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Collits Family
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Written by Robert Coble
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Death Notice Published in Forbes Advocate by
Historical Society.
Pierce Collits Born 1771-Died 1848.
Tried in London 1800. Landed in Australia 1804, and was a soldier in
charge of convicts.
Later became Chief Constable at Penrith. April, 1824, according to
notification in Sydney Gazette, granted licence of the Golden Fleece Inn
at Mount York.
Later he had the Hotel changed to the King's garter Inn. Died in 1848.
His wife predeceased him.
His memory was perpetuated in the Sydney production in the early
thirties, of the play name "Collits Inn".
FROM THE BOOK "A BIOGRAPHICAL LOOK AT
THE COLLITS FAMILY" compiled by Gai Rimmer:
Pierce Collits married Mary Hardwick on 15th November, 1795 at St.
Dunstanes, Stepney, London, by Banns. Pierce signed his name and Mary
made her mark, in the presence of Paul Brice.
Their first child, Maria, was born on 1st September, 1796 at
King Street, Tower Hill, London.
Sarah, their second child, was born on 10th September, 1797 at
Sweedland Court.
Pierce and Mary also had 2 sons, Henry Pierce born 27th January 1799 at
Minories Street, London, and Pierce born 6th August 1800 at Tower Hill,
London.
Both these boys died in infancy.
It is interesting to note that the birth of the 2nd son, Pierce was only
approximately 1 month after his Trial.
Imagine the anxiety Mary must have felt, having 2 small children to care
for, and the birth of another a month after her husband had been
arrested.
Pierce Collet (note the change in spelling - this happened right 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 Sheriff" on 28th September, 1800,
committed to Newgate Goal 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 Thomas town 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 the "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 Janeiro, 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 the "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.
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'.
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 Your, on the
western edge of the Blue Mountains, where he had his first Inn. It was
originally called "The Golden Fleece", then renamed "The Royal Garter",
but today it is commonly known as "Collits Inn".
The Inn was first licensed 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 traveller's 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
NOTES FROM "THE FIELD FAMILY NEWSLETTER" 9th Edition February 2002:
The emancipist pioneer, Mr. Pierce Collits, who came to New South Wales
on 14th December 1801, and his wife, Mrs. Mary Collits, were two
remarkable personages in their day.
During their sojourn at Penrith (1804 - 1823) they reared a large family
at the farm property of 70 acres of land granted during the year 1804
to Mrs. Mary Collits.
This was the site on which stood the original home in Australia of the
Collits.
The house was only pulled down during the year 1825. It had a quaint
slab kitchen with a brick chimney, and on one side of the historic
building was a small bakers over at one end, the original roof of what
remained of the adjoining rooms also of the kitchen was of wood
shingles, which, during the late fifties of last century, was covered
with sheets of iron roofing.
It was in a nearby slab room attached to the main structure that Mrs.
Collits held the first school in the district of Evan.
On the two volumes of the Castlereagh register (which may be seen at
Sydney) all items bearing the signatures of the notable Rev. Henry
Fulton, Mrs. Mary Collits name and likewise the name and joint
signatures of attestators as witnesses to "Notice of Banns" of marriages
- actual marriages - and many other human happenings, and from the
scores of names there listed went forth to all parts of Australia the
first generation of sons and daughters who (in the main) were children
of emancipists and they made good in every sphere of life.
Just to quote from a few of the surnames (be it noted) that they include
original settlers' names from both Upper and Lower Castlereagh
villages.
The following may be named as of interest. James Bent, father of the
late Sir Thomas Bent, once Premier of Victoria, Thomas Rawsthorne,
Phillip Strickland, The Abbletts, Peacocks, Watkins, Meurants, Martins,
Stantons, Gormans, Fells, Rutledge, Weavers, Ryans, Ropes, and not
forgetting the free settlers names Blackman, Colless, Lees, Francis,
Field etc. etc.
The father of the late Sir Thomas Bent, who married Miss Marta Toomey at
Castlereagh Church March 25th, 1838, the husband then being in the
employment of Sir John Jamison of 'Regentville', near Penrith.
The sons of Mrs. Collits and Mr. Pierce Collits (1) were respectively.
1. James, 2. John, 3. Joseph, 4. William Collits.
There were five daughters, viz., 1. Maria (later Mrs. Field and secondly
Mrs. Rope), 2. Sarah (Mrs. John Watkins), 3. Frances (Mrs. Pembroke),
4. Amellia (Mrs. John Sheene), 5. Sophia (Mrs. James Morris who later
married a Mr. Charles Williams of Coonamble).
The eldest son, James Collits, who married Miss Eleanor Leech,
discovered the original new road from Richmond to Collits Inn at Mount
York during May 182? as can be verified by Dr. F. Watson's records of
Australia. Still later Mr. James Collits and his wife and growing family
were the first original pioneer pastoralist settlers along with the
late Mr. Josiah Strickland of the Lachlan River, taking up the country
known as Bundaburra, during the year 1837.
The last named Mr. James Collits sold to Mr. Strickland who was a close
relative.
Mr. James Collits was the grandfather of the late Mr. J. C. Field, one
of the Lachlan pioneer's daughters, Miss Caroline Collits, marrying Mr.
Thomas Field, who thus became the father of my lately departed friend.
The house where Mr. Field was born in 1863 was originally erected about
the years 1817 to 1820.
NOTES FROM "THE FIELD FAMILY NEWSLETTER" 16th Edition November, 2003:
"Best tucker by a country mile". Now owned by French chef and
restaurateur Laurent Deslanders and Cyrillia van der Merwe. Collits'
Inn won best regional restaurant in New South Wales.
Built in 1823 and owned by Pierce Collits it is the oldest inn between
the Blue Mountains and Bathurst.
A stream of visitors, including ancestors of the original owners,
ex-convict Pierce Collits and his wife Mary often visit the inn.
People dine in a series of beautifully restored rooms with an open
fireplace, cosy low ceilings and antique furniture.
There are no tablecloths on the tables either for authenticity.
Congratulations Collits' Inn.
"AT VALE OF CLWYDE "
A weatherboard commodious Barrack and Guard House with an enclosed
kitchen garden, for the accommodation of the Military Guard stationed at
this post on The Great Western Road, which was established for the
keeping open communication with Bathurst as well as for the protection
of travellers.
The place is situated about 81 miles from Sydney, and lies right under
the shadow of Mount York, and nowadays is situated about four miles from
Hartley Vale railway station.
Quite a lot of nonsense has been written of the historic house "Collits
Inn" at Mount York.
One remarkable inaccurate statement was written by an alleged historian,
who should know better, to the effect that during Governor Macquarie's
triumphal progress westward to Bathurst in the year 1815, he slept in a
room at the residence, and the present proprietor of the house (which is
now an accommodation week-end house for visitors) still circulates the
bogus story, probably pointing to the "alleged room" in which Governor
Macquarie and Mrs. Elizabeth Macquarie did not sleep, for the barracks
was not erected until at the very earliest possible time, which would be
in the year 1817.
I make the foregoing statement with positive assurance and veracity.
There being no further use for the building as a military barracks, Mr.
Pierce Collits (1) took the place and a large grant of land adjoining
the property was given to him and in the month of April, 1824, he opened
the house under the sign "Golden Fleece Inn".
The name was changed later to that of "The King's Garter Inn".
The property was occupied by the Collits until their respective deaths.
Mrs. Mary Collits died August 4th 1841, aged 73 years, and Mr. Pierce
Collits died September 19th 1846 aged 85 years.
Both pioneers, along with a numerous kindred (all appear to have the
familiar old Castlereagh surnames of that village's early forefathers)
rest in the little burial ground not far from the original barracks
building, i.e. the once notable and famous "Collits Inn". Mr. James
Collits is buried in the Forbes Cemetery, but no stone marks his grave
and the parents of the late Mr. Field of Ashbury, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas
and Caroline Collits Field are interred at the Nyngan Cemetery (out
West).
That couple also pioneered the western district as settlers, and as
carriers and teamsters where their family grew up, the late Mr. James
Collits Field being Mayor of Nyngan Municipality for a term, me thinks
from memory, about the year 1905.
I shall resume my story of the Collits and the Fields at a future time.
Suffice to say here that the Collits and the Collessess of Penrith must
not be confused, both the pioneer named had adjoining grants of land at
the Nepean town of Penrith - from the very early period of the
nineteenth century, approx. 1804 or upwards.
Mr. J. C. Field was buried at the Church of England portion of Rookwood
Cemetery on Friday, January 3rd. To Mrs. Lavena Field and her sons and
daughters I extend my sincerest sympathy in the loss of their parent and
friend.
NOTES FROM THE WEBSITE "COLLITS INN":
The History of Collits' Inn.
Pierce and Mary Collits.
Collits’ Inn was established in 1823 by a former convict, Pierce
Phigginton Collits and his wife Mary. Collits was born in Kilkenny,
Ireland, circa 1771. He and Mary were transported to Australia on a
convict ship in 1801.
They had two small girls, Maria and Sarah.
In 1803, Mary received a grant of land on the Nepean. The authorities
allowed Pierce to work for her as her convict servant.
He was ultimately pardoned in 1811.
Like many former convicts, Pierce made a good life for himself in
Australia.
Whereas in England he was a lowly porter and petty thief, in Australia
he rose to prominence.
He became Chief Constable in the Penrith area and was active in local
affairs.
Building the Inn.
In 1821, Pierce Collits gained permission to take his cattle to the
Cox’s River, west of the Blue Mountains. After this trip, he wrote to
Governor Macquarie saying that he had found a site ideal for building an
Inn.
The governor gave Collits a grant of 200 acres of land at the foot of
Cox’s Pass. There are records of Pierce building the Inn in 1822, but
the first mention of anyone seeing the building is not until November
1823.
The Inn is also mentioned in March 1824, as "The Golden Fleece". There
is also a wonderful description of the Inn written in 1827, which is now
framed on the walls of the Inn.
Crossing the Blue Mountains.
After many years of effort, the Blue Mountains were finally crossed in
1813, opening up the west for settlers.
The surveyor, William Cox, cut a road along the same route taken by the
explorers. The most difficult section was the dangerous descent down Mt.
York. Known as Cox’s Pass, this road has now been abandoned. It lies
behind the Inn and can still be walked today.
A welcome sight for travellers.
Early maps up until 1832 show Collits’ Inn as the only building in the
entire area, with five roads radiating from it. Every traveller moving
from Sydney to the Outer Settlements near Bathurst would have stayed
there after the frightening descent of Cox’s Road.
Two more roads, Lawson’s Long Alley and Bell’s Line of Road, were
constructed in 1824, providing even more traffic. Both can still be
walked today.
In 1831, a post office was established at the Inn. The coachman would
stay there after the gruelling task of getting his coach and horses down
the mountain.
This is now the History Room.
"Younger Collets Road"
The descent down Cox’s Pass often took an entire day or night, and many
travellers died en route. For this reason, efforts were still being made
to find a safer road down the mountain. Young James Collits, Pierce and
Mary’s son, found an alternative route to Bathurst and was given a
grant of land for his efforts. But the Surveyor-General Sir Thomas
Mitchell had different ideas. He wanted to build it down Victoria Pass.
At first, the Governor ordered Mitchell to follow "Younger Collets
Road", but later gave permission to build Victoria Pass. The road opened
in October, 1832, and is still in use today.
From 1832 until today.
When Victoria Pass opened, the Inn lost its passing traffic and was
forced to close. It became a private farm, although it remained with the
Collits family. When Pierce died in 1848, it was left to James. It
remained in the Collits family until 1875 when it was bought by Mrs.
Lewington and restored as the Mount York Inn, operating from 1877-79.
There were about 600 people living in Hartley Vale during this period
because the shale mines were in operation from 1865 until World War I.
In the early 20th century, the Inn once again became a popular guest
house. It had two tennis courts and was the centre of activity in the
area. Many young people took holidays there. Those halcyon days are
recorded in the old Visitor’s Books which are now on display at the
Inn. It was during this period that the writers of the operetta Collits’
Inn, Varney and Monk, developed their fondness for the place.
In 1947, the Inn was sold to Steve Pilarcik. A Croatian working as a
eucalyptus oil distiller, Pilarcik married Elsie Finch, whose family
lived at the Comet Inn nearby in Hartley Vale. When Elsie died, he
married Katie, also from Croatia, in 1965. Katie continued living at the
Inn after Steve’s death. She sold it to the current owners on the 1st
of May,1998 and returned to Croatia.
The Inn has now undergone another transformation with the award winning
restoration begun in 1999.
EDWARD BALDWIN, PEARCE COLLETT,
theft: simple grand larceny, theft : receiving stolen goods, 9th July,
1800.
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: t18000709-94
Trial Summary:
* Crime(s): theft: simple grand larceny, theft: receiving stolen
goods,
* Punishment Type: transportation, transportation,
* Verdict: Guilty, Guilty,
Original Text:
570. EDWARD BALDWIN, and PEARCE COLLETT, were indicted, the first, for
feloniously stealing, on
the 29th of June, twelve yards of mode, value 2l. Twelve yards of
muslin, value 1l. Eighteen yards of
lace, value 2l. And two pieces of handkerchiefs, each containing seven
handkerchiefs, value 3l. The
property of John Read, Robert Read, and James Read; and the other, for
receiving the same knowing
them to have been stolen. (The case was opened by Mr. Knapp.)
THOMAS SAPWELL sworn. - Examined by Mr. Knapp. On the 29th of June, on
the Sunday morning, I
took the prisoners into custody, about six o'clock; I went to the
prisoner Collett's house, No. 7, Two Swan
Yard, Bishops gate-street, and on a copper, close by where the prisoner
stood, I found this piece of
cambric muslin; I asked him where he bought those things; and he said,
d-n me, I would buy any thing;
I then took Collett to the Compter; I then returned, and searched the
house; in his box I found a piece of black silk mode;
I also found a piece of lace, while I was searching the house; I took
the key out of
Collett's pocket with which I unlocked the box; I then went to a house,
No. 17, Old Bethlem-court, where
there lived one Elizabeth Day; I took her into custody, and took her to
Collett's house; I searched her, and
found two pieces of silk handkerchief in her right-hand pocket; I
apprehended Baldwin at the prosecutor's
house.
Q. Before he had told you any thing, did you make him any promises, or
use any threats? –
A.I told him I would do what I could, with his master, if he would
confess what he knew.
ROBERT READ sworn. Examined by Mr. Knpp. I
accused the prisoner, Baldwin, of having robbed us of a
piece of mode, a piece of cambric muslin, and
eighteen yards, or a piece, of lace; he denied it; I
mentioned the articles over again; he said they were at Sapwell's, the
constable's house; he said, the
cambric muslin is not yours; I then said, what are the other things,
you have robbed us of them; he said,
yes, and wished he had gone for a sailor before he took them; I asked
him what could induce him to do
it; he said, that Collett was continually after him, telling him to do
it; he said it was his first offence, he
never robbed us before, nor since, and he had received no money for the
things; I told him if it was so, I Would not prosecute him. This silk
mode is our property, it is worth forty shillings, it has not been sold
by
us; also the eighteen yards of lace, which is worth about forty
shillings, that was found in Collett's box; the other things I believe
to be our property, but will not
swear to them; the handkerchiefs I am certain of,
but the marks being picked out I will not swear
them; the cambric muslin, the mark being torn, I will
not swear to it.
Cross-examined by Mr. Knowlys.
Q. The prisoner did not abscond from your service? –
A. No; I sent for
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