b'The Elizabeth Street cottageAfter five years of legal training George Allen was relievedSydney office. The cottage, conveniently located near the to have completed his articles of clerkship. He wrote incourthouse, evidenced his standing in the community and his journal, Sunday morning 21 July 1822 a few minutescommitment to his career. At the rear of the property were after 12 oclock, the moment of freedom has arrived. I havestables in which George kept horses to visit clients, and at last served my clerkship, and I now solemnly dedicatethere was ample space for the family and staff tomyself to God. Lord have mercy upon me enable me toplay cricket. serve thee.The first months of private practice were busy with The following day George established his own legalestate management, conveyancing and other property practice. At the time, he was living with his friend Robertmatters. George also initiated mortgages premier Howe above the printing presses of The Sydney Gazette andHenry Parkes famously borrowed 9,000 from the Allen New South Wales Advertiser, which was run by Howes father.family. Completing legal work in the firms early days was It was here, amid the din of the presses and with an earnesta slow process. Corresponding with clients in England took dedication borne of religious conviction, that George beganmany months. The preparation of legal contracts was also his legal practice.time- consuming, requiring engrossing clerks who were employed for their fine handwriting skills to craft and bind Within a month George had left the firms first home abovethe documents for execution. As more free settlers made their the presses of the Gazette to establish an office on the cornerway to the colony the work steadily increased.of Hunter and George Streets. He then moved to Macquarie Street (opposite the general hospital) before purchasingGeorge was joined in the cottage by Jane Bowden, whom a cottage in Elizabeth Street, not far from Allens currenthe had married in 1823. Jane was the daughter of Thomas 14'