BRAWEN, Peter 1826-1877
Peter Brawen purchased Lot 27 of the Bellambi Estate in 1858 and established a market garden on the northern bank of Towradgi Creek around 1864. He married Bridget Walsh in 1863 and their son, George Thomas, was born in 1864. A daughter, Mary Elizabeth, followed in 1867. Peter and Bridget had a tempestuous relationshipn marred by Bridget's intemperence. On the night of 25 May 1877. Peter and his children died in a murder/suicide. Their bodies were discovered the following morning in their burnt-out home. Mary was absent in Wollongong when the tragedy occurred. The farm was sold to Henry Hicks and Mary left the district. She died in 1913 at the Newington Asylum which cared for indigent women. The site of the farm is now south of Murray Rd at East Corrimal encompassing Cawley, Parker, Carroll Roads and Lake Drive.
| Bellambi Tragedy 1877 | Article by John Shipp published 2026 in the IHS Bulletin 2025 |
| Bridget Brawen death certificate | Death Certificate Bridget Brawen 1913 |