Ann (Patfield) Pierce (1796 - 1855)

Born 28 Mar 1796 in Eastern Farms, New South Wales (Australia)

Ancestors

Wife of William Pincham — married 11 Jun 1812 in Parramatta, New South Wales (Australia)

Wife of Samuel Pierce — married 24 May 1853 in Castle Hill, New South Wales (Australia)

Descendants

Died 21 Sep 1855 at age 59 in Pennant Hills, New South Wales (Australia)

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Kenneth Evans [send private message], Les Gilham [send private message], and John Bird [send private message]

Biography

Ann Patfield was born on the 60ac Eastern Farms (later known as Kissing Point and today as Ryde), New South Wales farm of her parents on 28th March 1796, just eight years after the settlement in Sydney by those of the First Fleet. She was the second child of former convicts, George Patfield and Mary O'Brien, however her sister had passed away in infancy.^[1] No doubt, one of Mary's neighbours was the midwife, as there were no doctors in the region then. She was christened on 2nd July that year in St Phillip's Church of England, Sydney.^[2]

Ann's childhood included the eras of Governors Hunter, King, Bligh and Macquarie; and, of course, the treacherous and rebellious Rum Corps. It was during this latter time that Ann's father appears to have taken his own life, when paid for his crops in rum rather than money. From their property up the ridge line from modern Ryde they could see the river traffic making its way east to Sydney or west to Parramatta. Much of the timber being cut at Pennant Hills made its way to the river passed their home. The only retail outlet at Ryde was Squires pub. Even St Anne's Church was not built until the mid-1920s. (opinion of descendantKen Evans)

Ann first married in St John's Church of England, Parramatta, in 1812 to convict, William Pincham.^[3] Yes, Ann was just 16 years old; but then, at the time, that was often regarded as old to be marrying!^[4] They settled a little to the north of Ann's parents, at Field of Mars, or Marsfield as it became known.^[5] They had six children, losing one to a drowning accident in the farm dam at five years of age. The water in dams is notoriously cold and it is easy for anyone to get into trouble, let alone as a child.^[6]

The Pinchams owned a horse and two cows on their 50ac farm. No doubt, it was Ann's responsibility to milk the cows each day.^[7]

After William passed away in 1836, Ann sold the land grant to neighbour, Thomas Thompson.^[8] With an eight-year old the only child still at home, Ann began a relationship with Samuel Pierce (or Pearse or Pearce) which resulted in their marrying in St Paul's Church of England, Castle Hill, in 1853. They had one son.^[9]

Ann passed away in 1855^[10][11][12] and is buried in St Anne's churchyard, Ryde.^[13] Samuel passed away less than two years after Ann.^[14]

Note on Eastern Farms NSW: Eastern Farms was named so by being east of the Rose Hill / Parramatta settlement. It was on the northern bank of the Parramatta River, about half way from Sydney. In 1800, Governor King re-named the small rural settlement Kissing Point - a nautical term for the shallowness of the water (not a romantic term, sorry). The location changed name again in 1840 to its present title, Ryde; a most desirable district in which to either live or work. To think, many convicts, former convicts, currency kids and free settlers made Ryde what it is today.

Note on spelling of Pincham: also seen are Pinchin, Pinchon, Pinchim, Pencham, Pinchman. Don't get too hung-up as Ann's eldest daughter would marry a Lutherborrow. There's 17 spellings of that to date! Ken Evans

Note on additional names: On this profile, Ann had attributed to her three middle names, Mary Sarah Emily. These do not appear on any primary source document. Neither have middle names been given to any of her siblings. Ann did not give her own children middle names. If it can be proven that she alone had these additional names they may be recorded in her name.

Sources

1. ↑ This is deduced from there being no further record of Elizabeth and from the fact that only one child existed when the grant of land was made: the scheme for ex-convicts was 30acs for the male, 20acs additional if married, and 10acs per child. The Patfields were granted 60acs.
2. ↑ New South Wales Birth Index #401/1796
3. ↑ New South Wales Marriage Index #1365/1812
4. ↑ William Pinchin of the parish of St John Parramatta and Ann Patfield of ditto were married in this church by banns this eleventh day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and twelve by me Samuel Marsden William made his X mark and Ann signed the register In the presence of Patrick G[illegible] who made his mark and Eleanor Elliott who also made her X mark
5. ↑ Hawkins, Ralph. "The Convict Timbergetters of Pennant Hills". Hornsby Shire Historical Society.
6. ↑ New South Wales Death Index #1348/1823
7. ↑ "Census of New South Wales 1828", Sainty and Johnson, Australian Library of History, 1987
8. ↑ Barker, Helen & Hawkins, Ralph. "Early Wesleyans of Pennant Hills, Hornsby Shire Historical Society. Sydney, 1983
9. ↑ New South Wales Marriage Index #345/1853
10. ↑ 'Family Notices', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: 1842-1954), 26 Sep, p. 8., viewed 10 Jan 2018
11. ↑ 1855 'Family Notices', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: 1842-1954), 25 Sep, p. 5., viewed 10 Jan 2018
12. ↑ 1855 'Family Notices', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: 1842-1954), 27 Sep, p. 8., viewed 10 Jan 2018
13. ↑ New South Wales Death Index #1824/1855
14. ↑ New South Wales Death Index #4012/1857