Ann Watson

Level 75

iain Frazier on 29th June 2026

Family connections for Ann (Watson) are: WISE/WATSON Ann (Wise/Watson) was born about 1759 perhaps in Scotland & became a servant. She married firstly (1of4) Thomas (Colpitts) on 7 7 1778 at Auckland Durham & produced maybe 1child. She became a member of a pickpocket gang (being jailed several times).>>> [Some details taken from Ann (Watson) entry on this Website] Thomas (Colpitts) was also a member of the pickpocket gang. He is recorded as being convicted at Durham in April 1785 of larceny, sentenced to 3months (1of several times in prison) & being publicly whipped (perhaps twice). He lived at Tanfield & seems to have died before 1785. .. >>>Ann (Wise/Watson) was tried w/2others for stealing handkerchiefs etc, on 19 2 1785, from house of Thomas (Chipchase) Durham city at Durham Assizes for County Palatine Durham, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 22 1 1788 after a voyage of 12months on First Fleet ship LADY PENRHYN. She had a second relationship (2of4) with John (Colethread his frst relationship).>>> John (Colethread) arrived in NSW as a marine in 1788 after a voyage of 12months on First Fleet ship LADY PENRHYN. He married firstly Elizabeth Catherine (Mooney her first marriage) Free by Servitude on 15 9 1793 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. He died in 1802-not shown in Smees records-father of 4children. Elizabeth Catherine (Mooney) was born about 1776. She was tried at Essex Assizes, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 9 7 1791 after a voyage of 5months on Fleet ship MARY ANN/E. She was Free by Servitude by 1793. She was willed the effects of William (Wilson) on 1 9 1802 just after her husbands death. She died as Elizabeth Catherine (Mooney) on 5 5 1814 age38 mother of 7children & was buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney. [Some details taken from this Website] John (Colethread) & Catherine (Mooney) produced 2children: 1.Grace (Colethread) was born on 24 12 1798. She died in 1798 age<1m. 2.Grace (Colethread) was born on 1 9 1800 & baptised on 19 1 1800 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. .. John (Colethread) & Ann (Wise) produced 2children: 1.John (Colethread) was born in 1789 & baptised on 8 1 1789 at St Phillips CofE Sydney He died on 5 4 1789 age about3m. 2.John (Colethread) was born in 1790 & baptised on 2 5 1790 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. .. >>>Ann (Wise/Watson) may have had other relationships including (as Ann (Wise/Colpitts)) marrying thirdly (3of4) Thomas (Smith) on 25/9 9 1791 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. She was Free by Servitude by 1795.>>> ++ [There are 299 Thomas (Smith)s, including some duplicates, on this Website-9of whom could be this person.] .. Some candidates are: Thomas (Smith alias Haynes) was born about 1757. He was tried for stealing, on 13 3 1784, printed cotton at Old Bailey on 21 4 1784, sentenced to 7years, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict on 22 1 1788 after a voyage of 12months on First Fleet ship SCARBOROUGH. He married firstly, according to this Website, Sarah (Willis) on 5 9 1790 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. He was Free by Servitude by 1795.>>>]\ [Some details taken from this Website] [ I have a note that he produced 3more children with someone-don't know where the note came from-there are plenty of unidentified children that may be Thomas (Smith)s in Smees records.]\ Sarah (Wiliis) was tried at York Assizes Yorkshire, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 26 6 1790 after a voyage of 7months on Fleet ship NEPTUNE; a voyage noted for extreme brutality of prisoners with a high death rate.]\ [Some details taken from this Website] 3other Thomas (Smith)s are recorded on this Website as arriving in Australia on First Fleet ship SCARBOROUGH 1788. 2other Thomas Smith)s are recorded as arriving in Australia on PITT 1792. a Thomas (Smith) (from SCARBORUGH) was sent to Norfolk Island, arriving on 13 10 1788, & had a relationship with Catherine (Kiernan), He was recorded as a convict labourer in February 1805 on Norfolk Island. He seems to have left Norfolk Island on 26 12 1807 on HMS PORPOISE as part of the first evacuation (for which volunteers apparantly had been called with appropriate compensation offerred) & arrived at Derwent Tasmania on 17 1 1808.]\ [Noted another Thomas (Smith) from SCARBOROUGH) arrived on Norfolk Island on 6 3 1788-with no further details.] Catherine (Mckearnan/Kearnan) became a dairymaid. She was tried at Kings co.Ireland, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 11 2 1796 after a voyage of 6months on MARQUIS CORNWALLIS. She was sent to Norfolk Island arriving on 13 3 1796. She left Norfolk Island, perhaps with son Thomas, as part of the first evacuation on 14 2 1808 on HMS LADY NELSON to Derwent Tasmania, arriving on 1 3 1808. She established her own dairy. She died in 1830.]\ [Some details taken from this Website. Catherine (Kiernan) does not have an entry on this Website as yet] Thomas (Smith) & Catherine (Kiernan/Kearney) produced 2children: 1.William (Smith) was born on 1 1 1798 on Norfolk Island & baptised on 6 1 1805 age7+ w/Thomas. He became a grazier & horse breeder. He died on 31 5 1870 age71. ..Noted a William (Smith) had a relationship with Elizabeth (???) & produced 2children: ..1.Mary Ann (Smith) was born on 24 1 1819sic & baptised on 18 4 1819sic at St Phillips CofE Sydney-as shown in Smees records. ..2.Mary (Smith) was born on 14 11 1819sic & baptised on 28 11 1819sic at St Phillips CofE Sydney-as shown in Smees records. 2.Thomas (Smith) was born on 24 12 1799 on Norfolk Island & baptised on 6 1 1805 age5+ w/William. He was recorded as child >2years in February 1805 on Norfolk Island. He left Norfolk Island on 4 2 1805sic (his mother left on 14 2 1808). It seems to be he who was recorded in Hobart Town off stores on 2 10 1818. He became a grazier & horse breeder. He died in 1831 age30.]\ ++ .. Ann (Wise/Colpitts) & Thomas (Smith) produced 3children: girls 1.Mary (Smith) was born on 4 11 1792sic & baptised on 22 1 1792sic at St Johns CofE Parramatta or St Phillips CofE Sydney. She was living at Kissing Point when she married firstly at age13 Robert (Whittington) of Sydney on 22 4 1805 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. She married secondly John Albert (Miller his first relationship) emancipist cooper on 9 6 1810 at St Phillips CofE Sydney & produced 4children. She produced 4known children in her lifetime. [Noted a Thomas (Whittington) arrived in NSW on 20 8 1791 or 9 7 1791 after a voyage of 5or6months on Fleet ship ATLANTIC. He enlisted in NSW Corps on 4 9 1797 as a private. In 1798 he was detached to (Abbott)s Company, where he stayed until he died on 2 11 1806 in Sydney & was buried at St Johns CofE Parramatta. .. ..John Albert (Miller) was born about 1777. He was tried for desertion from the Fifeshire (Scottish) Fencibles & tried at Enniskillen Fermanagh Ireland in 1798, sentenced to Life & arrived in NSW as a convict on 16 2 1800 after a voyage of 6months on FRIENDSHIP. He was Free by Servitude by 1809 & a cooper in 1810. He was recorded as a landholder in 1811. He was issued his Conditional Pardon on 31 1 1814.He married secondly Margaret (Ashcroft) on 9 1 1815 at St Peters CofE Richmond. He produced 5known children in his lifetime. ..[Some information taken from entry for John (Miller) on this Website] .. >>>John (Miller) married secondly Margaret (Ashcroft) on 9 1 1815 at St Peters CofE Richmond. He produced 5known children in his lifetime. .. 2.Jane (Smith) was born on 27 7 1795 & baptised on 23 8 1795 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She married at age15 Francis (Squires/Spencer) private on 24 11 1810 at St Phillips CofE Sydney & produced 7children. She died on 22 3 1854 age58. ..Francis (Squires/Spencer) (the son of a sailor according to Ref:'Colonial Regiment...') was born (apparantly illegitimately-in Sydney) on 1 8 1790 (perhaps his baptism date) on Norfolk Island. He is recorded, perhaps incorrectly, as arriving on the Island on 13 3 1790. He was enrolled in British Army at age15m by his father. He left Norfolk Island on 6 11 1795. He enlisted in NSW Corps on 13 6 1797 age7 as a drummer on 13 6 1797. In 1798 he was detached to (Paterson)s company with which he went to Port Dalrymple Tasmania in 1804. On 24 5 1808 he was promoted to Private. He operated his fathers bakery in Kent St Sydney, probably in 1808. In 1809 he was detached to (Abbott)s company then to 1Company. He was a private with the 102nd Regiment in 1810 being transferred to 73rd Regiment on 24 4 1810. He received 30pounds from his fathers Will in 1822. He was instrumental in establishing, with others, Tasmanian Hop & Barley Industry in Launceston. About 1826 he had license for watering hole/public house 'Black Horse' King St. In 1828 he had nothing to do with forgery & witnessed against his friend/brother in law Patrick (Troy). He died in 1851 age about60 in Melbourne. ..Details of Francis (Squires)s family are given in entry for James (Squire CHARLOTTE 1788) on this Website. .. 3.Elizabeth (Smith) was born on 10 7 1797 & baptised on 30 7 1797 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She was raised at Kissing Point. [An Elizabeth (Smith) married a Thomas (Kettle) on 30 6 1806 at St Johns CofE Parramatta -she would have been age12 so maybe not.>>> ..This Thomas (Kettle) was tried at Isle of Ely Oyer & Terminer Commission Gaol Delivery, sentenced to Life & arrived in NSW as a convict on 7 5 1804 after a voyage of 6months on COROMANDEL. ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. >>>Elizabeth (Smith) definitely married Patrick (Troy) emancipist on 17 8 1818 at St Phillips CofE Sydney or St Johns CofE Parramatta. She placed her 4eldest children in orphanages after their fathers death & cared for her youngest.>>> ..Patrick (Troy/Tray) was born about 1786. He was tried w/1other for demanding arms of Mr (Wilson) of Whitestown co. Waterford Ireland at Waterford Ireland in August 1810, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 2 7 1811 after a voyage of 7months on PROVIDENCE. In 1816 he was assigned to James (Squire) at Kissing Point. He was Free by Servitude by 1817. In 1820-24 he rented a farm at Kissing Point; he is also recorded in 1822 as a settler of Sydney renting farm in Concord-same farm?. In 1824 he was assigned James (Brya/en/O'Brya/en-his wifes future husband) on his farm at Concord. In 1825 he was living at 52 Kent St Sydney & operating a liquor booth at Racegrounds Sydney near Hyde Park; desperate for money & subject to hardships. He was appointed as Constable Sydney, but dismissed in 1826 for drunkenness. About 1826 he bought land at Sussex St which he sold illegally for profit on 9 8 1827. In September 1827 he was reappointed constable Sydney. In 1828 he was tried (with evidence against him from his friend/brother in law Francis (Spencer)) for his part in forgery of Will to gain possession of property at Kent St, sentenced to death & gaoled. He died on 20 10 1828 age42 hanged at Sydney Gaol. ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. >>>Elizabeth (Smith) married, perhaps thirdly, James (Bryan/Brian/O'Bryan) of Sydney who had been an assigned convict on her farm on 21 8 1830 at St Marys RC Sydney & produced 3children. She produced 8children in her lifetime. ..James (Bri/ya/en/O'Bri/ya/en) was born in 1787 & became a ploughman. He was tried with his brother William (Brya/en/O'Brya/en) for burglary & robbery of arms etc, on 10 3 1822, of Michael (Duggan) of Tinnescort & abduction of Elanor (sister of Michael) at Waterford Ireland Summer Assizes in 1822, sentenced to Life & arrived in NSW as a convict on 22 4 1823 after a voyage of 5.5months on BRAMPTON. In 1824 he was assigned to Patrick & Elizabeth (Troy-his future wife)s farm at Concord. He was recorded in 1830 as (Brian) living in Sydney. He died in 1857 age70 or 1860 age73? with his brother. .. >>>Ann (Wise) had a fourth relationship with Joseph (Hatton his second relationship) & produced a child. She is recorded in 1814 as a midwife. She died in August 1832 age75 mother of maybe 6children & was buried at St Anne’s CofE Kissing Point. Joseph (Hatton/m) son of Joseph (Hatton) and Hannah (Ramsden) was born about 1748 at Worsop Cheshire & christened on 2 10 1748 age about7 in Mirfield, Yorkshire; he became a hawker/peddlar. He was tried for breaking entering & stealing cotton etc of Benjamin (Clay) & Abraham (Hutchinson) of Dewsbury at York Castle Assizes on 24 7 1784, sentenced to 7years in America, held at York Castle for 3years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 22 1 1788 after a voyage of 12months on First Fleet ship SCARBOROUGH also; he was 5'8" grey & stiff bearing flaxen hair left thumb missing scars on right side of head, just below the hair, on right cheek & on right temple. He worked in Port Jackson brick kilns. He was convicted in Sydney of possession of stolen goods & sentenced apparantly to 800lashes, receiving 500 of them. Late in 1792 he was granted 50acres at Easter Farms, east of Parramatta (Kissing Point-Ryde), & in his first relationship with Roseamond (Sparrow), whom he married on 4/18 3 1792 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. He was stabbed in the stomach with a knife by his wife in a jealous rage in 1795. In 1799 he is recorded as subscribing to building of first bark schoolhouse & chapel (CofE) at Kissing Point. He was Free by Servitude by 1800 & sold his property to James (Squires) & purchased 30acres at Top Ryde where he is recorded in 1802 & 1806 as having 30acres at Kissing Point. He was robbed of all his possessions in 1804. He was recorded as a settler when he died on 1 6 1828 age about80 at Field of Mars father of 4children in his sleep at Kissing Point/Ryde & was buried at St Anne’s CofE Kissing Point; many landmarks exist with his name. [Some details taken from this Website] Rosamond (Sparrow) daughter of Ann (Sparrow) was born about 1763. She is thought to have produced 1child. She was convicted of stealing cotton garment etc of Nathan (Blakey) of Bedale at Northallerton North Yorkshire Quarter Sessions of Peace on 13 4 1790 (the same sessions as her mother), sentenced to 7years, maybe held at York Castle & arrived in NSW as a convict on 9 7 1791 after a journey of 6months on Fleet ship MARY ANN/E; she was Protestant. In 1795 she stabbed her husband with knife in jealous rage. She was soon convicted of receiving stolen property and sentenced to have her head shaved, wear an iron collar for six months and spend twelve months in Parramatta goal. She was sent to Norfolk Island in October 1799 after theft of clothing. She is recorded in 1828 as Free by Servitude liviing with James (Oliver) in Wilberforce & his lodger Edward (Sparrow) who may be her son. She produced 1known child in her lifetime.] [Some details taken from this Website] Reference: Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony.

Level 13

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

Level 105

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.

Level 105

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.

Level 105

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.