Mrs. Ann Cornelious  was granted a publican's license for the 'Rose Shamrock & Thistle Inn'. She was the widow of Morpeth auctioneer  Richard Cornelius who had died in 1842 at the age of thirty.20. She sometimes called on the assistance of her brother-in-law, Quinten Swift to assist her. When she suspected ticket of leave holder Samuel Brassington of stealing a bottle of gin from her hotel in 1846, Mr. Swift recovered the stolen gin and the thief who was later sentenced to 12mths in irons.21

Thomas Dowell was employed as a gardener at the Inn. She also employed George Ferris in 1848 to work as a general servant at 6/- per week. Ferris was later dismissed from her service when he became drunk and failed to return after being sent to East Maitland to obtain water. Ferris was later ordered to forfeit one week's wages for misconduct .22