GEORGE E. A. KENNEY      1844  -  1921

 

George Kenney's early history is not known, however he was the grandson of the Very Rev. Dean of St. Olares, Southwalk, London.  His father was also a Reverend, so this would indicate why George was a well known oracle of the Bible and its stories. His particular interest was Revelations and held quite a few sermons in local halls with a good attendance of interested persons.

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How and when he became interested in all things saddlery is not known, however the Age on Thursday 13 December 1866, ran an interesting article which describes his workmanship in intricate detail:

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THE INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION SADDLERY AND HARNESS, BOOTS AND SHOES.

There are some exhibits which are displayed for the purpose only of showing the skill and delicacy which some workmen have attained, the articles themselves possessing otherwise no utility; of this description of exhibits may be mentioned the miniature saddle of Mr G. E. A. Kenny, of 67 Stephen Street, emblazoned with the Australian arms. It is very elaborately ornamented, and in proportion to scale one-fourth of the ordinary size. The Australian arms are so arranged as to entirely cover the saddle, yet, by looking from the front of the saddle at the contra star, the whole design can be seen at a glance. The shield is formed of white watered silk let into the hogskin, and edged with blue and gold. The ground of the southern cross is of crimson velvet, edged with blue and gold, the five stars being worked in silver. The shield is surmounted by the rising sun, which is worked in gold on blue velvet. The quarters of the shield contain the usual symbols of ship, fleece, anchor and wheat sheaf, worked in gold on the white silk forming the shield. The kangaroo and emu, the supporters of the shield, are worked on the flaps of the saddle, which: are of hogskin. The animals are both ontlined with silk, and stained a dark brown on an orange coloured ground ; and, on close examination, are found to be very perfect representations. The motto, 'Advance Australia', is worked with blue floss on white watered silk, let into the flaps below the kangaroo and emu respectively, and in the form of a scroll, and edged with blue and gold. The knee and thigh parts of the saddle are of white doeskin, edged: where they meet the hogskin with blue and gold. The panel or underneath stuffing is lined with the best white cloth, and all the quilting and stitching; is done with the best white silk. The flaps and skirts are lined underneath with red morocco leather, and the saddle is also fitted with a pair of patent spring bars. This saddle is under a glass shade, in which are an extra pair of the patent spring bars showing their relative position when open and shut.

A gentleman's saddle alongside is also the work of Mr Kenny, and is fitted with his newly invented spring; bar, which is left uncovered in order that visitors may try the working of the invention. Opinions differ as to its value in practice, but it is designed as a means of protecting a rider who may have the misfortune to lose his seat in the saddle from the perilous consequences of being dragged after his horse by the stirrup. It is termed the patent safety double action springbar, and consists of a jointed bar, on which the stirrup leather is suspended, which is supported by an arm projected downwards, and traversing upon a spring hinge at its upper extremity. Should the rider be unseated, the angle at which the body would drag would cause the stirrup leather to bear upon the spring, when the supporting bar would fall, and release the stirrup leather.

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In  April 1867, the Leader Newspaper ran a small article mentioning Mr Kenney in a case of insolvency -

George Ed. Arthur Kenney, Little Latrobe-street, saddler. Causes of insolvency : Having expended a large sum of money in respect to a new invention which was not brought to a successful issue, and pressure of creditors. Liabilities, £61 11s 3d; assets, £38 15s ; deficiency, £22 16s 3d. Mr Shaw, official assignee.

 

It was not until September 1868, that George was finally discharged of the insolvency court, the story as follows:

INSOLVENT COURT. FRIDAY, SEPT. 4. (Before W. B. Noel, Esq., Chief Commissioner

of Insolvent Estates.) CERTIFICATE MEETINGS.

The CHIEF COMMISSIONER granted certificates of discharge to the following insolvents, there being no opposition and George Edward Arthur Kenney, of Melbourne, saddler. In the latter case Sir GEORGE STEPHEN appeared for the insolvent, and stated that his client had paid 20s. in the pound to his creditors, who had, therefore, made him a present of a handsomely-bound book, as a token of respect. As recorded above, George Kenney over extended his credit on his stirrup bar invention, however within the one year he had traded out of insolvency and continued in the saddlery trade.

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Nothing can be found of his life after his insolvency clearance until August 1876 where an article was written stating that on Wednesday, Mr. G. E. A. Kenney of Goulburn put up the first saddler's signboard we have ever had put up in our little town of Crookwell, and as his stock is good and well-assorted. No doubt he will be well patronised; he also announces to take portraits. This notice infers that he was already residing in Goulburn before he commenced in Crookwell.  A few months later Mr Kenney informed the locals that he was only practicing his saddlery trade, as he was now too busy to do photographic portraits.

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For a period of time between 1877/78 until 1881, George Kenney had become the resident saddler of Kiama. He returned to Goulburn (his wife's hometown) as an advertisement was run in May declaring that he had bought out the local saddler, Mr. Miller.