According to the 1878 Electoral Roll (posted by JM Reply #12)
John Joseph was a freeholder of land near Howlong,so why is there no mention of him on NSW "deceased estates"?
Judith, I am sure you know that after I read this I set about double checking myself. And so :

I can confirm the 1878 ER info is correctly transcribed by me to that post.

I have diligently gone over and over and over the various different techniques I use to search the various online indexes that NSW SRO offers. NOUGHT in NSW SRO for death duties or winding up of the deceased estate.... I even tried sorting the headings by date and by location.
It is as though he had already disposed of the estate prior to his death .... that is another reason for suspecting the illness was protracted .... in NSW the 1880s it often took time to transfer freehold property, it took as long or longer than it does today.
The (NSW) Lands Titles Office (cannot recall their "OFFICIAL" current name at the moment) would be the place to start to follow up on that aspect.
http://www.lpi.nsw.gov.au/land_titles/historical_records_onlinehttp://www.lpi.nsw.gov.au/land_titles/historical_records_online/historical_maps_cancelled_editionshttp://www.rootschat.com/links/0vqt/ Link to Titles office etc.
HOWLONG : 1875 : in the Police District of ALBURY, in the Electorate of THE HUME, and in the county of HUME ..... this ought to help with online searching of Maps ....
Another couple of links too :
http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=538663.0Cheers, JM