Background
Penstone was born in Clerkenwell, London, to John Penstone (1792–1840) and Ann, a daughter of Joseph Jewell. In 1850 Penstone moved from Chelsea in London to Stanford in the Vale where his father and both grandfathers had been born.
Penstone was born in Clerkenwell, London, to John Penstone (1792–1840) and Ann, a daughter of Joseph Jewell. In 1850 Penstone moved from Chelsea in London to Stanford in the Vale where his father and both grandfathers had been born.
The National Portrait Gallery has two of his stipple engraving, and a lithograph (printed by Nosworthy & Wells). He contributed "A visit to the village church of Stanford in the vale, whilst undergoing restoration" to Dunkin"s Monumenta Anglicana, and provided Dunkin with information about the opening of King John's tomb in Worcester Cathedral in 1797. Although he enjoyed working in this area he was never more than an interested amateur, as he earned his living as an artist.
They had at least five children (three girls and two boys), of whom William would become an architect who supervised the building of Stanford in the Vale Primary School, and Edward (1849–1916) who would follow in his father"s footsteps and become a notable artist.