Family background
In 1874, Pierce Purcell married Margaret Gough in Sydney. On 26 September 1876, he issued a notice at his home at Short Street, Forest Lodge, that he was no longer responsible for any of her debts. After his wife Margaret died intestate in 1877, Pierce Purcell, builder of Ultimo, was appointed administrator of her estate. In 1890 Pierce Purcell lived in Union Street, Erskineville. The death of a man named Pierce Purcell was registered at Burwood in 1908 but no other information has been located about this event.
Occupation & interests
Pierce Purcell was a builder. On 13 June 1882, his partnership with William Smith was dissolved. In 1887, Pierce Purcell mortgaged various parcels of land but the loans do not seem to have been repaid.
Local government service
Pierce Purcell was an alderman on Erskineville Council in 1890-94, representing South Ward.
References
‘Public Notices’, Sydney Morning Herald, 26 September 1876 p 1, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13380518
‘Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction’, NSW Government Gazette, 10 April 1877, p 1422, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/223758531
‘Business Announcements’, Sydney Morning Herald, 7 August 1882 p 10, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28381396