Historical information

Whilst the three original Carrucan pioneers and their spouses are all buried at Eltham, only one gravestone (that of Patrick Carrucan) exists. Like many of the poor farmers of these early times, their graves were not marked with any permanent stone monuments and have deteriorated to become unmarked graves over the years.

Patrick Carrucan, born in 1831 in Ireland, was the second oldest son of Patrick and Bridget Carrucan. He married Mary O'Brien in Ireland in 1856 before migrating to Australia, accompanied by Mary’s father, to join his sister Bridget Coleman in Eltham who had migrated in 1853.

Patrick and Mary purchased a farm at the corner of Dalton and Bible Streets, initially living in a hut. After a few years, a more substantial house was built with assistance from Mary's father, who then returned to Ireland. The farm gradually prospered, with cattle, poultry and an orchard.

Patrick and Mary had ten children (Bridget, Michael, Susan, Patrick, Thomas, Mary Anne, Catherine, Margaret, Frances and Annie) and lived in Eltham for the rest of their lives.

In later years, the Sweeney and the Carrucan families intermarried, as did most of the old Catholic farming families of the Eltham District.

Patrick died 6 October 1894 aged 63, reputedly from a broken back after being run over by his own bullock cart. Mary died in 2 Nov 1927 aged 90. They, together with other family members, are buried in a family plot in Eltham Cemetery, though only Patrick is recorded on the gravestone.

Patrick's gravestone was in such disrepair that Betty Erickson (nee Carrucan) paid to have a new one erected in the late 1970s. Unfortunately, this gravestone, like the original, only honours Patrick Carrucan and does not record the other family members buried in this family plot.

Betty wrote in 1989 "our people were farmers; the Sweeneys well-educated and prosperous, the Carrucans on a somewhat less favoured scale, but solid workers and providers."

Patrick Carrucan
Who departed this life 6 Oct. 1894
Aged 63 years

Physical description

Born Digital