Penelope Bourke

343

Maureen Withey on 17th May 2020

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry Penelope Bourke, alias Burke, age 20, per Almorah (3) 1824, Tried at Galway, 1823. Life, Sews spinner washer. DOB. 1804. -------------------------------------------------- Penelope Burke was 20 when she was tried in Galway in 1823 and sentenced to transportation for life for aiding and assisting in an attempted rape. She was sent to the Female Factory at Parramatta two years after arrival after being charged with being repeatedly drunk. She was carried in a state of drunkenness to the watchhouse and sentenced to two months in the 3rd Class of the Female Factory. In July 1832 she was assigned to William Oglivie at Merton. Here she met John Dorkins who arrived on the Asia in 1825 and was employed as a Constable at Merton. They were married in August 1832. John Dorkins was described as a farmer of Wylies Flat in 1847. Penelope died at Singleton in 1872. -------------------------------------------------- TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12.--- Penelope Burke was charged that she had repeatedly been drunk, although frequently admonished against such a dangerous propensity ; she had equally often resolved on " one glass a day in future," aware that a " drop in reason" will hurt no one. However she could not content herself with a solitary glass, and by repeating the dose in divers places too frequently within the day, she reduced the resolution to the most degrading spectacle – a healthy, portly, bouncing maid, carried in a very obscene state of drunkenness to the watch house. "Penny Burke" is sincerely regretted by those who knew her, and can boast of an extensive acquaintance. Sentence, 2 months in Class No 3, at the Factory. Sydney Gazette, 23 Dec 1826. -------------------------------------------------- Conditional Pardon. Bourke Penelope, Amorah. Maitland Mercury, 13 Sep 1848. -------------------------------------------------- SINGLETON. Police Court, Tuesday, 26th March, 1872. Drunkenness - Penelope Dorkins was charged with this offence. She did not appear and having been admitted to lockup bail, her bondsman pleaded guilty on her behalf, and was fined 5s. offence, was also fined 5s. Maitland Mercury, 28 Mar 1872. -------------------------------------------------- Question -Alderman Quinn asked the Mayor if he had been informed that a woman named Penelope Dorkins had died in the Singleton lockup a few days ago, shortly after she had been removed there from the hospital, that she had died on the floor of one of the cells, and that no inquest had been held on the body? The Major replied that he had received some information to that effect, but not officially He said that there were a good many rumours floating about the town respecting this matter, and it was his (the Mayor’s) opinion that an inquiry ought to have been held. From some discussion that ensued we elicited that the woman had been in the Hospital for some time, but being evidently of unsound mind, she was removed from the Hospital to the lock-up the day prior to her death, by the order of Dr Glennie, the medical attendant at the Hospital and a magistrate of the territory, as her conduct had become so very violent that her removal was considered requisite by Dr Glennie. It was also stated that Dr Glennie, being the Coroner, did probablv not deem it necessary to hold an inquest, as he had been her medical attendant, and therefore knew the cause of her death, and that many exaggerated reports respecting this matter had been in circulation during the last few days. - The Mayor was eventually requested to communicate with the authorities. Maitland Mercury, 13 July 1872.