The Field Family Newsletter, Edition 39

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The FIELD Family Newsletter

39th Edition, August 2009, Edited by Dorothy Cefarin
Reprinted here with permission

This poem was written by Melissa Lockerbie when she was eleven years of age. It explains the effect it had on her after she had been watching an item showing children in some countries, starving, malnourished etc.

Like Dead Birds In A Cage

As I stand there petrified,
Staring at the sickening faces looking on at me,
Their sunken eyes and withered faces,
Begging like pathetic dogs for food, for water,
I break to them the familiar words of;
I have none.

As they whimper and moan,
Their bones teetering under their skins surface,
I sense they are dying,
I can see they are dying,
Their bodies blending with the thick air.

As I turn my back to wander on home,
I hear their whimpers gradually growing,
Their helpless cries,
Their friends lay silent as if only asleep,
I wish, I wish there was a way to rid them of their sorrows.

Esther Lees

3rd child of John and Mary Lees.
Born: 12/1/1812, bapt. 2/2/1812 at St. Matthews, Windsor.
Died: 26/7/1875 at Forbes aged 63 years.
Married: 18/10/1830 Edward Field, widower, free of Castlereagh by Rev. H. Fulton of Castlereagh.
Witnesses: Thomas Higgins and Sophia Higgins both of Sydney.
Children: 4 males, 1 female living, 1 male deceased.

2. 19/10/1847 Thomas Wilson, bachelor, Castlereagh.
Children: 1 female living

Biographical data

Esther Lees was the second daughter of John Lees, a Private in the N.S.W. Corp and Mary Lees (nee Stephens) a convict.

Banns read September, 1830. Refer Edward Field, widower.

Esther Field, widow, Castlereagh, free native born, married October, 1847 Thomas Wilson, bachelor, Castlereagh, freed by servitude. Entry Rev. Fulton’s Banns book.

Note

First family of Strickland, no relation to last family. i.e. Strickland, Field, Field and Wilson.

Forbes C. P. S. Deaths

26/7/1875 Esther Wilson, verdict of Coroner’s Jury 26/7/1875. Disease of the Heart. Informant John Field, son, Forbes. Buried 27/7/1875 C. of E. Forbes. 1st Marriage not known.

Issue of Thomas and Esther Wilson.
1 daughter 2nd. Thomas Wilson.

Mary A. (Polly) Wilson. Eldest child of Thomas and Esther Wilson. (Mary Ann Wilson)
Born: 24/6/1850. bapt. 15/9/1850 Parish at Bathurst, County of Bathurst by. Rev. Benjamin Chapman, Wesleyan Minister. Parents lining Mount Clarence.
Vol.55 Entry 2283.
Died: 4/5/1912 at Forbes aged 62 years.
Married: 27/5/1873 at Forbes to Phillip John Weekes.

Pierce Collits

Seventh son of Hannan and John Collits.
Born:13/3/1840 Died:7/8/1914 and buried in private family burial ground at sand Hills, Forbes.
Married: 27/4/1870 to Elizabeth Jones, daughter of Lydia and John Jones of Castlereagh.
Born: 25/8/1852 at Castlereagh
Died: 17/7/1932 aged 80 years and buried Forbes Cemetery.
Methodist portion with daughter Mary Hannah Hay. (headstone)

The Forbes Times - Tuesday, 11th August, 1914.

The late Pierce Collits – The Memory of Bushranging Days.

There passed away at his home at sand Hills on Friday evening last a very old resident of the Lachlan district in the person of Mr. Pierce Collits, who had been suffering for some time past from an internal growth, the immediate cause of his death. The late Mr. Collits was born at Hartley, in 1840 and was therefore in his 74th year. When he was but a few years old his parents moved to Gangaroo near Cowra, but the blacks became so troublesome that a return to Hartley was deemed necessary. The deceased himself let somewhat of a fearsome and varied career in those days. After merging into pastoral pursuits and this was in the immediate vicinity of Forbes, where he came to manage Bogabigal for his father Mr. Joe Collits, who purchased that property from the late Mr. Rankin. Later on mining claimed his attention in this district and he was one of the many who time after time bottomed “duffers’. Deceased also lived about Bandon and Eugowra, but some years ago he settled down at the Sand Hills near Forbes where he ended his days. He leaves to mourn their loss a widow and ten children, five sons and five daughters, as well as a number of grandchildren and other relatives. His remains were laid to rest in the private burial ground at Sand Hills on Sunday afternoon last, when Rev. A. G. Gardner, Church of England Rector, officiated at the graveside.

As might have been expected, the late Mr. Pierce Collits, had many exciting experiences with bushrangers, and became near to losing his life on a couple of occasions, but he used to declare that the closest shave he ever had was one with Dunn, whose blood-thirsty instincts were somewhat renowned. The deceased was riding out of Forbes in the direction of the river, near the point where Fitzgerald’s Bridge now stands, when he met a man who accosted him with the dreaded command “Hands up”. The man turned out to be Dunn who asked him his name and the deceased replied “Pierce Collits”, which happened to be identical with that of another man in the district who had given information to the police about some horses stolen off Bundaburra Station by the bushrangers. Dunn then ordered the deceased off his horse and gave him five minutes in which to say his prayers before despatching him to another world, but Mr. Collits afterwards said that the sight of the deadly bullets in the revolver, which the bushranger levelled at his head, was quite sufficient to drive all thoughts of prayer out of his mind. Luckily for our friend Ben hall and other members of the gang then happened along, and when the leader asked the meaning of the little drama and was told by Dunn what he intended to doing, Hall explained the mistake and told Collits, who was well known to him to get off his knees. Dunn and Gilbert wanted to take deceased’s horse, which belonged to his sister the late Mrs. Esther Young, who kept an hotel for seventeen and a half years at Bandon, where Hall worked with her as stable boy, but Hall knew the horse too, and he insisted on there being no interference whatever with the deceased, who continued his journey thankful alike to God and to man to whose seamy life it was well known there was a bright and kindly side. On another occasion Mr. Collits was invited by one of the members of Hall’s gang to have a dip into his saddle bag, which was full of bank notes, but the deceased said, he “wasn’t having any on”.

Forbes Advocate 3rd November,1931.

Mrs. Elizabeth Collits, widow of the late Mr. Pierce Collits, of Forbes accompanied by her son, Frank, when he came by car from Sydney on Saturday. Other members of the party were Mr. And Mrs. James Burrows, of Darlinghurst. Before her marriage, Mrs. Burrows was Miss Grace Collits. Mrs. Collits, who is 79 years of age, came to Forbes over 40 years ago. A little over a year ago she had the misfortune to fall and break her hip, and was taken to Sydney for medical treatment. She was admitted to Sydney Hospital, and was an inmate of the institution for twelve weeks. Since then she has remained in the city with her children.

Joseph Collits

8th child of Pierce and Mary Collits.
Born: 1/3/1808 bapt.24/6/1810 at St. Johns, parramatta.
Died: 2/11/1888 at Forbes and buried C. of E. Forbes Cemetery.
Married:
1. 21/7/1845 Mary Ann Perry (nee Field) daughter of Edward 1 and Elizabeth Field (nee Mitchell).
Born: 14/3/1795 bapt. 5/4/1795 at St. Johns parramatta.
Died: 12/11/1865 aged 71 years and buried C. of E. cemetery Forbes.

2. Martha Sherringham (widow Haynes nee Gully) daughter of Thomas and Martha Gully.
Born; / /1817
Died: 9/7/1882 and buried C. of E. cemetery Forbes, aged 64 years.

Biographical data.

Mary Ann Perry (nee Field) separated from Thomas Parry following her marriage on 3/8/1812 at St. Matthews, Windsor. (Gazette 16th October, 1813). She appeared to have a defacto relationship with Joseph Collits until Thomas Perry died and then she married Joseph Collits. They had no children, but adopted an heir named Peter Smith. Mention is made of this adopted son in an article published in the Forbes Advocate during the Back To Forbes Week.

Mention is made also by Arch Flanagan (a descendant of Joseph’s second wife Martha) of a Robert Smith and Annie Riley being married in 1866 with witnesses to the wedding being Charles Haynes and Helenor Hayes.

Martha Collits married three times, namely James Haynes, James Sherringham and Joseph Collits.

James Haynes died 25th September, 1851 aged 44 years and buried Mt. York. Children.

James Sherringham, widower of Mt. York, married 12th October, 1852 at Bowenfels by Rev. C. Stewart. Died 27th October, 1862 aged 47 years and buried Mt. York cemetery. His first wife was Mary, daughter of John Collits and Hannah (Lees).
No issue second marriage.

Joseph Collits, widower of Lachlan, grazier, and Martha Sherringham, widow of Hartley and daughter of Thomas Gully, on 6th march, 1866 at Mount Clarence by Rev. H. Mayne.

At the time of Martha’s death they were residing at “Mundigal near Forbes”.

Joseph Collits was reputed to be a very wealthy man and at one time owned Bogabigal Station. Although he married twice, in each case there was no issue. He left his station properties to the adopted son, who is said to have wasted the money and did not show any appreciation of his benefactor’s generosity, even to the extent of not marking his last resting place.

Martha Collits’ daughter Rubena Flanagan aged 21 years is said to be buried beside her mother in the Forbes Cemetery. Date of death 4th October, 1875.

Joseph Collits

2/11/1888. Joseph Collits, grazier, 80 years. Senile decay, duration of illness 5 weeks. Certified by William Smith, friend. Buried 3/11/1888 C. of E. Forbes Cemetery. Born Nepean River. Married Mary Ann Field, Martha Haynes.

The Sydney Gazette & NSW Advertiser. 16th October, 1813.

We, Thomas Perry and Mary Ann Perry of Windsor, who were married at Windsor on the 3rd day of August, 1812, having by mutual consent agreed to separate and live apart from each other, do hereby agree, from and after this date, neither of us shall have any Claim whatever to each other; and I, the said Thomas Perry, do at the same time hereafter Caution the Public from giving Credit to the said Mary Ann Perry on my account, as I will not be answerable for any debts she may contract after this date: Witness our hands, the 28th day of September, 1813.

Witness: Geo Smith Thomas Perry
Pierce Collett Mary Ann Perry

The following story was sent by Colin Field. Alfred John Field was Colin’s Great grandfather and his son Norman Colin’s grandfather.. In the 38th edition of The Field Family Newsletter was the obituary of Alfred John Field. Thank you Colin for sending us this information on how his death occurred.

The Nepean Times, 18/1/1913

A Sad Affair

MR JOHN FIELD SHOT DEAD

NEAR MUSWELLBROOK
Deep regret was expressed in the district when word was received that Mr. John Field, a well-known and highly respected one-time resident of Castlereagh, had been shot dead at Overton, near Muswellbrook, on Saturday night last. There were all sorts of rumours as to how the shooting took place.

On Monday a representative of this journal had an interview with Mr. Norman Field, a son of the deceased. He said Mr. John Field (his father) was working for Mr. J Lecoutquer, of Overton, on the shares system, and the family resided in a house on the property. Mr. Lecoutquer resided about 100 yards away. About 9.20 p.m. on Saturday Norman’s brother William (who works at Muswellbrook, and sleeps at home) returned, and as he came in through the gateway he noticed a man standing there, to whom he said “Goodnight”, but received no reply. On arrival at the house he informed the inmates, who came outside, and someone as noticed to be walking from tree to tree. Then William Field (the brother) proceeded to where the man was thought to be, but had not gone far when a bullet whizzed just past his hat. He came back, and Norman Field then got the gun from inside and fired a couple of shots in the direction of where the man was seen, in order to-see if they could frighten him away. William then started off with the intention of reporting the matter to Mr. Lecoutquer. The father (Mr. John Field) and his daughter Ruby came out on the veranda, just near the door, to see if he got along safely, when the former said to the latter “Quick, get inside, there is the man at the bottom of the steps”. She had only just got inside the doorway when her father called out “I’m shot dead”, and dropped down shot in the back of the neck. He only lived about half-an-hour, but could not speak although he seemed to understand portion of what was said to him. A Mr. Burke, who lives on the opposite side of the road, was called out to. He lifted his window to see what was wrong, and a bullet just shot by his head at that moment. He quickly put down the window, but shortly afterwards came over. Word was sent to the police, and the body was removed to the hospital morgue at Muswellbrook.

Another account of the shooting is sent to us by Mr. G F Rixon, of Muswellbrook “Chronicle” who states the police supplied him with the information: - One of the boys – the eldest – when passing through a gate on his way from town saw – or imagined he saw – a man standing nearby who did not answer his salutation “Good night”. He told the household to be on the watch, as he had seen a man skulking at the gate. Later, the same lad was proceeding to town when he saw – really only imagined it – a man near the house. He fired a revolver at this object, and to the watchers at the house it appeared that the supposed man fired the shot. They had three guns there loaded with shot and they all blazed away at the supposed shooter. In the morning it was found that they had all fired at a tree with a band of tin around the trunk – the bullet and shot marks were there. A little later one of the girls – the family apparently were in the front – exclaimed that she saw a man near the veranda steps and they made a rush through the house from the front to the back. A bedroom opened on to the passage, and at the door was standing one of Mr. Field’s sons with a loaded and cocked gun in his hand. As the father passed the door the son pulled the trigger and the charge passed through his father’s neck. It is certain that the boy did not know he had shot his father. It is doubtful if he even knew he had pulled the trigger. But there is no possible doubt that this is how the accident occurred. The family themselves believed that the father had been murdered by the mysterious stranger whom they imagined they saw about the place. Their grief was terrible to witness = they threw themselves upon the body, hugged it, spoke all sorts of endearing words, and were almost beside themselves with grief.

The above are briefly the facts of one of the saddest accidents it has ever been my lot to record. I may state that rain fell on Saturday evening just prior to the tragedy, and if there had been any man or men prowling about they must have left tracks, but the police could not find any strange tracks at all, although they searched very carefully as soon as it was daylight.

An inquest was to be held on Thursday, details of which we hope to publish next week

The late Mr. John Field, who was 44 years of age, was born at Castlereagh, being the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Field. Nearly 26 years ago he married Miss Matilda Sutton, a native of Penrith – and sister to Mrs. Edwin Fragar (York Estate), Mrs. William Hollier (Orchard Hills), Mrs. William Gore (whose husband is Major at Salvation Army Headquarters, Melbourne), and Mrs. Lewin Best (Dulwich Hill). Besides the widow there are seven children left to mourn the loss of one they loved so well. These are – Ruby, Grace, Ada, William, Norman, Hilton and Victor – the youngest being three years of age.

After Mr. and Mrs. John Field were married they live for some twelve months in High Street, Penrith, and then they went to Castlereagh, where they remained up to about three and a half years ago – principally on the land and dairying. A move was then made to Warialda, where dairying was engaged in on the share system for a little over twelve months. A dairy farm was looked after at Wyong for a few months, after which the family took up their residence at Overton, some four miles from Muswellbrook, carrying on dairying for Mr. J Lecoutquer on the shares as stated above.

The remains were brought to Penrith on Monday by the train which arrives about 1.20 p.m. The interment took place in the Church of England portion of the General Cemetery at Kingswood. The service was conducted in an impressive manner by Rev Canon Archdall. The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mrs. John Price and Son.

You can look up our entire family on Colin’s internet website “From A Distant Field”

Colin Field PO Box 8051
Rivett ACT 2611
Phone: 02-6288-9237 Mobile 04 1860 7487
http://www.pcug.org.au/~cfield/distantf/

David Rawsthorne
PO. Box 139
Lithgow.2790. NSW
Email: http://www.daviddth@iinet.net.au/

You can look up our entire family and grave sites on David’s internet Website:http://www.davidrawsthorne.com/

Thanks again to Pan Wilcox for her great help with information to this newsletter.

Actually 95% of information of this, and previous newsletters are from Pan and I’m considering maybe the December newsletter will be the last one I will do.
It is entirely up to you to send me stories to keep it going.

Colin and David are very interested in births, deaths and marriages on any of our family.

There are many lines that have not been updated also so please check yours and forward it to them.

Please send any information to
Dorothy Cefarin
24 Eggleton Street,