John Worland was born circa 1837 in Cambridgeshire, England. His wife Susan Wright was born circa 1836 in Foxton, Cambridgeshire, England. It is believed that John’s parents were William Worland and Mary Barnes (both born circa 1800-1810) and Susan’s father was Newman Nightingdale Wright (born circa 1790-1810 in Cambridgeshire).
John and Susan Worland lived in Dean, Victoria, and had seven children all of whom died from diphtheria between 21 December 1871 and 8 January 1872. Diptheria was a problem in various districts of the Colony as reported in the Argus on 1 February 1872, noting the deaths of John and Susan Worland's children:
'... the fatal nature of the disease has been sadly exemplified in the case of a family named Worland in the Creswick district where, out of seven children, six were carried off in a few days'.
Seven (not six) children, ranging from 2 1/2 to 14 years old, were buried in the Creswick Cemetery (about 20kms from Ballarat in Victoria).
Joseph Worland arrived in Australia around 1856 from Foxten [sic - Foxton, Cambridgeshire](based on having lived in the colonies for 40 years when he died in 1896), and lived in Euroa, Victoria, as a farmer with his wife Elizabeth/Betsy (nee Cooper). Joseph and Elizabeth Worland had the following children:
Joseph Worland's parent's names are not recorded on his death certificate.
The Camperdown Chronicle of 12 March 1908 recorded the following under the headline 'Attempted Suicide: A Sad Case at Newfield'. It is not believed this refers to Richard Worland born 1848 as he would not have had 'six young children' at the time.
Richard Worland, a resident of Newfield, made an attempt to commit suicide on Tuesday (10 March 1908). For some time past he has had business worriess which have preyed upon his mind to an extent that affected his reason, and on Sunday last he exhibited symptoms which alarmed his family and friends. On Tuesday he became worse and, procuring a loaded gun, declared his intention of ending his life. The weapon was wrested from him before he could carry out his purpose and steps were taken to guard against any further attempt. Worland has a wife and family of six young children, and the case [words illegible] which has evoked general sympathy.
George Worland, a bank clerk, was killed in a motor vehicle accident in early April 1935.
Page created 7 April 2013, updated 9 April 2020. Copyright Andrew Warland.