Migrated to South Australia from The Potteries, Staffordshire in 1839 on the ship Sir Charles Forbes, with his second wife, Martha (née Keeling), his eight children from two marriages, his mother-in-law, Mrs Sarah Keeling (née Dimock) and his sisters-in-law Isabella and Catherine Keeling.

The children who accompanied him to Australia were Watts, Ridgeway, Martha, Sophia, William, Catherine, Simpson and Sarah. Their ages ranged from 2 years old to 18 years old.

Married Jane Sophia BENNING (died 6th November 1826)
Issue
Watts - 23rd December 1820, baptised, The Tabernacle, High Street, Hanley, Staffordshire on 11th April 1821
Simpson - 6th April 1822, baptised, The Tabernacle, 13th May 1822
Ridgeway - 11th April 1824, baptised, The Tabernacle, 20th June 1824
Sophia - 7th August 1825, baptised, The Tabernacle, 16th November 1825

Married Martha KEELING 13th March 1827 (b. 14th April 1793 baptised 3rd September 1793)
Issue
Martha - 9th December 1827, baptised, the Tabernacle, 16th March 1828
Sophia - 15th November 1829, baptised, the Tabernacle, 4th April 1830
William - 23rd July 1831, baptised, the Tabernacle, 5th October 1831
Catherine - 19th September 1833, baptised, the Tabernacle, 15th December 1833
Simpson - 2nd November 1835, baptised, the Tabernacle, 14th March 1836
Sarah - 29th December 1837

Victor Harbor's settlement history began with the arrival of Reverend Ridgeway Newland and 34 settlers at Yilki in July 1839. Yilki (Aboriginal for 'a place by the sea') was the center of activity for many years. The land between the Hindmarsh and Inman Rivers was virtually unoccupied until 1863 when the present town of Victor Harbor was established. Reverend Newland established Congregational Churches at Yilki, Sheok Hills, Inman Valley, Port Elliot, Middleton, Goolwa, Hindmarsh Island, Currency Creek, Point Sturt and Milang. Reverend Ridgeway also developed a stringy bark timber industry, slate works, milling and pottery industries. He was first Chairman of District Council in 1856. Known as 'Pastor of the South', he died as a result of an accident in 1864. A plaque, monument and cemetery mark the site today.