John Worgan

John Worgan (1724–1790) was an organist and composer of Welsh descent. He is best known for playing the organ at Vauxhall Gardens, the London public pleasure garden in the mid 18th century.

Worgan was born in London in 1724. He was one of six children, although their birth order is unclear. Their father was a surveyor of Welsh or Cambrian ancestry.

He graduated with a bachelor's degree in music at St John's College, Cambridge in 1748, and with a doctorate in 1775.

Worgan married three times over his lifetime. He married, firstly, Sarah Mackelcan at St Peter le Poer, London, in 1753. He had nine children with his wife; among whom was George Bouchier Worgan (bapt. 3 May 1757 at St Andrew's Church, Holborn), who was the naval surgeon on board the H.M.S. Sirius in the First Fleet to Australia, and Charlotte Sophia Worgan (bapt. 2 September 1761 at St Andrew's, Holborn) who married (at St Mary's church, Marylebone, in 1778) (Sir) Charles Parsons (d. 1817), later Master of the King's Band. Worgan obtained an Act of Parliament (9 Geo III c.57) in 1769 to divorce his wife for her adultery. He married, secondly, Eleanor Baston in 1770 (at St Andrew's, Holborn). He had two more children with Eleanor, the elder of whom was Thomas Danvers Worgan, subsequently a musicologist. He married, thirdly, Martha Cooke, a widow, in 1779 at St Mary, Aldermanbury.

John Worgan died at age 66 at Gower Street on 24 August 1790 or 1794 after "an operation for the stone." He was buried at St. Andrew Undershaft on 31 August. One of his favourite pupils, Charles Wesley (1757–1834), presided at the organ.

A grandson, George Worgan (bapt. 18 January 1803 at St James's church, Chipping Campden, died 2 Apr 1888 at Tinakori Road, Wellington, New Zealand), was a musician of sufficient calibre to warrant a notice in the Musical Times upon his death. George was an organist and pianoforte teacher, with a roster of students that included musicians' children and English nobility. After retiring around 1850, he emigrated to New Zealand, where he raised sheep and taught music until his death at age 86.

...
Wikipedia