Pierce Collits, 1765–1848 (aged 83 years)
- Name
- Pierce /Collits/
- Given names
- Pierce
- Surname
- Collits
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Birth
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Marriage
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Source: The Collits family [Online].
Text: Pierce Collits married Mary Hardwick on 15th November, 1795 at St. Dunstan Church, Stepney, London, by Banns. Pierce signed his name and Mary made her mark, in the presence of Paul Brice. |
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Immigration
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Source: The Collits family [Online].
Text: Pierce Collet (note the change in spelling - this happened right throughout the Collits' lives) was taken into custody along with Edward Baldwin, at about six o'clock on 29th June, 1800 by Thomas Sapwell. Sapwell went to Pierce's house, No. 7, Two Swan Yard, Bishopgate Street and found in his house 12 yards of mode, 12 yards of muslin, 18 yards of lace and two pieces of handkerchiefs, all the property of John, Robert and James Read. Edward Baldwin was charged with stealing the above and Pierce for receiving them, knowing them to be stolen. When Robert Read questioned Edward Baldwin as to why he did it, he said that Collett was continually after him, telling him to do it. Pearce (sic) Collett and Edwin Baldwin were tried at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 15th July, 1800. They left their defence to their Counsel and called six witnesses who gave them good character. Baldwin was found Guilty and received seven years transportation and Pierce was found Guilty with 14 years transportation. It is interesting to note that there was a trial on the same day of one William Chetley, who was apprehended with a bundle outside Collett's house, Sunday morning at 6 a.m. It must have been quite a busy street on Sunday mornings! Pierce was "transferred unto the Sherriff" on 28th September, 1800, committed to Newgate Gaol and delivered on board the "Minorca" on 16th May, 1801. His age at the time was 38, and he was described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, fair complexion, brown hair and dark eyes. The records state he was born at Thomastown near Kilkenny, Ireland, and was working as a porter. The "Minorca" set sail from Spithead for Port Jackson on 21st June, 1801 in the company of two other transports - the "Canada" and "Nile". The ship carried a total of 195 people on board and only two (convicts) did not survive the voyage. The "Minorca" arrived at Sydney Cove on 14th December, 1801, having sailed via Rio de Janiero, where it took on fresh supplies. Mary and her two daughters must have also arrived on board the "Minorca", as there were 11 women and 26 children on board. However, no lists of passengers survive. According to the 1822 Census, Mary, Sarah and Maria all "came free by ship Minerva". In actual fact, it was the "Minorca" not "Minerva". This error is also evident in the 1828 Census. Pierce was granted a Conditional Pardon on 11th May, 1811, therefore not serving his full 14 year sentence. Conditional Pardons were granted on the condition that the person receiving the Pardon resided in the Territory. |
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Property
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Source: The Collits family [Online].
Text: Pierce received his first land grant on 17th August, 1819, of 50 acres at Prospect. This land can be easily viewed today, as Horsley Road runs right through it, just after the Warragamba/Prospect water pipeline. The view of Sydney from around this area is magnificent. In 1823 Pierce and his family settled at the foot of Mount York, on the western edge of the Blue Mountains, where he had his first Inn. It was origianlly called "The Golden Fleece", then renamed "The Royal Garter", but today it is commonly known as "Collits Inn". The Inn was first licenced in 1830 under the name of "The Royal Garter", and renewed in 1831. Collits Inn became the first stop after the descent of the Mountains. An article appears in the "Sydney Gazette" dated 25th March, 1824, describing a travellers stay at the Inn. Governor Bourke also mentions his visit to the Inn in his journals. The Inn is believed to have been built by Pierce Collits in 1823, and to this day the house is still occupied. It is of weatherboard construction and has its original shingle roof under the present corrugated iron roof. The old water well is visible at the rear of the Inn. |
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Occupation
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Police constable and pound keeper
1820 (aged 55 years)
Source: The Collits family [Online].
Text: Governor Macquarie issued an order on 20th May, 1820, "to give the fullest Publicity and Authority to the several Persons legally appointed to act in the Police Department of this Colony". Pierce's name is included in this list and is shown as"Constable Pound-Keeper and Inspector of Cattle for Slaughter, on the River Nepean, near Castlereagh". |
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Census
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Text: Pierce Colletts, 57, free by servitude, Minerva, 1881, publican, Mt York, Bathurst, 200 acres 54 cleared 36 cultivated 8 horses, 360 horned cattle and 300 sheep |
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Death
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Burial
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Cemetery: Hartley Vale Cemetery |
| himself |
1765–1848
Birth: about 1765
— Thomastown, Kilkenny, Ireland Death: September 19, 1848 — Hartley, Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia |
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| wife |
1769–1841
Birth: December 24, 1769
— Stepney, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom Death: August 4, 1841 — Hartley, Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia |
| Marriage | Marriage — November 15, 1795 — Stepney, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom |
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10 months
daughter |
1796–1829
Birth: September 1, 1796
31
26
— London, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom Death: September 1829 — Castlereagh, Greater Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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1 year
daughter |
1797–1867
Birth: September 10, 1797
32
27
— London, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom Death: May 18, 1867 — Forbes, Central Western Slopes and Plains, New South Wales, Australia |
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17 months
son |
1799–1801
Birth: January 27, 1799
34
29
— London, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom Death: before June 21, 1801 — London, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom |
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19 months
son |
1800–1801
Birth: August 6, 1800
35
30
— Tower Hill, London, England, United Kingdom Death: before June 21, 1801 — London, England, United Kingdom |
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3 years
son |
1803–1886
Birth: February 8, 1803
38
33
— Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia Death: June 2, 1886 — Forbes, Central Western Slopes and Plains, New South Wales, Australia |
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20 months
daughter |
1804–1869
Birth: September 26, 1804
39
34
— Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia Death: 1869 — Bathurst, Central Tablelands, New South Wales, Australia |
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18 months
son |
1806–1880
Birth: March 21, 1806
41
36
— Greater Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Death: December 30, 1880 — Carrawabbity, Central Western Slopes and Plains, New South Wales, Australia |
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2 years
son |
1808–1888
Birth: March 17, 1808
43
38
— Greater Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Death: November 2, 1888 — Forbes, Central Western Slopes and Plains, New South Wales, Australia |
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22 months
daughter |
1810–1868
Birth: January 16, 1810
45
40
— Greater Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Death: 1868 — Forbes, Central Western Slopes and Plains, New South Wales, Australia |
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3 years
daughter |
1812–1896
Birth: 1812
47
42
— Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia Death: October 8, 1896 — Central Tablelands, New South Wales, Australia |
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4 years
son |
1815–1867
Birth: June 13, 1815
50
45
— Castlereagh, Greater Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Death: December 26, 1867 — Forbes, Central Western Slopes and Plains, New South Wales, Australia |
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7 years
daughter |
| Marriage |
Source: The Collits family [Online].
Text: Pierce Collits married Mary Hardwick on 15th November, 1795 at St. Dunstan Church, Stepney, London, by Banns. Pierce signed his name and Mary made her mark, in the presence of Paul Brice. |
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| Immigration |
Source: The Collits family [Online].
Text: Pierce Collet (note the change in spelling - this happened right throughout the Collits' lives) was taken into custody along with Edward Baldwin, at about six o'clock on 29th June, 1800 by Thomas Sapwell. Sapwell went to Pierce's house, No. 7, Two Swan Yard, Bishopgate Street and found in his house 12 yards of mode, 12 yards of muslin, 18 yards of lace and two pieces of handkerchiefs, all the property of John, Robert and James Read. Edward Baldwin was charged with stealing the above and Pierce for receiving them, knowing them to be stolen. When Robert Read questioned Edward Baldwin as to why he did it, he said that Collett was continually after him, telling him to do it. Pearce (sic) Collett and Edwin Baldwin were tried at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 15th July, 1800. They left their defence to their Counsel and called six witnesses who gave them good character. Baldwin was found Guilty and received seven years transportation and Pierce was found Guilty with 14 years transportation. It is interesting to note that there was a trial on the same day of one William Chetley, who was apprehended with a bundle outside Collett's house, Sunday morning at 6 a.m. It must have been quite a busy street on Sunday mornings! Pierce was "transferred unto the Sherriff" on 28th September, 1800, committed to Newgate Gaol and delivered on board the "Minorca" on 16th May, 1801. His age at the time was 38, and he was described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, fair complexion, brown hair and dark eyes. The records state he was born at Thomastown near Kilkenny, Ireland, and was working as a porter. The "Minorca" set sail from Spithead for Port Jackson on 21st June, 1801 in the company of two other transports - the "Canada" and "Nile". The ship carried a total of 195 people on board and only two (convicts) did not survive the voyage. The "Minorca" arrived at Sydney Cove on 14th December, 1801, having sailed via Rio de Janiero, where it took on fresh supplies. Mary and her two daughters must have also arrived on board the "Minorca", as there were 11 women and 26 children on board. However, no lists of passengers survive. According to the 1822 Census, Mary, Sarah and Maria all "came free by ship Minerva". In actual fact, it was the "Minorca" not "Minerva". This error is also evident in the 1828 Census. Pierce was granted a Conditional Pardon on 11th May, 1811, therefore not serving his full 14 year sentence. Conditional Pardons were granted on the condition that the person receiving the Pardon resided in the Territory. |
| Property |
Source: The Collits family [Online].
Text: Pierce received his first land grant on 17th August, 1819, of 50 acres at Prospect. This land can be easily viewed today, as Horsley Road runs right through it, just after the Warragamba/Prospect water pipeline. The view of Sydney from around this area is magnificent. In 1823 Pierce and his family settled at the foot of Mount York, on the western edge of the Blue Mountains, where he had his first Inn. It was origianlly called "The Golden Fleece", then renamed "The Royal Garter", but today it is commonly known as "Collits Inn". The Inn was first licenced in 1830 under the name of "The Royal Garter", and renewed in 1831. Collits Inn became the first stop after the descent of the Mountains. An article appears in the "Sydney Gazette" dated 25th March, 1824, describing a travellers stay at the Inn. Governor Bourke also mentions his visit to the Inn in his journals. The Inn is believed to have been built by Pierce Collits in 1823, and to this day the house is still occupied. It is of weatherboard construction and has its original shingle roof under the present corrugated iron roof. The old water well is visible at the rear of the Inn. |
| Occupation |
Source: The Collits family [Online].
Text: Governor Macquarie issued an order on 20th May, 1820, "to give the fullest Publicity and Authority to the several Persons legally appointed to act in the Police Department of this Colony". Pierce's name is included in this list and is shown as"Constable Pound-Keeper and Inspector of Cattle for Slaughter, on the River Nepean, near Castlereagh". |
| Census |
Text: Pierce Colletts, 57, free by servitude, Minerva, 1881, publican, Mt York, Bathurst, 200 acres 54 cleared 36 cultivated 8 horses, 360 horned cattle and 300 sheep |
| Burial | |
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