I, Max Schramm on this day in 1864
I was born 35 years ago, in 1829 to a Prussian family in Silesia, one of states conquered generations ago, in the 1740's by my ancestors. The conquering Prussians, especially aristocrats, were encouraged to go there with land grants and tax breaks to ensure ongoing Prussian control. Over three generations, the family probably moved from the major city of Breslau, to a small village of Zeigenhals (near the Bohemian (Czech) border), and finally to a large house at Ellgut (whose very name infers the meaning "tax exempt") near the fortress Neisser.The "von" before our name marked the family as one of the "junkers" (originally "young herr" - now masters over the Polish majority in the area we lived). The "von" had been bestowed on my grandfather and his brothers who were part of the ruling Prussian Kings Council. It was a recognition of service, and was added to the coat of arms awarded to my great great grandfather, who is said to have saved the life of Emperor Maximilliam II. My father, Heinrich, continued this tradition as a Major in the renowned Prussian army.
My Heinrich and his wife, Phillipe, produced 5 boys and a girl. I was a middle child. Ellgut was burnt down when I was very young and family pictures and heirlooms were destroyed.
We attended the Gymnasium Carolinum in Neisse, one of the elite Royal Gymnasium (Konigliches Gymnasium) regulated by the Prussian government. The philosopher, Voltaire described the Prussian culture of my time as "Sparta in the morning and Athens in the afternoon". All to us were educated to a high standard and were expected to behave with discipline and obedience. ((One of my friends, Herlitz, also can to Australia and also became a Lutheran pastor in Melbourne).
By the time I was 11, Heinrich at 21 and perhaps Albert had already followed the family tradition and joined the Prussian Army. Victor, Walter and Marie were probably too young to decide.
In 1840, at age 11 years, despite having excelled at school, I already knew that I did not want to follow the family tradition into the church or the army. Instead, I joined the merchant navy and travelled with them for the next 7 years (until 31-3-1847) qualifying as a navigator or helmsman.
The Prussia that I returned to between voyages was growing more and more tense - in 1843, the Silesian weavers attacked homes and warehouses, destroyed machinery, and demanded money from local merchants. The Prussian army, which my brothers Heinrich and Albert were serving killed 11 people, wounded others, and arrested many more.
In 1848, I was home when it all came to a head and revolution erupted in Prussia over conflict about the formation of a new unified, and democratic country. King Frederick William IV used the Prussian army to crush the revolt, but then offered many hopeful concessions including more rights for the local Polish majority that we lived amongst at Ellguth. But by the end of the year, he had reimposed absolute rule.
The re-established Prussian grip on most of the area brought many benefits to Junker families like ours in the east. But my father, Heinrich, was not to see them as he died in 1849. Joseph, who had reached Lieutenant Colonel, returned to manage the family farm at Ellgut where Victor, Walter and Marie were still living with their mother.
Many Prussians had given up hope and reform in Prussia and many also feared punishment for their views. Large numbers had been emigrating during the 1840's and especially after the 1848 revolution.
I also decided that my future lay in a new world.
I set out on the ship 'Prinz Mouritz' from Liverpool and arriving at Sydney Wharf on 26 Aug 1853.
I had been given very little support from my wealthy family and had to start at the bottom in Sydney working at menial jobs.
I travelled overland to Melbourne arriving 12 Mar 1854.
I found I could use some of my skills as a river boatman in Salt Creek, Footscray.
In 1854, Melbourne was in turmoil of a different kind - gold fever - the prospect of huge riches in quick time. I decided to try my luck.
I did not find gold, but, at the goldfields, met a Prussian friend, who rekindled my faith in God and I left the Catholic Church and joined the Lutherans.
In 1853, a group of Germans purchased an area of 640 acres in the Doncaster area which they named Breslau after a Silesian city in their German homeland. The name was later changed to Waldau ("a clearing in the forest") (still in use until Australia went to war against Germany in 1914).
In 1858, I was 29 and still working as a boatman at Salt Water River, Footscray. I received an invitation from Gottfried Theile, a fellow Prussian, to come to Doncaster to celebrate the opening of their modest wooden church on Breslau (later called Waldau) hill where we stand today. Doncaster was remote and had only about 20 residents. coach services only reached to Kew, and only the mail cart regularly reached that far.
When I visited, I was enthralled. They told me that in the early 1850's, the Victorian Government set up a National School Board to supervise curricula and pay subsidies to local school committees. This had allowed several schools to start in the district. They felt that these schools gave little scope for religion and German cultural education. The idea arose that I could use my excellent education in the Prussian Gymnasium (one of the best school systems in the world at that time) to teach the students with a Lutheran emphasis and in German language - in the Church.
I agreed and moved there in 1860, founding the 174th School in Victoria as a "Denominational school" (i.e. including Lutheran religious teaching) and taught 18 children in German and English in the church and in a wattle & daub school house on Waldau Hill. (I continued this school in some form for 24 years)
In 1864, I moved the school to my own land on Doncaster Road at my own expense.
Even though, I taught and preached in mainly in German, I spoke excellent English and sought common interest and activity with other Christian denominations. In particular, I became friends with the Pickering family that had arrived in the area from England over a decade before and were strong supporters of Church of England activities in the area. Joseph Pickering had organised services to be held in barns and his Post Office.
We Lutherans shared our church with the Church of England community, and I even even held Church of England services in my home. I also continued to develop connections with others across the state and in 1862, Baron von Mueller, botanist and original Director of Melbourne's Botanic Gardens, donated cypress trees and shrubs to be planted in the cemetery that had grown up beside our church. Some of the trees still survive today.
One of the many Pickering children, Kate, was an enthusiastic helper at church services.
Christmas at Waldau is a happy occasion as our German families and English neighbours gather in the church grounds for a tea meeting and share together in the shade of trees. As darkness falls, the church bell rings the community enters the for a service. A candle-lit Christmas tree holds gifts for all.
This year, 1864, I asked for Kate's hand in marriage ..... and here we are. Later Life.....
1867, leading member of Doncaster group organising the erection of a community hall that Max name the "Atheneum".
Later in life, Max would fall back on some of these patterns of discipline when raising his own children.
1872/1873, the Education Act forced the school to omit the religious and cultural emphasis that, for Max was central. He sadly resigned as teacher and sold the school and its land to the government and it became Doncaster State School No. 197. (the school closed in 1884)
1874, Max, not to be defeated, built a stone home on his own land beside the school house.
In 1876, he began Lutheran classes in German in large room at the back of this house. Classes often continued on Saturdays for adults who had not had an educational opportunity as children and were working on weekdays.
In Nov 1876, he was officially ordained as a Lutheran Minister, and also took over the Registrar of Births and Deaths from Kate's father, Joseph Pickering. He was Secretary to Church of England Committee and played a major role in the establishment of the Holy Trinity, the stone church on the corner of Doncaster and Church Roads. He negotiated in the tram dispute, and was tutor to special students from Melbourne University who thought that the tuition and advice was worth the trek into the bush at Doncaster.
Besides Doncaster as his main charge Pastor Schramm conducted monthly services at Bayswater (Scoresby) and visited the remaining members of a once flourishing congregation at Berwick-Harkaway-Narrewarren.
In 1884, the Lutheran school closed.
By 1890, the old plaster and wood church on Waldau hill had fallen into disrepair and in 1892, the current Lutheran Church in Victoria Street was built of more substantial brick. Not ones to waste, the old church on the hill was dismantled and reused as a barn in a local orchard, it has now been moved again and forms part of the Schramm's Cottage complex.
Remaining on the site was the graves of 45 adults and nearly twice that many children that has died in the area during the previous 40 years or so.
When Pastor Schramm's denominational school closed, the state school hired his schoolroom for classes until a larger school could be built. For many years, Schramm held adult education classes in the schoolroom on Saturday mornings. During these years, Pastor Schramm gained a reputation as a scholar, and Melbourne University often sent students to him for tuition in the classics. In Doncaster he had always been in demand for help and advice when a man of respect was needed.
Was a weekly visitor to the Melbourne Alfred and Children's Hospitals.
1907, retired from role as Pastor due to ill health (?).
1908 died and buried in Box Hill
1928 Kate lived in house till her death. Kate was a regular worshipper at Holy Trinity Anglican (afetr her marraige and while Max was alive) until her death
1867, Baptist chapel bought by Joseph Pickering and used for Church of England services
His wife Kate was notable in her own right. Daughter of pioneer settlers, Kate came to Doncaster as a four year old. The first Anglican services were held in her parents' home and she became the first Sunday School teacher of the congregation. As the Pastor's wife she played an important part in the life of the community.
So great was his contribution to the Doncaster area that when the von Schramm cottage was threatened with demolition in the 1970s, a community outcry resulted in its relocation to the site of the original Lutheran church in Doncaster and subsequent preservation as a museum.
Speech by Stephen Digby (Max's Great Great Grandson) at the 150th Anniversary of Max and Kate's wedding (2014)
1876 THE REV. MAX SCHRAMM
Who was lately ordained in the Lutheran Church, Melbourne, has built a new school-house at Doncaster (adjacent to the State school, of which he was formerly head teacher), where religious as well as secular instruction will be given. The new build ing was opened on November 2nd with a tea and public meeting, which was well attended by persons of all denominations. The business of the school commenced on the following Monday with 36 children (many more than were expected), and four others were to be added to the number in the course of the week - thus showing that there are some parents who, were they to have their choice between two systems, prefer a school where religious instruction is given to one where it is excluded by the law of the land, even though in the latter they may get their children educated gratis, while in the former fees are charged. There are not wanting those who predict the failure of Mr. Schramm's school on account of fees being required, but he has undertaken the work in simple dependence on the Lord, and with a single eye to His glory, and therefore we heartily wish him God-speed.1876 'THE REV. MAX SCHRAMM.', The Church of England Messenger and Ecclesiastical Gazette for the Diocese of Melbourne and Ballarat (Vic. : 1876 - 1889), 14 December, p. 4. , viewed 19 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197135684
See also: Max Schramm - Probate
Further Research:
Victor P SCHRAMMDate of grant: 19 Dec 1947;
Date of death: 29 Jul 1947; Occupation:
Orchardist; Residence: Box Hill
PHYSICAL ITEM Not yet digitised
DATE:1947
SERIES:Wills
AGENCY:Master of the Supreme Court
CITATION:VPRS 7591/ P2 unit 1389, item 396/766
http://access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/component/daPublicBaseContainer?component=daViewItem&entityId=4129487535
Kate VON SCHRAMM
Date of grant: 13 Nov 1928;
Date of death: 18 Jul 1928;
Occupation: Widow;
Residence: Doncaster
PHYSICAL ITEM Not yet digitised
DATE:1928
SERIES:Wills
AGENCY:Master of the Supreme Court
CITATION:VPRS 7591/ P2 unit 786, item 224/021
http://access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/component/daPublicBaseContainer?component=daViewItem&entityId=6145928440
Kate VON SCHRAMM
Date of grant: 13 Nov 1928;
Date of death: 18 Jul 1928;
Occupation: Widow;
Residence: Doncaster
PHYSICAL ITEM Not yet digitised
DATE:1928
SERIES:Probate and Administration Files
AGENCY:Master of the Supreme Court
CITATION:VPRS 28/ P3 unit 1911, item 224/021
Victor P SCHRAMM
Date of grant: 19 Dec 1947;
Date of death: 29 Jul 1947;
Occupation: Orchardist;
Residence: Box Hill
PHYSICAL ITEM Not yet digitise
DATE:1947
SERIES:Probate and Administration Files
AGENCY:Master of the Supreme Court
CITATION:VPRS 28/ P3 unit 4628, item 396/766
http://access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/component/daPublicBaseContainer?component=daViewItem&entityId=8153923387
1887/3172 Max Schramm v Friedrick Romig
PHYSICAL ITEM Not yet digitised
DATE:1887
SERIES:Civil Case Files
AGENCY:Supreme Court of Victoria
CITATION:VPRS 267/ P7 unit 713, item 1887/3172
http://access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/component/daPublicBaseContainer?component=daViewItem&entityId=6198612805
1872/2801 Eliza Charlotte Pickering Maise Schramm Arthur Joseph Pickering Henry Pickering v Scales
PHYSICAL ITEM Not yet digitised
DATE:1872
SERIES:Civil Case Files
AGENCY:Supreme Court of Victoria
CITATION:VPRS 267/ P7 unit 281, item 1872/2801
http://access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/component/daPublicBaseContainer?component=daViewItem&entityId=2197940187
1872/2403 Eliza Charlotte Pickering Max Schramm Arthur Joseph Pickering and Henry Pickering v William Seales
PHYSICAL ITEM Not yet digitised
DATE:1872
SERIES:Civil Case Files
AGENCY:Supreme Court of Victoria
CITATION:VPRS 267/ P7 unit 277, item 1872/2403
http://access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/component/daPublicBaseContainer?component=daViewItem&entityId=0196683894
1872/2324 Eliza Charlotte Pickering Max Schramm Arthur Joseph Pickering and Henry Pickering executors Joseph Pickering v John Matthews
PHYSICAL ITEM Not yet digitised
DATE:1872
SERIES:Civil Case Files
AGENCY:Supreme Court of Victoria
CITATION:VPRS 267/ P7 unit 278, item 1872/2324
http://access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/component/daPublicBaseContainer?component=daViewItem&entityId=4196685801
1872/2404 Eliza Charlotte Pickering Max Schramm Arthur Joseph Pickering and Henry Pickering v Carl Scmidt
PHYSICAL ITEM Not yet digitised
DATE:1872
SERIES:Civil Case Files
AGENCY:Supreme Court of Victoria
CITATION:VPRS 267/ P7 unit 277, item 1872/2404
http://access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/component/daPublicBaseContainer?component=daViewItem&entityId=8196683901
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