Hatton's Cottage

Style

Victorian Georgian cottage

Year started

Circa 1884

Builder

Probably Joseph Hatton (the third 1832-1914)

About Hatton's Cottage

The first Joseph Hatton was a hawker and peddler. Born in Yorkshire in 1748, he was transported for seven years on the First Fleet vessel Scarborough. He married fellow convict, Rosamond Sparrow in 1790 and in 1792 received a 20-hectare land grant where Holy Cross College now stands on Victoria Road.

In 1795, Rosamond stabbed Joseph during an argument. By 1800, Joseph had taken up with another first fleet convict, Ann Smith (nee Colpitts 1758-1832). In England, Ann had three children by Thomas Colpitts. On the voyage to Botany Bay, she formed a liaison with a marine John Colethread, who accepted a land grant in the Field of Mars and she bore him two children. In 1791, she married Thomas Smith in Parramatta and had three daughters. Her relationship with Joseph Hatton senior produced the second Joseph Hatton.

By 1802, Joseph senior had sold his land to James Squire and purchased the grant of Edward Marsh and this area became known as Hatton's Flat. Joseph Hatton junior inherited the land claiming that he could not find his father's will. However, his half-sister Elizabeth Bryan, nee Smith, challenged his ownership and in 1834 Rosamond Sparrow re-appeared and claimed ownership in the Supreme Court on the basis that Joseph senior had left no will. Young Joseph suddenly found the missing document and had to share the land with his half-sister.

Joseph Hatton junior married Sarah Patfield (1805-1879) in 1824 and they had ten children. The land passed to the third Joseph Hatton (1832-1914) who married Jane Stubbs (1844-1888) and they had sixteen children. Hatton's Cottage and Hatton's Orchard were probably built and planted by this third generation. Members of the Hatton family were still living in Hatton's Cottage until 1953. The property is owned by a private company, who have held ownership for decades.

Location

158 Blaxland Road, Ryde 2112 View Map

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