Betsy Pearce (nee Cullen) went into labour in the early hours of 16 July 1825. Her husband John sent one of his convict workers to the Cullen farm for help. Catherine heard the banging on the door at the front of the house and imagined her husband standing on the stoop, raindrops running down his face, coat dripping water on the step and his shoes. Getting out of bed, she pulled a wrap around her shoulders, put her feet into her slippers, lit a candle and hurried down the stairs.
One of her brother-in-law John’s convicts stood shivering on the step. ‘Apologies, Missus. Mr John sent me. Missus Pearce’s child is on the way.’
Catherine dressed quickly, woke her mother to explain where she was going and followed her escort out into the wintry night, pulling her waterproof cape over her head.
