Ellen Walker

Level 48

Naomi Parsons on 28th March 2026

Ellen (Eleanor) was a single woman from Dalton in Furness (now in Cumbria, then Lancashire). Prior to her trial, she had been held at Preston's House Of Correction. After her conviction, she was employed as a winder in Lancaster Castle whilst awaiting transportation. The orders from government arrived at Lancaster in October 1800; Ellen and twelve other women were to be clothed and sent to Gravesend to board the ship. Ellen married convict Thomas Clower (ship- Barwell) in August 1803 at St Johns, Parramatta. Ellen was recorded as free by servitude and wife of Clowers on the 1806 muster. She is again seen on the 1817 muster as wife to Thomas Clower. In 1818 she was in the female factory. In 1822, Eleanor was fined 40 shillings at the Criminal Court for having government property in her possession. In November 1826, Eleanor was the victim of a robbery in her home- two men had broken into her house during the daytime whilst her husband was away- demanded her valuables then knocked her out with a blow to the head before taking her property. The two men were initially given death sentences which were later commuted. The couple were landholders and cattle farmers at Parramatta where they can be seen on all successive musters through to 1828. The couple both came to a sad end very soon after this last census. Thomas was accidentally drowned around November 1828 and five weeks later, on the 11th January 1829, Eleanor, described as an aged woman (though only about 45) was found dead, having drunk herself to death in her despair following the death of her husband in "the new Country" (Bathurst area). An inquest was held at Parramatta, deeming Eleanor had died by the visitation of God. The newspaper stated she had been in possession of substantial land and cattle. With no will left and no children or family members to inherit, their land and property was given to a creditor.