[1] He arrived in Lyttelton on the Egmont on 23 December 1856, the same ship that brought out Bishop Harper and his family.

His notable buildings include the court house, the Oddfellows' Hall, the parsonage of and the transepts for St Peter's Church, the hospital and the school.

[4][5] And new call for nominations was put out for 28 November 1888[6] and Penlington was the only candidate; he was thus declared elected unopposed.

[8] A year later, Penlington was challenged by councillor Lionel Corbett, but the votes were 63 to 19 in the incumbent's favour.

[12] Penlington married Maria Felgate at St Peter's Church on 19 November 1858.

[14] Penlington died on 26 October 1899 at his home in Akaroa's Beach Road; he was survived by his wife, six sons, and four daughters.

[17] In 1902, his son Thomas (1870–1917) married Annie, the only daughter of the late Alexander McGregor.