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William Hatfield (c. 1757–1793)

William Hatfield (c.1757-1793) was found guilty on 14 March 1785 at Maidstone, Kent, of assault with a pistol and intent to rob. Sentenced to 7 years transportation, he was sent to the Ceres hulk on 26 December 1785 and was discharged to the Alexander in January 1787. He arrived at Sydney in January 1788 as part of the First Fleet.

Hatfield married Elizabeth Cook on 12 July 1790 at St Philip's Church, Sydney; he signed the register, she signed with an 'x'. Hatfield was buried at Parramata on 5 February 1793. His death was attributed to dysentery, caused by 'partaking intemperately of the American rum'.

* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), p 165

Citation details

'Hatfield, William (c. 1757–1793)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/hatfield-william-31242/text38631, accessed 9 December 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

c. 1757
Plumstead, Kent, England

Death

4 February, 1793 (aged ~ 36)
Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

dysentery

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 or Descriptor
Key Events
Key Places
Convict Record

Crime: theft
Sentence: 7 years