In 1860 John Brereton bought the farm cottage, Osgathorpe, in Gladesville, a building supposed to have been Ludwig Leichhardt's last lodging place before his fatal expedition in 1848.
Brereton made many alterations and additions to Osgathorpe, and in 1882, having achieved sufficient prosperity to retire, moved there permanently.
He died aged 59 on 28 October 1886 from Bright's disease, and was buried in St Anne's cemetery, Ry
