Uralla Historical Society committeewoman Ann Mayo said she was one of about 30 people at Uralla's McCrossin's Mill Historical Museum on Saturday for the launch of Jonathon Fairall's book Earl Grey's Daughters.
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"There were light refreshments beforehand, and then it was a real family affair. I was very pleased with the number of people who attended," she said.
"Wendy Chapman spoke briefly about the book first, and about her husband Jonathon who wrote the book. She then introduced her mother, Mary Chapman, who lives in Tamworth and she spoke."
Jonathon spoke about the book whose central character is Eliza Dooley, an ancestor of his wife and the person who served Captain Thunderbolt his last beer in the Royal Oak Inn on the day he died in 1870.
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Thunderbolt was drinking at the inn when police arrived from Armidale. Jonathon said local legend had it that Eliza warned him about the police. He tipsily leapt into his saddle and rode off, with the young constable who was about to shoot him at Kentucky Creek in hot pursuit.
Ann said she was reading the book and enjoying it.
"It's obvious that Jon put a lot of research into this book, including two trips to Ireland with his wife," she said.
"We've had book launches here before, this is our fourth, but it was particularly lovely to have this one.
"We have all sorts of functions here at McCrossin's Mill, but not very often a book launch. It was a really nice occasion."
Ann said McCrossin's would love the opportunity to hold more future launches.