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Allen, John Walter
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NameAllen, John Walter
Date of Birth1827Date of Death1876OccupationCarpenterBiographyJohn Walter Allen (known as Walter) was born in 1827 in Dover, England to Richard and Ann Allen.
He married Priscilla Aldridge in 1847 and they had three children. The English census records for 1851, show Walter and Priscilla Allen residing in Folkstone, Kent. Their children were Richard bn.1848, Priscilla Bn. 1850 (died 1853), and Walter John bn.1854.
Shipping records show Walter and Priscilla arrived as assisted immigrants aboard ‘Gilmore’ arriving in Sydney 19 October 1855, with children Richard Aldridge and Walter John.
Walter had no relatives in the colony however Priscilla had a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Morris, living in Kiama. Walter's occupation was listed as a carpenter.
On arriving in Sydney in 1855 they appear to have lived there for a time. Sadly, Priscilla died in 1858, 3 years after arriving in the colony.
The earliest record of Walter in the Shellharbour district is Walter's name on a petition to William James to support his nomination for council in July 1859.
In 1861, Walter married Charlotte Dunster, and in 1868, the records show Walter purchased a store in Addison St. Shellharbour.
In 1871, Walter purchased land from T.A.Reddall and built a residence next to the store, and named it 'Karamia'. In 1871, he took over the postal service.
Walter appears to have played a significant part in the early life of Shellharbour district. He was involved with the Shellharbour Navigation Co. acting as an auditor along with Mr. F Barrs
In the 'Kiama Independent', Walter voted for steam to be introduced to improve communication with Sydney, for the prosperity of the shippers.
In the 'Town and Country' Newspaper - 'A Tour to The South', Walter is described as a leading storekeeper in 1871.
Walter supported the call for an improved school premises, and took part in the school end of year activities, playing the flute in a duo with Mr. Aitken who played the piano.
Walter became an undertaker, possibly due to his carpentry skills, and conducted funerals for a number of years.
Walter and Charlotte Allen had several children;
Joseph Dunster Allen b.1862 Shellharbour (married Ann Rachael Wickham in 1892 at Bowral, died 1946 Shellharbour)
Edward Allen b. 1864 Shellharbour (married Ann Mary Elizabeth Lavender in 1905 at Hay N.S.W., died 1936 Waverton NSW)
Charlotte Allen b. 1866 Shellharbour (died 1946 Shellharbour)
George Allen b. 1867 Shellharbour (married Susannah Hickinbotham and Amy Osborne, died 1951 Wollongong)
Adelaide Jane Allen b.1870 Shellharbour (married Henry Percy Stacey in 1898 at Albion Park, died 1947)
Walter Allen died in 1876 and was the first person to be buried in the new Church of England Cemetery in Albion Park. His wife Charlotte continued the business after Walter's death with the help of their sons.
Sources:
Shepherds and the Tale of the Gander, The Pheasants and the Hats-Robyn J Musgrave.
Shellharbours Forgotten Cemetery and Selected Pioneers. - W & T Nunan.
Tongarra Heritage Files.
150 Years Shellharbour. -Dorothy Gillis
Shipping Records.
Green Meadows. - W.A. Bayley.
Walter Allen undertaker 1865Involvement with school 1867New school premises needed 1867Funeral conducted by W Allen 1868Auditor for Shellharbor Navigation Co 1869Shellharbour store 1870Leading storekeeper 1871Introduction of Steam 1873Death notice 1876Death of Walter Allen 1876
Date of Birth1827Date of Death1876OccupationCarpenterBiographyJohn Walter Allen (known as Walter) was born in 1827 in Dover, England to Richard and Ann Allen.He married Priscilla Aldridge in 1847 and they had three children. The English census records for 1851, show Walter and Priscilla Allen residing in Folkstone, Kent. Their children were Richard bn.1848, Priscilla Bn. 1850 (died 1853), and Walter John bn.1854.
Shipping records show Walter and Priscilla arrived as assisted immigrants aboard ‘Gilmore’ arriving in Sydney 19 October 1855, with children Richard Aldridge and Walter John.
Walter had no relatives in the colony however Priscilla had a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Morris, living in Kiama. Walter's occupation was listed as a carpenter.
On arriving in Sydney in 1855 they appear to have lived there for a time. Sadly, Priscilla died in 1858, 3 years after arriving in the colony.
The earliest record of Walter in the Shellharbour district is Walter's name on a petition to William James to support his nomination for council in July 1859.
In 1861, Walter married Charlotte Dunster, and in 1868, the records show Walter purchased a store in Addison St. Shellharbour.
In 1871, Walter purchased land from T.A.Reddall and built a residence next to the store, and named it 'Karamia'. In 1871, he took over the postal service.
Walter appears to have played a significant part in the early life of Shellharbour district. He was involved with the Shellharbour Navigation Co. acting as an auditor along with Mr. F Barrs
In the 'Kiama Independent', Walter voted for steam to be introduced to improve communication with Sydney, for the prosperity of the shippers.
In the 'Town and Country' Newspaper - 'A Tour to The South', Walter is described as a leading storekeeper in 1871.
Walter supported the call for an improved school premises, and took part in the school end of year activities, playing the flute in a duo with Mr. Aitken who played the piano.
Walter became an undertaker, possibly due to his carpentry skills, and conducted funerals for a number of years.
Walter and Charlotte Allen had several children;
Joseph Dunster Allen b.1862 Shellharbour (married Ann Rachael Wickham in 1892 at Bowral, died 1946 Shellharbour)
Edward Allen b. 1864 Shellharbour (married Ann Mary Elizabeth Lavender in 1905 at Hay N.S.W., died 1936 Waverton NSW)
Charlotte Allen b. 1866 Shellharbour (died 1946 Shellharbour)
George Allen b. 1867 Shellharbour (married Susannah Hickinbotham and Amy Osborne, died 1951 Wollongong)
Adelaide Jane Allen b.1870 Shellharbour (married Henry Percy Stacey in 1898 at Albion Park, died 1947)
Walter Allen died in 1876 and was the first person to be buried in the new Church of England Cemetery in Albion Park. His wife Charlotte continued the business after Walter's death with the help of their sons.
Sources:Shepherds and the Tale of the Gander, The Pheasants and the Hats-Robyn J Musgrave.
Shellharbours Forgotten Cemetery and Selected Pioneers. - W & T Nunan.
Tongarra Heritage Files.
150 Years Shellharbour. -Dorothy Gillis
Shipping Records.
Green Meadows. - W.A. Bayley.
Walter Allen undertaker 1865Involvement with school 1867New school premises needed 1867Funeral conducted by W Allen 1868Auditor for Shellharbor Navigation Co 1869Shellharbour store 1870Leading storekeeper 1871Introduction of Steam 1873Death notice 1876Death of Walter Allen 1876CONNECTIONS
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Allen, John Walter. Shellharbour City Council, accessed 06/09/2026, https://discover.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/15859