Joseph Pennell (1885 - 1957)

Born 11 Jan 1885 in Paeroa, New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Anna Maria (Whittle) Pennell — married 1911 in Paeroa, Waikato, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 4 Jul 1957 at age 72 in Te Awamutu, Waikato, New Zealand

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Laurence Pennell [send private message]

Biography

Joseph was born in 1885. He was the son of John Pennell and Mary McCarthy.

In March 1905 Joseph Pennell (Pennell-612) had a brief relationship with Thomasine Smale (Smale-527) of Karangahake. This resulted in the birth of a daughter on Boxing Day, 1905. Thomasine married Bert Heaps a couple of weeks later in early 1906, and the child, Violet was registered and brought up with the surname Heaps. It seems unlikely any of the Pennell or Heaps families were ever aware of this, we have just uncovered it in 2022 by analysis of DNA connections.

Joseph married Annie Maria Sherson in 1911. They had three children and, when Annie's daughter Lilly gave birth to a son, Jack (Sherson-22), he was brought up as one of the family, only learning the truth when he had to get a birth certificate at the start of the second World War. Trevor remembered Lilly going to Auckland for a holiday and when she returned he had a new brother.

He passed away in 1957 at the age of 72.

Occupation: Labourer.

Obituary

Hauraki Plains Gazette 12 August 1957

OLD PAEROA IDENTITY

Recently there passed away a well known and highly respected citizen, Mr Joseph Pennell, of Paeroa, at the age of 72 years. Born in Paeroa on January 11, 1885 Mr Pennell attended school in Paeroa and, after leaving, joined the butchery business of Mr Ott. In 1923 he worked in the Komata mines and later, in 1927, joined the staff of the Paeroa Borough Council as county ranger and borough Poundkeeper, remaining with the council until retirement. Mr Pennell was a member of the Ohinemuri Jockey Club for over 50 years and was appointed a life member in 1953. He was one of the oldest members of the club and one who had family association with local racing from the early days. A true sportsman and lover of horses, he was an ardent supporter of the best traditions of racing and at one time was the owner of racehorse named Mangaiti. He was also well known in the Thames Valley for his veterinary work. Mr Pennell's mother, the late Mary Pennell, was affectionately known in the district as the grand old lady of Paeroa. Deceased is survived by his widow and family of two sons, Trevor (Waihi) and Jack (Cambridge) and one daughter, Merva (Mrs T Henderson) of Paeroa.

Burial

5 July 1957 - Pukerimu (Paeroa) Cemetery, Hauraki District, New Zealand. Section: ROC, Block: F, Lot: 72^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://www.hauraki-dc.govt.nz/services/cemeteries/cemetery-search

• NZ BDM Historical Marriage Records: 1911/2521

• https://www.geni.com/people/Joseph-Pennell/6000000023977814203

Burial

• Birth, death and cemetery records and own knowledge

BG Pukerimu Paeroa Cemetery, Waikato, New Zealand
Together with his wife