Woollen Links

Robert WOOLLEN was born in Lyng, Somerset, England in 1871 and he married Sophia CURRAN in Mackay, Queensland on 12 April 1893. Robert and his brother Joseph sailed to Queensland aboard the 'Jumna' in 1889. Their parents were Alfred WOOLLEN of Lyng and Sarah of Chedzoy, Somerset.

Alfred was baptised at Lyng on 25 Nov 1827 and died in 1892. He married Sarah in 1853 and they had 11 children - James (1854), Henry (1855-1862), John (1857), Mary (1860), George (1862-1937), Emma (1864), Henry (1866-1952), Joseph (1868), Robert (1871), Sarah (1873) and Alfred (1876-1966).

When Lyng Primary School was established on 8 May 1876 Henry, Joseph and Robert were listed on the opening roll.

Alfred (1827) was the youngest of 8 children to Henry Woollen (Wollin) and Joan Gambling. Henry was baptised at Lyng on 16 Feb 1790 and died in 1860. He married Joan in Lyng on 17 Jul 1811.

Henry's parents were Henry Wollen, who was christened at Lyng on 15 Mar 1746 and buried at Lyng on 17 Dec 1820, and Grace Dinniss. They were married on 4 Apr 1779 at North Petherton, Somerset and had 10 children - Martha (1779), Betty (1780-1781), John (1783-1833), Betty (1784), Henry (1787-1787), Amy (1788), Henry (1790-1860), Robert (1796-1884), Edward (1798) and Ann (1804).

Henry (1746) was the second youngest child of John Wooland and Joan Batt. John was baptised on 18 Jan 1707 at Lyng and was buried at North Petherton on 9 Jan 1785. He married Joan at Lyng on 22 Oct 1732 and their children were - John (1733-1771), Ann (1734), Mary (1736), Amy (1739), Martha (1739), Betty (1745-1746), Henry (1746-1820) and Betty (1749).

The 1871 census for Lyng lists:- Alfred Woollen (41), Sarah (38), James (16), John (13), Mary (11), George (9), Emma (7), Henry (4), Joseph (2) and Robert (15 mths).

The 1861 census lists:- Alfred Woollen (32), Sarah (25), James (7), Henry (5), John (3) and Mary (1).

The 1851 census lists:- Henry Wollin (63), Joan (73), Emma (33), Alfred (24).

The 1841 census lists:- Henry Woolen (50), Joan (60) and Alfred (10).

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Joseph WOOLLEN was born at Lyng, Somerset in 1868 and he married Christina GUINAN at the registrar of marriages office No. 74 at Taihape, on the north island of New Zealand, on 25 March 1907. Christina was born at Taihape and her parents were John Guinan and Isabella Gray. In 1908 Joseph and Christina went to Bli Bli near Nambour in Queensland where they had a small farm. Their children were Gladys Isobel (1909), Vera May (1911), Doris Catherine (1912), Jack (1917) and Mavis (1920). Around 1923 the family returned to New Zealand, arriving via Wellington. They stayed in Palmerston for some time then moved up to Mt Albert, Auckland. Another son, Frank, was born in 1926. Joseph died in 1944 and Christina died in 1951.

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Robert and Sophia's children were Emma Sophia (1893), Ellen Jane (1894), Robert (1897), Florence (1898), Henry (1899), Rosie (1900) and Alfred Edward (1905).

Emma (Emy) was born in Mackay on 7 Oct 1893. She married Michael MACKINNON and their children were John, Marion, Neil, Malcolm, Edna, Isobel and Margaret.

Ellen (Nellie) was born on 5 Nov 1894 and died in Cairns. She married Ernest ROLFE and their children were May and Ernie.

Robert was born on 11 Mar 1897. He was in the Light Horse during World War 1 and had sons Robert and Maurice.

Florence (Queenie) was born on 15 Sep 1897. She married William (Bill) WALLACE and their children were Ray, Betty, William, Wanda and Merle.

Henry was born on 21 Sep 1899 and died on 13 Mar 1908.

Rosie (Rose) was born in Mackay on 17 Oct 1900. On 30 Dec 1924 at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Mackay she married Frank BOX. Frank William (Jnr) was born at home at Salt Water Creek Road, Maryborough, Queensland on 27 Oct 1898 and his parents were Frank William BOX (Snr) and Elizabeth WHITE. Rose and Frank had a daughter Dorothy May (1925) and a son John Robert (1927). Rose died in Brisbane on 27 Apr 1986 and Frank died a month later on 23 May 1986. They were both interned at Mt Thompson Crematorium.

Frank and Rose Box

Alfred Edward (Eddie) was born on 17 Apr 1905. He was in the Army during World War II; and then went out west. He was prospecting for tin in North Queensland when his body was found at his camp. His mate was questioned by police but it seemed Eddie was killed by being kicked in the head by a horse.

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