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In 1789 James Ruse was chosen by Governor Arthur Phillip to run an experiment to see how long it would take a man to support himself. Ruse was granted one and a half cleared acres (6,000 m²) of land, as well as being assisted in the clearance of a further five acres (20,000 m²), and provided with two sows and six hens. He was fed and clothed from the public store for 15 months, after which time, as he had become successfully self-sufficient, he was granted a further 30 acres (120,000 m²).

In October 1793 Ruse sold his farm to surgeon John Harris , builder of the substantial colonial cottage which exists today. Doctor Harris was a prominent citizen in the rapidly emerging colony, and was also friends with John And Elizabeth MacArthur of Elizabeth Farm , another celebrated early agricultural venture only a short walk away.