By Irma Walter, 2020.
Early Life
Hector Fenner’s convict story is a tale of success in Western Australia after poor beginnings. He was one of eight children born in Berkshire to Joseph Fenner and his gypsy wife Penali (or Penelope).[1]
The lives of landless people in England and Wales, who up till then had been able to make a living from use of open access common land, were drastically affected by the Enclosure Laws of the 1850s, whereby many acres of commons were taken into private ownership. As a result gypsies (or travellers’, as they were best known), spent their lives moving around the countryside. They found themselves more restricted over where they were allowed to park their wagons in order to ply their trades as hawkers or tinkers, and were always under the watchful eyes of the local police.
Life must have been difficult for the Fenner family with a large family to raise. Hector’s father Joseph was a hawker. His mother Penelope, aged 43, was indicted at Great Marlow in 1845 for stealing three brushes and was sentenced to one month with hard labour.[2] Hector’s brother Joseph (jnr), said to be blind in one eye, was arrested around the age of 12, for begging on the street. His punishment was harsh:-
Joseph Fenner, a little boy, the representative of a mendicant family from West Wycombe, by whom it appears he was driven out on this errand, was sentenced to three weeks’ imprisonment.[3]
Hector, (born 1836), and his brothers Joseph (b.1837) and Cornelius (b.1840), were street-wise from an early age and adept in the art of stealing, whether it was potatoes or cabbages from the roadside or meat from a butcher’s shop. Prison was not the best place for them. Rather it proved to be a training ground and it was inevitable that they would fall into bad company and move on to more serious crimes.
Hector was described as ‘incorrigible’ at one stage, and in 1849 along with his co-offender John Basden they were referred to as ‘miserable looking wretches’ when remanded for stealing a quantity of iron at Shinfield, when Hector was only about 13 years of age.[4] At one stage the option of sending him to Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of Wight, a reformatory for boys, was being considered.
In January 1851 Hector and his accomplice Thomas Fisher were charged with having stolen a shawl in the previous November. Fenner faced a second charge of stealing another shawl in December. When asked where they came from, it appeared that they had no abiding place, but travelled around looking for plunder. Initially they were both sentenced to seven years, but hope was expressed that they would be sent to Parkhurst to be reformed. Instead, it was decided to withdraw the seven-year sentence and the terms were reduced to two months for Fenner and less for Fisher. It was reported that both boys looked amazing pleased at this outcome.[5]
Soon after his release Hector was back in Court, this time along with a William Barrow, both described as two notoriously bad boys. They faced a charge of frequenting a place with the intention of committing a felony but were discharged due to lack of evidence. Fenner, however, faced a second charge of stealing meat from a butcher’s shop. He admitted his guilt and was convicted under the Juvenile Offenders’ Act, sentenced to two months’ hard labour in the County Gaol.[6] At the time of the 1851 census, Hector Fenner, aged 15, described as a hawker born at Hurley in Berkshire, was in the County Gaol at Reading St Lawrence, Berkshire.
In July of the same year, using the name ‘Joseph Hector Fenner’, he was found guilty of stealing a pair of trousers, a waistcoat, a handkerchief and a pair of boots in Upton-cum-Chalvey and due to his previous convictions was sentenced to seven years’ transportation.[7] (By this time a term of seven years could be served at a home prison, with ticket-of-leave permitted for good behaviour.)
Before he was 20, Hector’s profession was recorded as a ‘dealer’, probably indicating that he lived by his wits on the streets of various towns and villages, selling items of stolen clothing or household goods and pawning them to second-hand traders who asked few questions about their origins.
The names of Hector’s brothers Joseph and Cornelius appeared regularly together in various newspaper reports of their crimes over the years. Luckily they didn’t reached the stage of transportation. In January 1856 both boys were both in custody, in possession of a bridle and two table knives. Joseph Fenner, described as ‘of the gypsy tribe, 19 years of age, blind in the left eye, slightly pitted with small-pox, dressed in a ragged smock-frock, wide-awake hat, coloured neckerchief, and without shoes or stockings, while Cornelius, with curly black hair, was also without shoes and stockings.[8] Cornelius was released, but Joseph faced a second charge of stealing lead and after pleading guilty was sentenced to three years.[9]
Meanwhile on 10 July 1855 Hector Fenner, aged 22, horse dealer, had been convicted at Winchester of burglary and theft of a large quantity of tea and other goods from a house in Eversley.[10] His partner-in-crime was John Goodenough.[11] Still on his ticket-of-leave from a previous crime, Hector was sentenced to 20 years’ transportation.[12] The severity of his sentence reflected the frustration felt by Court officials over their previous dealings with this young offender.
Hector was held at Millbank Prison for 11 months, followed by 14 months at Portland Prison awaiting transportation to Western Australia.[13] He was taken onboard the Nile, leaving Plymouth on 23 September 1857. He was described as a horse dealer, aged 22, single 5’6” tall, with dark hair, dark hazel eyes, a dark complexion, round face, and middling stout in build, with boil marks on his right arm.[14] His behaviour while in separate confinement at Millbank was recorded as Good, and at Public Works, Very Good.[15]
In Western Australia
Considering his bad record in England, it appears that Hector decided to make the most of the opportunity offered in the colony, and few offences were recorded against him from his time of arrival:
1 January 1858 – Convict No. 5409 Hector George Fenner, aged 22, arrived in WA on the Nile. The next few days he spent in hospital, receiving treatment for Ophthalmia, with his left eye the worst affected.[16]
8 June 1859 – Employed as a constable in charge of a work gang.
9 December 1859 – Received his Ticket of Leave.
9 July 1860 – Charged by WP Clifton with being drunk in Bunbury – fined 5/-.
14 January 1861 – Charged by Bunbury Resident Magistrate with being out after hours.[17]
21 January 1861 – General passes not granted.[18]
30 June 1863 – Employed as General Servant, by Charles Higgins, farmer of Capel, at 45/- per month.
31 December 1863 – Self-employed at Wellington.
13 April 1864 – Received his Conditional Pardon.
Around this time Hector was working at Quindalup and is said to have been employing six ticket-of-leave men.[19] Most likely he was working in the timber industry.
On 30 December 1864 in Bunbury he married Hannah Stallard, daughter of John Stallard and Hannah Walker. Their children were:
William Ernest, born 1864 at Bunbury.
Elenor Josephine, born 1867 at Quindalup.
Frances Penelope, born at Naturaliste, 1869.
George Raymond, born at Busselton 1870.
Mary Tilitha, born at Busselton 1872.
Herbert Cornelius, born at Busselton 1875.
By 1870 Hector was calling himself ‘George Hector Fenner’. By then he was working as a shoemaker in Busselton.[20] From 1873 the name G. Fenner appeared in the Herald Almanack, mostly listed as a tanner in Busselton and occasionally as a shoemaker. George Hector Fenner held a cart licence in the Sussex District in 1877.
By 1882, he was listed as a farmer in the Vasse District. Here he found his true calling. From modest beginnings with one acre of land under cultivation, by the time of his retirement George Hector ended up with 22 acres. He made a good living from his small farm, growing a wide variety of vegetables as well as maize and other fodder crops, supplementing his income by other means. In 1887 he was awarded the mail contract for the route between Vasse and the Warren District via Lower Blackwood, for the following three years at £45 per annum.[21] In 1888 his property was listed as ’11-Mile Hill’, on the Busselton / Warren Road. As a sideline, in 1888/89 he worked as a tanner and harness maker.[22] Never one to shirk hard work, he had a Road Board contract in 1898 for maintenance work on Strelly Street in Busselton.[23]
Meanwhile his cultivation methods were attracting the attention of others:
INTENSE CULTURE AT THE VASSE. MR. FENNER’S GARDEN.
(By “Observer”)
Before running into Busselton, and just about a mile from the railway station, the traveller to the Vasse will probably notice an old homestead in the centre of a garden which, at most seasons of the year, shows maize stalks more prominently than anything else. The impression created will probably be that some farmer or dairyman more energetic than others devotes considerable of his time to the growing of vegetables for his home, and the cultivation of fodder crops for his cattle. Because it does not present that spic and span aspect so characteristic of vegetable gardens cultivated by Chinese, there is not given the slightest idea that this particular little plot has for many years served as an illustration of the wonderful productiveness of portions of our South-west lands, and furnished an object lesson to those who are willing to be taught the advantages of intense culture. Hence for upwards of 30 years Mr. G. Fenner has from three acres of land taken produce that returns to him between £200 and £300 per annum.
In the cultivation of these three acres of black sandy soil—soil which is characteristic of hundreds of acres round about artificial manure have been ignored. Only stockyard manure—for a few cows and pigs are kept on adjoining land—is called into service. Never during the whole of the time that he has been earning a very nice competence on this small area has Mr. Fenner found it necessary to employ labour. All the work has been performed by him and by him alone. He is a practical gardener, and one who profits by his own experiences and that of others.
When I had a look over this productive place I was accompanied by Mr. J. M. B. Connor, Commissioner for Agriculture, who, previously, had discovered in Mr. Fenner a man worthy of encouragement and help in his work of demonstrating the capabilities of the soil in the Vasse district. Mr. Fenner showed us maize growing between rows of potato plants which he had cultivated from the seed of one special cob given to him by Mr. Connor. It gave, he said, great-er promise than any he had grown previously. Reminded of the 15ft. high sample of maize from Cattle Chosen exhibited at the show by Miss Bussell a few days previously, Mr. Fenner expressed the opinion that he would beat that growth this year. In one corner there is to be seen a plot of wheat sown with melilotis, which in hay should give a return equal to five tons to the acre. Near it great rows of beans are seen and between the beans and potato plots marrows of various kinds, cucumbers, tomatoes, and cabbage plants flourish in luxuriance. Everywhere there is a row of maize. This helps to protect the more tender plants. It keeps the soil moist, and at the same time provides fine fodder for the cows. Onions are grown with resultant big yields. Carrots and like plants give big returns. That which impresses one is the fact that there is not the necessity for continuous watering, for the heavy use of fertilisers, nor for the tender care which is demanded in other parts. Mr. Fenner works his three acres systematically, scientifically, and energetically. He has, year in and year out, successfully exhibited at the Busselton shows, and it was the magnificent display which he put up there on Wednesday of last week that impelled me to look over his little farm.
The diversity of opinions and ideas among potato growers in the South-West is remarkable. Some do not believe in moulding, and others discard a variety which some swear by, Mr. Fenner is wise in his generation. He profits by the experiences of others. He knows which variety of potato keeps best; he knows how best to treat and handle the tubers for keeping purposes, and he knows which variety gives the greatest yield. His verdict for prolific yielding is in favour of the Delaware and the Bismarck, and that for keeping qualities in favour of the White Rock, the King Edward, and the Manhattan. Potato-growing he has reduced to a science. With all good farmers he holds that of equal importance to the preparation of the seed bed is the selection and cutting of the seed. A double eye he abhors, his contention being that it gives a growth of haulm far in excess of the number of tubers. And it is by the study of such things that this fine farmer makes three acres of good land give to him what other men who farm unscientifically and without system fail to reap from an area a hundred times greater. Between the Vasse and Bunbury, as Mr. Fenner has pointed out year in and year out for a quarter of a century, there are thousands of acres of land similar to that from which he has been reaping such a rich harvest for so many years.[24]
In 1899 George Hector Fenner advertised his property for sale. It is not known why George Hector considered selling at this stage of his life, and it appears that no sale was transacted at that time:
FOR SALE, with immediate possession, in healthiest part of colony, Busselton Suburban Lots Nos. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 78, containing about 22 acres, four acres of which is in vegetable garden in a high state of culture, bearing two crops each year without irrigation; the remainder of the land laid down in grasses for summer feeding. Vines in full bearing, and 20 young fruit trees. The whole abutting on the Causeway-road. The S.W. Railway runs through centre of Blocks 23 and 24, on which is a splendid five-roomed Stone Residence, detached stone kitchen and store-room. A large building 62ft. x 14ft., built jarrah, roofed iron. Fowl-houses, pig-styes, Stockyard, etc All blocks well fenced and well-watered all the year round.
For particulars apply:
G. H. FENNER, Busselton.[25]
Over the years he won many prizes at Agricultural Shows, frequently taking off the top prize among vegetable growers. In 1913 Mr. G. H. Fenner had an exhibit of 46 varieties of vegetables and herbs.[26] It appears that despite his advancing years he was still operating his farm that year, when invited to address members of the Southern Districts Agricultural Society on the subject of market-gardening by means of scientific methods:
SORGHUMS, MANGELS AND POTATOES.
Some Remarks by Mr. Geo. Fenner.
By permission of the President, Mr. George Fenner made a few remarks to the Committee of the Southern Districts Agricultural Society at their last meeting. Mr Fenner is well known amongst agriculturalists in the South-West by reason of the fact that year by year, on his holding, situated on the edge of the Busselton townsite, is a really wonderful example of what an enormous quantity of produce can be grown by intense culture.
Speaking first of sorghums, Mr. Fenner informed the Committee there were upwards of 200 known sorghums, many of which should be grown by farmers if they wanted to keep plenty of good fodder on hand. Some exhaustive investigations and analysis in Victoria, established the fact that maize and amber sugar cane were the two best varieties, and that both could be grown to splendid profit. He had grown maize profitably for many years, and he was surprised that its culture had not increased in the South-West. There were hundreds and thousands of acres of suitable soil in this part of the country which could be used to first-class account growing maize. Probably many people did not know, that the world’s maize crop was bigger than the world’s wheat crop. In the United States of America it was the farmers’ main crop, and they used the most approved methods. He had conclusively proved that the most profitable method of cultivation was by planting the corn in rows in keeping up cultivation. Broadcasting was out of date. By that means it took from a bushel to a bushel and a half to seed an acre: He planted half a bushel and obtained a much bigger tonnage. If farmers planted in rows, giving plenty of light, air, and cultivation, there was nothing to prevent them growing up to 100 bushels to the acre.
Mr. Fenner said he would like to suggest that the conditions of showing mangels at the Society’s Show should be altered. The prize was for the present season’s product, and a two-year-old mangel was barred. He contended that the latter was much the better root of the two, because the percentage of sugar and other fattening elements was much higher. In addition, if either the red or yellow varieties were grown, from 40 to 48 tons per acre could be grown.
Mr. Fenner also contended that the method of judging held crops of potatoes was unfair to the grower. However good a judge may be, he could not tell exactly what the yield was going to be by the tops, and just digging a root here and there. He had been told by a judge that his crop would be 14 tons to the acre, but the judge had proved quite wrong. The fairest way was to judge the crop when it was dug, and to have one ton of the average sample, with no picking, placed on the Show Ground.
The Chairman (Mr. J. H. Forrest) thanked Mr. Fenner for the interest he showed in the Society, and for his remarks.[27]
George Hector appears to have been a kindly and popular man. In 1903 it was reported that he had attended a Congregational Church Meeting and presented a lot of sweets to the children.[28]
His wife Hannah died in 1904 at her son’s home in Bunbury at the age of 61.[29] George Hector Fenner remarried the following year, to widow Elizabeth Jane Thompson, celebrated by friends at a social gathering:
AFTERNOON TEA.
(By Ina)
On Wednesday last, in St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Busselton, a quiet wedding was celebrated, between Mrs. E. J. Thompson and Mr. Geo. H. Fenner, both of Busselton. The Rev. W. A. Darling officiated, and, notwithstanding the extremely in-element weather, there was a good number of guests and spectators present. The bride, who was given away by Mr. Sydney Hedley, was attired in a very becoming dress of pale grey, effectively relieved with
cream lace and a necklet of pearls; a black picture hat, trimmed with white satin and silver ornaments, and carried an extremely pretty shower bouquet. Miss Connie Thompson acted as bridesmaid, and wore a pretty Tussore silk, with cream lace collar and trimmings, silver belt, and black hat. Mr. Robt. Donald acted as best man. At the conclusion of the ceremony, about fifty guests sat down to light refreshments in the Freemasons Hall. Mr. Jas. J Forrest, J.P., occupied the chair, and the usual toasts were honored and duly responded to. Subsequently Mr. and Mrs. Fenner were accorded a hearty send-off at the railway station, en route to Perth. The bride’s travelling dress was a pretty brown Irish poplin of a dark shade, trimmed with silk velvet. A large number of presents, including several cheques, were received. The bride’s shower bouquet, which was much admired, was locally made, and the gift of Mrs. W. A. Darling. The handsome wedding cake which surmounted the breakfast table was the handiwork of Mr. H. H. Russell.[30]
After a long and fulfilling life George Hector Fenner died on 19 January 1921 at Busselton aged around 85 years.[31]
1921 OBITUARY. MR. G. H. FENNER.
Another of the oldest and most worthy of this district’s settlers Mr. George Hector Fenner, passed away at his residence, the Causeway, on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr. Fenner, who was born at Reading, came to this State about 70 years ago, and has been one of its most industrious citizens. For sixty odd years he has been a resident of the South-West, having lived at Augusta, Australind, Mandurah, and 51 years ago built the house where he passed away. He was one of the best exponents of intense culture in the State, and from an area of little more than an acre, produced for many years more fodder, vegetables, and root crops than many who tilled scores of acres.
Although his age is stated to be 86, old residents unanimously agree that that figure was well below the real one. Mr. Fenner was twice married, there being issue of the first W. E. (Carnarvon), Herbert (Gascoyne), Raymond (Eastern States), and three daughters, Misses Josephene and Penelope Fenner who reside in Northam, and Mrs. Dawes, who lives in the North-West. Some years ago, Mr. Fenner married Mrs. E. J. Thompson, whose devotion during the past few years of his declining health has been most marked. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Fenner and the members of the family in their bereavement.
The funeral took place yesterday, when the remains, after being conveyed to St. Mary’s Church, were interred in the Anglican portion of the Busselton cemetery. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. S. A. Milward.
Amongst the wreaths laid upon the grave were those from:—
His Wife; His Daughters; Connie and Venetia; Claude and Ros; Flora and family; Chilo; Lena and Chas.; Carey and Ainslie; Joe and Ada; Mr. and Mrs. Prosser, Lou and Alice; Rev. and Mrs. Milward; Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Vines; P. S. Brockman and family; Mrs. Evans, Jean and Lionel; E. Avery and family; Mr. and Mrs Jack Smith ; Killerby family; Mr. and Mrs. J. Holgate and Stan; Mr. and Mrs. J. Larkin and family; Mr. and Mrs. Housely and family ; Hugh and Mabel Thomas and family; “Prospect Villa”; Daisy and George Long; “Little Holland House.” [32]
So ended a worthy and productive life which began with such hardship more than eighty-five years earlier.
Following her husband’s death in 1921, his widow Elizabeth Jane Fenner was living on Causeway Road, Busselton, but by 1931 her address was Duchess Street, Busselton, until her death on 26 January 1932.[33] She was buried with her husband at the Busselton Pioneer Cemetery in an unmarked grave. The following obituary bears tribute to her kindly disposition:
OBITUARY – MRS. E. J. FENNER.
Another of the fast disappearing band of worthy old residents, in the person of Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Fenner, passed to the Great Beyond in the early hours of Tuesday last. Deceased had been ailing for some time, and about twenty-four hours earlier lapsed into an unconscious condition, from which she never recovered.
Mrs. Fenner was born at St. Pancras, London, and came to this State via the sailing ship Hastings, and after being married to the late Mr. James Thompson, took up her abode at the Arthur River. Subsequently she was left a widow, and with her family came to Busselton where she entered business. For many years deceased took a very active part in the life of the town. Her kindly disposition and charitable nature, together with a knowledge of nursing the sick and afflicted, endeared her to the whole community. In the hour of trouble she was, in an un-ostentatious way, always to be relied upon for practical sympathy and real help. She knew no distinctions at such times, and her services were available for rich and poor alike. In civic circles she was respected as a clear thinking, level-headed woman, whose opinion was always to be regarded, while in social life she could always be relied upon to add to the pleasure of any gathering. After relinquishing business, Mrs. Thompson again entered matrimony, linking her fortunes with the late Mr. Geo. Fenner. At the old Fenner home on the southern end of the Causeway, she lived in comparative retirement, although taking a keen interest in all movements for the advancement of the town. In latter years she lived with her daughter, Miss Constance Thompson, the bond of affection between the two being more the nature of sisters than mother and daughter. In every way she was a true woman, and her memory will ever remain a pleasant one with all who were privileged to enjoy her friendship. Mrs. Fenner was in her seventy-ninth year.
The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon, when, after a brief service in St. Mary’s Anglican Church, the remains were laid to rest in the old Busselton cemetery. Many old residents attended in order to pay their last respects, and it is certain that had the news of her death penetrated to the outlying districts in sufficient time, many others would have been present. The Rev. C. W. Ker officiated at the church and graveside services. Pall bearers were Messrs. W. Cross, A. R. Bovell, C. M. and Alan Barnard and S. Burt. The chief mourners were Mesdames C. Sayers and V. Fyfe and Miss Constance Thompson (daughters), and Charles and Claude W. Thompson (sons), Messrs. V. Fyfe and C. Sayers (sons-in-law), A. H. Armour, C. H. and L. Sayers (grandsons), Mesdames B. Morris and C. H. Sayers (grand-daughters), and Mrs. L. Sayers.[34]
……………………………………………………….
[1] Benjamin Fenner, The Accidental Tourist, at http://gypsygenealogy.org/2020/03/16/the-accidental-tourist/
[2] Bucks Gazette, 5 July 1845.
[3] Berkshire Chronicle, 13 January 1849.
[4] Convicts to Australia, http://members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/convicts/con-wa21.html
[5] Windsor and Eton Express, 11 January 1851.
[6] Reading Mercury, 22 March 1851.
[7] Bucks Herald, 5 July 1851.
[8] Bucks Chronicle, 9 January 1856.
[9] Ibid, 15 March 1856.
[10] Berkshire Chronicle, 14 July 1855.
[11] Note: See story of convict John Goodenough, alias Williams, alias Smith, on this website.
[12] Portsmouth Times, 14 July 1855.
[13] Convict Establishment, Medical (M4-M6)
[14] Convicts to Australia, http://members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/convicts/con-wa21.html
[15] Convict Department Registers, Convicts Transported on the Nile (R32)
[16] Convict Establishment, Medical Admissions to Hospital (M32)
[17] Convict Department General Registers, (R24 – R25)
[18] Convict Establishment Stamp Books.
[19] Rica Erickson, Bicentennial Dictionary of Western Australians, p.1029, http://www.friendsofbattyelibrary.org.au/the-bicentennial-dictionary-of-western-australians.html
[20] Ibid.
[21] Western Mail, 10 December 1887.
[22] People in the Colony of Western Australia, 1863-1897, Carnamah Historical Society at https://www.carnamah.com.au)
[23] Southern Times, 9 August 1898.
[24] Western Mail, 16 December 1911.
[25] West Australian, 10 March 1899.
[26] South Western News, 5 November 1913.
[27] South-Western News, 12 September 1913.
[28] Bunbury Herald, 4 February 1903.
[29] Western Mail 6 Aug 1904.
[30] South-Western News, 9 June 1905.
[31] Ibid.
[32] South-Western News, 21 January 1921.
[33] WA Department of Justice, Reg. No. 4, https://bdm.justice.wa.gov.au/_apps/pioneersindex/,
[34] South-Western News, 29 January 1932.