John Piper
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John Piper (1774 - 1851)

Capt John Piper
Born in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotlandmap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married [date unknown] [location unknown]
Husband of — married 10 Feb 1816 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australiamap
Descendants descendants
Died at age 76 in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australiamap
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Profile last modified | Created 28 Sep 2015
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Contents

Biography

Notables Project
John Piper is Notable.

John Piper was born on 8 August 1774 and christened on the same day in the home of his father at Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland. His parents were Hugh Piper and Sarah Chalmers.[1][2]

John's uncle was Captain John Piper (1740-1803) who used his influence to have young John receive a commission as ensign in the newly formed New South Wales Corps in April 1791.[3]

John sailed in the "Pitt" and arrived in Sydney in February 1792. This was four years after the First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove..

Within a year, and at his own request, in 1793 he was sent to the penal outpost at Norfolk Island.

In 1795 Piper was promoted lieutenant and returned to the mainland. For a three year period between 1797 to 1799 he was away on leave. On his return to duty In 1800 he was given the local rank of captain.

In 1804 John was made acting commandant of Norfolk Island[3]. In 1806 John was promoted to full rank of Captain.

He likely met his future wife Mary Ann Sheers on Norfolk Island. Her father was a convict on the island whilst Captain Piper was posted there.

John returned to Sydney in 1810. They sailed for Britain on leave in September 1811, the family included their two little boys, and Sarah (also known as Sally), the child of an earlier liaison (mother unknown).

On his return from England in 1814 he had resigned from the military and took up private employment. He was appointed Naval Officer in Sydney. His duties included the collection of customs duties, and excise on spirits and harbour dues. This was very remunerative for him, and he bought and was granted substantial land holdings. He leased and later bought a small house at Vaucluse from Sir Maurice O'Connell, the commandant of the 73rd who had bought it from Sir Henry Browne Hayes. The house was called The Retreat, and Piper's daughter Sally spent her honeymoon there after her marriage to Alfred Thrupp. It became the the rendezvous of Sydney's sportsmen. The Pipers lived at their official residence near the quay in Sydney. In 1816 Piper received a grant of 190 acres (77 ha) of land on Eliza Point, now Point Piper, where he built Henrietta Villa (also called the Naval Pavilion). It took four years to build and meantime the family had moved to Burwood where they lived at "Burwood Villa", leased from Alexander Riley.[4]

About 1826 he commissioned Augustus Earle to paint two full length paintings of John Piper, and Mrs Piper with children (now in the Mitchell Library, Sydney) and two portraits of John Piper and Mrs Piper (now in the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra).[5]

In 1825 he was chairman of directors of the Bank of New South Wales, however Governor Darling ordered an inquiry into the affairs of the Bank of New South Wales, and in January 1827 Piper resigned from the chairmanship. In 1827 Governor Darling ordered an inquiry into Piper's administration as Naval Officer, and he was suspended from his official position. This resulted in a suicide attempt which was reported in the Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser newspaper (his boat crew were also musicians):

"he invited a few intimate friends to dinner at his beautiful seat, about five miles from Sydney down the harbour. In the evening he ordered his boat, stating that he was obliged to be absent for a short time upon some matter of public duty connected with the Light-house. He ordered his band of music to accompany him. There was a very strong breeze, and he carried his boat under sail between the Heads, where, while she was going with much velocity through the water, he suddenly threw himself overboard! One of the men instantly jumped after him, and succeeded in keeping him above water until the boat was pulled round, and the men drew them both on board - Captain Piper senseless, and the brave fellow who had thus nearly sacrificed his own life to save that of his master, nearly exhausted."[6][7]

It was reported as an accident in the Australian.[8] He had to sell most of his property.

Piper retired with his family to the Bathurst property, Alloway Bank. In 1838 due to drought he mortgaged the property and subsequently sold it for a few hundred pounds during the 1840s depression. However there was a fund in the hands of William Charles Wentworth which had been subscribed by some of Piper's friends, and with it a property of 500 acres (202 ha) was secured at Westbourne.[9]

Death: John passed away in 1851 at Westbourne, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia.[10][11] He was buried 12 June 1851 in Bathurst, NSW, Australia. His grave is in Bathurst Cemetery.[12]

Family

Daughter of mother unknown:
Sarah (known as Sally), abt 1798 - 1860. She was the child of an earlier liaison (mother unknown), and adopted by John and Mary Ann Piper. Mary Ann referred to her as Sally in a letter in 1811. She married Alfred Thrupp in 1814. Piper secured for Alfred Thrupp a post as his assistant and a grant of land for farming at Neutral Bay. Thrupp sold the 700 acres at Neutral Bay to Piper and he and Sally moved to Van Diemen's Land in 1817.[13][14]DNA evidence points to her mother being Elizabeth Youngson.[15]

Son of Elizabeth Nichols:
Norfolk Piper 1809–1827, child of Elizabeth Nichols 1794–1872. Baptised: 21 Mar 1814 Tasmania, Father: John Piper, Mother: Elizabeth Nichols.[16]He was acknowledged as the son of John Piper in his death notice in the Sydney Gazette.[17]

Children of wife Mary Ann Sheers 1789–1872:[18]

John Piper 16 Aug 1806 –1860
Hugh Piper 23 Aug 1808–1813
James Piper 13 Aug 1810– Feb 1811 London, England.[19][20]
Hugh Hewitt Piper 8 Dec 1813–1825 killed in a riding accident
Thomas Piper 1816– 1884
Eliza Piper 26 Jul 1818– 1872
Anne Christina Frances Piper 24 Jun 1820 – 1890
William Sloper Piper 1822– 1873[21]
Alexander Septimus Piper 27 Aug 1824– 1909[22]
Frederick Octavius Piper 1826–1826.[23][24]
Mary Andrewina Piper 30 Nov 1827 – 1882
Jane Adelaide Piper 25 Jun 1831– 1905
Henry James Piper 1834– 1912[25]

Other Children? Is there any confirming evidence that they are children of 'our' John Piper?

  • Rebecca born about 1807 at Norfolk Island, mother Mary Anne Fisher Power daughter of John Caesar & Anne Power. Was she the "Rebecca Piper" who was witness to Mary Ann's wedding in 1824?
  • Mary Ann, born 28 Nov 1806, daughter of John Piper and Sarah Hughes, baptised 15 April 1807 at St Philip's Sydney. Although John Piper was noted as her father in the baptismal record, her father is more likely his brother Hugh Piper.[26] Note that she is NOT Mary (Piper) Jones (1810 - 1882) who died in 1882 at Orange, age 72, father's name 'Piper', mother's name unknown.
  • Eliza, born 28 October 1830, baptised 6 February 1830 at St Johns Parramatta, parents John Piper farmer of Bathurst and Jane Gready of Parramatta (registered as both Eliza Gready and Eliza Piper).[28] According to some Ancestry trees she is Eliza Jane Anderson, who died 1 December 1906, and her death certificate has details: age 76, place of death at Esrom, parents John Piper, farmer and grazier and Mary Ahearn, witnesses WJ Bullock, Alex G Piper. This would mean her father is not Captain John Piper, but John Piper junior, or, perhaps John senior was the father, and she was adopted by John junior.

Piper Mythology

There appear to be some family stories handed down which are incorrect or unproven:

  • John Piper's father was a doctor. This was recounted by John Piper's daughter Jane in "Old Memories : Reminiscences of Miss Jane Piper" in 1903.[29] He was actually described as a vintner.
  • John and Hugh were grandchildren of "Magnus Piper of Nienstadt in Holstein, who had emigrated from Cornwall and resided in Amsterdam." [30] This pedigree was submitted by Robert Sloper Piper when he applied to be granted armorial bearings in 1833. Various family historians have attempted to reconcile this pedigree with known vital records and have come to the conclusion that the pedigree is fake. See Joan Washington's essay in her Ancestry tree.[31]

Research Notes

"Westbourne is more than just still standing. It has been restored to its former glory by a Dr from Sydney. It is in the village of Eglinton which is only about a 7 min drive from Bathurst. My Uncle Roger (who was left this rather large parcel of land) sold off some and donated a portion to the Aero Club (a gliding club) who have called it Piper's Air Field. My Dad has been inside Westbourne since its restoration and says they have done a brilliant job. I believe it is still owned by the Dr but I am not sure if he uses it as his 'weekender' or if he intended it to be open for display. Either way if you contacted the aero club they may be able to shed some further light on this for you. "As for Alloway Bank, it too has been restored and it was only about 12 months ago you could have owned it for a measly 1.2 million. The colour scheme inside was a bit rich for me (to lolly bright) and it is believed that a ghost still resides within it. It is also situated on the same road as the drive to Westbourne except it is east bound and Westborne is … yes … west bound. Neither of these properties can be viewed up close to the road, however, Alloway Bank can be seen in the distance from the road. I'm sure that if you contacted either of the owners and explained your interest in and relation to these properties, they may proudly show you." - Suellen Piper-Nagy (Citation needed)

Entries for John Piper in the Index to the Colonial Secretary's Records 1788-1825: PIPER, John. Commandant at Norfolk Island; Naval Officer; magistrate and landholder, State Records of New South Wales.

The Voyage of the "Pitt" Arrived 14 February 1792, 775 Tons, Master: Edward Manning, Surgeon: Jameson. Aboard was Major Grose, the commandant of the NSW Corps, 319 male convicts and 49 female convicts. At the time she was taken up the "Pitt" was the largest vessel so far employed in the convict service and the first regular East Indiaman to carry prisoners to Australia. 20 male and nine female prisoners died on the passage, and 120 men were landed sick, many of whom died in the weeks following their landing. More details at bellsite.[32]

John Piper, notes: Promoted to local rank of Captain of New South Wales Corps. Muster (1802): He was listed as having 100 acres at Petersham (Entry AB050), Grazing farm, 6 acres at Parramatta (Entry ABO051), 4 acres, Parramatta (Entry AB052) and a further 25 acres at Parramatta (Entry AB053). Entry No BE030 lists a Grant November 1794 110 acres and entry AH039 as having 4 servants. Occupation (1804): of Norfolk Island. He arrived on board the "Ferret" on 11th February and he spent the next 6 years on Norfolk Island, thus missing the Rum Rebellion back in NSW. In September 1804 Lieut. Governor Foveaux left on prolonged sick leave and Piper became Commandant. Occupation (Aug 1806): On returns of the NSW Corps, on detachment at Norfolk Island.Lieut John Piper, acting with S Tinks as Captain, Norfolk Island.
Ret to Engl (14 Oct 1811): Return of detachment of 102nd Regiment under his command with wives and children on September 12th 1811. The Embarkation Return for a detachment of 102nd Regiment which embarked from Sydney, was signed by Captain John Piper. "Captain John Piper left Port Jackson 20th October 1811 in the ship "Providence" carrying with a very favourable recommendation to the Earl of Liverpool from Governor Macquarie." Occupation (1814): "On 19th May 1813 the Earl of Bathurst notified Governor Macquarie of the appointment of Captain John Piper as Naval Officer & Collector of Duties in NSW. Captain Piper had seen service in NSW as a member of the NSW Corps. When as the 102nd Regiment, it was recalled in 1809, he was at Norfolk Island, where he had been Commandant for several years. After adjusting his affairs at Sydney, Captain Piper left Port Jackson on 20th October 1811 on the ship "Providence", carrying with him a very favourable recommendation to the Earl of Liverpool from Governor Macquarie (HRA1, 7.396-7, 705). As the Commander in Chief judged the holding of these offices to be incompatible with a Military Commission, Captain Piper quitted the Army (HRAI.8.29). He sailed for Sydney in the General Hewitt, reaching there on 10 February 1814, and taking up his duties on 16 February. Captain Glenhome furnished the returns for the period from 1 January to 15 February 1814. Captain Piper, on 31 March 1814, furnished returns relating to overseas shipping for the previous six weeks, but those relating to Colonial vessels do not appear to have been prepared. Thereafter all four returns were furnished regularly each quarter" Duties included the collection of customs duties, excise on spirits and harbour dues, control of lighthouses and work which is now the province of the Water Police. The post proved very remunerative with a percentage on all monies collected, his income from it rose to more than £4,000 per year. (Citation needed)

In 1810, newspapers reported: Captain John Piper's name appears as "arriving in Sydney per "Indispensible", leave of absence prolonged, raced horse called "Kitty" and also that he was thrown from his horse in Hyde Park." [1810 News Index No 1]

Following is a copy of the letter of appointment in the Colonial Secretary's Correspondence:

Government and General Orders
Head Quarters, Sydney
Saturday, 12th February 1814
The Right Honorable Earl Bathurst, His Majexty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, having signified to His Excellency the Governor, in his last Dispatch, that he had appointed John Piper Esquire to be Naval Officer and Collector of the Duties at Port Jackson, and Mr Piper having recently arrived in the Colony on board the Ship Generall Hewitt, he is directed to assume the duties of his Office on Wednesday 16th instant, when Captain Glenholme, the present Acting Naval Officer, will be Pleased to deliver over charge of the Office to his Successor. On this oaccasion the Governor requests Captain Glenholme will accept of his best thanks for his Zealous, Active and Faithful Discharge of his Duty as Acting Naval Officer, for nearly four Years he has now held this Appointment.
By Command of His Excellency the Governor
"Signed" J.T. Campbell Secretary

Muster (1814): Mrs Ann Shears of "General Hewitt" was listed as "lives with Captain Piper". Also listed were Richard Snell c "General Hewitt" and Samuel Myers c "Fortune", both listed twice. Probably servants.

This a copy of the letter of appointment:-

Government and General Orders
Government House, Parramatta
Saturday 10th July 1819
Civil Departmemt
His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to nominate and appoint John Piper, Esquire, and John Harris Esquire, to be Justices of the Peace and Magistrates in the Town of Sydney, in the County of Cumberland, and also throughout the Territory of New South Wales; and they are to be obeyed and respected as such accordingly.
By Command of his Excellency
(Signed) J.T. Campbell Secretary

Bank of New South Wales: (20 Feb 1820): Election result was as follows:-
Darcy Wentworth Esquire For- 50 Against- 5 Majority for- 45 Majority against- NIL, Thomas Wylde Esquire For- 29 Against- 33 Majority for ----- Majority against- 4 John Piper Esquire For- 49 Against- 15 Majority for- 34 Majority against- NIL From the examination and report of the above mentioned Ballot it was determined that Darcy Wentworth and John Piper Esquire, were the Directors elected, commencing from the 8th of this present month of February.
Occupation (bet 1821 and 1826): " Mr Campbell then proposed that Captain Piper be appointed President and Chairman of the Bank, which was seconded by Frederick Garling Esqr., the ballot having taken place, the Tellers reported 37 in favour of Captain Piper, and 21against. Majority in favour of Capt. Piper - 16.

Published Biographies: A book has been written about John, the title being "The Life and Times of Captain John Piper" by M. Barnard Eldershaw published in Australia 1973 by Ure Smith Pty Limited in association with The National Trust of Australia (NSW). National Library and Australia Card Number and ISBN 0 7254 0132 X.
In a book named "The Commandants - the tyrants who ruled Norfolk Island" by M.G. Britts ISBN 0 947163 06 9, Chapter Six is devoted to John Piper: September1804-March 1810.
Over the years many articles have appeared in Sydney papers. "Captain Piper Just Had it All" - Sunday Telegraph, November 16, 1980. "Captain Piper's Tune was Far Too Merry" by George Blaikie under Article 'This was Australia". Unfortunately, paper and date . (Could be Sunday Mail Magazine, July 5 1987.) "Rags to riches Tale Ends with Disgrace" under heading "As It Was" by Robert Willson. - RD 2491990. "The High-Flying Capt John Piper" -- Navy man made fortune from 5 per cent of Sydney Customs duties. - Telegraph Mirror, 6th December 1991. "The AJC's 150 Years" in The Daily Telegraph Mirror, Saturday, May 2, 1992. "More Than Face Value" under the Arts section of Sydney Morning Herald dated Wednesday, May 27, 1992. "Captain Foolhardy" under section Sydney Live - History of The Daily Telegraph, Saturday May 11 2002

The following is a copy of a letter written to him from the Colonial Secretary's Office.

Secretary's Office
31st July 1819
Dear Piper,
In the event of Commissioner Bigge being on board either of the ships now signalled from England, I request you to inform Him that in the absence of the Governor, I shall have the Honor of waiting on him on Board Ship as soon as the vessel comes into the Cove, in order to convey His Excellency's Congratulations on the Occasion (sic). As the Governor's orders are that this Gentleman should be received with a Salute of 13 Guns, I propose arranging with Him on board at which time He would propose to land, as at that time the Salute would commence. May I request you to order the Governor's own Barge, fully manned, to be in readyness to convey the Commissioner on Shore, and also a Boat to Convey me on board.
Yours dear Sir
Jn Piper Esq Most Truly
Naval Officer (sned) J.T. Campbell

In the New South Wales 1828 Census John Piper, aged 51 years was listed as Presbyterian, Landholder at Alloway Bank, Bathurst Plains with 2600 acres, 1300 being cleard, 70 cultivated, 25 horses, 400 cattle and 1000 sheep. Anne aged 37 years, born in colony. Also listed at Alloway Bank was John (Jun) aged 21 years, Thomas age 12 yrs., Eliza aged 10 yrs., Ann aged 8 yrs., William aged 5 yrs., Alexander aged 3 yrs., Mary Ann aged 8 months. Then list of workers on Alloway Bank: Thomas Bouker, age 53 yrs., arrived on "Isabella" in 1823, Sentence 7 yrs, Government Servant, Gardener; John Carter age 39 yrs., arrived on "Mangles" in 1824 , Govt. Servant, Sentence Life, Servant; James Chard age 33 yrs.,arr on "Surry" in 1822., sentence 7 yrs, Govt. Servant, Carpenter; James Charlton age 17 yrs Born in Colony, Labourer ; Catherine Clark age 29 yrs., arrived on "Grenada" in 1827, Govt. Servant, Sentence 7 yrs., Protestant, Servant; George Cole, age 38 yrs., arr on "Surry" in 1819, sentence 14 yrs., Ticket of Leave, Protestant, Labourer; Edward Collins,age 44 yrs., arrived on "Asia2" in 1822 , Sentence Life, Govt. Servant, Protestant, Shoemaker; Thomas Daddy age 28 yrs., arr on "Granada" in 1821, Free by Servitude, Protestant, Shepherd; Henry Doran age 28 yrs., arr on "Agamemnon" in 1821, Sentence Life, Govt. Servant, Protestant, Servant; John Edwards age 58 yrs., arr on "Henry" in 1823, Sentence 7 yrs., Convict, Protestant, Labourer; Sarah Graham, age 27 yrs., Born in Colony, Protestant, Servant; Thomas Grey, age 32 yrs., arr on "Baring" in 1819, Govt. Servant, Catholic, Free by Servitude, Protestant, Brickmaker; Daniel Heley age 42 yrs., arr on "Mangles" 1826, Sentence 7 yrs., Government Servant, Catholic, Stockman; John Hinley age 28 yrs., arr on "Mangles" in 1826, Sentence 7 yrs., Convict, Catholic, Labourer; Thomas Lindsay age 18 yrs.,arr on "Asia 3" in 1825, , Sentence 7 yrs., Govt. Servant, Catholic, Labourer; Thomas McNabb age 20 yrs., arr on "Hadlow" in 1821, Sentence Life, Govt. Servant, Catholic, Ploughman; Michael Mahar, age 45 yrs.,arr on "Prince Regent" in 1824, Sentence 7 yrs., Govt. Servant, Catholic, Stockman; Joseph Pearce age 39 yrs.,arr on "Royal Charlotte in 1825, Sentence Life, Govt. Servant, Protestant, Groom; Thomas Rae, age 63 yrs., Ticket of Leave, Protestant, Shepherd; Samuel Soames, age 25 yrs., arr on "Francis" in 1824, , Came Free, Protestant, Groom; Michael Spencer, age 32 yrs., arr on "Mary" in 1819, Ticket of Leave, Catholic, Ploughman; George Velton, age 27 yrs., arr "Grenada" 1819, Sentence 14 Yrs., Convict, Labourer; George Williams, age 21 yrs., arr on "Guilford" in 1827, Sentence 14 yrs., Government Servant, Protestant, Groom.[33]


(2697) September 11, 1849 JOHN PIPER sen., formerly residing at Alloway Bank, now or lately at Westbourne, Bathurst, New South Wales, as heir to Hugh Piper, sometime Merchant, afterwards Vintner, Maybole, his father, Seised, - in a back House and House formerly called the Long Byre now a stable in the town of MAYBOLE; on Disp. by Thomas Campbell, sometime in Cultizoune thereafter in Thornbrock, to the said Hugh Piper, Dec. 27, 1773; and Decr. Gen. Serv. Aug 24, 1849. P.R.348.188


Sasines, Ayr, 1846-1850, Vol #6 (2600) July 21, 1849 JOHN PIPER, sometimes residing at Alloway Bank, now or lately at Westbourne, Bathurst, New South Wales, Seised, - in a dwelling House on the lands called NEW YARDS with the Kitchen and Barn Yard at the west corner of the said lands measuring, exclusive of the Ground Stead of said Dwelling House, 50 Falls, par. Maybole; - on Feu Disp. by Sarah Chalmers, relict of Hugh Pyper, Vintner, Maybole, his mother, Feb.20, 1805. P.R. 347.279 (The year seems to be 1805 - the last digit seems to be a 5 rather than a 3)

Letter From A.K. MacKenzie To Captain John Piper In NSW Letter Dated 25 January 1822:

Compton Street Brunswick Square
London 25 Janry 1822
My dear Friend
Painful as the task is and short as the notice is it becomes my duty to inform you without much preface that your late cousin my dear departed brother-in-law and friend Lieut Colonel John Piper died at Barbados after an illness of three days on the night of the 12th of Decem last. The news only reached us late on the evening of the 23rd inst, and this is all we at present know. His mother poor woman is much to be pitied - I am however happy to say that under even the most severe tryals (sic) and afflictions that (each?) have befallen her, she is as well as can be expected, and for her pious disposition and thorough belief in His Redeamer, we trust He will continue to strengthen and support her with fortitude and (assignation?) to His Divine wish. To make an attempt at describing the many eminent visitors, good qualities, and endearing perfections with which our dear friend was endowed, would be pointless - He was certainly a good young man possessing sentiments of ( ----- ?) kind and a ( ---- ?) well ( ---- ?) with every heavenly gift - as a son, as a Brother, as a friend, (it would?) be difficult to find his equal - I will only pray it may be our happy lot to visit our dear departed brother in the Reams of Bliss where he is gone before, to enjoy and reap the several rewards of a well spent life.
I am told this is the last day of writing by this conveyance and this I trust will plead my excuse in not writing to Eliza and my dear John - I am also the only one in the house who is able to communicate the sad tidings to our friends and large circle of acquaintances at home and which Mrs Piper insists done today. You will of course break the business to Eliza in a proper and seasonable manner - with the ( ---- ?) regards of the family to all yours Believe me my Dear friend
Yours very Sincerely
AK MacKenzie

Some references in Biographical Database of Australia (BDA):
Ship departures and arrivals https://www.bda-online.org.au/mybda/search/biographical-report/10051405801?f=john&l=piper&ol=&i=3&s=&p=8
Norfolk Island Victualling lists https://www.bda-online.org.au/mybda/search/biographical-report/11371361501?f=john&l=piper&ol=&i=3&s=&p=8
Musters etc https://www.bda-online.org.au/mybda/search/biographical-report/11091205001?f=john&l=piper&ol=&i=3&s=&p=9

Sources

  1. Vital Record Parish Church Maybole Register: Old Parochial Register Source Locality: L.D.S. Film 1041396. The baptism was recorded twice in the register: the first notation is not clear and the page is torn. The second notation on the other hand clearly states "born the 8th day of August and baptized said day in his father's house".
  2. However the "The Australian Dictionary of Biography" has John's date of birth on 20 April 1773 (what is source?)
  3. 3.0 3.1 Marjorie Barnard, 'Piper, John (1773–1851)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/piper-john-2552/text3449, published first in hardcopy 1967, accessed online 28 September 2015.
  4. Eldershaw, M. Barnard., Adrian Feint, and National Trust of Australia. The Life and times of Captain John Piper / by M. Barnard Eldershaw ; Illustrated by Adrian Feint. Sydney: Ure Smith in Association with the National Trust of Australia (N.S.W.), 1973, pp. 110-113.
  5. Portrait of Captain John Piper 1826 by Augustus Earle National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
  6. Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser (Hobart, Tas. : 1825 - 1827), Friday 18 May 1827, page 2
  7. However another story is that he tried to drown himself in the middle of Sydney Harbour but was rescued by his boatmen and rowed back to shore to the strains of a rousing strathspey played by his private piper. See "Maybole's Prince of Australia", Excerpt from the book Ayrshire Heritage by Andrew M. Boyle. Alloway Publishing, Ayr (accessed 15 May 2021)
  8. 1827 The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), 7 April, p. 2. , viewed 15 May 2021, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/37073652?searchTerm=rescued%20piper
  9. Serle, Percival (1949). "Piper, John". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus and Robertson, Project Gutenberg Australia (accessed 15 May 2021)
  10. New South Wales Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Reg No. V185194 106/1851 Deaths NSW
  11. John Piper, 1773–1851, Australian Royalty https://australianroyalty.net.au/tree/purnellmccord.ged/individual/I63134/John-Piper
  12. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49602054/john-piper : accessed 15 May 2021), memorial page for CPT John Piper (20 Apr 1773–8 Jun 1851), Find a Grave Memorial ID 49602054, citing Bathurst Cemetery, Bathurst, Bathurst Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia ; Maintained by Lucas (contributor 50499237) .
  13. Eldershaw, M. Barnard., Adrian Feint, and National Trust of Australia. The Life and times of Captain John Piper / by M. Barnard Eldershaw ; Illustrated by Adrian Feint. Sydney: Ure Smith in Association with the National Trust of Australia (N.S.W.), 1973.
  14. "Sarah Piper, 1798–1860", Australian Royalty https://australianroyalty.net.au/tree/purnellmccord.ged/individual/I63139/Sarah-Piper
  15. Jennifer Williamson, Master Family Tree, https://www.ancestry.com.au/family-tree/person/tree/114860823/person/272037413803/facts
  16. Biographical report for Norfolk PIPER, Biographical Database of Australia (BDA) https://www.bda-online.org.au/mybda/search/biographical-report/20052625001?f=norfolk&l=piper&ol=&i=3&s=&p= and https://www.bda-online.org.au/mybda/search/index-search-results?f=norfolk&l=piper&ol=&i=3&s=&p=
  17. 1827 'Family Notices', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 3 April, p. 3. , viewed 20 May 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2187964
  18. Birth dates in the baptismal records at St Phillips Sydney for children John, Hugh, Hugh Hewitt, Eliza, Anne Christina Frances, Mary Andrewina, and Jane Adelaide Piper are in 'Biographical report for John PIPER', Biographical Database of Australia (BDA) (subscription required) https://www.bda-online.org.au/mybda/search/biographical-report/30001367902?f=john&l=piper&ol=&i=3&s=&p=6
  19. Birth and Baptism record: London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812 for James Piper, Westminster St George, Hanover Square https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1624/images/31547_212684-00449?pId=10531312
  20. Burial 20 Feb 1811, London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812 for James Piper, Westminster St George, Hanover Square, 1805-1812 https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1624/images/31547_212684-00461?pId=10532583
  21. NSW BDM online index Birth PIPER WILLIAM S5974/1823 V18235974 1B and 494/1822 V1822494 8 JOHN MARY A
  22. Birth date in the baptismal records at St Phillips Sydney, Biographical Database of Australia (BDA) (subscription required) https://www.bda-online.org.au/mybda/search/biographical-report/30001476201?f=alexander&l=piper&ol=&i=3&s=&p=
  23. NSW BDM online index Birth PIPER FREDERICK O 7544/1826 V18267544 1C and 153/1826 V1826153 10 JOHN MARY A
  24. NSW BDM online index Death PIPER FREDERICK O 6989/1826 V18266989 2C and 424/1826 V1826424 10 and 1166/1826 V18261166 44B INFANT
  25. NSW BDM online index Birth PIPER HENRY J 801/1834 V1834801 18 JOHN ANNA
  26. North, Jessica. Mary Ann & Captain Piper : The Remarkable True Story of the Convicts' Daughter Who Became the Toast of Colonial Sydney / Jessica North. 2022, p.309.
  27. Tasmanian archives https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD32-1-1$init=RGD32-1-1-P059
  28. NSW BDM online index Birth PIPER ELIZA 28/1830 V1830 28 15 JOHN JANE and GREADY ELIZA10306/1830 V183010306 1C JOHN P JANE both checked - they are the same child
  29. "Old Memories : Reminiscences of Miss Jane Piper" in Old Times July 1903, p.287. https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-323428149/view?sectionId=nla.obj-1795979892&partId=nla.obj-323454968#page/n54/mode/1up
  30. According to "A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Colonial Gentry" John and Hugh were grandchildren of "Magnus Piper of Nienstadt in Holstein, who had emigrated from Cornwall and resided in Amsterdam."A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Colonial Gentry, (Cox) https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/30265/images/RDAUS1850_072213-rdaus1850_072213-0811?usePUB=true&_phsrc=Dlw4781&usePUBJs=true&pId=155010 Also, according to Burke's "Commoners", "The family of Piper is said to be originally of the Kingdom of Saxony and to derive descent from Magnus Piper of Neustadt in Holstein, whose ancestors were from Lubec."
  31. Correspondence, J.P.Brooke-Little, The College of Arms, London, 1960 to R.W. Piper, in Terri McCormack research papers on Captain John Piper, MSS 10962, Box1, Mitchell Library, Sydney NSW. The letter can be seen in Joan Washington's Ancestry tree https://www.ancestry.com.au/family-tree/person/tree/173643510/person/122253416724/Gallery?_phtarg=Dlw9502&sort=-created
  32. Bateson, Charles. The Convict Ships, 1787-1868 / by Charles Bateson. Australian ed. Sydney: Reed, 1974, full transcript in John Warby Family trees, Helen Bell
  33. 1828 New South Wales, Australia Census (Australian Copy) for John Piper (NRS 1273) 1828 Census: Householders´ Returns Bathurst, Ancestry.com

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Comments: 6

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Hi profile managers,

Thanks for looking after this Australian notable! I'm not sure if you're aware, but the Australia Project has recently changed their Australian Notables categories. We are now moving all the profiles currently under the Australia, Notables category to one or more of the sub-categories - see Australia, Notables category for the sub-categories and Australian Notables for information on how to include an Australian Notable category as part of the Notables sticker. You can also check if you have any other profiles that need moving from under this category by going to the category and choosing 'Limit to Watchlist' on the top RHS.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me,

Thanks so much! Gillian, co-Leader, Australia Project

posted by Gillian Thomas
Sarah PIPER married Alfred THRUPP (1787-1861) not John. Marriage was at St. Philip C of E church, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 2 May 1814.

Alfred THRUPP moved to Tasmania to be with his brother Henry THRUPP my direct ancestor in 1817.

posted by Peter Thrupp
Thanks for letting us know. I have corrected it.
posted by Heather Stevens
I have added the names of possible illegitimate children. I would be very interested if anyone has more information about them.
posted by Heather Stevens
Hi Jeff and Kerry,

Someone added very long content to the Research Notes and I have been tidying them up. I have removed the copy and paste of the ADB because there is already a link to it. I have also removed the long list of entries from the Col Sec Index and replaced it with a link. I think the Research Notes could be shortened a bit more. Please let me know privately if you want to discuss. Regards, Heather

posted by Heather Stevens
edited by Heather Stevens
Piper-2146 and Piper-1325 appear to represent the same person because: 2146 was created in error but includes relationship to John's son, John Jnr.
posted by Kerry Slavin

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