John Woodforde facts for kids

Dr. John Woodforde (born around 1808 – died April 1866) was an important doctor and one of the very first people to settle in the British colony of South Australia and its main city, Adelaide.

A Pioneer Doctor in South Australia

John Woodforde was born in Somerset, England. His father was also a doctor. John became a qualified doctor in 1832. He sailed to South Australia on a ship called Rapid. This ship was part of the "First Fleet of South Australia", which brought the first settlers and explorers. John was the doctor for the survey team led by Colonel Light, who planned the city of Adelaide. They arrived in August 1836.

After the survey team finished their work, Dr. Woodforde continued to practice medicine. His doctor's office was on Hindley Street in Adelaide. He later became the City Coroner after the previous one, George Stevenson, passed away. A coroner is a public official who investigates deaths that are not clearly from natural causes. Dr. Woodforde was also Colonel Light's personal doctor and helped care for him when he was very ill. He was even one of the people who carried Light's coffin at his funeral.

In 1844, Dr. Woodforde helped start the Medical Board of South Australia. This board helps make sure doctors are properly qualified. From 1849 to 1852, he also worked as a medical officer at the Adelaide Hospital. He left this job to focus more on his own private patients.

In 1847, he was one of 65 people who helped create St Peter's College, a well-known school. However, at least two of his own sons went to a different school called the Adelaide Educational Institution (AEI).

Dr. Woodforde passed away when he was about 57 years old. He left behind his wife, Caroline, and five children. It is thought that the Adelaide suburb of Woodforde was probably not named after him.

Dr. Woodforde's Family

John Woodforde married Caroline Carter (born around 1813 – died 29 August 1878) on 18 August 1837. Caroline had arrived in South Australia in February 1837 on a ship called Isabella. She had become friends with the Hack family during the journey. John and Caroline had eight children:

• William John (or John William) Woodforde (20 January 1841 – 4 June 1910) married Margaret Theresa Lennon in 1868. He was part of Stuart's 1862 expedition, which explored Australia. However, he was asked to leave the expedition because he didn't follow instructions. One reason was that he refused to part with his greatcoat. Another issue was that he kept a personal diary, even though Stuart had told everyone not to.
• Harriet Julia Woodforde (23 April 1842 – 24 November 1912) married Thomas Joseph Shuldham O'Halloran in 1862. Thomas was the oldest son of Thomas Shuldham O'Halloran.
• Caroline Annie Woodforde (born around 1844 – died 22 August 1863)
• Frank Dudley Woodforde (6 April 1846 – 1 March 1907) was a very good student at the Adelaide Educational Institution (AEI) from 1854 to 1862. He worked for the National Bank and later became an accountant. He married Jane Beckett in 1873 and they had five sons.
• Meliora Woodforde (12 February 1848 – 27 December 1933) married Robert Cussen in 1872.
• George Woodforde (born around 1850 – died 19 January 1933) was also a prize-winning student at AEI from 1860 to 1864. He later moved to Victoria, Australia. He married Elizabeth Ann Forman in 1893 and passed away in St Kilda.
• Arthur Woodforde (10 February 1854 - 18 June 1854)

You can find more information about the family on the First Eight Ships website.

Dr. Woodforde first lived on Hindley Street. Later, he moved to his own property in North Adelaide.

Dr. Woodforde's Journal

Dr. Woodforde kept a journal during his journey on the ship Rapid and his early time in South Australia (from May 1836 to April 1837). Long parts of his journal were published in 1894 by a newspaper called the Port Augusta Dispatch. These writings give us a look into what life was like for the first settlers.

• Echoes from the Past. (1894, July 13). The Port Augusta Dispatch, Newcastle and Flinders Chronicle (SA : 1885 - 1916), p. 4. Retrieved 19 January 2021 - via National Library of Australia.
• Echoes from the Past. (1894, July 20). The Port Augusta Dispatch, Newcastle and Flinders Chronicle (SA : 1885 - 1916), p. 4. Retrieved 19 January 2021 - via National Library of Australia.
• District Council of Kanyaka. (1894, July 20). The Port Augusta Dispatch, Newcastle and Flinders Chronicle (SA : 1885 - 1916), p. 4. Retrieved 19 January 2021 - via National Library of Australia.
• Echoes from the Past. (1894, August 3). The Port Augusta Dispatch, Newcastle and Flinders Chronicle (SA : 1885 - 1916), p. 4. Retrieved 19 January 2021 - via National Library of Australia.
• Echoes from the Past. (1894, August 10). The Port Augusta Dispatch, Newcastle and Flinders Chronicle (SA : 1885 - 1916), p. 4. Retrieved 19 January 2021 - via National Library of Australia.
• “Paving the Way.” (1894, August 10). The Port Augusta Dispatch, Newcastle and Flinders Chronicle (SA : 1885 - 1916), p. 2. Retrieved 19 January 2021 - via National Library of Australia.