Hatton family

The first Joseph Hatton was a hawker and peddler.  Born in Yorkshire in 1746, he was transported for 7 years on the First Fleet vessel the Scarborough. He married fellow convict Rosamond Sparrow in 1790 and in 170 received 20ha land grant where Holy Cross College now stands on Victoria Road. 

In 1795 Rosamond stabbed Joseph in 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 Hattons Flat.  Joseph Hatton (junior) inherited the land claiming he could not find his fathers will. However, his half sister Elizabeth Bryan (nee Smith) challenged his ownership and in 1834 Rosamond Sparrow reappeared and claimed ownership in the Supreme Court on the basis that Joseph (senior) had left no will.  Young Joseph suddenly found the will and had to share the land with his half sister.

Joseph Hatton (junior) married Sarah Patfield (1805-1879) and in 1824 they had 10 children.  The land passed to the third Joseph Hatton (1832-1914) who married Jane Stubbs (1844-1888) and they had 16 children.  Hattons Cottage and Hattons Orchard were probably built and planted by this third generation.  Members of the Hatton family were still living in Hattons Cottage until 1953.  The property is owned by a private company, which has held ownership for decades.