow complexion, brown hair and chestnut eyes. Dark carroty whiskers, mole on right side of neck. Two on back of right side of same. Two on the left side of throat. Three scars on back of little finger of left hand. Two scars on back of ball of left thumb. Scar cap of left knee and mark of a burn inside same.
The Neptune, a ship pf 400 toms carrying Walter Leonard, sailed from Dublin on 27 August 1837 and the Sydney Morning Herald of 4 January 1838 noted its arrival: Arrival from Dublin on Monday last having sailed the 27th August the ship Neptune Captain Nagle with 197 makes convicts under the superintendence of Patrick Martyn Esq Surgeon RN. The guard consists of Major Elliott, Lt Baker and 28 rank and file of 50th regiment, passengers Mrs Elliott, 6 soldiers’ wives and 8 children.
Walter Leonard was born in County Meath, Ireland in 1815. New research has now located his place of birth and many new details of his life are included in the second edition of From Meath to Balmain now available. His father’s name was Nicholas but his mother’s name is unknown. On 10 December 1836, at the age of 21, he was convicted at Meath on a charge of stealing a coat and sentenced to seven years’ transportation. The convict indent records that he had one former conviction for which he served a four month sentence. His physical description is noted as:
5’41⁄2” tall, with a dark, sallow complexion, brown hair and chestnut eyes. Dark carroty whiskers, mole on right side of neck. Two on back of right side of same. Two on the left side of throat. Three scars on back of little finger of left hand. Two scars on back of ball of left thumb. Scar cap of left knee and mark of a burn inside same.
The Neptune, a ship pf 400 toms carrying Walter Leonard, sailed from Dublin on 27 August 1837 and the Sydney Morning Herald of 4 January 1838 noted its arrival: Arrival from Dublin on Monday last having sailed the 27th August the ship Neptune Captain Nagle with 197 makes convicts under the superintendence of Patrick Martyn Esq Surgeon RN. The guard consists of Major Elliott, Lt Baker and 28 rank and file of 50th regiment, passengers Mrs Elliott, 6 soldiers’ wives and 8 children.
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A second edition of my 1989 book, From Meath to Balmain (Patricia Stemp) with greatly expanded detail on Bridget's and Walter's lives is now available. CLICK FOR DETAILS
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