Henry William Pankhurst, Free Settler "Roxburgh Castle" 1839

Henry William, known as William, was born around 1801 in Frant, Sussex which is a few kilometres south of the larger village of Tunbridge Wells, on the Kent side of the border between Kent and Sussex in England. He died in 1876 in West Maitland, NSW, Australia. He was the son of John and Ann Pankhurst (nee Rogers).

William married Martha Gilbert in Bromley, Kent, England in 1823 then emigrated to Australia 1839 with his wife and three sons, as part of the assisted immigrants scheme, onboard the "Roxburgh Castle". Their children were Henry (born 1829), John (born 1837), James (born 1830), also Nathaniel (born 1832 but died before 1839 emigration).

William was listed as an "agricultural labourer", 38 years old at the time of embarking on his nine month voyage of immigration in July 1838 . The "Roxburgh Castle" arrived in Australia on the 26th May 1839. He was listed as married and father John mother Ann. His religion was listed as Wesleyan faith with baptism on the 10th August, 1801.

His brother Thomas also emigrated. Thomas settled on the North Coast of NSW, with Taree descendants resulting.

William went to the Hunter Valley, NSW and secured land at Oswald near Branxton where he lived for many years. He and Martha had two more children, Mary who died in the year of her birth in 1840 and Samuel born in 1842.

His wife Martha died in 1849 at age 40, so the following year he married Margaret Steele from Dungog, NSW in a Wesleyan Methodist Ceremony at Oswald. Margaret died in 1873, aged 69 years. A few months later he married Eliza Gunter, who died in 1878, five years after their marriage at age 70 years.

William died a three years after his last marriage in 1876 at Oakhampton, West Maitland, NSW. His death certificate listed his youngest son Samuel Pankhurst of Bolwarra, as informant of death. Only two sons were listed on his death certificate, as son Henry had died on 1858 after drowning in the Hunter River. Other deceased siblings were not mentioned either. The children's mother was listed as Margaret Steele for Samuel (34yrs) and John (38yrs) married at Stanthorpe, England. This was incorrect as their mother was Martha Gilbert. Margaret Steele was Williams second wife married at Oswald, Australia. Perhaps Samual the informant was never made aware of who his biological mother was?

At the time of death, Henry William had lived fourty years in the Australasian colonies. His father was listed as John but mother was not stated (his mother was stated as Ann on immigration papers though). His death certificate also stated he was born at Tunbridge Wells, England and was around 75 years of age when he died from "senile decay".

However, Ernest John Pankhurst, William's direct descendent states in his memoirs that William lived well into his nineties. Ernest also stated that William arrived in Australia with his bother Thomas. He also stated that William became a widower in his seventies, at which stage he was sucessfully sued by a widow for "breach of promise". Ernest also stated that William and his brother originated from Staffordshire, not Sussex or Kent and migrated early in the 19th century. Ernest confirmed that William had three sons Henry, John and Samuel, but made no mention of them not being born in Australia or William being accompanied by a wife to Australia.

A grave in Oakhampton Cemetery, a mid 19th century burial ground for those of the Wesleyan faith is believed to belong to Henry William Pankhurst. The inscription says: "Sacred to the memory of Henry Pankhurst who departed this life 9th April 1876 Aged 75 years. Also Martha Ann who departed this life 22nd July 1867 aged 2 years and 2 months. Beloved daughter of Samuel and Sarah Pankhurst. Also of their daughter Mildred C Died 25th Oct 1883 aged 13 months." Martha Ann and Mildred were both infant granddaughters of Henry.

The Henry referred to in this inscription could not be Henry William's son Henry as he drowned in the Hunter River as a young man of 28 years in 1858, when his own daughter Martha Emily was still young. Neither, could this be his other son Samuel's son also named Henry, but known as Harry, who died in 1930, aged 63 and was buried at Rutherford Cemetery.

Lucille Foley, lfoley@think.iprimus.ca identified William Pankhurst b.1770, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England who married Keturah Dray (Battle), 1794. Children of the marriage were Henry (1806), William (1794), Thomas (1799), Mary Ann (1801), Amelia (1803), Jane (1808), John (1810) and Frederick (1812). So, is this Henry Wiilam and his brother Thomas?

Robyn Pentecost, keziah53@tpg.com.au has knowledge of Henry Pankhurst, married to Martha Gilbert and who emigrated to Australia 1839 with children Henry, John, James, also Nathaniel (died before 1839). From Tunbridge Wells, Kent and Frant, Sussex. Henry was the son of John and Ann Pankhurst.