Richard Power Cummins held the license for the 'Sportsman's Arms in West Maitland between 1842 and 1845. When he died in 1845 aged 33 leaving his wife Sophia to raise their four children, Sophia took over the running of the Inn. Not an easy task, although perhaps she was aided by faithful servants such as Richard Palmer. Richard gave evidence for Mrs. Cummins in a court case in 1845 when a customer of the Hotel, Margaret Fowler was charged with assaulting Sophia.

Margaret who was well known in the town for her intemperate habits and violent behaviour had 'seized Mrs. Cummins by the hair of the head and used violent and threatening language towards her' (Margaret had over 20 arrests for drunkenness and assault over the next couple of years) Margaret must have been allowed to return to the Sportsmans' Arms again as in March 1846 she was once more accused of assault. This time George Edmonstone who was a waiter at the Inn was the victim. In Court Margaret promised she would give the magistrate no further trouble in the future and would leave Maitland if she was forgiven on this occasion. The Magistrates, considered this a great inducement and dismissed the case. (Margaret apparently did leave Maitland  -  for Singleton. Eighteen months later she was in trouble for smashing a window at the house of Mrs. Stretch while residing at Delandre's hotel!)

Sophia Cummins transferred the license for the Sportsman's Arms to Samuel Thompson in 1847 and in April 1848 she married Charles Edward Walthall who had come from Richmond Virginia, USA and was owner of Walthall's Tobacco Manufactory.