Henry Lennon

2

Paddy Reynolds on 14th March 2021

Henry Lennon was convicted, probably wrongly for what became known as the Garibaldi Riots in Birkenhead Cheshire (Merseyside). It is often depicted, with some accuracy, as a Catholic/ Protestant conflict. Ironically the Protestant vicar Joseph Baylee was an Irishman form Limerick. He was also an Orangeman. The Catholic priest was a convert from the Church of England, Robert Wright Brundritt and Henry wrote to a local clergyman Canon Chapman thanking him for their support. The policeman Henry was alleged to have assaulted, Patrick Kearney was also a Catholic and had at one time lived in Oak St where Henry lived. My opinion is that the "riot" was the result the vacancy which had arisen for a chief constable. The two candidates, who were not successful ,were showing who was the toughest and allowed the men under their control to run amock.

221

D Wong on 5th June 2019

Catholic Telegraph Dublin, Republic of Ireland 27 Dec 1862: Henry Lennon, who had been convicted the first day of grievous assault upon police-officer Kearney, was put up ; and on being asked what he had to say, he stated that he was returning from a shoemaker's place where he had been, when, seeing about twenty police coming towards him, he went into a door at the side of the street. Three of them crossed over to him, and one levelled him to the ground with a blow, which gave him a large cut on the head, the mark of which he had still. He called out, "Kearney, are you going to take my life?" and, raising his arm, in which he had the piece of iron, the latter struck the man in the eye. His Lordship said he wished for some information as to whether there had been any former riots in Birkenhead. Henry was then sentenced to fifteen years' penal servitude. Henry Lennon had been involved in the Birkenhead riots along with many others. Henry was 39 years old on arrival. (Family info has him born in 1812 in Templetate, Roscommon, Ireland.) He was 5'5¼" tall, dark brown hair, grey eyes, sallow complexion, middling stout. 28/9/1867: TOL 16/1/1873: Conditional Release, Champion Bay. Labourer, carter, self-employed, 1872. 1884: At Dongara. 19/6/1883: Henry died. (Date from Fremantle Prison database - nothing listed on the WA BDM).

174

Iris Dunne on 5th June 2019

Convict Index: Birth Year 1825, married with 5 children, Occupation Labourer, Comments d.19.6.1883 UK Surgeon Superintendents Jounrnals of Convict Ships; 1864: aged 37, cannot read or write, Offence of Felonious wounding, Moderately good character Convict Records: Trade Laborer, Remarks: Cut right wrist, Tumour on head

4

John Lennon on 4th June 2019

Henry Lennon. My grandfather x3times born in Templemichael Longford. Ireland left and went to Cheshire. England 1845 with his wife & five children they worked on af farm owned by the mason family at Greasly. Near Chester from 1859 till 1862 when he was convicted in Chester . Spent two years in prison then sent to W A for 15 years worked on T O L for James Brady ? At Avine. Dongala Until James Brady died from there I do not know what happed to. Henry ,I would love to know thanks