| 14. |  SUMNER Henry Thomas was born 28 May 1857, Kingston-upon-Thames SRY (son of SUMNER Charles and SUTCLIFFE Elizabeth Margaret); died 15 Nov 1896, Rutherglen VIC. Other Events:
- Occupation: Coachman, Plasterer, Omnibus Driver, Labourer
- _UID: C978A355A18A47B88DAFE4CD6851C1BA84E4
- Baptism: 19 Jul 1857, Surbiton SRY
- Census: 7 Apr 1861, Kingston-upon-Thames SRY
- Census: 2 Apr 1871, Kingston-upon-Thames SRY; : 13y
- Military: Between 25 Apr 1873 and 29 Jan 1874; Service No. 59910, served on the Royal Navy vessel 'St. Vincent'. Rating: B2.C
- Emigration: 28 Nov 1876, ENG
- Inquest: 16 Nov 1896, Rutherglen VIC; Inquest into the death of Henry SOMNER [sic]; : 39y
Notes:
His wife, Rose Mary McGINTY, was unfortunately the victim of murder on 2 Apr 1891. The perpetrator of that crime was one John FINNIGAN who was sentenced to death. His sentence was commuted to life imprisonment with hard labour. FINNIGAN was released on 9 Dec 1907 with remissions for good behaviour etc.
(Ref. VPRS 515/44/p.390, Prisoner No. 24701)
At the time of this tragic event Henry Thomas SUMNER was in gaol serving a sentence for counterfeiting of half-crown coins. According to newspaper accounts of the murder and trial five of the six children had been placed into the care of the Department of Neglected Children prior to the death of their mother, presumably on the conviction of their father for coining. Set out below are extracts from the criminal record books relating to Henry Thomas.
VPRS 10858/25/p.254, Description of Prisoners, Prisoner No..23012, Date of Admission..23 Dec. 1890, Name..Henry Sumner, Date of Birth.. 1858[?], Height..5' 5 1/2", Complexion..Fresh, Hair..Light Brown, Eyes..Light Grey, Nose..Prominent, Mouth..Medium, Eyebrows..Light, Visage..Oval, Forehead..Medium, Weight..11 stone, Build..Medium, Age..32, Native Place..England, Trade..Plasterer, Religion..C of E. Reads & Writes..Both, Where Tried..Melbourne Supreme Court, Before..Judge Hodges, Date Sentenced..20 Dec. 1890, Sentence..2 years with hard labour, the first 4 days of each of the last 12 months to be spent in solitary confinement, Previous Convictions..4 proved, Distinguishing Marks..Mermaid upper right arm, Coat of Arms inside lower right arm, Ship on breast, Crucifix lower left arm, Conduct..Good, Marks Earned..69, Married..wife Mrs. R. Sumner living at Earl of Zetland Hotel, Swanston St., Melbourne, Per.. "Parramatta" from London to Sydney in 1876, to Victoria in 1877.
1 Mar 1889, 6 months in default of bail, threatening.
6 Aug 1889, 14 days cumulative, resisting constable.
6 Aug 1889, 3 months, obscene language.
7 Apr 1890, 1 month, assault.
5 Nov 1890, 5 days solitary confinement, unlawful assault.
5 Nov 1890, 3 days cumulative, resisting police.
5 Nov 1890, 12 months in default of bail, threatening.
VPRS 515/41
Melbourne Gaol, 18 Mar 1889, to freedom by bail.
Melbourne Gaol, 12 Nov 1890, to freedom by bail.
Melbourne Gaol, 15 Dec 1890, 2 February, 1891, having an article improperly, 2 days close confinement on 1/2 rations.
Pentridge Gaol, 23 Dec 1890, 4 January, 1892, having a knife improperly, 24 hours solitary confinement.
Pentridge Gaol, 28 Jun 1892, disorderly conduct, 3 days solitary confinement.
Pentridge Gaol, 22 Jul 1892, to freedom by remission.
The second to last entry on his criminal record is as follows:
28/6/96, Disorderly Conduct, 3 days sol conf cum [solitary confinement cumulative] ed.
The puzzling thing about this entry is that it is long after his confinement in Pentridge Prison and about 5 months before his demise on 15 Nov 1896. Perhaps he took some leave from his labouring employment at Rutherglen and journeyed to Melbourne and fell off the wagon and drank too much, with predictable results.
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At his trial for counterfeiting, crown evidence was given against him by both his eldest son Charles Henry Joseph SUMNER, and eldest daughter Alice Rose SUMNER. Charles showed the police the hiding place used by his father for some of his plaster moulds. These reports also relate the fact that the marriage of Henry and Rose was strongly opposed by her parents (Joseph and Alice McGINTY). It is even stated that they took legal action in an attempt to secure an annulment of the marriage, presumably on the grounds of the age of Rose (18) or the fact that she married outside the Roman Catholic faith.
References (all at PROVIC)
VPRS 514 Alias Index.
VPRS 513 Clothing Book.
VPRS 547 Drugs Received Book.
VPRS 510 Requests to see Prisoners Book.
VPRS 505 Index to Letters Book.
VPRS 522 Photographs of Prisoners.
VPRS 515 Criminal Record Books.
VPRS 10858 Description of Prisoners.
VPRS 10868 Photographic Negatives of Prisoners.
VPRS 10840 Parole Board. Breaches of Parole etc.
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1861 Census, Kingston on Thames, Surrey
Address: 358 Mill Street, Kingston, Surrey.
Municipal Borough of Kingston.
Municipal Ward of Norbiton.
Ecclesiastical District of Norbiton.
(a) Charles SUMNER, Head, Married, Market Gardener, born Middlesex, London, Age 43.
(b) Elizabeth SUMNER, Married, born Middlesex, London, Age 43.
(c) William SUMNER, Son, Unmarried, Grocer, born Middlesex, Hampton Well, Age 14.
(d) George SUMNER, Son, Unmarried, Scholar, born Middlesex, Hampton Well, Age 13.
(e) James SUMNER, Son, Unmarried, Scholar, born Middlesex, Hampton Well, Age 11.
(f) Sarah SUMNER, Daughter, Unmarr., Scholar, born Middlesex, Hampton Well, Age 8.
(g) Ellen SUMNER, Daughter, Unmarr., born Surrey, Kingston on Thames, Age 5.
(h) Harry SUMNER, Son, Unmarr., born Surrey, Kingston on Thames, Age 4. (Harry=Henry Thomas)
Military:
Source: UK, Royal Navy Registers of Seaman's Services, 1848-1939.
Date of Volunteering: 22 Nov 1872
Emigration:
Aboard the 'Parramatta'. Worked his passage as a passengers servant. Moved on to Victoria in 1877 by unknown means.
Into Place: Sydney NSW
Inquest:
Inquest No: 1896/1386
The inquest was held at Rutherglen VIC before Mr. John O'GRADY, magistrate.
Verdict of this inquiry was that "the said Harry SOMNER [sic] died at Rutherglen in the said Bailwick and Colony on the 15th. day of November 1896 from being accidentally burnt to death in his hut.
Witness my hand this 16th. day of November one thousand eight hundred and ninety six."
John O'Grady, A Justice of the Peace as aforesaid.
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Several of the witnesses called to the inquest, clearly stated that Henry was sometimes of 'intemperate' habit with regard to alcohol consumption. This behaviour had been noted in different circumstances in earlier days.
Died:
Victorian Death Registration: 1896/15144 shows his age at death as being 36 years which is incorrect. It should be shown as 39 years.
Employed as a labourer (sinking shafts) at the Great Southern and Chiltern mine, at Rutherglen in the north-east of Victoria.
Henry married MCGINTY Rose Mary 10 Aug 1879, Chalmers Church Manse, East Melbourne VIC. Rose (daughter of MCGINTY Joseph and WESTWOOD Alice Maria Selina) was born 13 Feb 1861, St. Kilda VIC; died 2 Apr 1891, Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne VIC; was buried 7 Apr 1891, Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton VIC. [Group Sheet]
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1939 - (85 years)