Joseph and Betsy Worland from Foxton

From 1842 to 1851 - The Oliver family migrates to New Zealand

James Oliver married Margaret Brown in Canongate (Edinburgh) Parish on 13 May 1828 (Ref 685/3 280/362).

In the 1841 census, James (aged 35) and Margaret (aged 35?, she was said to have been born in 1799) were recorded in Glasgow with their children George Oliver (aged 12), Agnes Oliver (aged 10), Maria Oliver (aged 8), Benjamin Oliver (aged 5) and Sarah Oliver (aged 3). (1841 census ref 644/1 104/5 - Lanark/Glasgow)

Like many Scottish people, they saw an opportunity to improve their lives by emgirating to the new British colonies, including Australia and New Zealand.

According to family history, James and Margaret Oliver and their children boarded the Jane Gifford which departed Greenock on 16 June 1842 bound for New Zealand, arriving on 9 October 1842. The New Zealand Herald of 4 November 1892 re-ran an article from 9 October 1842 noting that the Duchess of Argyle (whijch left on 10 June) and the Jane Gifford both sailed into Auckland Harbour bringing over 500 Scottish settlers. These were the first emigrant ships that left England for Auckland.

Maria Oliver married Thomas Jenkins at Kawai Island, Rodney, Auckland, NZ on 21 January 1850 (NZ BDM Ref 50). Thomas and Maria Jenkins had one child Margaret Isabel Jenkins (1850 (NZ BDM Ref 1786), but Margaret is believed to have died before 1851 - no death record has yet been found in NZ BDM records. It is not known what happened to Thomas Jenkins but Maria then appears to have developed a relationship with William Mitchell.

Agnes Oliver married W R Finlayson, the Chief Clerk of the Kawau Mines, on 26 November 1855. (Source: The Daily Southern Cross, 9 January 1855)

According to family history, William Mitchell, a 29 year-old tailor born in London, married Maria Jenkins (nee Oliver, said to be 22 years old and born in Perth, Scotland but if she was actually born in 1833 she would have been younger) in New Zealand in 1851. No record of this marriage has yet been found in the NZ BDM records and it may have simply been a common-law arrangement. According to the record of their marriage (held by the family), Maria had had one daughter (Margaret Isabel Jenkins) who was already deceased.

The story of William Mitchell and Maria Jenkins continues below from 1854.

From 1841 - Backround on the Parish family in Toft and Rampton, Cambridgeshire, UK

James Parish was born at Toft, Cambridgeshire around 1786 to Jonas (1753, Cottenham - ) and Ann (nee Reeves) Parish. James Parish married Elizabeth Mounsey [ca 1798 - unknown] on 25 April 1814 at Rampton by Banns and consent of parents. James and Elizabeth Parish had at least one child:

Ephraim Parish married Eliza Everett (born 1819, the daughter of Abraham Everett, a tailor of Cottenham) on 7 or 8 February 1841 at Cottenham.

Ephraim's father James Parish died on 10 January 1850.

In the 1851 census, Ephraim Parish was recorded a a 30 year-old shopkeeper and agricultural labourer. The couple and children noted below were recorded in the 1851 census in Rampton, Chesterton, Cambridgeshire.

There were 8 other people with the Parish surname in Rampton in the 1851 census.

Perhaps prompted by their impending sea voyage to Australia, the entire Parish family was baptized in the Parish Church at Rampton on 12 February 1854. the ceremony performed by W. S. Beever, Curate. No birth dates were given, but their ages were recorded in the margin of the Baptism register.

1854 - The Parish family migrates to Australia

Ephraim and Eliza Parish (nee Everett) and family departed Southampton on 22 April 1854 on board the wooden-built Maria Hay on its maiden voyage bound for Australia. Although online records show them as 'assisted' passengers they were in fact government immigrants who paid their own passage. The family arrived at Hobsons Bay, Geelong on 23 July 1854.

Ephraim Parish (recorded as Nathaniel Parish) was not looking to be engaged by anyone on his arrival, he was prepared to work on his own account in the Geelong area, indicating he had some money to do this. Unfortunately for the family, Ephraim died of 'colonial fever' (typhoid fever) at Barrabool Hills (now known as Highton, a suburb of Geelong) on 14 January 1855 (Vic BDM Ref 1373, which records his place of birth as 'Bedf') and was buried in the Geelong cemetery. There are no probate papers for Ephraim; his wife Eliza is known to have purchased land at Highton (CA2, Section 19, in the general area bounded by Murray Street, Marcus Street and Mt Pleasant Road, Highton) on 5 November 1857 at one o'clock, so she must have had 'some' funds in order to do so.

Eliza appears to have survived running a small business in the Highton area with the help of her children. The premature death of her husband likely caused her to seek employment for her children.

At least some of the family moved to Camperdown by 1870. The Camperdown Chronicle of 8 September 1932 noted that, when Harry Sumpter started a coach service in 1870 between Geelong and the Western District of Victoria, Richard Kane who accompanied him intended 'to look up James Parish, brother in law of Mr Fredk Wright and father of Mr Jake Parish of Gnotuk whom he also knew intimately in Geelong'.

1856 - Joseph Worland and Elizabeth (Betsy) Cooper

Some of the details below are on this site, sourced to Vicki Doody (nee Worland), and from Vicki directly.

See this site for details of Joseph and Betsy Worland and their families in England.

Note: It is not known how or if Joseph Worland may be related to brothers John Worland and Frederick Worland who also came from Foxton.

Joseph and Betsy Worland departed from Birkenhead, England on 29 September 1856 aboard the Arabian or Abiram, arriving at Geelong on 27 January 1857. According to Vicki Doody, the family first started off in a quarry business at Portland and did very well before taking up land and farming first around Geelong (Murgheboluc) and Euroa. Joseph Worland's parent's names are not recorded on his death certificate.

Joseph and Elizabeth Worland had the following children (including Betsy's son Edgar and two more born in the UK):

1854 to 1858 - William Mitchell (later connected with Elizabeth Parish)

William and Maria Mitchell had one child in New Zealand before departing for Melbourne before April 1854, when Maria's namesake daughter and one other child was born as listed below; note that there are two Charlottes listed below so further research is required.

Victorian BDM records show that William John (James) Pearson Mitchell married Maria Oliver (not 'Jenkins') in Melbourne in 1856 (Vic BDM Ref 218). It is not known why they would have married again if they were already married in New Zealand. William and Maria had two more children listed below.

1856 to 1859 - George and Catherine Southey, and Elizabeth Parish

George Edward Southey (26 May 1819 - 22 July 1867), of 'Amanda Villa', Bonsey Road, Highton, was the proprietor of the Geelong Hotel in the 1850s and was often recorded in the newspapers around that time. He had at least three children with his wife, Catherine Southey (nee Bowden). Catherine Southey died on 24 July 1856 aged 38 (Vic BDM Ref 3900, Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer, 25 July 1856).

It is understood that the 15 year-old Elizabeth Parish (who also lived in Highton with her mother and siblings) was then employed by George Southey as a governess or nurse for his children at his house. Elizabeth fell pregnant to George Southey in 1857. Her daughter Henrietta Parish was born on 7 March 1858 and baptised on 5 October 1868 at the Trinity Church of England in Barrabool Hills. The baptism record (No 279) declared Elizabeth Parish as a farmer, no father was recorded.

Perhaps for this reason, George decided to travel to England with three children, records as 'GE' - likely George Edward Southey born 1850; 'SP' - possibly Samuel Bawden Southey, born 1853; and 'SH' - not otherwise identified. They travelled on the Istanboul from Hobsons Bay bound for London in January 1858. George Southey was back in Victoria by July 1859 when he was recorded giving evidence in a court case in Geelong. He was also recorded in September 1859 when he applied for the transfer of the Geelong Hotel from William Brown.

1858 - William Mitchell is the proprietor of the Foundry Hotel Melbourne

William Mitchell was recorded as the proprietor of the Foundry Hotel in Melbourne City in November 1858, taking over the licence from William Whitmore. By this date, Maria was recorded as being 25 with three children; exactly which three is not clear. The Foundry Hotel had been established in 1848 and, by 1856, offered 'elegant sleeping apartments and pretty good food and drink', along with 'good wines, liqours of every description'. A night licence was granted to William Mitchell in 1858.

The Argus newspaper of 26 November 1858 carried an article under the heading 'A fatal blow', relating the death of Maria Mitchell.

(On the day of the event), Maria's husband William 'heard a noise in my bar; it was like persons fighting', and heard his wife cry out that he had been struck by one of three men who were quarelling at the bar. A man was arrested. The Age of 27 November 1858 reported on various witness statements including the prisoner who said he thought Maria was sober at the time and would not have struck her 'for any money'; he also said that Maria did not seem to have been much injured at the time. Another witness said that Maria went between those fighting and was possibly hit by a blow from the prisoner aimed at another man - 'There was no kicking at the time she fell'.

William called for the doctor who was unable to attend until the next day (Saturday). At the inquest, the doctor stated that Maria's face was 'very much swollen, and (she was) evidently suffering from a severe loss of blood. The frontal bone was considerably injured, as I was told by a kick, and I believe such to be the case. The eyes were black, and both of them nearly closed. The forehead was very much swollen' but these symptoms were not regarded as urgent. She was advised to avoid stimulants, including alcohol.

Despite these injuries, William said that Maria returned to her daily work routine 'nearly all day' washing in the wash house on the Monday. By Tuesday, the doctor called for her, noting that she was present with her husband and mother. He noted that she 'presented all the symptoms of a person suffering from the effects of drink', and after leaving the surgery fell down 'in a fit in the street'. By Tuesday evening, she was 'out of her mind' and died on Tuesday between 10 and 11 PM.

The doctor and another conducted a post-mortem and reported in great detail on the outcome. He told the jury 'I was informed by deceased that she had been kicked on the head'. After deliberation, the prisoner was committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter.

Maria Mitchell (nee Oliver) and her two children William James Mitchell and Sarah Mitchell were buried together in the same plot in the Melbourne Cemetery with Maria's mother Margaret Brown Oliver (1799 - 1859 (Vic BDM Ref 3239)). (CoE, Comp R, Row 13)

March 1859 - Elizabeth Parish seeks financial support for a child from George Southey

According to Police notices in the Geelong Advertiser on 9 March 1859, Elizabeth Parish sought financial support from George Southey for her daughter Henrietta Parish (1858, Barrabool (Vic BDM Ref 6999) - ). Southey was ordered to pay £10 forthwith and '10s every Tuesday for the child's support'. Elizabeth may have remained in Geelong for a while but ended up in Melbourne. Her daughter Henrietta Parish was living in Highton, possibly with her mother Eliza or her aunt Hannah Lovett, in 1878 - see below.

1860 - Foundry Hotel to let

The Foundry Hotel was offer 'to let by tender' on 10 January 1860. The licence was eventually transferred to Edgar Stephens on 5 September 1860.

1860 - Elizabeth Parish and William Mitchell

It is believed that Elizabeth Parish moved to Melbourne (without her daughter Henrietta) some time before 1860 where she formed a relationship with William Mitchell. Elizabeth Parish gave birth to the following children with no father named on any of the records, but all believed to be the children of William Mitchell:

It is not known what William Mitchell did for work from September 1860 to 1863 when he moved to New Zealand with Henrietta. They may have lived and worked in the Fitzroy or Collingwood area of Melbourne, based on the location where their children were born.

1863 - William Mitchell and Elizabeth Parish move to New Zealand

William Mitchell and Elizabeth Parish moved to Christchurch, New Zealand with their children in 1863. They married in 1863 (NZ BDM Ref 4328). From at least September 1863, William operated the Eldorado Guest House (also known as the 'El Dorado grog shanty') ... 'on the track from West Taieri (Outram) to Waipori. The family then eventually moved to a property known as 'Beach House' at Outram on the Taieri (near Dunedin), where the following children were born.

William and Elizabeth Mitchell and children outside their house in New Zealand (Photos courtesy Ormes Sawyer, a descendant on the Parish line).

1864 - James Parish marries Jane Eliza Lee

James Parish (born 1840) married Jane Eliza Lee probably in Geelong in 1864. They had the following children:

James's wife, Jane Eliza Parish (nee Lee), born 1841 to 'Lee Richard Parish' [sic] and Jane Eliza Saunders, died in Camperdown on 23 August 1908 (Vic BDM Ref 5118).

James Parish (born 1841) died in Camperdown in 1918 (Vic BDM Ref 11927).

1864 - Ann Parish marries Fredrick Wright

Ann Parish, the daughter of Ephraim and Eliza Parish who arrived on the Maria Hay in 1854, married Fredrick Wright in 1864 (Vic BDM Ref 2302). (First name as per his gravestone in Camperdown cemetery). According to his obituary in the Camperdown Chronicle of 16 October 1934, Frederick came to Australia at the age of 14 in 1856 on board the American-built wooden ship 'Omega', landing in Corio Bay on 15 September 1856. After a period of time employed as a nurseryman and being the first man to deliver flour to the Stawell gold diggings at the age of 17, he ended up in Camperdown in 1871 where he engaged in farming and dairying. Fredrick was also primarily responsible for the avenue of elms in the township of Camperdown, and was a foundation member of the Camperdown Turf Club and the Independent Order of Odd Fellow (IOOF) in that town.

Given the details in the obituary, it seems possible that Ann met then then 24 year-old Frederick in Geelong and they travelled together to Camperdown, as can be evidenced from the birth locations of their children listed below.

Ann Wright (nee Parish) died in 1884, see below. See also below from 1887 regarding the marriage of Ann's sister Esther (born 1852) to Frederick Wright in the same year that Mary Jane Wright died.

1867 - Edward Myhill Worland dies

Edward Myhill Worland (born 1855) was the third son of Joseph and Betsy Worland. At the age of 12, Edward drowned in a waterhole at Gnarwarre (near Geelong) on 4 December 1867 on the farm of his employer, when he lost his footing and fell into the water. The Herald (Victoria) reported on the incident on 6 December 1867 noting that 'The poor boy had been sent to the waterhole by his master to fetch a hay rake and pitchford which were lying on the bank, and it is supposed that he slipped in'.

1872 - Hannah Parish marries Frederick Lovett

Hannah Parish (born 1847) was the daughter of Ephraim and Eliza Parish (nee Everett) who arrived in Melbourne in 1854. Hannah married Frederick Lovett in 1872 (Vic BDM Ref 3227). They had the following eight children, and may have moved to Camperdown also by 1887 when their last child was born:

1876 - Edgar (Cooper) Worland marries

Most of the following details were kindly provided by Vicki Doody (nee Worland).

Edgar (Cooper) Worland (born 1846), the son Betsy of Worland (nee Cooper), established himself in the district of Creighton via Euroa in Victoria. He selected part of what was called the 'Green Hills' now known as the Worland Hills. Edgar named his property Foxton Park after the parish of Foxton in Cambridgeshire where his parents came from. He was a noted breeder of Lincoln Sheep and had a top stud farm. He exhibited wool in London, gaining a special award there and presented one of his prize fleeces to Queen Victoria. In the boom prices of the middle 1890's he received 18 pounds 18 shillings for full grown Lincoln sheep.

Edgar Worland married Isabella Davis (1852, Inverness, Scotland - 1884, Mortlake, Victoria, Australia), the daughter of John Davis of Scotland in 1876 (VIC BDM Ref 738). Isabella's mother's name is not (yet) known. Edgar and Isabella Worland had four children.

Edgar's wife Isabella died in 1884 aged only 32 (Vic BDM Ref 2271). The death certificate states that she died of an asthma attack in the district of Mortlake, near Geelong.

Edgar then married Elizabeth Isabella Halsall, daughter of Gilbert and Charlotte Halsall of Creighton, on 17 January 1889 at Creighton in the district of Longwood. They had six children:

These were the families of Foxton Park, the sheep property at Euroa named after the Parish of Foxton the parents had left in England. The Worland children attended school in Longwood until a school opened at Creighton in 1884.

1878 - Henrietta Parish falls off a horse

The Geelong Advertiser of 19 September 1878 recorded that the 20-year old Henrietta Parish, a resident of Highton (Geelong area), 'when out riding near Waurn Ponds yesterday afternoon, was thrown from her hourse. She fell heavily on the ground and fractured her right arm. Miss Parish was at once brought into Geelong and taken to the Hospital where her injury was attended to'.

1881 - Walter Worland marries

Walter Worland (1857 - 7 August 1909, Geelong), the son of Joseph and Betsy Worland, married the dressmaker Henrietta Parish (1858 - 1940), the daughter of Ephraim and Eliza Parish and sister to Elizabeth and Ann, at the residence of the Baptist minister in Geelong on 21 April 1881. The marriage was witnessed by William Worland and Esther Everett Parish. (Vic BDM Ref 2450, marriage certificate)

It is believed Walter took up farming at Highton and thence to Euroa, probably in partnership with his (step) brother Edgar at Foxton Park.

Walter Worland and Henrietta Worland (nee Parish) (Photos courtesy Ormes Sawyer, a descendant on the Parish line).

Walter and Henrietta Worland had the following children:

Walter held a farm of 153 acres at Castle Creek near Euroa from about 1885-89, which he probably sold to Mr P. Connelly, to enable the move to Mt Moriac. Walter purchased the General Store at Mt Moriac about 1888.

Walter Worland in his militia uniform (Photos courtesy Ormes Sawyer, a descendant on the Parish line).

See below from 1891 for the continuation of Walter's story.

1884 - Ann Wright (nee Parish) dies

Ann Wright (nee Parish) died in Camperdown in 1884 (Vic BDM Ref 8064, which names her parents as Ephraim 'Parsih' and Eliza (nee Everett), the couple who arrived with children on the Maria Hay in 1854).

1885 - Death of Elizabeth Mitchell (nee Parish)

Elizabeth Mitchell (nee Parish, born around 1843 to Ephraim and Eliza Parish (nee Everett)) died at Beach House, North Taieri on 5 August 1885 aged just 44 (NZ BDM Ref 4180). Her husband John William Mitchell died at the age of 72 on 19 January 1897 in New Zealand (NZ BDM Ref 1606). He was 73.

1886 - Death of Elizabeth Worland nee Cooper

Elizabeth Worland (nee Cooper), the wife of Joseph Worland, died in 1886 in Euroa and was buried there. See also below for Joseph's death in 1896.

1887 - Frederick Wright marries Esther Parish

After the death of her sister Ann in 1884 and also the death of her niece Mary Jane Wright in 1887, Frederick married Ann's younger sister Esther in 1887 (Vic BDM Ref 4064). Frederick and Esther Wright had four children together:

1889 - Charles Worland marries

Charles Worland (born 1852/1854), the second son of Joseph and Betsy Worland, married Susannah Lilian Looker (1865, Geelong - 1927, East Melbourne) on 22 May 1889 in Geelong, Victoria (VIC BDM Ref 2836). Susannah was one of four children born to Phillip Looker and Susan Wright. (Coincidentally, another Susan Wright also from Cambridgeshire, married John Worland in England and arrived in Victoria in 1854).

Charles and Susannah Worland had four children, all born in Euroa:

1890 - Death of Joseph Cooper Worland

Joseph Cooper Worland (born 1873). Joseph spent six months in hospital with meningitis and died on 8 July 1890 in Geelong.

1891 - Walter Worland

Walter Worland (1857 - 1909), the son of Joseph and Betsy Worland, became the licensee of the Corduroy Bridge Hotel from 4 August 1891, which he held until 1906. (The hotel closed in 1916 after a fire, which it can be presumed to be an 'insurance job' as Brown owned both hotels in Clarendon at the time.) Walter also owned a number of blocks of land in Clarendon as well as a small farm (some 320 acres at Branjee were retained). He also ran the General Store and Post Office from the Hotel.

Walter and Henrietta Worland and family in front of the Corduroy Bridge Hotel (Photos courtesy Ormes Sawyer, a descendant on the Parish line).

See below from 1906 for the continuation of Walter's story.

1891 - Elizabeth Emily Worland marries

Elizabeth Emily Worland (born 1865), the seventh child and first daugther of Joseph and Betsy Worland, married Albert/Alfred N Knight in 1891 in Seymour, Victoria. They had the following children:

Elizabeth appears to have died in November 1901 after giving birth to Walter.

1893 - Charlotte Amelia Worland marries

Charlotte Amelia Worland (born 1867) was the eighth child and second daugther of Joseph and Betsy Worland. Charlotte appears to have moved to Sydney where she married Amos Edward Sharratt on 19 December 1893 in Glebe, NSW. Amos died in 1940. They had one son:

1895 - Death of Eliza Parish (nee Everett)

Eliza Parish, the wife of Ephraim Parish and mother of Elizabeth Parish, died in Camperdown on 21 December 1895 aged 77. (Vic BDM Ref 12436). The Camperdown Chronicle of 24 December 1895 carried the notice of her death, stating she died at the residence of her son-in-law 'Roslyn'. It noted that she was the relict of the late Ephriam [sic] Parish of Cambridgeshire, England, and a colonist of 42 years. No record has yet been found of her husband under various spelling variations including Ephriam and Parrish.

1896 - Death of Joseph Worland

Joseph Worland, aged 81 and born in Cambridgeshire to (as yet) unknown parents, and the wife of Betsy Worland, died at Clarendon on 13 February 1896 (Vic BDM Ref 1167). His funeral notice was carried in The Ballarat Star of 15 February 1896, noting that his remains would leave the residence of his son (Walter), the Corduroy Hotel, Clarendon on that day. Note that Joseph appears to have died of 'syncope', or blackout and fainting. See this site for details of that condition.

Joseph Worland's remains were later exhumed and re-interred with Elizabeth at Euroa.

1896 - George Worland marries

George Worland (born 1861) was the sixth son of Joseph and Betsy Worland. George married Ellen Jane (Nellie) Groth (1875, Yandoit - 1939, Prahram (Vic BDM Ref 382)) in Euroa on 5 August 1896. Ellen was the daughter of Herman Frederick Groth and Jane Jeffrey. George and Ellen had the following children, all born in Euroa:

George bought a farm on the Goulburn River near Nagambie, not far from Euroa. According to family source (possibly) the property was put in the wife's name. The Benalla Stanard of 12 August 1910 carried details of a divorce case between George and Ellen. According to the article, Ellen (aged 34), petitioned for a dissolution of her marriage from George (a farmer aged 47), on the ground of repeated acts of cruelty (as reported in the article). George in turn filed an affidavit denying the allegations. The article stated that 'some passion or affection for the nephew [Edgar John James Worland, born in 1877) had given rise to a suit brought from an improper motive ... (but) that did not appear. The husband might have objected to the acquaintance, but though the wife should have desisted from kissing the nephew when her husband spoke to her, there was nothing to show that the kidding was more than a breach of good manners'.

The judge granted a decree nisi and gave Ellen custody of the children 'for the present', with liberty apply to the Court later on. Alimony was also fixed at 10/- a week. George was unable to claim anything for himself. Ellen married George's nephew Edgar John James Worland (the first cousin to her six children) in 1912 (VIC BDM Rec 8049).

George then lived with his nephew Edward Alfred ('Alf') Worland (the half-brother of Edgar John James Worland, his former wife' now husband) and Alf's wife Ada for a few years later in his life. He died in 1929

1896 - Louise Jane Worland marries

Louise Jane Worland (born 1870) was the eighth child and second daugther of Joseph and Betsy Worland. Louise married William Henry Larcombe in 1896. The marriage was celebrated at Foxton Park (Louise's father Edgar's property at Euroa). The Larcombes lived on a property at Petaville out of Geelong. They had the following children:

1905 - Walter Edward Worland marries Frances Horne

Walter Edward Worland (1882 - 1969), the eldest child of Walter and Henrietta Worland, married Frances Alicia Ruth Horne in 1905 (Vic BDM Ref 7722). They had the following children:

1906 - Death of Edgar (Cooper) Worland

Edgar (Cooper) Worland (born 1846), the son of Betsy Worland (nee Cooper), died at Euroa in 1906, aged 62. (Vic BDM Ref 8954). When his brother Walter Worland died on 7 August 1909, it was noted that his brother Edgar and their father Joseph had both died of the same cause - syncope.

1906 - Walter Worland acquires Morongo

Walter Worland (1857 - 1909), the son of Joseph and Betsy Worland, moved to Morongo, Bell Post Hill when he retired in residence there before the titles arrived from England. The titles state the purchaser was Walter Worland of Morongo, Geelong and were dated 12 July 1906. Walter had purchased the property from Hedley K. Calvert for £2850.

When Walter's step-brother Edgar Worland died in 1906, Edgar's then five year old daughter Violet Estella Worland (born 19 August 1901) went to live with her uncle Walter Worland and his family at Morongo for several years.

1909 - Death of Walter Worland

Walter Worland, the son of Joseph and Betsy Worland (nee Cooper) died at his property 'Morongo' on 7 August 1909 in Geelong aged 50. The Age (Melbourne) carried the following notice on 9 August 1909:

Mr. Walter Worland, aged 50 years, retired farmer, residing at Bell Post Hill expired suddenly on Saturday at 11.30 p.m. just after getting into bed. Dr. McCallum, who was sent for, says that death was no doubt due to syncope. It is a coincidence that the two brothem and the father of the deceased died in the same way. Mr Worland came from Ballarat district, and leaves a widow and family of grown up sons and daughters.

The Geelong Advertiser of 9 August 1909 provided more detail in its report:

CASUALTIES AND FATALITIES - SUDDEN DEATH AT BELL POST HILL - A retired farmer named Walter Worland, aged 50, and residing at Bell Post Hill, died suddenly at 11.30 o'clock on Saturday night. He had lately been somewhat worried through the illness of his daughter, and during the evening complained of internal pains. These he attributed to the hearty meal he had eaten at tea, and he was explaining his illness to his wife when he collapsed. Dr. McCallum was summoned, but found on his arrival that death had occurred some time previously. Constable Loughton was deputed to investigate the case and ascertained that some of deceased's relatives had died suddenly through heart troubles. After hearing the views of Dr. McCallum and perusing the police report, the coroner. Mr. Read Murphy, P.M. gave an order for burial. Deceased at one time kept a store at Mt Moriac, and subsequently engaged in the same business at Clarendon. He was well-known in Presbyterian circles and was generally respected. He leaves a wife and grown-up family. The cause of death was syncope.

Henrietta Worland acquired the property from her husband in 1910 and remained in the property until 1915 (see below). She also owned several properties around Geelong.

August 1909 - Death of Clara Worland

Clara Worland, the third child of Walter and Henrietta Warland, died on 25 August 1909 (The Geelong Advertiser, 26 August 1909). The Geelong Advertiser of 28 August 1909 carried the following obituary for Clara:

The late Miss Clara Worland, third daughter of Mrs. Henrietta and the late Mr Walter Worland. of 'Morongo'. Bell Post Hill, were interred in the family grave in the Presbyterian portion of the New General Cemetery yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large gathering of sympathising friends. The hearse and coaches were followed by 22 private vehicles. The coffin, which, was covered with floral tributes was carried from the hearse to the grave bv Messrs. J. J. P. and T. Robb. The pall was supported by Messrs. B Clarke. J. Robb, sen. W. Saddler, C. Brown, T Gleeson and A Brunty, of Clarendon. The Rev J A Forrest conducted an impressive service at the house and grave. Mr. Alex. Monro, of Ryrie-street, conducted, the funeral arrangements.

1910 - Sale of Morongo

After the death of Walter Worland, the National Trustees and Exs Agency Co acting as the administrators of Walter's intestate estate sold to Henrietta Worland the 15 roomed bluestone residence, lodge and grounds on 103 acres for the sum of £6000. The Age (Melbourne) of 9 June 1910 carried the following article regarding the acquisition of 'Morongo' at Bell Post Hill.

GEELONG. Mr H. F. Richardson has disposed of the well known property 'Morongo,' at Bell Post Hill, consisting of 267 acres, for £6000. The purchaser was Mrs. Walter Worland.

Henrietta held an additional 170 acres in her own name. She remained at Morongo until 1915, when owing to health reasons, she moved to Walmer House, 10 Walmer Street, Studley Park, Kew. She sold Morongo to Alexander McRorie. Through a succession of owners Morongo became the Presbyterian Ladies College in 1927. During the Second World War the house served as a home for WAAFs.

1940 - Death of Henrietta Worland (nee Parish)

Henrietta Worland (nee Parish) died at her residence, Walmer House, Walmer Street, Studley Park, Kew in 1940 aged 83 (Vic BDM Ref 8582, does not list her husband Walter but shows her parents as 'James Parrish' and Eliza (unknown maiden name)).

Page created 7 April 2013, updated 29 October 2024 (additional details on the Parish family, changes to text). Copyright © Andrew Warland. (andrewwarland(at)gmail.com)