Ann Watson

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Paul Anthony Coghlan on 3rd August 2019

Tony Laffan, a descendant, as am I, has extensively researched Ann Colpitts and has published a book on her life. He has determined that Ann was described as Ann Watson a widow at one of her earlier trials. She cohabited with Thomas Colpitts and was sentenced under the name Ann Colpitts. She was a member of a pick pocket gang. I have written a brief historical note that can be found at The Fellowship of First Fleeters site. It is based on the speech I made in June 2014 at the dedication of her plaque at St Anne's Church Ryde where she was buried in 1832.I am the great-great-great grandson of Ann Colpitts and Joseph Hatton both of whom were First Fleeters. Paul Coghlan

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Denis Pember on 3rd December 2015

Tracing through the musters is quite difficult as Ann was as free with her name usage as her partners. 1802; - No Mention Located Although Joseph Hatton [BD127] has a wife and child with him on his 30 acre grant. 1806; - No Mention located, Although Joseph hatton [B0015] states he has a wife, off stores, with him on his grant at Kissing Point. The grant is the same 30 acres and is well stocked and cared for. 1811; [1199] Ann Colpitts, Lady Penrhyn, Sentenced summer 1785 Durham for 7 years. 1814; [6253] Ann Colpitts, Lady Penrhyn, Off Stores, Midwife. 1825; Has Ann Hatton as a widow who arrived by the "Lady Penguin"? 1828; No Mention located under any of the possible surnames.

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Denis Pember on 3rd December 2015

Ann was married to Thomas Colpitts, January 7th 1778 at Auckland, Durham, England. She was tried as Ann Colpitts. In the colony she had a relationship with John Colethread (Marine, Lady Penrhyn, 1788) and they had two sons; John (1789-1789) and again, John (1790-). Ann then married Thomas Smith (no details), September 25th 1791, Parramatta. The couple had three daughters: Mary Smith 1792, Jane Smith 1795 and Elizabeth Smith 1797. Ann then appears to have had a realtionship with Joseph Hatton (First Fleet Convict, Scarborough, 1788) and had a further son, Joseph Hatton (jnr) 1800.

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Denis Pember on 3rd December 2015

Ann was tried at the Assizes and General Gaol Delivery held at Durham in and for the County Palantine of Durham beginning on Tuesday 19th July before Sir George Nares Knt. and John Heath Esq. She was tried on Wednesday morning 20 Jul 1785. Her indictment was 'Alexander Gould, Ann Colpitts, the wife of Thomas Colpitts and Ann Crosby the wife of John Crosby, for privately and feloniously stealing taking and carrying away out of the shop of Thomas Chipchase one piece of cotton handkerchief containing 12 handkerchiefs value 20s. the property of Thomas Chipchase at the parish of St Nicholas in the City of Durham the 19th February 1785'. Alexander Gould was found not guilty and so was Ann Crosby. Ann Colpitts was found guilty 'with the benefit of Clergy' and was sentenced to transportation for seven years. Her occupation was recorded as 'service' and she was 28 years old in 1787, On Saturday last, a man and two women were detected stealing goods in the shop of Mr Alderman Chipchase, or the city of Durham, and committed to prison, to take their trials for that offence; the said three persons called themselves Alexander Guild, Ann Colpitts and Ann Crosby; the said Alexander Guild is little known in this country, says he belongs to Edinburgh, has served in Frazier's Highland Regiment, and obtained his discharge. It is suspected that he has been connected with the said Ann Colpitts and Ann Crosby and that they have practiced the privately stealing of goods out of the shops in Durham, and other places. The said Ann Colpitts is wife of Thomas Colpitts, late of Tanfield who was at the last Durham sessions, convicted of larceny and sentenced to three months imprisonment in the House of Correction there, and to be twice publicly whipped. The said Ann Crosby is daughter of and has lived with the said Thomas Ferry, of Redbrea aforesaid, in whose house the said goods were found, and where it is suspected the aforesaid persons have frequently deposited stolen goods.