From 1789, Cornish emancipist James Ruse was allowed to farm  30 acres of land at Parramatta.  He was able to support himself and his family by 1791, when Governor Phillip granted him the land  – the first grant of land in the new colony.Through the efforts of small farmers the colony was self-supporting by 1795. Ruse later … Continue reading 1789 Australia’s first free farmer