Sarah Blay read the letter Robert Bishop had brought back from Hobart Town. ‘It’s from Mrs McCormack,’ she said to her husband, ‘says William McCormack has died, so in consequence James Jr no longer has employment as an apprentice shoemaker.’
‘What are we to do with the boy then?’ asked Blay, not expecting an answer. Sarah didn’t give one.
‘There is more, James. It appears Mr McCormack has left a land grant to James Jr. She read the solicitor’s letter:
“Know all men by these presents that J.G.H. Cummings Esquire of Hobarttown Van Diemens Land being professional since the decease of the within named William McCormack of all that allotment of ground granted by thus within Indenture or lease and that for and in consideration of twenty seven pounds, six shillings sterling hast bargained sol
