People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

John Colethread (1761–1802)

John Colethread made the voyage to New South Wales as a private marine, 58th (Plymouth) Company on the Lady Penrhyn. The ship arrived at Port Jackson in January 1788 as part of the First Fleet. Colethread served in the company of Captain James Campbell.

He was accompanied by a son, James, during the voyage and, once in the colony, had two children with Ann Colpitts.

On 3 January 1792 Colethread received a grant of 80 acres of land at Field of Mars and in December 1794 another 30 acres at Dinner Point which was relinquished. He married Catherine Mooney in 1793.  Although he was recorded as holding a farm in mid 1800 he was not very successful and his wife and child were still 'on stores'. His burial was registered on 13 August 1802 at St Phillip's, Sydney.

* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), pp 77-78

Citation details

'Colethread, John (1761–1802)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/colethread-john-19515/text33473, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Colthread, John
  • Coulthread, John
Birth

1761
Carlisle, Cumberland, England

Death

12 August, 1802 (aged ~ 41)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

unknown

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Passenger Ship
Occupation
Military Service
Key Events
Maps