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CARL SAMUEL AUMANN - THE FAMILY HISTORY 1853 - 1993 - Eric Uebergang
Outside Front Cover. Bismark Street (Victoria Street), Doncaster.
Lutheran Church and the home of Carl Aumann alongside the church. The present Manse now stands where the old home can be seen.
Front Endpaper: Main Road, Doncaster, Victoria, 1878.
Back Endpaper: Orchards, Doncaster, Victoria. John Finger’s
home in foreground and home on hill is where Caroline Finger lived for a short time.
Author: Eric Uebergang Editor: Eric Uebergang
Published by Aumann Reunion Committee 1993
Eric A. Uebergang, 1 Felicia Rise, Diamond Creek, Vic. 3089
Mrs Shirley Schey, 9 Colchester Road, East Doncaster, Vic. 3109
National Library of Australia card number and ISBN 0 646 13908 9
Typset in 9pt Garamond
Layout and Printing by Lutheran Publishing House
203 Halifax Street, Adelaide, South Australia 0633-93
Dedicated to the Memory of Carl Samuel Aumann, who with his family, made the arduous journey to Australia, to an unknown land. Known to the early German families of Doncaster as “Father” Aumann, Their hard work made the foundation for a prosperous country.
“He was faithful to one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honour than Moses, just as a builder of a house has greater honour than the house itself For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. ”
HEBREWS 3:2-6
THE HISTORY OF THE FAMILIES OF CARL SAMUEL AUMANN
The study of family history is to give the past some relevance to the present; the two being closely interwoven and carrying more influence than we sometimes imagine.
In recent years, there has been an ever increasing interest in Genealogy. In each Australian State, Genealogical Societies are increasing in size at unprecedented rates, as people from all walks of life explore their origins, learning of their traditions and inherited traits.
The early Aumanns showed resolution and faith; trust in Almighty God being their source of strength while journeying to a new land. The family had very little in earthly security but were always conscious of the comfort of divine presence.
Through these pages, we can learn with pride about the lives of these people, repeatedly marvelling at their fortitude, and thanking God that their adversities have not been ours.
Yes, we do thank God! He has been good to us. We have prosperity and political freedom, and most of all, religious freedom.
It gives us a deep sense of humility to compare ourselves with our predecessors and it is hoped that this book will bond family relationships and be of interest and value to future descendants of Carl Samuel Aumann.
Eric Albert Uebergang Great great grandson of Carl Samuel Aumann
1985
AUMANN, AUMAN: Dweller on the water meadow or pasture.
GOTT 1ST DIE LIEBE
GOD IS LOVE etc.
Merket man aufSein Regieren Aufsein wunderbares Fuhren kann man alle Tage spilren Das es lauter Liebe ist.
If one obeys his reign (direction) bis wonderful Guidance, one can feel every day that it is pure Love.
Wo Glaube, da Liebe
Where (you have)
Faith,
There (you find)
Love
Wo Liebe, daFriede
Where
Love,
there
Peace
Wo Friede, da Segen
Where
peace,
there (blessings)
Grace
Wo Segen, da Gott
Where(blessings)
Grace,
there
God
Wo Gott, keine Not.
Where
God,
there you have no distress / need.
misery/
This entiy was hand written in the Bible of Carl Samuel Aumann, Waldau 1874. Translation into English — Renate Jorgens in 1985.
PREFACE
The Aumann family emigrated from Silesia to Australia in 1853 and settled at Doncaster within a few years. With other German families in the area, the Aumanns helped to found the Waldau-Doncaster Lutheran Church, for their lives revolved around God, and the history of the Doncaster Lutheran Church will be intertwined with the history of the Aumann family. The original wattle and daub church, built in 1858, has long since disappeared. It was replaced in 1892 with the more substantial church still standing as stately as ever in Victoria Street.
It was during the celebrations for the centenary of the present church that the concept of publishing a history of the Aumann family in Australia was developed. The initial thought came from Shirley Schey, whose father Victor was a fourth generation Aumann in Australia. She suggested the idea to Eric Uebergang, a keen genealogist and already author of an extensive Uebergang family history. Eric had collected a huge amount of Aumann history over the years, since his mother Bertha was also a fourth generation Aumann in Australia.
Eric was enthusiastic about the idea, seeing this as a chance to preserve for posterity the information he had collected through years of research, many letters and thousands of kilometres of travel.
I felt delighted when asked to help with the updating of records and the writing of the text, because I believe this is an historically valuable project. From the family which landed in Melbourne in 1853, there are now over four thousand descendants. The original Aumann families were orchardists, and their children and their children’s children continued to work on the land. Only in recent generations has there been a significant shift away from agriculture. To the many families which chose to emigrate all those years ago, the Aumann family must have been a model of hard work, endeavour and strong faith. The following pages contain the history of the Aumann family in Australia. Please read and enjoy it.
David Aumann, Mar. 21, 1993
CONTENTS
Preface.6
Introduction.9
Acknowledgments.10
Migration.12
Silesia .17
The Arrival into Australia — Our New Land.19
The Building of God’s House.20
a. The Language.23
b. District Churches.24
Hawthorn.26
Doncaster and Templestowe.27
The Schools of Doncaster and Templestowe.31
Murtoa.33
Heidelberg.38
The Voyage —.39
Wilhelmsburg Australia San Francisco Pribislav Mobile
Malvina Vidal Louise (Luise) La Rochelle Sverge
Kaiser Wilhelm
CARL SAMUEL AUMANN —Johanne Eleonore Sommer.53
— Charlotte Schmidt.53
Occupation — Agriculture.72
Johanne Caroline Aumann — Carl Heinrich Finger.84
Carl Heinrich Finger — Maria Christina Schuhkraft.90
Caroline Emma Finger — Matthias Johann Heinrich Thiele.122
Anna Christina Finger — Johann Gottfried Erdmann Baum.144
Christina Finger —Johann George Friedrich Winter.171
Henriette Ernestine Finger — August Ferdinand Reinhold Rieschieck.178
Martha Finger — George Friedrich Fankhauser.192
John Traugott Finger — Christina Hartwich.200
Ernst Ferdinand Finger — Louise Augusta Fankhauser.215
— Adeline Mathilde Wallent.215
William David Finger.228
Carl August Aumann —Johanna Eleonora Hanke.229
Carl August Aumann — Anna Elizabeth Schuhkraft.235
Anna Amelia Aumann — Henry Fankhauser.256
Emelie Johanna Aumann — Berthold Leopold Bruche.271
Ida Caroline Aumann.277
August Adolph Aumann — Maria Theresa Schuhkraft.278
Maria Eliza Aumann — Friedrich Carl Zerbe.293
Emma Louise Aumann — Hermann Heinrich Pump.300
Martha Elizabeth Aumann.303
Ernst August Aumann — Caroline Ernestine Hanke.305
August Heinrich Aumann — Auguste Emma Zerbe.312
Carl August Aumann — Isabella McNeil.324
Friedrich Wilhelm Aumann — Maria Catherina Pump.329
Ernst August Aumann — Pauline Agnes Blobel.334
Johanne Caroline Aumann —Johann Pump.340
Gustav Adolph Aumann — Anna Maria Agnes Blobel.343
Paul Rheinhold Aumann — Christina Anna Pump.351
Robert Hermann Aumann.355
Anna Amelia Aumann.356
Johann Otto Albert Aumann — Esther Lydia Blobel.357
Ernst Ferdinand Aumann — Anna Rosina Fromhold.362
Christiana Johanna Aumann — Rheinhold Traugott Dehnert.365
Carl Dehnert.370
Minna Christiane Dehnert — Friedrich Conrad Schuhkraft.371
Carl Rheinhold Dehnert — Anna Maria Hanke.386
Heinrich Carl Dehnert.392
Paul Rheinhold Dehnert.392
Wilhelm Alfred Dehnert — Sarah Ann Twyerould.393
Anna Marie Dehnert.398
Albert Hermann Dehnert — Henriette Beatrice Hill.399
Auguste Johanna Dehnert — Maurice Joseph Fitzgerald.404
Oswald Edward Dehnert — Emma Elizabeth Fromhold407
Heinrich Wilhelm Aumann—Johanne Eleonore Baum.414
Henry William Aumann — Ida Mathilda Breuer.421
Ernestine Paulina Aumann — Thomas Alfred Schaeche.439
Charles Samuel Aumann — Elizabeth Henriette Johnston.452
Anna Marie Aumann.456
Emma Caroline Aumann —Johann August Jaeger.457
Minna Louise Aumann — Henry August Zerbe.463
Ernst August Aumann — Helena Frances Stark.470
Maria Martha Aumann —Johann Ernst Hanke.472
Ida Bertha Aumann — Carl Johann Heintze.476
Paul Hermann Aumann — Agnes McMillan.481
Frederick Benjamin Aumann — Marguerette Gertrude Penttingill.483
Rheinhold Otto Aumann.488
Dora Mathilda Aumann — Cecil Henry Turgoose.489
Bertha Christine Aumann — Oliver Arnell Hamilton.497
Frank Oswald Aumann — Alice Isabel Gash.501
Wilhelm Heinrich Aumann — Margaret Walshe.505
William Charles Aumann — Florence Isabella Lovie.508
Christina Aumann — Robert Costello Rank.513
Henry Aumann — Letitia Caroline Stewart.517
Charles Aumann — Martha Ellen Brown.519
Arthur John Aumann — Catherine Jane Francis.522
Frederick Albert Aumann.524
Ernestine Augusta Beate Aumann — Johann Rosel.525
Wilhelmine Caroline Rosel — Thomas Ferrier.529
— Joseph Gardner.529
Johann Frederick Michael Rosel — Mary Ann Dodd.531
Emma Christiane Rosel.536
Johanne Christiane Rosel.536
Auguste Caroline Rosel.536
INTRODUCTION
This book pays tribute to the Aumann pioneers in Australia and records details of their lives and those of their descendants to the year 1993. It has taken 10 years to accomplish, several years of researching and perseverance. We are indebted to Mrs Shirley Schey — a descendant of Carl Samuel Aumann — for calling the first meeting of the Aumann descendants at her home in East Doncaster, Victoria on December 6th 1992. This meeting was opened by myself and later chaired by Mr Harold Aumann. It was decided at this meeting to hold a reunion on October 30-31., 1993, at the Lutheran Church, Victoria Street, Doncaster. The Church Hall is situated behind The Manse which stands on the site of our pioneer, Carl Samuel Aumann’s original home. In this home were held some of the first Lutheran Services in Doncaster.
It is 140 years since Carl August Aumann arrived in Melbourne on August 23th, 1853, his father and family arrived some three months later. It is fitting that descendants gather in the historic year to recognise our indebtedness to those who came before us, to think of our origin, and the pioneers from whom we hail.
It is unfortunate that so much of our history has been lost with the passing of earlier generations, however I have tried to present the history of our family that is still available, and trust that you, the descendants, will pay tribute to our forebears who helped pioneer this country of ours. Many gaps in the early history in Prussia and Poland exist due to the lack of records. The area in Silesia from which our ancestors came from was devastated during the 1939-45 War, with the villages being 95% destroyed. Records were either destroyed or lost when put into hiding for safe keeping.
The early German pioneers were farmers, but then they came from one of the richest pastoral areas of Europe. They continued to be farmers, particularly contributing to the development of fruit growing. They became leaders in this field over the generations that followed, achieving this by their failures and successes, helping with new and improved techniques and development in fruit growing. Other members achieved the same in farming of grain and grazing. Later generations turned away from the land taking to trades and professions in which they also achieved success.
In presenting this history I have endeavoured to show how as farmers, orchardists, labourers, office workers, professional men and women contributed to the overall development of Australia, particularly Victoria.
Every effort has been made to ensure that complete details of each family have been obtained and accurately recorded. The cut-off date for recording births and deaths was set for March 31st, 1993, but have included details of later events where possible. I regret any inaccuracies, discrepancies or omissions that have occurred. This has been quite unintentional on my part. No mention is made in the family tree of adoptions or divorces.
Finally, I sincerely thank all descendants and other people who co-operated in supplying the information, photographs and documents which made it possible to complete this book. My thanks to the small committee who helped me update the history.
The book is presented as an expression of gratitude to God who provided for our forebears a new and wonderful homeland, protected and prospered them and their descendants. It is hoped that while many readers will enjoy this story in its own right, those who are descendants of our Aumann forebears will gain a deeper appreciation of our heritage, and be inspired by their determination, faithfulness and the courage to love and be proud of our country of Australia.
We pray that everything possible will be done to preserve it as a land of freedom and opportunity for our future generations.
ERIC A. UEBERGANG
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It has been necessary to obtain information from many sources in compiling this book and the Author and Aumann Family Reunion Committee wish to express gratitude to the following:
To the late Mrs Gwenda Sanderson of Diamond Creek, Victoria, for typing and assistance in research.
Janet Aumann, Elaine Mitchell, Hilda Petschel, Shirley and Max Schey for typing and photocopying.
To various families who lent photographs and allowed them to be reproduced in this book.
Thanks are extended to those people and to many others who forwarded information.
To David Aumann, Hilda Petschel, Janet Aumann and Jeanette Aeur of the History Committee who helped update the information for the book.
This is probably as good a place as any to list the committee that have been responsible for the organisation of the Family Reunion held at Doncaster, Victoria on 30-31 October 1993.
President: Harold Aumann, Warragul, Vic, Secretary: Mrs Shirley Schey , East Doncaster, Vic. Treasurer: Mrs Peg Dunnett, Warrandyte, Vic. Vice President: Eric Uebergang, Diamond Creek, Vic. Asst Secretary: Merrilyn Beaumont, Mt Waverley, Vic. Max Schey, East Doncaster Vic. Ian Dunnett, Warrandyte Vic. Beryl Sutton, Box Hill Sth, Vic. Hilda Petschel, Blackburn, Vic. Vida Roberts, Murtoa, Vic. Ian Roberts, Fairfield, Vic. Jeanatte Auer, Balwyn, Vic. Irene Lovell, Bulla, Vic. Berta and Clive Maggs, Chirnside Park, Vic. David Aumann, Won Wron, Vic. Elizabeth Menzel, Vermont, Vic. Peter Aumann, Pascoe Vale, Vic. Bill Schmidt, Ballarat, Vic. Frank Muller, Buderim, Qld. Gwen Mahoney, Whittlesea, Vic. Lin Aumann, Warrandyte, Vic. Joyce Strickland, Ballan, Vic. Sandra Johnson, Trafalgar, Vic. David Finger, Launching Place, Vic. Doris Bailey, Box Hill, Vic. Ted Rieschieck, Sommerville, Vic. Janet Aumann, Carlton, Vic. Elaine Mitchell, St Kilda, Vic,. Lewis Aumann, Gladysdale, Vic, Lynda Finger, Launching Place, Vic.
L-R; Back: Harold Aumann, Warragul, Vic; Eric Uebergang, Diamond Creek, Vic; Lewis Aumann, Gladysdale, Vic; Merrilyn Beaumont, Mt Waverley, Vic; Sandra Johnson, Trafalgar, Vic; Peg Dunnett, Warrandyte, Vic; Bill Schmidt, Ballarat, Vic; Max Schey, East Doncaster, Vic.
Front: Irene Lovell, Bulla, Vic; Shirley Schey, East Doncaster, Vic; Elaine Mitchell, St Kilda, Vic; Vida Roberts, Murtoa, Vic; Janet Aumann, Carlton, Vic; Hilda Petschel, Blackburn, Vic; Beryl Sutton, Box Hill South, Vic; Ian Roberts, Fairfield, Vic.
MIGRATION
There are many reasons which could have motivated our Aumann ancestors to leave Germany, and while much of this is conjecture, it does seem likely that their wish for religious independence would have been the dominant factor.
The Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III attempted to unite the Lutheran and Reformed Churches into a State Church and passed a decree commanding all pastors to use the State Church litany. By 1830, the law made it obligatory for all ministers to use the infamous “agenda” and failure to comply was dismissal. The “Old Lutherans” refused to acknowledge the revised form of Church service and declared their opposition. A petition requesting freedom of worship was rejected and many parishioners were arrested and churches closed. Services were held secretly in homes, cellars, barns or forests. The Lutheran people were branded as rebels and heavy punishment was given to any person found attending an unauthorised Church service. This led some pastors, including Pastor Kavel, to devise ways of leading their flocks out of Prussia. While trying to arrange passages to the United States of America for his congregation, Pastor Kavel met George Fife Angas, a director of the South Australian Company. It was Angas who encouraged Kavel to bring his congregation to South Australia and arranged to charter ships.
The German exodus dates back to July 1838, when over 200 Lutherans from Prussia left Hamburg, sailing on the Prince George (with only one sailor who spoke German), and the Bengalee. They arrived at Port Misery (Port Adelaide) in November of that year. Farmers, shepherds, wood cutters and village craftsmen were among the newcomers. The Zebra brought another shipload in December of 1838, and they were followed by another group on the Catharina in 1839.
King Friedrich Wilhelm died in 1840. His son and successor, King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, relaxed his father’s policies but the State Church remained and Lutherans continued to leave Prussia, probably distrusting the permanence of the new religious freedom. They were now also driven by the more conventional reasons — enforced military service, political unrest, fear of war, food shortages and economic tensions.
Migration to Australia continued steadily during the 1840s, attracting trades people, saddlers, shoe makers and wheelwrights; those whose livelihoods had been dependent on rural prosperity in their homeland.
In Australia, they found not only tolerance to their religion, but also a colony in which their agricultural heritage could be put to good use.
After overcoming early difficulties, their communities prospered. Reports of their success were sent back to Prussia, inspiring more of their countrymen to join them.
Migration numbers peaked during the 1830s and 60s. Communities established prior to 1851 in South Australia became the new homeland for those settling in the mid north of South Australia, eastwards to Victoria and as far as the eastern Riverina, near Albury in New South Wales, and Gippsland in eastern Victoria.
Gold discoveries in New South Wales and Victoria changed the pattern of migration and Victoria’s rich gold fields drew migrants from all states of Germany. In 1857, 6l% of Germans were on the fields, but as gold yields declined, the diggers moved to South Australia and parts of Victoria, including the western district.
By 1870, there was another shift in the migration pattern. Queensland was campaigning to interest migrants to develop the colony by introducing assisted passage. Germany became the chief source of European immigrants. By 1891, a third of Germans lived in Queensland.
During the nineteenth century, the largest group of non-English speaking settlers in Australia were German. They appear to have been the most acceptable non-British settlers and the largest group to be assisted from outside the British Isles. Numbers rose until the Depression of the 1890s, when the inflow declined.
After 1891, there was a movement of Germans within Australia from colony to colony, although this was not entirely random, for they tended to settle in established German communities — preferably in rural areas.
After 1900, some moved to north eastern New South Wales while others were drawn to Western Australia by the lure of gold, or cheap land which was being offered for closer settlement. By 1901, less than one third of German-born lived in capital cities.
Because of their cultural background, German settlers assimilated easily. They contributed largely to the development of wheat growing, wine production, orcharding, sugar growing, dairy farming and most facets of agriculture throughout Australia.
In tracing the history of family migration, it is sometimes possible to not only follow the paths of those who came to Australia, but also to see how
earlier European patterns of migration eventually drew our ancestors to this country.
It is interesting to learn of the early movements of the Fankhauser family within Europe. Johann Fankhauser was one of the leaders of the exiles from the Austrian Tyrol in 1837 and later emigrated to Australia, where his descendants married into Aumann families.
(See footnote)
In her book, Exiles of the Tyrol Catherine Ray describes Luther’s call sent out from Wittenburg in the 16th century. Many followers across the length and breadth of the country responded — from the recesses of mountain fastness, to Salzburg on the east of the Tyrol. Several families were driven from their native valleys in Salzburg by persecution, and in 1729, they were compelled by Archbishop Firmian to either conform to the Romish faith and give up their books, or to leave the country. They chose to leave and went to Zillerthall, congregating for worship in the homes of their leaders. Because their children were being harassed at school, they formed their own little school in a barn belonging to one of their band.
With faith undiminished, their ideals were preserved and the ranks of those imbued with Lutheranism grew and flourished. Their religion placed emphasis on communal responsibility and they never ceased to exert a certain influence in the Tyrol.
However victimisation finally forced them to close their schools. When Kaiser Franz came to Innsbruck in June 1832, they formed a deputation to wait on him and lodged a number of complaints, including the fact that their dead were not even allowed decent burials. Kaiser Franz received them kindly and promised that their case should be looked into; however a counter petition was signed and sent to Vienna. As a result, a decree came from the Government refusing every request the Lutherans had made, and stated that if they insisted on leaving the Catholic Church, they must settle in another province of the Austrian Dominions where Lutherans already existed. Meetings were then held in private and a petition was sent to Emperor Ferdinand who had just come to the throne. They were told in reply that a pass into other lands was neither necessary nor allowable.
Footnote: Johann Fankhauser’s daughter, Maria Theresa, married Godfried Friedrich Schuhkraft, and two of their daughters married Aumanns. Anna Elizabeth married Carl (Charles) August Aumann, and Theresa Maria married Adolph August Aumann.
George Frederick Fankhauser, son of Johann, had a son Henry, who married Anna Amelia Aumann, and their daughter Louise Auguste, married Ernst Ferdinand Finger. There are also other occasions where descendants of the Aumann families have married descendants of the Fankhauser families.
Shortly after this, Archduke John, brother to the late Emperor, came to Innsbruck and granted them an interview. They were asked to petition the Magistracy and their wish to see the Emperor would not be refused.
Encouraged by his kindly manner, the petition was drawn up, and the answer received was to the effect that it would be the highest affront to the Emperor to trouble him about such an affair in person.
Accordingly, in March 1837, notices were posted up permitting the Lutherans to depart. A departure date was fixed for four months ahead, but later extended to six months. A certificate of travel was officially given and 122 new members joined the followers and all necessary formalities were observed.
England, Bohemia and Prussia each made an offer to settle the displaced band, but because of a similarity between Schmiedeberg and their old country, they chose Schmiedeberg in Prussia as their new home, and became subjects of King Frederick Wilhelm. According to the wishes of the Government, their route was to lie through Salzburg, Bohemia and Mahren and passed through such places as Fint, Weis, Effending, Battenbury, Iglau and Michelsdorf.
With Johann Fankhauser acting as one of their leaders, the first division of one hundred and twenty
people left, followed by a second and third; with ranks unbroken, but for one deserter who went back to Hollengen and the Roman Catholics.
Soon after settling in Schmiedeberg, cholera broke out. After 23 days of exposure while travelling, the Zillerthalers were weakened and nine in all succumbed. The coolness of the early days of October saved others from sharing their fate.
The public admission of the Zillerthalers into the church took place on November 12, 1837. King Wilhelm could not be present but a representative of Royalty attended in his stead.
Good reports soon came from earlier migrants to Australia, and so Johann Fankhauser sailed in the emigrant ship, Prebislav from Hamburg, arriving in Melbourne during 1850. He was accompanied by his wife Elizabeth and family of two daughters and four sons.
Ten years after Port Phillip was founded, prominent business man, William Westgarth arranged through Edward Delius, a South Australian agent in Bremen, for 400 Germans to be brought to Australia. The opportunity for these people to be freed from repression and turmoil would have compensated for any misgivings they may have had about being strangers in a strange land.
“Portland Guardian” February 16th, 1849. GERMAN IMMIGRATION
Port-Bello, Edinburgh, 18th September, 1848.
Dear Sir,
Our mutual friend, Mr Edward Delius of Bremen, has just written me that he has received a letterfrom you, dated in April last, wherein you notice the German Emigration which Mr Delius and myself have been endeavouring to commence to Australia Felix, and are so good as to offer your services for the assistance of the emigrants on their arrival at Port Phillip. Acquainted as you are with Germany and the German language, it is probable that you will have it in your power to be of essential service, particularly to the first expedition, landing, as it will do, upon a strange shore, so remote from home, and where few, perhaps none beside yourself, understand the language of the party.
It was my intention to proceed with the first party about the 1st proximo, but I am now unavoidably delayed for several months longer in this country, and the emigrants must go without me. I had visited the party in Silesia, and having expressed a hope that I should be able to accompany them to Australia Felix, they have been keeping that contingency in vieiv, and Mr Delius ivrites me that he apprehends some dissatisfaction and unwillingness to go by themselves. I think, however, that our arrangement will be carried out.
The party in question consists of about two hundred of each sex and all ages, and is made up of mechanic and agriculturalists. They are Moravians. They will most likely prefer to settle together upon land at a moderate distance from Melbourne or Geelong.
I have written about them to Mr Archd. McLachlan. He and other landed proprietors or agents for large estates, will no doubt be well-disposed to make advantageous offers for so considerable a body to settle upon their lands.
I proceed to Hamburg about the end of this month, and if the party has decided for Port Phillip, I shall again have the pleasure of addressing you by the opportunity of the Germa?i ship, commending the emigrants to the good office of yourself and my otherfellow colonists.
Probably either one or two other expeditions will follow before December, when the navigation closes; and about the 1st March, I shall likely go out myself in the company of a further supply of these new colonists.
I have the highest confidence in the good reception they will meet with at Port Phillip, I am sure they will find in the far south a more bounteous land than the troubled and contentious scenes they are about to leave.
Mr Delius is a most active and meritorious agent, and now gives all his time and attention to the cause of Australian Emigration.
I beg to be remembered to my old friend Mr Thomas, who I perceive by the Port Phillip papers, is still connected with you in business at Melbourne
lam, dear sir, Your’s very truly W. WESTGARTH.
W.H. Dutton, Esq.,
Melbourne, Port Phillip.
The earliest immigrants included many family groups and came under charter with Messrs Godeffroy & Sons — the arrangement being that they would be given credit for one half the passage money, and the balance was to be paid by their employers.
Between 1844 and 1848, Germany was subjected to famine — an added incentive to migrate. Soaring food prices caused inflation and people were dying from starvation and cholera. F.J. Hobesbaun in his book The Age of Revolution, concluded that the famine of 1844-1848 was probably worse in Germany than anywhere else except Ireland.
Many early immigrants arrived in 1849 on the
ship, Godeffroy and others followed on the Wappaus, Dockhuden and Emmy. In the very early 1850s more Germans arrived from Mecklenburg, Silesia and Saxony and settled at Breslau (Doncaster) and Kilbundora (Thomastown).
In March 1850, a meeting was held in Melbourne’s Market Square for the promotion of German immigrants. Included among those present was William Westgarth, Captain Carr, adviser to the King of Prussia, and Prince Frederick of Augustenberg. Mr Westgarth announced that Messrs Godeffroy & Sons had laid on six ships at Hamburg for the conveyance of German immigrants and the number would be increased to 12 (one every
month); that another Hamburg house had also laid on several ships. Captain Carr, who had sailed to Australia on the Alfred, complained that immigration to these colonies was far from what it should have been, and said, “for though many respectable families had no doubt been introduced, the vessels had, on several occasions, been filled up with the sweepings from the streets, and even in the vessel in which he had himself come out, he had ascertained that parties had been put on board by the police.” The speaker also stated that he “had been much disappointed with South Australia but Port Phillip had in every respect exceeded his utmost expectations, and he was quite prepared to recommend that this province should be fixed upon as a field for future operations.”
Despite Captain Carr’s forebodings regarding some of the first migrants, history shows that they did adapt well. Because of their cultural background, German immigrants assimilated easily. They showed great singleness of purpose and were devout, industrious and frugal — qualities so necessary for success in a new land.
The Aumanns were staunch Lutherans and would have preferred to leave their homeland than deny their faith. Carl Samuel Aumann’s eldest son, Carl,
left three months earlier than his parents and family, and the reason for this would appear to have been to avoid military conscription into the Prussian Army. He had not turned 18 years of age when he left Hamburg in May 1853, but would have been of age had he waited for his parents and the rest of the family, so his reason would seem to have been political.
After arriving in Australia, the Aumanns were quick to join friends and relations for worship in a congregation; free at last from threat of punishment.
The discovery of gold in Victoria was an added incentive for migration and by 1861, there were 6,000 Germans digging on Victoria’s gold fields. Some of the first German pioneers who helped develop the Wimmera were former gold diggers — others had made long journeys from South Australia across roadless land, in old German style wagons. It has been calculated that during the fifties, at least 4,500 must have moved from South Australia to other colonies, mostly to Victoria.
By the 1890s, there were more than 40,000 Germans in Australia, and they were the largest non-British minority in the country.
SILESIA
Our ancestor’s East European homeland of Silesia was disputed territory as far back as the 10th century. It was partitioned at various times between the States of Prussia, Austria-Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia as countries fought for both territorial and religious control. Lutheranism swept much of Silesia at the Reformation but in the devastation following the Thirty Years War, 20% of the population was lost and the Lutheran people suffered greatly.
By the 17th and 18th centuries it had become a rich Austrian province with mining, woollen and linen industries being developed, making it greatly coveted by Prussia, who seized the land from Austria in the 1740s. The fertile lands which lay in the basin of the upper and middle Oder were to provide a larder for Prussia.
Silesia differed many ways from the northern parts of Prussia. The physical nature is more varied and ranges from fertile loess zones and flattened old motaines to the heights of the Sudeten Mountains.
It also had many resources besides its agricultural products and timber from the mountains; coal, brown coal, iron, zinc, lead, nickel, chrome, tin and copper ores; granite and china clay. These today assisted by good communication lines — notably the Oder waterway — and ample supply of skilled labour combined to make it one of the major industrial areas.
The southern part of Silesia is formed by the Sudeten Mountains which are largely old, hard rocks. In the Great Mountains (Riesengebirge) their greatest heights (1,750 metres) extending above the limit of tree growth.
The slopes of the Sudeten Mountains were cleared by the German settlers in the 13th century.
Typical forest villages are found in the areas and when mining and agriculture could not support the
.4. * w.
Goczalkow (Kohlhohe) Poland, taken 1987.
population; industry; first cottage industry, developed as a substitute, the foothills of the Budeten became the centre of the linen industry.
On the left bank of the Oder River, which forms the backbone of Silesia, the best soils are situated, where agriculture became intensive, and large surpluses of wheat and sugar, along with various agricultural products, left Silesia for the western parts of Germany. The first sugar-beet refinery in the world was set up in 1880.
The regional hub of Silesia is Breslau (Wroclaw), a German city founded after the destruction of the former Slav town by the Mongols in 1241. Badly damaged during the 1939-45 war, it is considerably smaller than it used to be. After 1945 Upper Silesia fell virtually without battle to the Red Army, when little destruction occurred and coal mining and industrial production hardly came to a halt. The once rich Agricultural State of Upper Silesia is now an Industrial State.
In the subsequent Prussian colonization, land subdivision was made in relation to the social standing of the particular farmer. A small peasant proprietor (a cottager) was allowed approximately 15 acres (6-8 morgen) while a full peasant farmer was allowed 20-40 morgen.
The Aumann farmers would have lived humbly, finding it necessary to seek additional occupations, in order to support their families during winter when rivers and lakes were often frozen for more than three months.
Aumann farms would have produced rye, wheat, barley and sugar beet. Dwellings were constructed with high pitched roofs and lofts, of two or three storeys, or with one big roof which covered living quarters, and stables, chaff room and implement shed on the ground floor. The Aumann families would have kept a few cows, and because of the
Goczalkow (Kohlhohe), 1987.
SILESIA
close association between farmers and animals, cows very often shared the family roof and helped create warmth. The animals used for pulling ploughs were a most important investment and also had to be protected from the elements. Wooden ploughs and harrows were the basic implements for these farmers.
At the end of the First World War, Silesia was divided between Poland and Germany, and again after the 1939-45 War, when — except for an area around Neisse, it was incorporated into Poland. This small province with such a troubled history, is now referred to as an “ancient duchy”.
SILESIA — Sources
GERMANY — ITS GEOGRAPHY AND GROWTH — K.A. Sinnhuber.
Friedenskirche Lutheran Church, Jowar (Jauer) 1987. Built approximately 1650.
Lutheran Church (now Catholic Church), Rogoznica (Gross Rosen), 1987. Built 1872.
THE ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA — OUR NEW LAND
In 1853, Carl Samuel Aumann decided it was time to take his family to their new country, and so they left their home in Kohlhohe, in the Parish of Gutschdorf, Silesia, Prussia. Kohlhohe was east of Jauer (Jawor) with the villages of Gross Rosen, Bersdorf, Profen, Seckerwitz and Gutschdorf close by, and Stringeau to the south east.
Carl Samuel Aumann’s eldest son Carl August left Hamburg on May 17th, 1853 on the ship Wilhelmsburg, arriving in Melbourne on August 25th, 1853, and Carl Samuel and his second wife, Charlotte, and the younger children left Hamburg on July 1st, 1853 on the ship, Australia arriving in Melbourne on November 16th, 1853.
His eldest child, Johanne Caroline, who was fostered with her Aunt after her mother’s death, came to Australia on the ship, San Francisco, departing Hamburg on June 1st, 1854 arriving in Melbourne on September 1st, 1854.
The Aumanns had a choice of places for their new home — the settlement of Germantown near Geelong, or further down the coast to Warrnambool, where a number of Germans had moved. However they were attracted to the Doncaster district on the outskirts of Melbourne, where many other Germans were being drawn. Endeavouring to recreate something of their homeland, they named the area in which they settled, Breslau, and this later became Waldau (“clearing in the forest”). The Primary School in that area is known today as Waldau Primaiy School. The total area of settlement would have encompassed all their homeland villages referred to above.
It is thought that Gottlieb Thiele may have encouraged many to settle there for he had arrived on the ship, Wappaus in 1849, and he went to Doncaster in 1853- This was part of an area which
some English settlers had taken up earlier, but the influx of Gottlieb Thiele’s countrymen introduced a German influence. Numbered among these pioneers were names which are still linked with Doncaster: Straube, Walther, Simon, Finger, Fromhold, Fuhrmann, Wittig, Lenkersdorf, Hanke, Zander, Gunther, Berger, Meyer, Uebergang, Rosel, Pump, Schuhkraft, Stecher, Leber and others.
The thickly timbered, hilly to undulating country was rather different to the rich farming land of Silesia. First incomes were earned from the sale of firewood, as the 20-30 acres blocks were cleared. With the gradual clearance of the land, fruit trees and vegetables were planted, and by selling produce, their incomes increased. Roads were bad and almost impassable in winter months, with only one wooden bridge over which drays and carts could carry this produce to the city.
Families grew larger, new homes were built and more land cultivated. The women contributed to much of the heavy labour involved and planted vegetables and berries between the tall Box and Stringy Bark. Domestic and garden water was carried — often by children — sometimes for a distance of a mile. Monies earned by whatever means — wood, vegetables, butter or eggs, had to go back into the land.
The Lutheran newcomers had given up a settled existence, not with the hope of bettering their positions in a new land, as some settlers did, but because of strong religious convictions which, for conscience sake, would not allow them to accept a State imposed system of worship, contrary to their tradition. Although lacking money for comforts, these people enjoyed a strong sense of fellowship, sharing both joys and sorrows as they shaped their community to reflect their Christian ideals.
THE BUILDING OF GOD’S HOUSE
u A nd they devoted themselves to the Apostles
/A teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of Jl. JLbread and the prayer.” Acts 2:42.
As early as 1856, it would appear that a congregation existed among the early Lutheran migrants of Doncaster. The congregation would have been formed as soon as they were settled, which would have been before 1856.
Around 1856, G. Thiele and J.F. Straube were acting as lay readers in the absence of a minister. Weekly morning and evening services were held in Mr Straube’s home and later at Mr C. “Father” Aumann’s home.
The name of the establishment had now become known as Waldau (Forestville) “clearing in the forest”, in Bulleen, for the first Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Victoria held in 1856, showed Gottlieb Thiele as representing Waldau and Christian Finger, Hawthorn. At that time Pastor Goethe served the congregation from time to time for preaching and administration of the Sacraments. On other occasions, the services were conducted by Mr Straube.
Delegates attending the 2nd Synod (June 6th-7th, 1857) included Carl Aumann, Hawthorn; Johann E. Fankhauser, Hawthorn; Max Schramm, Salt Creek,
(Footscray); and from Waldau — Friedrich Straube, Gottfried Johann Thiele, and Johann Walther.
It is clearly shown by records that this early group of pioneers did, amidst the struggle and heartbreak of the earliest years, find time to praise God for his goodness, as they met together to worship Him in common faith.
At a meeting attended by 18 settlers in “Father” Aumann’s home on April 30th, 1858, it was resolved to build a church. In translating early records, it appears that a discussion took place as to whether to build the church in the cemetery or apart from the cemetery. It is known that there were burials in the Waldau cemetery as early as the late 1854s. The son of Lenkersdorf, the builder of the church, was buried there in December 1854, and Caroline Uebergang, wife of Gottfried Uebergang, was also buried there on January 3rd, 1855.
Extracts from the first Minute Book of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church congregation, Doncaster:
April 30th, 1858 — A meeting was held to discuss the erection of a chapel. On that day, the following members of the congregation met together: Thiele Snr, Thiele Jnr, Aumann Snr, Aumann Jnr, A. Zander
The First Church, 1858.
Snr, W. Zander Jnr, Hanke, Christian Finger, Simon, Lenkerstorff, Wittig, Fromhold, Gunther.
May 3rd, 1838 — The following members were present: Thiele Snr, Thiele Jnr, Lenkerstorff, Aumann Snr, Aumann Jnr, Straube Snr, Straube Jnr, Zander Snr, Zander Jnr, Walther Snr, Walther Jnr, Simon, Gunther, Wittig, Hanke Snr.
After Mr Zander Snr had said that it was not advantageous to have the cemetery next to the church and that it was preferable to buy a site for the church, the majority took the view that it was desirable to have the church and the cemetery in close proximity to one another. It was then resolved to accept the site offered by Mr Straube. The resolution was adopted unanimously. The new church was to be 40ft x 20ft x 12ft high, built of wood and plaster with a shingle roof. F. Straube donated an acre of land for the church property. The church was built on the same land as the cemetery.
Information regarding costs:
The builder was Carpenter Lenkersdorf who estimated that two men would erect the building in four weeks. He offered to work for six shillings a day and Mr Walther Snr. offered to help him for five shillings a day.
Much voluntary labour was given and on December 26th, 1858, the completed church was dedicated to the Glory of God by Pastor Goethe.
Pastor Goethe often visited Waldau during his ministry and served as the first Lutheran pastor of Melbourne. He visited the Waldau congregation until his departure for California, U.S.A., in 1867, where he died on October 25th of that year.
At a meeting held at the close of 1859, some of the resolutions passed were:
1. Members of the congregation pay 15/- for the grave of an adult and 12/- for a child.
2. Cost of a reserved grave two pounds.
5. That after the death of a member of the congregation the bell be rung at 10a.m. for 15 minutes and for 15 minutes prior to the arrival of the casket at the grave.
6. That the cost of a family grave be in keeping with the number of persons in the family and that it be paid in full.
Pastor Matthias Goethe.
12. That every day the bell be rung three times, at the rising and setting of the sun, and at 12 o’clock noon.
In May 1862, trees and shrubs from the Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, were planted in the cemetery.
Pastor Goethe would journey to Doncaster on foot in the summer months, arriving in the afternoon. In winter months some of the Melbourne congregation would bring him part of the way to be met by a member of the Doncaster congregation. He would have married many of the early residents at the Waldau church and sometimes in his own church — German Church, East Melbourne. He apparently travelled to Doncaster for burials as many early burials services were conducted by him.
Not only did the church serve as a place of worship, but many happy occasions were held there; one being on Christmas evening, when presents were handed out.
The South Bourke Standard. January 3rd, 1862, quotes:
“On Tuesday evening the 24th December, a most interesting meeting at Waldau, known by many as German-town. It was the usual gathering at a German Christmas Eve. Dr Embling, J.P., presided. The refreshments were partaken of in the open air,
The New Church, 1892.
The Interior of the New Church.
the chapel being appointed for the evening meeting. Two handsome Christmas trees partly filled the chapel, loaded with presents; and a table at the rear of the President’s chair was covered with articles for distribution among the children of the school. Waldau occupies a highly picturesque situation amid the hills, and chiefly cultivated by Germans. The school musters nearly 50 scholars, and everything betokens the presence of an
industrious population. After the opening remarks of the Chairman, Pastor Goethe addressed the meeting. B.N. Clarke, Esq., J.P., and other gentlemen then pressed upon the friends and children present the advantages of education, especially in a young community, where every individual mind may make itself powerful for good and evil. The presents were then distributed, and after several hours of pleasant intercourse, the
friends, whose numbers densely packed the building, adjourned, until another Christmas Eve shall call them together to their pleasant rendezvous — ‘The Chapel on the Hill’.”'
The cemetery around this building is no longer in use, but bears testament to the high proportion of children lost in those early years. Some families suffered the loss of more than one child; the story is told of one family burying their child and returning home to find another dead.
In 1891, the old building was costing too much to keep in repair, so the congregation decided to build a new substantial church, and a piece of land from the Estate of the late Mr C. “Father” Aumann was purchased. The decision to build the new church on this land was partly because of the great significance of having a new church built near where the first services were held.
The total cost of this church, built of brick, was 1,303 pounds, four shillings and four pence. The enthusiasm and willing hearts of the people soon raised the money needed. The new church was dedicated to the Glory of God by Pastor Herlitz on April 21st, 1892, in the presence of a large gathering.
In 1907, the building of a manse was necessary. Mrs Mary Fromhold presented half an acre of land for this purpose. The land formed part of the late “Father” Aumann’s former property. The new manse stood on the site of his old residence, in which some of the first services were held.
The manse was ready for the first occupant, Pastor Held, in 1909, at the cost of 730 pounds. In 1932, the church hall was built.
In I860, a day school was opened with Max von Schramm as teacher: the instruction was given in the church. Mr Schramm was installed on May 17th, I860, and continued to serve for many years.
THE LANGUAGE
Like all Lutheran congregations, Doncaster too, had to change from the use of German as the language for worship. This created difficulties and tension among the congregation when it came time to make the changeover.
It was thought the Lutheran tradition could only be upheld if the German language was maintained. Usually by the third generation, they were ready to adopt English as their spiritual mother tongue. Much tardiness in this regard crept in and many members were lost to other denominations —- a situation which had already become critical at the turn of the century.
After Pastor Schramm’s retirement in 1907, the first mention was made of conducting seivices in English at Doncaster. However, it was not until 1915 that English services were used alongside the German.
Before World War II, the Doncaster congregation, as well as most others, had learned by experience that the Lutheran Church could survive and the Lutheran traditions could be handed on equally as well in English as in German. Many of the Lutheran
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Doncaster and Manse — Victoria Street.
congregation, who left on account of the language difficulties to take up membership with other denominations, became pillars of the congregation of their adoption.
DISTRICT CHURCHES
The first service to be called in the district was Presbyterian. The service was held in Alexander Duncan’s barn, Bulleen Road, Bulleen, in 1842.
By 1856, the Lutherans and Church of England had formed congregations. In that year, the Anglicans held their first service in the home of Joseph Pickering, while Lutherans too, were holding services in their homes.
The Baptists built a small chapel in the late 1850s or early 1860s. This was later sold to the Church of Christ in 1863 — who, along with the Lutherans, made their churches available to the Church of England parishioners until their church was built. The Holy Trinity Church was built in 1869, using local stone.
The Templestowe Anglicans built a small chapel in 1867, and a church at Warrandyte in 1870.
At East Doncaster, the Methodists built a church in 1866, and the Templestowe Presbyterian church was built in 1895.
In 1985 the City of Doncaster and Templestowe have some 35 churches of all denominations.
Church of Christ, Doncaster.
Holy Trinity, Doncaster. Just after extensions in 1971.
Christ Church, Church of England, Templestowe.
The Templestowe township, school at top right hand among pine trees, 1900.
HAWTHORN
On arrival in Australia, German pioneering families had to choose a place to live where they could quickly obtain a living. Most only stayed in their first found localities for a short time, until they found land more to their liking where they could settle permanently.
One area in Hawthorn now known as Wattle Road, attracted a number of Germans during the 1850s. Wattle Road runs east to west from Glenferrie Road to Power Street between Burwood Road on the north and Riversdale Road on the south.
In her book, Hawthorn Peppercorns, Gwen McWilliam writes:
“German Paddock (Wattle Road) 1850s. Orchards and vineyards. Still some 1860s and 1870s — William and Christian Finger, New Street area; Andreas Bruiser, Ardenne Court area; Julius and Theodor Schober, allotment near Vivian Grove; Fankhauser, near Finchley Court (Prevot, Thomas Vasey.)”
Gwen McWilliam also describes early German settlement in the same book, as follows:
“Most of the Europeans probably arrived early in the fifties to dig for gold, although some of the forty Germans who were in Hawthorn in 1861 had probably come as farmers to escape religious persecution. Some of them settled in Crown allotments 45 and 46, originally bought by Hughes, and known by the locals as German Paddock at the end of the fifties.
Wattle Road, between the two blocks, became German Lane until a petition from fourteen
residents there requested that the name be Weinberg Road in October I860. Not because there was anyone of that name in the street as has been suggested, (although a John Weinberg had signed the Municipal District petition from somewhere in Hawthorn, and then disappeared), but because it was the German word for vineyard. Most of the German families were represented in that hand written petition about the street, their names spelt differently in successive rate books — Finger, Schober, Kobelke, Aurisch and Bruser, Fankhauser and Gottke, who might still be misspelt! The name of the street gave some trouble too — Richard Church thought it was Winebourg, when he suggested that the Council might use about 200 heaps of road dirt, left over when the road was made in 1863, to fill up the channels, or some of the channels, in Glenferrie and Riversdale Roads near his house.”
This was the area to which Carl August Aumann came when he first arrived in Australia. He first worked for the Finger family who had already acquired land in Hawthorn. Carl Samuel Aumann also came to Weinberg Road, but only stayed three years until he acquired land in Doncaster.
Electoral Roll. 1856-57 AUMANN Karl
(Labourer), freehold, house and land. Upper Hawthorn.
Note: This was in the Templestowe Division.
DONCASTER AND TEMPLESTOWE
In 1837, when Robert Hoddle began his first official survey of the Port Phillip district, the Wood brothers had already established a sheep station at the junction of the Yarra and Plenty Rivers. Known by the Aborigines as Bulleen (“resting place”), the name was adopted for the parish delineated in Hoddle’s survey.
Other early settlers were Major Charles Newmann, an Anglo Indian who arrived in Victoria from Van Diemans Land and built two houses near the river at Templestowe, and Robert Wright Unwin, who made a “Special Survey” purchase of 3,120 acres extending from the river towards what is now Surrey Hills. Unwin paid one pound an acre, but did not hold it for long.
The district received its first boost in 1831, when John Louis Michel discovered gold at Anderson’s Creek. Previously uninhabited, except for travellers moving south from Sydney and a few Aboriginal tribes, the Warrandyte hills soon swarmed with several hundred eager gold prospectors, preparing the way for other settlers to subsequently follow. While squatters searched further afield for easy pastures, this district attracted men of humbler
origins who hoped to improve their positions through sheer hard work, closer to Melbourne.
It was found that the river flats and wooded rolling hills were suited for orchards and dairy farms. A number of German families were among the early farmers who formed a small community called Waldau, and in 1858 built the first church in the district, where a school was also conducted. The land filled and orcharding became the main occupation of the people.
In 1888, Alexander Sutherland recorded in his book, Victoria and Its Metropolis, “The townships are three in number — Doncaster, about 10 miles distant from Melbourne, is a favourite place of resort for visitors from Melbourne during the summer months. From a lofty tower attached to the Beaconsfield Hotel, at a height of 800 feet above sea level, a magnificent panorama of the surrounding country can be seen.
The other places are Templestowe, 11 miles from Melbourne, where some beautiful bush scenery may be found, and good shooting and fishing obtained on the Yarra River; and Warrandyte — (mining and grazing).
Main Road, Doncaster, 1900.
White’s corner store and Tower in distance, 1900.
The Doncaster Electrical Tram.
Bulleen Shire has an area of 33 square miles and a population of 1,650 persons, chiefly farmers and gardeners. A paying quartz seam was worked for years near Templestowe, but has long since been abandoned.”
The tower of steel and wood 285 feet high, had been built in 1879 by Mr A.O. Hummell, a wealthy Englishman who settled as a gentleman fanner in the district in the 1860s. The tower remained a landmark until it was demolished during the 1914-18 War.
Its attraction led to the establishment of the first electrical tramway system in Australia.
The Illustrated Australian News reported on November 9th, 1889: “The opening ceremonies and
some of the technical details . . . the first electrical tramway in Australia was opened on October 14th, between Box Hill and Doncaster. The total distance traversed is 2Vi miles, and the rails are laid on the surface of the metalled road, which has been constructed by the tramway company for the purpose.”
The tram made its last journey on January 6th, 1896.
Local government began as early as 1856 when the Templestowe Roads Board was constituted. The Board was replaced in 1875 by the Shire of Bulleen, which was two ridings, Doncaster and Templestowe. The two ridings became separate shires in 1890, but
Doncaster Orchardists Cool Store, Main Road, East Doncaster. About 1914.
Young orchards — early 1900s — at corner of King and Victoria Streets, Doncaster, Victoria.
in 1915, were reunited under the name of the Shire of Doncaster. In 1926 Templestowe was returned to the name. In 1967, the area was proclaimed The City of Doncaster and Templestowe.
From the beginning, Doncaster and Templestowe became Victoria’s first most vital and largest fruit growing district. Their apples won world renown, and district cherries were sent to Sydney, Brisbane and New Zealand. In the 1870s, small consignments were exhibited in Florence and Vienna.
The first German settlers grew berry fruit in the area, for a quick return, and also planted vineyards. Gottlieb Thiele is generally believed to have been the first settler in Doncaster to start an orchard. He
was followed closely by the Serpell, Pickering, Petty, Lawford, Finger, Clay, Knee, Aumann and Ireland families.
In 1853, Gottlieb Thiele planted three acres; mainly peaches and pears, but it was not until early 1879 that these fruits appeared in marketable quantities. Plums, cherries, peaches, pears, apricots, apples and lemons also found a popular market.
The pioneers battled against the problems of drought, crop failure, crop disease and wind damage. The district became noted for its wind breaks of Pinus Radiata, which can still be seen today. The problem of having enough water during the summer months was overcome by digging
dams. These dams dug by horse and scoop method did not seep, as the action of the horse walking over the banks compacted the soil. Dams became larger as the orchards grew in size.
The first cool storage was built in 1905, with a capacity of 12,000 cases of fruit. As more fruit was produced, additional storage space became necessary. In 1914 the Orchardists Cool Store was built in Main Road, East Doncaster, this being the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, with a capacity of 120,000 cases. 1919 saw the Templestowe Cool Store built with a capacity of 20,000 cases.
The peak of the fruit production in Doncaster and Templestowe was reached in the 1930s, when some 20,000 acres were under production.
In 1882, Thomas Petty, Richard Serpell and Alfred Thiele were the first men in Australia to successfully export pears to England, thus beginning the exporting of fruit annually.
Doncaster and Templestowe orchardists contributed much to the development of new varieties of fruit, particularly peaches. Many varieties carry names of some of the early families.
In 1950, Melbourne began to expand and suburbia began to move into West Doncaster,
Templestowe looking west toward Heidelberg, circa 1900.
Templestowe Bakery and Post Office, circa 1900.
Bulleen and Lower Templestowe. As the years went by, roads and houses replaced the orchards and by the 1970s most of Doncaster and Templestowe was suburbia, with only a few orchards left toward Warrandyte. Today even Warrandyte has become suburbia with most of the orchards gone. One remaining orchard in Tindals Road, Warrandyte still remains, belonging to members of the Aumann family.
The Population: 1888 — 1,650 1971 — 64,000
1955— 7,000 1974— 75,000
1961 — 19,000 1980 — 1100,000
1993— ?
THE SCHOOLS OF DONCASTER AND TEMPLESTOWE
In I860, a day school was opened, with Mr Max Schramm as teacher. The instruction was given in the Lutheran Church, Waldau. Mr Schramm was installed on May 17th, I860, and continued to serve for many years.
A roll of this school is on display, showing family names still found in the district today. The names are in both English and German.
A government grant was received in 1864 for the erection of a school in Main Road, Doncaster. This school began in 1865, but two years later the State
This building was built in 1864, as Doncaster’s first school, by Pastor Max von Schramm.
Templestowe looking west toward Heidelberg, circa 1900.
Letter above and roll (opposite page), sent to the Secretary of the Denominational School Board when application was made for a building grant.
took the school over, with Mr Schramm remaining in charge. In 1873, an Education Act came into force which abolished religious teaching in State Schools. Mr Schramm then resigned and started a Church School in his home adjoining the State School. This school was dedicated on November 6th, 1876 — the day following Mr Schramm’s ordination and installation as Pastor of the Lutheran Parish. This school closed on August 8th, 1884.
At Templestowe, a school was established near the Heidelberg Bridge in 1847, with approximately
27 pupils. Another school — Mr Ferguson’s — opened in 1850 on the corner of Williamsons and Serpells Road, with 80 pupils,
At Warrandyte, it was found that there were 50 children of school age, and the Church of England opened a school there in the late 1850s. Anderson’s Creek School opened in 1873, which is today’s Warrandyte School.
In some instances, five generations of Aumanns have attended various district schools.
East Doncaster School taken prior to 1900.
M U R T O A
Shire of Dunmunkle
Counties of Borung and Kara Kara
Parishes of Ashens, Lallut, Marma, Rich Avon West, Rupanyup, parts of Burrum Burrum, Dunmunkle, Jung Jung, Kellalac, East Laen, Longerenong, Marnoo, Nullan and Wirchilleba.
Created a Shire, September 28th, 1877; divided into Ridings, November 16th, 1880, redefined October 24th, 1890, resubdivided May 25th, 1906.
Part of North Riding severed and annexed to Donald Shire, May 24th, 1916.
Part East and South Ridings of Borung Shire severed and annexed to Dunmunkle Shire, May 31st, 1916. Nature of country — Agricultural
Leading Industries — Wheat and wool growing, embracing the towns of Murtoa, Minyip and Rupanyup and the districts of Ashens, Banyena, Burrum, Coromby, Jackson, Kewell, Laen and Lallut.
Area — 597 square miles.
Major Thomas Mitchell was the first white man to traverse the district north of the Grampians. On July 30th, 1836, he “looked northward with a good telescope” from Mount Zero, to “perceive open land”, and it is possible that his view included part of the country which was later to become the Parish of Ashens.
Dugald McPherson from Ashens in Argyleshire and William Taylor from Glasgow, Scotland, arrived in Melbourne in 1840. The two Scotsmen brought sheep with them and went north looking for pasture. They followed the Wimmera to the Yarriambiack and in February 1848, squatted on country which they named Ashens. Soon after, they took up the additional holding of Longerenong, comprising 153,000 acres. Taylor took Longerenong and McPherson, Ashens.
The real development of the area lying between the Wimmera River and Lake Marma — future site of Murtoa — began with the establishment of the leasehold of these two stations. In Wimmera — A Regional History, Les Blake writes: “wheat growing began as early as 1855 when, on Ashens station, John McTavish used a single furrow plough to prepare the lands’ for a wheat crop”.
After the 1869 Land Act, which marked the beginning of free selection, pioneers arrived from Bungaree, South Australia and Western District.
By 1870, the first wagon trains of selectors from the Naracoorte-Mount Gambier district were making the arduous overland journey into the Wimmera. The newcomers’ difficulties were aggravated by border customs existing between Victoria and South Australia, resulting in heated confrontations and the necessity to bluff their way through rather than pay impossibly high duties. The covered wagons carried many South Australian Lutherans who had formerly settled at Hochkirk near Hamilton. Possibly the first men and women of predominantly German descent reached Green Lake in 1869-1870. The Lutherans
formed settlements in many areas including parishes around Rainbow, Jeparit, Horsham and Nhill, and for a time, both Horsham and Minyip newspapers printed news items in German.
Among the first land applications were the following names:
Date of application
Date of Licence
Peter Comyn Bungaree
31.8.1871
1.3.1872
Johann Degenhardt Gambier Town
4.11.1871
1.1.1873
Paul Anders
Gambier Town
6.11.1871
1.1.1873
Martin Uhe
Gambier Town
6.11.1871
15.2.1873
John Adler Jnr. Warrnambool
30.11.1871
7.6.1872
Frederick Adler Warrnambool
1.12.1871
7.6.1872
*Henry Aumann Croxton
3.4.1872
15.8.1872
Heinrich Kiefel Drung Drung
22.2.1873
20.6.1873
* Note: Henry Aumann made application from Croxton.
Selectors moved into the “calico township” of Marma Gully and German settlers built a wattle and daub school, which also served as a makeshift church where German services were held. Paul Anders, Martin Uhe, Fred and Gustav Degenhardt from Mount Gambier and Herman Volprecht from Adelaide selected land at Lake Marma in 1871.
By 1872, 14 German families had settled in the parishes of Quantong and Vectis East, occupying 4,400 acres. German settlers were regarded as being excellent farmers of thrifty and industrious disposition. The Argus referred to them at that time as having a “dislike of getting into debt” and made mention of their “self denying habits and steady application”.
A perusal of the first plan issued by the Lands Department shows that by 1873, every block in the Ashens district had an owner.
The name of Marma Gully was lost in 1873 when the township was surveyed by T.H. Breen and became known as Murtoa. According to the History of the Victorian Railways, Murtoa was listed as: “MURTOA — named by Walter Maddern, Land Officer, Horsham, 1873”. The name was obtained from the local Aborigines and meant “Home of the Lizard”.
The original survey allowed an area of equal size on the west of the lake with the lake being in the
centre of the town. However this did not come about as when the Railway came in 1879, the location of the station on its present site, caused progress on the western side to stop.
By 1884, when the Ashens and Longerenong leaseholds were cancelled, the properties had passed through many hands and were variously subdivided.
Messrs Billis and Kenyon in their history of Victorian stations, give the following data:
March 1848, subdivided into Ashens and Longerenong
Load of wheat arriving at the Railway, Murtoa. Note bullock team.
The same Railway, Murtoa, 1990.
Ashens — 53,600 acres:
March 1848 — D. McPherson (10,000 sheep)
" 1859 — Alex Wilson
" I860 — Wilson Bros.
Nov. 1871 — Samuel Wilson
Dec. 1874 — Albert Austin and Wm. Bullivant
" 1884 — Lease cancelled.
Longerenong, 153,000 acres:
March 1848 — Wm. Taylor (600 cattle, 20,000 sheep)
March 1856 — Wilson Bros.
" 1862 — Subdivided into Longerenong,
St Helena, Marma Downs,
Green Hills and Kirkwood. Longerenong and all subdivisions:
March 1862 — Wilson Bros.
Nov. 1871 — Samuel Wilson
Dec. 1874 — Albert Austin and Wm. Bullivant
" 1881 — Green Hills cancelled;
Kirkwood lapsed " 1884 — Longerenong, St Helena and
Marma Downs cancelled.
Among the earliest names recorded as block holders in the Ashens district were: Adler, Anders, Deutscher, Gulbin, Gardy, McDonald, McIntyre, Straube, Schache, Towk, Walther.
Others on the south and west of Murtoa were: Presser, Degenhardt, Nuske, Tepper, Gerdtz, Peucker, Tobin and Hamilton.
These are only a few of the names of block holders and today there are descendants still occupying blocks chosen by their ancestors.
St John’s Lutheran Church, Murtoa. Opened 1966.
HEIDELBERG
Early in 1836, the first recorded white men travelled through the area now known as Heidelberg, in the newly settled Port Phillip district of New South Wales. They found thickly wooded hills sweeping down to rich river flats. The grasslands abounded with birds and wild life, and these views were to later inspire some of Australia’s most famous artists.
John Gardiner, Joseph Tice Gellibrand and William Robertson were among those members of the Port Phillip Association to be impressed by the area and in December of the same year, John Gardiner returned along with Joseph Howden and John Hepburn, bringing 300 head of cattle to graze on country now known as Gardiner.
John Gardiner later purchased land on the Plenty River in the Parish of Kilbundoora. Lot 19 consisted of 1,182 acres, for which he paid £302.7.0 and Lot 20 of 710 acres for £337.3.6.
Robert Hoddle, the Government Surveyor, completed his survey of Victoria in 1837 and named the Parish divisions. Of Heidelberg’s three Parishes, Alphington and Fairfield were named Jika Jika, while the central portion was given the name Keelbundoora, an Aboriginal name for “brackish round swamp” and this district covered Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Watsonia, etc. The northern towns of Greensborough and Diamond Creek were in the Parish of Nillumbik, meaning “red earth”.
Some of the early land buyers were Thomas Walker, George Porter, Richard Henry Browne and Thomas Wills.
On the original maps, the village site was named Warringal, and later, the much travelled Richard Henry Browne was given the credit for naming the district Heidelberg, having likened the locality to Germany. Brown often frequented and entertained at the Old England Hotel, built on the highway which carried pioneers and gold seekers to the Plenty Ranges and Diamond Valley. The Hotel’s original stone section is probably the oldest still in use in Victoria. Heidelberg was constituted a Shire on January 27th, 1871 and in 1934, became the City of Heidelberg.
A number of Scots who had settled the area were the first to conduct church services following the
Rev Peter Gunn’s arrival on December 5th, 1843. Services were first held in Alex Duncan’s barn, until the first Church was built in 1845. The Anglicans built the picturesque Church of St John’s and their first service was held on April 15th, 1851. This building had remained practically untouched over the years until a major restoration took place in 1963, retaining the old world charm, dignity and beauty. St John’s is one of the few original Churches in Melbourne.
The Roman Catholic Church dates from May 22nd, 1848, and the present building was blessed on April 14th, 1861 and completed in 1909.
In 1848, Bishop Perry’s wife wrote a description of Heidelberg, and the Heidelberg Historian quotes: “You can scarcely call Heidelberg a village because it is so scattered, but there is a butcher, baker, wheelwright, a blacksmith and a few other people of the same description and a considerable number of settlers scattered around, within some 6 or 8 miles.”
Fairfield was still forest, and travellers had to negotiate unmade roads and difficult river crossings. By 1855, saw mills were a feature along the Yarra and supplied the City with firewood. Fruit growers often pushed hand barrows across rough bush tracks through “Little Heidelberg” — now Ivanhoe — to the Victoria Market. Among the first village industries were a Cheese Factory and William Rank’s Flour Mill. Wilhelm Heinrich Aumann operated a blacksmith’s shop in Banksia Street, on land where Safeway’s Store now stands.
In May 1880, Mrs Thomas Austin donated £6,000 to establish a Hospital and a site was chosen on a ridge above the valley to the north — a place where Aborigines had once had their camp.
Across the years, the Austin has grown to a complex of buildings recognised as one of Melbourne’s leading hospitals. It became a general training hospital in 1938 and was affiliated with the Medical School of the University of Melbourne in 1965.
On October 21st, 1901, Heidelberg celebrated the opening of its direct rail link with the City, and today is one of Melbourne’s better residential suburbs.
THE VOYAGE
The decision to emigrate to Australia was an enormous step, demanding special courage. Although realising they would encounter hardships, nothing could have prepared the first settlers for the experiences which lay ahead. Reaching the embarkation point of Hamburg by the river Oder initially took up to 3 weeks. The majority of migrants were strangers to the sea, but were then to spend 3 or 4 months cramped in overcrowded ships under deplorable conditions, while exposed to the perils of the elements.
Under the British Passengers Acts, space was allotted for personal accommodation on the lower decks but made no mention of deck space for recreation or exercise. In fair weather it may have been possible to move fore and aft, but in high seas, the crew had difficulty enough moving on deck and the passengers were forced to stay below, sometimes not seeing the sun for days. German ships had even more problems regarding space. They were not run according to British law and were also noted for their failure to carry qualified surgeons. In some instances, the Captain assumed this role, with no more experience than that of a barber or blood-letter. In 1858, an inquiry was held in Sydney into German shipping practices, forcing their compliance.
The changes in climate during the voyage were extreme and varied from tropical heat to intense cold. As ships passed through “The Doldrums”, west of the African continent, they were sometimes becalmed for 2 or 3 weeks, waiting for a favourable breeze to carry them onwards. The stifling doldrums days of the equator caused great distress to passengers already afflicted by sickness. Unhygienic conditions below decks coupled with the lack of medical attention meant that the death toll was probably highest at this point. Young children were especially vulnerable and the morality rate for babies was also high. Burials at sea became an accepted part of shipboard life.
Drinking water was often contaminated; offensive to smell as well as taste. Water stored in barrels which had previously contained beer, vinegar and wine was tainted and unpalatable. If they called at Rio de Janiero, passengers welcomed the addition of fresh fruit, water, bread and vegetables to their diet. If not, they were restricted to basics such as pickled pork, salt beef, potatoes, lentils, rice, raisins, treacle and soup. Sauerkraut was a once weekly treat. As food was rationed, passengers brought provisions from home to supplement their fare. Jams, sugar and pickles could be exchanged with fellow travellers for great variation.
South America was generally the only land sighted on the voyage, for the winds usually carried ships too far south for the Cape of Good Hope to be seen. The only break in the monotony of sea and sky was the sighting of an albatross soaring majestically overhead, and occasionally, shoals of fish, sharks and porpoises when seas were calm. Bearing south towards the “Roaring Forties”, cold winds lashed the seas and violent storms tossed the ships mercilessly. Passengers huddled below decks where their bedding was often saturated from leaking decks above. When weather permitted, the hatches were opened and noxious vapours and gases generated by damp, overcrowded and poorly ventilated quarters, escaped like clouds of steam. Passenger’s furniture was limited to a travelling trunk, which was used as a table, and a collection of tin utensils.
To avoid squabbling, some Captains separated people originating from different countries. Arrangements in some of the early German ships was haphazard and lacking in privacy, with families being separated — yet the sexes were not always segregated. Their safety and well being depended wholly on the attitude and efficiency of the Captain and some vessels had higher death rates than others. Emigrant diaries written at sea, showed that most travellers maintained cheerful and optimistic spirits and there were constant references to the Christian faith which sustained them. Children were baptised at sea and the parents were grateful to be free of the fear of police prosecution. Sunday observance depended on the Captain’s inclination but in the absence of a religious Captain, or a Pastor on board, passengers formed their own little groups with members of families conducting the various services regularly. Many lasting bonds were formed during the long journey and this unity prepared the people for the time when they would again join to pioneer their new homeland.
At journey’s end, a final hazard lay in wait for vessels bound for Melbourne as Cape Otway was unlighted until 1848, and this coastline claimed a number of ships.
On reaching landfall safely, passengers praised God for their deliverance. Delighted to be freed from the confines of the ship and to have fresh food and water, they then turned to the next problem of finding a home. Later, the settlers would have been met by families who were already established and could accommodate the newcomers until a home was found.
A number of ships are involved in our history and we have attempted to trace details on those which
brought out either Aumann family members or those who married into the Aumann family. These families are mostly from Germany, and while this is not a complete list, it does cover some of the earlier and better known vessels.
Firstly, we will deal with the Aumann family and ships on which they embarked over a period of two years. The Wilhelmsburg, 950 tons, carried 460 passengers from Germany and Denmark. The Master was J.C.H. Muller and the ship departed Hamburg on May 17th, 1853 and arrived in Melbourne on August 25th, 1853.
Carl August Aumann worked his passage to Australia on this ship, therefore his name does not appear on the passenger’s list. He would have been registered in the ship’s Log Book, but unfortunately, this book does not appear to be in existence today.
The ship’s passenger list shows Johann Gottfried Uebergang, his brother Johann Gottlieb, and their sister, Anna Rosina Peucker and their families. Two of Gottfried Uebergang’s descendants married Aumann girls.
An account of the Wilhelmsburg’s voyage was published in a Danish newspaper, Langelands, on March 20th, 1953. It is interesting to note under the sub-heading of “A Few Will Probably Die” that the twenty crew members referred to as never having been to sea, would probably have included Carl August Aumann. The article also mentions that there were four deaths. Among the three Uebergang families, including the Uebergang girl, Anna Rosina Peucker, four deaths occurred, one of Gottfried’s sons and Anna Rosina Peucker, her twins who were born on board the ship. She must be the woman with the two children referred to under the subheading “A Brutality”.
There was a great deal of ill feeling by the Danes toward Germans at this time.
This was the ship’s first voyage to Australia, however it made another trip to Hobart a few years later.
The article received from Handels Museum for Trade and Shipping at Kronsborg, Denmark, and printed in the Langeland’s newspaper, March 20th, 1953.
THE IMMIGRATION SHIP WAS A “HELL AT SEA ”
About the journey to Australia one hundred years ago, undertaken by the gold diggers from Langeland, one of the party in several letters from 1854, to Langeland’s newspaper.
The 12th of May, we were taken out to the immigration ship “Wilhelmsburg” which lay at the Hanovarian coast, and immediately trouble was caused because of the incredibly restricted room which was allocated the middle deck passengers. Each
passenger had only one square foot for himself and his chest, in addition to the bunk which heldfour persons. You could hardly sit upright in it. During meals, one sat on top of the other. Because of this stowing together of people we dreaded pestilential diseases when the ship crossed the line. A deputation was sent ashore to get the Inspection Commission from Hamburg on board and as it took quite some time, the Shipping Company’s head clerk and commission agent, who were on board, were guarded. None of these gentlemen were allowed to leave the ship before the delegates returned. They had to celebrate Whitsuntide on board! Finally the Commission arrived, but it had probably been bribed. Almost without inspecting the arrangements, they declared that all was well and decent, and the left the ship.
A FEW WILL PROBABLY DIE
When we told some of the head clerks about the Shipping Company’s dirty methods by confining such a lot of people in such restricted room. One of the louts had the nerve to answer that some would probably die during the journey and then there would be more room for the rest.
We also told them that the crew was very bad. Though the crew counted 35 members, 20 Of them, had never been to sea before. We didn’t have 10 able seamen on board, but the man replied that there were experienced sailors among the passengers, and if needed, they would lend a hand.
ONLY SEA AND SKY FOR 3 MONTHS
And then the Australia bound ship stood off the land into the North Sea. Some days later, the flashing light from an English lighthouse at night was the last we saw of Europe. The 27th of May, we had a glimpse of Madeira and after that we only saw sky and sea till we reached Australia. Our ship went toward Brazil which we came within one hundred miles of.
TWO BUCKETS OF WATER OVER THE WOMEN
The 12th of June we crossed the line. Neptune came and there was quite a hubbub on board. Even the women had a couple of buckets of water thrown over them. Several of us got soaked to the skin and had to change our clothes. Lots of drinking was done during the party and many went to bed very intoxicated indeed. Fortunately we didn’t encounter much heat under the line. Only one day was the temperature 24c. The 14th of July we passed the promontory of Cape of Good Hope, but so far out that we didn’t see land. It was very windy at the Cape, but we only had a real storm one day, and hove to. Albatrosses with a wing span of 10-12 feet circled the ship, and we saw whales up to 40 feet long.
Conditions on board were the worst possible, - yes, truly hell. I da7~e say no one will ever board a German immigrant ship again. The Captain was a very aggressive man and very arrogant. We passengers of the middle deck he was always addressed very impolitely, and he never spoke to us unless it was absolutely necessary. He only mixed with the cabin passengers,- about 20 gentlemen, ladies and children. The rest of us — about 500 — were huddled together like cattle and slaves. The food became worse and worse. On Saturdays we had nothing but gruel, which was tapped off old rotten wine and rum casks. Countless times we suffered from a terrible thirst.
QUARRELS WITH THE SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEINS
The bottom deck was indescribably dirty. It was mainly occupied by poor people from Posen, Schelsien and Prussia. On board were about 20 fanatical Schleswig-Holsteins and they were continuously urging on the Germans against us. Fortunately there wasn’t much illness on board the ship, though 6 deaths did occur, mainly among the children. There were 3 smallpox cases and had they been contagious, the whole ship would soon have been infested, as the sick bay conditions were worse than primitive, and the fat, easygoing Doctor did next to nothing for the patients.
A BRUTALITY
There were no funeral ceremonies. Some hours after death had occurred, the body was wrapped in canvas, a bag of coal was tied to the feet and then the body was thrown over the side. When a woman in confinement died with her two children and was thrown into the sea the weight was too light, and the body floated along the side of the ship with the head above water while her husband and 7 children watched. Yes, we bitterly regretted having gone with these mean, riff-raff Germans. On the English ships, you’re really well looked after. A couple of Langelanders had gone with one of these ships. One of them Rasmus Hansen Bierremand’s son from Snaede, and they were very satisfied in all respects.
THE CAPTAIN SAILED TOO FAR
The 18th of August in the morning, we saw land, but the Captain mistook the landfalls and passed Port Phillip, and we cruised around for a couple of days before we reached the small entrance to Port Phillip again. Here we hove to for a couple of days and nights before the Captain dared to steer the ship in there. Along both banks were immense breakers and we saw the wrecks of 6-8 large ships. At the same time as us, half a dozen ships arrived; among them two barques full of passengers and two screw
steamers, one of which was enormous with 4 masts and 900 passengers. The next morning, the 23rd of August, a pilot came on board and he guided us up to Hobson’s Bay just outside Williamstown. Here laid several hundred three masters, as the river isn’t navigable all the way to Melbourne, 8 miles from the estuary.
And then the journey was over and we parted from the “Wilhelmsburg”, which had been true hell for us all. ” . . . the narrative concludes.
AT THE GATE OF THE GOLD COUNTRY
And then the treasure hunters from Langeland found themselves at the gate to the gold country. In the following article, we will hear about the march towards the mines, which 50 Danish people undertook together. It was safer to be numerous in those days in Australia.
THE AUSTRALIA
530 tons. Master: C.A. Jansen.
Carrying 92 passengers.
Departed Hamburg on July 1st, 1853 and arrived in Melbourne on November 16th, 1853-
This ship carried Carl Samuel Aumann, his second wife Charlotte, Carl’s four youngest children and his step-daughter, Charlotte’s daughter.
Passengers list:
ASMUS Julius, 24, sailor, from Sachsen.
AUGUSTIN Jobst, 25, cooper, from Lubeck. AUMANN Carl, 45, tenant, Charlotte 34, August 14, Christiane 8, Ernestine 7, Heinrich 6, Wilhelm 5, From Kohlhohe.
BENDFELDT Carl, 24, from Ratzeburg.
BERNDT Bertha, 19, from Gottingen.
BOLDEMANN Christian, 43, carpenter, from Frankyaer.
BOSE Carl, 32, from Rindsburg.
BULL Ivach H., 25, waiter, from Boldela DIERKE August, 26, from Perleberg.
EGGERS Heinrich, 30, doctor, Maria 17, from Parchem.
FRANDSEN Peter, 35, gardener, from Copenhagen. HAEUSER Anton Jos, 27, glazier, from Rindsburg. HOLLESEN Richard, 21, sailor, from Rindsburg. HARNECKE Heinrich, 24, from Ratzeburg.
JOHN Ferdinand, 29, cooper, from Stettin.
JONES Thomas, 39, merchant, from London. KAKERBECK Franz, 19, umbrella maker, from Hamburg.
KARPELES Moritz, 30, merchant, from Emden. KORNER Johann And, 20, merchant, from Hamburg. KRAUSE Friedrich Wilhelm, 32, saddler, from Marne.
KRUGER Johann Adolph, 31, turner, from Hamburg. LEHMANN Georg, 27, clockmaker, from Bremen. LEWIS George, 23 merchant, from Cork Ireland.
MALMBERG Carl Johann, 19, saddler, from Stockholm.
MALMBERG Niels August, 20, dyer, from Stockholm.
MEYER Carl, 31, from Bremen.
MEYERSTEIN Seigfreid, 22, from Erfurt.
MICHELSEN Mathias, 44, sailor, Surgen, 42, sailor, from Flemsburg.
MOLTER Fritz, 21, tenant, Franz, stonemason, from Capel.
MOSIG Carl Wilhelm, 51, tenant, Johanne Juliane, 53, Augustine Louise, 11, from Ludwigsdorf.
MULLER Friedrich, 30, tenant, from Berlin.
MUNDHENG Wilhelm, 31, tenant, Elise, 25, from Gootingen.
OELS Christian Ludwig, 26, Saddler, Maria, 26, from Berlin.
PAULMANN Carl, 22, merchant, Ludwig, 18, merchant, from Hamburg.
PETERSEN Carl, 22, merchant, from Hamburg.
RETTWIG Johann, 27, turner, from Libau.
RITTER Albert, teacher, Caroline, 18, from Kindelbruck.
RODE Johann H.H. 28, dyer, from Marne.
ROTHBART Fritz, 38, miller, from Marlow.
RUHLMANN Heinrich, 26, miller, from Schleswig.
RUSS Carl Heinrich, 25 tailor, from Luckow.
SCHERMEISTER Julius, 26, from Constanz.
SCHMIDT August, 24, smith, from Kohlhohe.
SCLIMIDT J.P. Motitz, 33, merchant, from Rendsburg.
SCMIDT Jenslh, 35, merchant, from Tondern.
SCHULTZ Wilhelm, 26, weaver, from Ludwigsdorf.
SCHULTZ Maria Rosina, 67, from Ludwigsdorf.
SCHULTZ Carl Justus, 29, sculptor, from Berlin.
SCHULTZ Johanna, 23, from Hamburg.
SCHUMANN Friedrich, 25, merchant, from Leek.
SELCKE Isidor, 17, tenant, from Gluckstadt.
SELTZER Siegfried, 25, cigarmaker, from Altona.
SEPPEL Hinrich, 20, merchant, from Suder Ane.
SIMONSONS Moritz, 18, merchant, from Hamburg.
STAMPISS Martin, 24, merchant, from Nortorf.
STELLER Johann Georg, 39, tenant, from Ludwigsdorf.
STIELOW Friedrich, 19, sailor, from Schwerin.
STEINHAUSEN Johann Friedrich, 46, doctor, from Hamburg.
STOBERNACH Johann Gottfried, 54, bricklayer, from Poll Nettkou.
SUSEMIHL Heinrich, 37, miller, Adolph, 29, tenant, from Wittenforden.
TRAUB Christian, 31, sailor, from Flensburg.
TURICH Gottlieb, 26, from Gorlnitz.
ULBRICH Johann Gottfried, 54, joiner, Maria Rosina, 53, Caroline, 23, from Ludwigsdorf.
VETTER Georg, 24, joiner, from Lerpheim.
WALTER Wilhelm, 24, from Rodenstadt.
W1LLMS Charles, 21, merchant, from Hamburg.
WINCHLER Bernhardt, 40, bookbinder, from Hamburg.
Cabin passengers:
BERNDT Adolph Robert, 32, doctor, from Messerritz.
BOHME Johann C., 34, engineer, from Hamburg, HOMLES Clara, 23, from London.
SWIFT Charles R., 19, merchant, from London.
Hamburg 4th July 1853. F. Brodermann.
No of male adults 75
do female 12
do children 5
92 89Z Statute adults.
No of statute adults 89h Passengers rate payable 22.7.0 H. Flemming, agent Melbourne.
November 16.1853.
W. Bland Astr Immigration Officer.
Shipping Intelligence The Argus 19.11.1853.
November 15 — AUSTRALIA, Hamburg: 4 cases cottons, 2 do plums, 1 do parasols, Hirschler and Co; 2 cases glassware, 18 cases, 3 do musical instruments, Joseph and Hill; 1 case hardware, 7 cases, Jung Brothers; 6 pkges, B. Amberg and Co; 43 do, John Taylor and Co; 18 do, Fruestere, Bartheau and Co; 30 casks fruits, Long and Co; 3 cases cigars, 4 cases, Unmack Brothers; 17 cases cigars, 6 cases, Bowter; 23 cases furniture, 12 cases, Clive Brothers; 100 cases spirits, H. Scherff and Co; 120 cases, Nenbauss; 1 case Berlin wool, F. Roenkendorf; 2 cases, 30 casks vinegar, F. Baur; 76 cases wine, 15 do cognac, 1 do flowers, B.A. Nolfenius; 8 cases, Scherff and Co; 1 do Long; 2 do pianoforte, Rood and Seiveking; 415 pieces timber, 4 bundles, 1 case machinery. 1 do ironware, 1 do glass, 3 do rice, Hein Lange; 18 bundles steel, 278 cases, 7 casks, 8 sacks, B. Amsberg and Co; 1 case, 42 casks provisions, 5 cases hardware, Rouler and Co; 9 cases, 4 hhds wine, 1 bale corks, 1 case acid, Scherff and Co; 750 cases liqueurs, 40 casks treacle, 29 cases cigars, 1 case samples, 1 pkge, 3 walking sticks, 1 case do, 1 do combs, 1 do mattresses, 1 case looking glasses, 7 do instruments, 1 do soap, 78 do furniture, 6 do merchandise, 10 do glassware,
4 do slates, 2 bris slate pencils, 1 case marbles, 4 do caskets, 9 do perfumery, 3 do do cottons, 100 candles, 12 do matches, 3 do pipes, G and L Young;
5 bris, Hammill and Co; 7 cases, De Ceur and Co; 2 do, de Bser, 1 bag coffee, 15 cases, Moses and Co; 130 cases wine, 15 do candles, 1 do woollens, M. Glasen; 1 do, Crombie; 5 cases leatherware, Clapperion and Co; 8 bris provisions, 9 cases do, Treussin; 10 cases, 10 do matches, E Westby and
Co; 1 case, E.R. Weber; 2 cases, 1 do samples, J.G. Martin; 1 case, E. Latgham; 1 case snuff, 1 pkge tools, 1 case matches, 1 do samples, H.W. Farrar; 1 do matches, T. Dogshin; cases, 50 do gin, 12 do liqueurs, 20 cherry brandy, 100 do brandy, E.R. Weber; 201 cases,' 1200 planks, 104 pkges merchandise, 70 cases liqueurs, 72 cases champagne, 8 do cigars, O. Neuhauss; 247 pkges, Order.
The Argus 17.11.1853.
Arrived:
November 16 — Australia, ship, 530 tons, C.A. Jansen, from Hamburg 1st July.
Passengers — cabin: Miss Clara Nowles, Miss Berndt, Messrs A. Berndt, C.A. Beahms, C.R. Swift: and eighty-seven second and third class passengers. Otto Neuhauss, agent.
THE SAN FRANCISCO
462 tons, Master: J. Angelbeck.
Departed Hamburg on June 1st, 1854 and arrived Melbourne on September 1st., 1854, a journey of exactly three months.
Johanne Caroline Aumann, the eldest child of Carl Samuel Aumann, came on this ship in the company of friends. It is believed that Caroline was fostered when her mother died and her foster parents objected to her wish to follow her family to Australia. However Caroline missed them so much that she left for Australia the following year on this vessel.
Her decision was so much against the wishes of her foster parents that they advised her she would be struck from their Will. Caroline chose to join her family in place of the inheritance.
The voyage held the usual perils and Caroline experienced a severe hurricane which struck the ship on July 7th, a month after leaving Germany.
The Argus, Melbourne, Saturday 2nd September 1854.
The San Francisco on the 7th July in Latitude 45 , Long 67 East, experienced a hurricane which carried away her main top gallant mast, jib-boom; crippled her main mast and split the fore topsail.
PASSENGERS:
Sex
Age
AUMANN Caroline
F
20
BACH G.
M
32
BALTE A.
M
19
BARTEL A.
M
26
BAUHRIMER C.
M
19
BOGEL C.
M
19
BREMEN H.
M
29
BREMER M.
M
22
BRUNKE Catherine
F
16
BRUNK F. wife, child
M,F,M
44,50,12
DEUTSCHMAN J. wife,
2 children
M,F,M,F
28,26,3,1
DEUTSCHMAN
Anna Dorothea
F
22
DOHNT G, wife,
2 children
M,F,M,F
40,44,10,8
ENGELHARDT W, wife M,F
38,38
ERIKSON O.L.
M
27
FREDRIECH H.
M
52
FULHENDORFF G.
M
26
GLACIER J,wife,child
M,F,M
35,34,4
GRONSENBERG O.
M
18
GRUBNAU T.
M
23
GRUBNAU K.
M
21
GRUNBAU R. PLAIN M., wife,
M
20
4 children
M,F,M,M,
50,44,22,18,
F,F
13,9
HASS H.
M
29
HARTELJ.
M
21
HELLBRINK H.
M
44
HOFFMANN E.
M
22
HORN L.
M
31
HUNTJ.
KANE G. wife,
M
19
2 children
M,F,M,F
50,52,24,22
KARRLBARSCH G.
M
36
KUHN F.
M
31
KLEINFELDT C. wife
M,F
35,35
KLENKE A.
M
25
KLENKE F.
M
64
KNOTHE C.
M
36
KNUPPEL O.
M
43
KUBOCH G. wife,son KURSMAN G. wife,
M,F,M
42,46,19
4 children
M,F,M,M,
54,45,23,22,
F,M
18,13
LEICHARDT G, wife,
3 children
M,F,M,M,M
40,31,10,7,6
LUDWIG Caroline
F
30
MILLER G.
M
MITTSCHEIBE A.,
M
40
Adolph,
M
14
W,
M
12
Conrad,
M
11
Edward,
M
10
Oswald
M
8
MULLER E. wife
3 children
M,F,M,M,F
35,22,8,5,2
NAGEL H.
M
21
NAWRATH A.
M
38
NEILSON A.
M
25
NEILSON C.
M
23
NELT H.
M
37
NERDMAN P.A.
M
28
NIETROFF N. wife
M,F
30,32
NUHN C.
M
38
PAECH G. wife,son
M,F,M
51,46,16
PAUCKE G. wife, 5 children
M,F,M,F,M,
50,45,19,14,6,
M,M
4,4
RASCH M.
M
33
RHODE C.
M
38
ROLCH C. wife
M,F
34,41
ROSEL A.
M
22
ROSEL L.
M
20
SCHMIDT E. wife
M,F
26,22
SCHILLER G.
M
31
SCHOTTER J. wife, child
M,F,M
46,40,8
SCHRODER H.
M
39
SEIBEL Julius
M
30
VOIGT H.
M
32
ZIMMERMAN F.
M
32
ZIMMERMAN A.
M
18
Statute adults
74 V2
Sydney list
109
Total Statute Adults
183 *A
Passenger rate payable
45.17.6
The Argus, Melbourne
Monday 4th September 1854.
IMPORTS:
September 1. — San Francisco, from Hamburg: 1 plane, 1 case seeds, 250 do liqueurs, 100 do wine, 791 flasks, 48 cases furniture, 5 do merchandise, Neuhass and Co: 3 cases furniture, 25 do beer, 2 do oilcloth, Reosen and Sleveking: 4 cases, Boyd and Co: 3 cases, P. Wallack: 5 cases, Levinsohn and Co: 1 case, I. Martin: 1 case, D.P ower: 1 piano, Lange and Van Amstel: 4 cases wine, 1 do matches, Meyer and Co: 40 cases hams, E. Westby and Co: 16 cases, Kuppers and Co: 25 cases, Fratzecher and Leddin: 4 cases, M. Boyd and Co: 2 cases, C.F ishe: 29 cases, B. Amsberg and Co: 47 cases, De Beer and Co: 6l cases candles, 16 cases oil, Raphael and Co: 4 cases, Devlen and Stelnitz: 12 cases furniture, J and G. Martin: 111 cases wine, 8 do, Cleve Brothers: 1 parcel books, N. Goethe: 2 cases, E. Grace: 35,000 bricks, 10 cases matches, 17 do hardware, Order.
THE PRIBISLAV
Barque 354 tons, Master: P.W. Niemann Departed Hamburg August 24th, 1849-Departed Rio de Janiero Dec 2nd, 1849.
Arrived Melbourne Feb 4th, 1849.
Passengers: Cabin — Mr and Mrs Grassmere, Mr Gambinner, A. Berndt Esq., Surgeon and 195 in the steerage.
A.T. Ozanne, Agent.
No passengers list has been located for this ship and the number of passengers vary in two newspapers. The Argus, February 4th, 1850, states in Shipping Intelligence that 198 German emigrants arrived — some going to Adelaide. The German Newspaper Germinia of June 20th, 1862, reported the ship departing Hamburg with 229 passengers.
Two births were noted in The Argus and no deaths. However two deaths occurred on board after the ship had berthed in Melbourne and both were buried in the Williams Town Cemetery.
Johann Rosel who married Ernestine Aumann, step daughter of Carl Samuel Aumann, came on this ship with his parents and sisters. Johann’s youngest sister died at the age of VA years in 1850, at the emigrant’s Depot. This death would possibly have been one of the two mentioned.
The following shipping list is taken from the book, Westgarthtown, written by Robert Wuchatsch, who is a descendant of the Wuchatsch family who were also on board this ship. The passengers list contains the names of 124 immigrants compiled by Robert from documentation. He also states that the passengers were purported to have written a letter of complaint, which they sent to Hamburg while the ship was berthed at the port of Rio de Janiero.
Johann Gotthard Fankhauser and family arrived on this ship. Johann’s son George married Johanne Louise Neumann who came with her parents and family on the La Rochelle Four of George’s children married Aumann descendants: George Ferdinand married Martha Finger, Henry married Anna Amelia Aumann, Louise Auguste married Ernst Ferdinand Finger and Adolph Paul married Emma Caroline Rieschieck.
Carl Heinrich Finger who married Johanne Caroline Aumann arrived on this ship with his parents and their family. Carl Henry and Johanne Caroline’s eldest son married Maria Christine Schuhkraft, a daughter of Theresa Maria Schuhkraft nee Fankhauser. Theresa Maria was the eldest child of Johann Gotthard Fankhauser previously mentioned.
A writing by Robert Wuchatsch — 140th anniversary of the arrival in Australia — The Pribislav, published by the Sorb Committee in Victoria:
The ship chosen by Hartig (shipping agent) and his employer Delius was the Pribislav, a wooden barque of354 tons built by H.LMiebrodt in 1847 at Ribnitzfor Captain P.W.Niemann. It had copperfast bolting and copper plating to protect the hull against worms, algae and corrosion in tropical waters.
On August 23 1849 the Pribislav left the Elbe for Melbourne and Port Adelaide via the Cape of Good Hope. By 4 September it was between Dover and Calais however on 27 October it made an emergency call at Rio de Janiero. The reason soon became clear.
The passengers published a bitter letter of complaint against Captain Niemann and Knorr and Jensen, the Hamburg shipping agents who provisioned the ship, to alert German authorities and warn future emigrants. Ten children and two adults had died between Hamburg and Rio de Janiero, as a result of overcrowding and spoiling of the provisions. The passengers were ‘placed so tightly ” in the middle deck (steerage) at night that there was “a sultry, heavy atmosphere definitely harmful for health ”. After a few weeks of the sea journey, there was almost only ship bread made from pea flour available, and it was hard, completely moulded and decayed, interspersed with worms and unbearable. The sauerkraut stank rotten, the peas, the pearl barley and the flour were stuffy, moulded and full of
insects. No care was taken of the sick and convalescent and passengers had to buy chickens and wine from the Captain “one English shilling per old, mearge hen or per bottle of ordinary red wine. ” The experience of the Pribislav passengers, combined with complaints by other German emigrants of similar treatment, was later claimed to have been directly responsible for the introduction of regulations to control German emigrant shipping. The passengers received no compensation for their troubles. The Captain and the shipping agents shrewdly blamed each other, enabling both to escape any fine or punishment. The ship was finally replenished with fresh food and water then left Rio de Janiero on December 1849. Thankfully the Rio to Australia leg was uneventful.
PASSENGER LIST:
No official passenger list for the Prebislav has yet been located, but the names of over 160 passengers have been determined from various sources.
Naturalisation
Germanborn
Name
Age date
Address
Spouse
children
ALTMANN Ernst
31
5 April 1851
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
AURISCH George Ernst
75
11 October 1857
Hawthorn
n/a
n/a
AURISCH Johann
35
14 December 1852
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
AURISCH Wilhelm
25
14 December 1852
Melbourne
single
-
BOEHM John
31
20 March 1851
Richmond
n/a
n/a
BRUCKE Barthold
24
13 December 1852
Melbourne
single
-
BURKHARD James
23
28 February 1852
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
DEHNERT Robert
20
20 June 1851
Richmond
single
-
DHMEL August
30
20 February 1851
Ballarat
n/a
n/a
DIETZ Paul
24
10 August 1853
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
FANKHAUSER George
22
22 January
Hawthorn
single
-
FANKHAUSER John Goddhard
50
30 December 1850
South Yarra
Elizabeth
5
FIEDLER Leberecht
32
30 December 1850
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
FEIGE Benjiman
30
9 May 1856
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
FINGER Christian
51
30 December 1850
South Yarra
Friedericke
8
FINGER Henry
21
28 February 1852
Melbourne
single
-
FINGER Wilhelm
23
28 February 1852
Melbourne
single
-
FISCHER Wilhelm
56
30 January I860
Kilmore
n/a
1
FRAHM Charles
25
28 February 1852
Melbourne
single
-
FRANKE Wilhelm Gustavus
33
28 April 1851
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
FRANZ John
29
23 July 1851
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
GEISLER Julius
41
13 December 1852
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
GRAFF Johann
49
20 March 1851
Keelbundora
Johanna
4
GRAFF Johann
52
17 April
Hazelglen
single
-
GRAFSHOFF C.A.L.
37
30 December 1850
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
GRUNDMANN Frederick
44
18 November 1852
Richmond Flat
n/a
n/a
GUMBINNER Julius Ludwig
38
23 August 1851
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
HARTIG Carl
-
18 February 1858
Castlemaine
n/a
n/a
HEINBOCKEL Johann Heinrich
35
9 Feberuary 1853
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
HEINER Ernst Wilhelm
31
6 February 1853
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
HELL Peter
31
25 June 1853
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
HEMPEL Carl Ernst
23
27 March 1852
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
HEMPEL Johann Christoph
56
16 December 1850
Brunswick
n/a
n/a
HEMPEL Johann Traugott
33
28 February 1851
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
KAISER Andreas
26
29 December 1853
Hawthorn
single
-
KARSTEN Heinrich
33
17 January 1854
Spring Creek
Maria
2
KOBELKE Edward
34
30 December 1850
South Yarra
n/a
n/a
LEHMKUHL Johann
Friedrich Theodor
31
22 November 1854
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
LOBER Ernst
32
9 February 1853
Melbourne
single
n/a
MALTZAHN Johann
36
20 March 1851
Keelbundora
Sophia
-
MELCHIOR William
30
28 February 1852
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
NEUMANN Carl
36
23 January 1854
River Plenty
n/a
n/a
OELRICH Carl August
Christoph
27
3 May 1851
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
PASSARIUS William
32
29 September 1852
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
PETERS Daniel
31
31 January 1853
Dry Creek
Louise
n/a
PLAISCKE Carl
47
31 March 1853
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
RIEHL Anton
35
6 October 1869
Avoca
n/a
n/a
ROEMER Johann Aug
41
13 December 1852
Melbourne
single
-
ROSEL Johann
50
31 January 1853
Dry Creek
Johanna
3
SCHERELL Frederick
37
9 February 1853
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
SCHERELL Robert Anton
33
9 February 1853
Melbourne
n/a/
n/a
SCHNOEGULA Augustus
39
28 February 1852
Melbourne
Henrietta
2
SCHOLZE Johann Traugott
38
30 December 1850
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
SCHUSTER Johann Gottfried
38
28 March 1852
Melbourne
Agnes
1
STEPHAN Johann
40
27 March 1852
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
WEISSLEDER Frederick
24
29 December 1853
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
WINTER Friedrich
42
16 December 1850
Melbourne
Maria
3
WUCHATSCH Carl
23
31 January 1853
Dry Creek
single
-
WUCHATSCH Johann
48
16 December 1850
Melbourne
Magdalena
4
WUCHATSCH Johann
23
26 February 1861
Melbourne
single
-
ZIEBELL Christian
54
21 May 1850
Melbourne
Sophia
6
ZIESCHE Ernst Gottlieb
-
3 May 1851
Melbourne
single
-
ZIMMER Johann
48
16 December 1850
Melbourne
Anna
2
ZIMMER Michael
26
31 January 1853
Dry Creek
single
-
ZSCHECH Michael
30
27 March 1852
Melbourne
n/a
n/a
ZWAR Michael
23
1 October 1852
Melbourne
single
-
n/a = information not available
N.B. Where children of naturalised adults were also naturalised and have been included by name, they have not been included in children column.
A further four passengers should be added, to the 120 names above. Two were the cabin passengers, Mr and Mrs Grassmore and the other Carl Hoehne and his wife. The presence of Mr and Mrs Hoehne is confirmed by his letters.
The Argus Feb 4th, 1850.
PRIBISLAV
Barque 354 tons
P.W. Niemann commander from Hamburg Departed Hamburg August 24th, 1849 Departed Rio Janiero Dec 2nd, 1849 Arrived Melbourne Feb 4th, 1850.
Passengers: Cabin — Mr and Mrs Grassmere, Mr Gambinner, A Berndt Esq., Surgeon and 195 in the steerage.
A.T. Ozanne, Agent IMPORTS —
Prebislav Barque from Hamburg via Rio Janiero —
2 cases cloth. A.T. Ozanne. The whole of the cargo is for Adelaide.
The Prebislav which arrived in Hobson’s Bay, late on Saturday night, brings out 198 German Emigrants, the greater portion of whom intend to settle here, and the remainder going to Adelaide. She put into Rio Janiero on 17th October to get a fresh supply of provisions (which accounts for the length of the voyage.) Four births occurred during the passage, but not any deaths or sickness, the passengers of whom only a few can speak English,
expressed themselves highly pleased with the conditions of the country.
The Argus Feb 7th, 1850. Two Passengers of the Prebislav, a German ship, died on board on Tuesday and were buried at Williams Town today.
The Argus Feb 9th, 1850. (Advertisement) TO SAIL — on Monday 11th. inst., for Adelaide.
— Prebislav .W. Niemann, Master.
350 tons register For freight Or passage.
The Argus Feb. 16th, 1850. CLEARED OUT — Exports for Adelaide.
Feb. 15th. — Prebislav
Original cargo from Hamburg via Rio de Janiero 1 case woollen goods, 1 sample parcel, B. Ausberg & Co.
1 Box merchandise, D.W. Hubble, 2 cases cloth, N.P. le Buir.
1 barrel paint, 7 brls fluid lead, 1 brl vitriol, 1 brl, ochre, 1 brl. sugar
of lead, 1 brl red lead, 2 rolls lead, 1 box brushes, 1 package samples. Order.
CLEARED OUT
Prebislav Barque 345 tons, P.W. Niemann for Adelaide
Passengers: Cabin, Dr Berndt and another (steerage) Mrs Smith and 4 children, and 16 other.
PROJECTED DEPARTURE — This day.
The MOBILE
1040 tons, from Liverpool, England.
Captain: Henry Ponsonby.
Departed: August 21st, 1853.
Arrived Melbourne: November 16th, 1853.
Friedrich Godfried Schuhkraft arrived on this ship and later he married Theresa Maria Fankhauser, daughter of Johann Gotthard Fankhauser. Four of their children married descendants of the Aumann Family:
Maria Christine married Carl Heinrich Finger Jnr, as Mentioned earlier, Anna Elizabeth married Charles August Aumann, Friedrich Conrad married Minna Christiane Dehnert and Theresa Maria married August Adolph Aumann, a brother of Charles August.
The MAL VINA VIDAL
959 tons, Master: C. Jachtmann.
Arrived: Melbourne October 5th, 1854.
253 passengers.
Christian Baum and family arrived on this ship, and a daughter, Johanne Eleonore, married Wilhelm Heinrich Aumann.
The passenger list shows Passenger No 62 appearing as Aumann and No 63 as his wife. If this is correct, no trace of these people have been found in Australia. The list being hard to read the name may be Altmann which is more likely as people of that name did come to Australia about that date.
The LOUISE (LUISE).
417 tons. Master: J.H.O. Meyer.
Departed: Hamburg October 11th, 1854.
Arrived: Melbourne February 22nd, 1855.
178 Passengers.
Carl Rheinhold Dehnert was a passenger on board this vessel and later married Christiane Johanna Aumann. Rheinhold’s brother, Robert, arrived on the Prebislav.
The Argus February 22nd, 1855.
LOUISE (Hamburg)
Barque 417 tons.
J.H.O. Meyer from Hamburg Departed October 11th, 1854.
Arrived Melbourne Feb 22nd, 1855.
Passengers: Cabin, Messrs A. Hoelstadt, H.E.C. Wieik, F. Lembeke,E. Maurice, and 174 in steerage. Fratzcher & Leddin, Agents.
The Argus February 27th, 1855.
IMPORTS:-
Feb. 23rd, 1855. Louise from Hamburg.
24 casks cement, 50 cases wine, Mollenbach & Co; 1 case cigars, 26 casks arrowroot, 2 cases drapery, 44 cases A. Gloedstad, 200 boxes candles, 570 cases old tom, 30 do beer, 5 do shoes, 1 do fruits, 2 do coffee, 1 carriage, 3 pianos, 316 bags oats, O. Scherff & CO; 24 bales paper, 29 cases furniture, 3 cases boots De Beer & Co; 3 do Levinsohn & Co; 2 packages luggage, 26 bales paper. Order.
The jL4 ROCHELLE
900 tons. Master: John Meyer.
Departed: Hamburg November 5th, 1856.
Arrived: Melbourne January 27th , 1857.
Among these passengers were Johann August Zerbe, whose future wife Johanne Eleonore Neumann was also on board this ship.
Their son, Carl Friedrich married Maria Eliza Aumann and their daughter, Auguste Emma, married August Heinrich Aumann.
The Argus, January 28th, 1857. La Rochelle, P Meyer, master, has made a splendid run to this port from Hamburg, having occupied eighty-two days only. On the ship’s book we notice ten rams and ten ewes of the best Saxony breed, from a flock that gained a gold medal at the
Paris exhibition. The sheep are in splendid condition, and are well worthy of inspection.
Among the passengers is Professor Neumayer, from Munich, who was here some time ago. The Captain and Mr Neumayer discovered an island, hitherto unknown, in lat 53 14!, long 72 14!, close to that which Capt Heard discovered in 1853- We shall be able to publish the particulars of this island tomorrow.
NOTE: These islands are now known as the McDonald Islands. They are 60 miles west of Heard Island, almost halfway between Perth and Capetown.
Model of the Clippership La Rochelle as it is exhibited in the Pfalzmuseum fur Naturkunde in Bad Durkheim, Germany.
PASSENGERS:
ALBRECHT
Friedrich
ALLHOLM
Niels Lars
BERGER
Carl
ii
Louisa
ii
Auguste
ii
Maria
ii
Carl Theodor
ii
Bertha
ii
Louisa
BODE
Conrad
BORCHARD
Caroline
BERKENMAYER
Andreas
BORI
Geovanni
CHEMNITZ
Ernst
CORTINA
Giovanni Bern
CRAMERI
Pietro
FLEISCHHAUSER
Conrad
HANSEN
Lars
HINCH
Heinrich
HINCH
Peter
KELLER
Elise
KETTERER
Stephan
KRECHTER
Heinrich
25
St Peter Baden
LAMBANCHI
Tornasa
22
Boschiavo
LORKE
Wilhelm
53
Griesel Prussia
n
Anna Rosina
55
Griesel Prussia
ii
Dorothea
26
Griesel Prussia
it
Christian
20
Griesel Prussia
ii
Ernestine
12
Griesel Prussia
n
Auguste
3
Griesel Paissia
LORETTI
Giovannio
3 6
Boschiavo
MEORGHINI
Bernardo
17
Boschiavo
MEORGHINI
Guiseppe de Geoconna
27
Boschiavo
MEORCHINI
Giovano
35
Boschiavo
MEACHIONI
Geoconia
35
Boschiavo
MEYER
Carl
20
Lauenstein
MONIGATHI
Lorenso
30
Boschiavo
NEUMANN
Christian
43
Griesel PaissiaLouise
40
Griesel Paissia
ii
Eleonore
20
Griesel Paissia
ii
Johanne Louise
16
Griesel Paissia
n
August
14
Griesel Prussia
n
Caroline
12
Griesel Paissia
it
Christain
8
Griesel Paissia
ii
Johann Gottlieb
6
Griesel Paissia
NIX
Georg
43
Griesel Paissia
ii
Carl
10
Griesel Paissia
OTTEN
Carsten
18
Oedel Switzerland
PETERS
Heinrich
19
Erbstedt Switzerland
RAMBACH
Lorenz
25
St Peter Baden
RAMPA
Luecenco
19
Boschiavo
RASCHE
Geovanno
19
Boschiavo
La Rochelle after she had been named Satumus.
A copy of a photograph held by the Sjofartsmuseet, Goteborg. The location of the original painting is not known.
RASI
Pedro de Guiseppo
29
Boschiavo
REINECKI
Peter
28
Bergeredorf
1!
Henriette
28
BergeredorfWilhelmine Christiane
7
Bergeredorf
II
Amanda
4
Bergeredorf
II
Emelie
2
BergeredorfAuguste
1
Bergeredorf
RUPERTI
Georg
25
Leesum Hanover
SCHLEGEL
Johann
32
Ibelthal Baden
SCHWIEGER
Johann Heinrich
26
Hamburg
SCHULTZ
Heinrich
30
Griesel Prussia
WINCHLER
C. Gottlieb
33
Badschoppen Saxony
ZERBE
August
20
Griesel Prussia
CABIN PASENGERS:
BEGATS
Justin
31
Luneburg
DRIGALSKI
Oscar
26
Konigsberg Prussia
MACHOWSKY
Stephen
31
Prague
NEUMAYER
Georg
30
Frankenthal Bavaria
SERRURIER
Theodor
36
Berlin
ii
Johanna
26
Berlin
ii
Waldemar
9
Berlin
M
Paul
7
Berlin
ii
Bertram
1
Berlin
SCHMIDT
Louis
23
Alt-Strelitz
EQUAL TO STATUTE ADULTS 74Z Passengers rate payable before entering 18.12.6.
The SVERGE
510 tons, Master: C.F. Neberg.
Departed Hamburg: September 1st, 1857.
Arrived Melbourne: December 24th, 1857.
Carl Hanke, his wife Johanna Christina and four children arrived on this ship. One daughter,
PASSENGERS:
BADOW
Johann Friedrich
ii
Louisa Dorothea
BENSCH
Gottlob
ii
Anna ElizabethGottlieb
n
August
ii
Wilhelm
ii
Heinrich
DELLA
Henriette
FISCHER
Carl
FUHRMANN
Carl Georg
ii
Christiane
»
ErnestineCarl
GRECHEN
Olav
GROSSE
Dorothea
HANKE
CarlJohanna Christina
ii
Johanne Eleonore
ii
Carl Wilhelm
»
Christiane
Johanna Eleonore married Carl August Aumann and another daughter Ernestine Karoline married Ernst August Aumann, a brother of Carl August. A grandson, Ernest Johann married Maria Martha Aumann daughter of Heinrich Wilhelm Aumann and Johanna Eleonore nee Baum of Murtoa.
II
Johanne Ernestine
HIRSCH
Johann Gottlob
HIRSCH
ChristianAnna RosinaJohanna Augusta
HELMS
Carl
MIESING
Gotthelf G.
MULLER
Johanne Ernestine
n
Johann Friedrich Wilhelm
SACHLING
Heinrich
it
Charlotte
ii
Wilhelmine
SCHULZ
Johann August CarlCaroline Wilhelmine
SEIBEL
Carl
JUNG
Caroline
ii
Charlotte
n
Gustav
n
Conrad (BETZ)
ii
Carl Wilhelm
WAHSACH
Franz
n
Johanna
WEIDEREICH
CarlCharlotte
WOLF
Maria
WEISSE
Johann Christian Richard
ii
Johanne Caroline
n
Johanna Augusta
WODSACH
August
WENDEL
Joseph
ii
LudwigSamuel
“
Claus
EQUAL
TO STATUTE ADULTS 48lA Passengers Rate Payable
The KAISER WILHELM
6,947 tons. Commander: L. Stormer.
Departed: Brenem October 2nd, 1889.
Arrived: Melbourne November 18th, 1889.
John Pump who later married Johanne Caroline Aumann, daughter of Ernst August Aumann and Johanne Caroline nee Hanke, arrived in Australia on this vessel. The Kaiser Wilhlem arrived some 30 years after the others mentioned and was quite modern. Steam powered, it completed the journey in just one month and boasted much better conditions on board than the earlier vessels which had taken three to four months to make the same journey.
The Argus November 19th, 1889. KAISER WILHELM II German Imperial S.S. (Nord-deutscher Llyod) 6,947 tons.
L. Stormer, commander from Brenem 2nd. ult.,
Antwerp 5th. ult., Southhampton 6th. ult.,
Genoa 14th. ult, Port Said 19th. ult., Suez 2nd. ult. Aden 26th. ult., Colombo 2nd. inst., and Arrived Adelaide Nov. 16th, 1889.
Passengers for Melbourne — Captain Laurie, Mrs Laurie and servant, Master Laurie, Mr and Mrs Prohyr family and servant, Mr and Mrs Wm Pullman, Mr and Mrs Gregorson, Mrs.T.C.Carter, Dr Mattei, Captain L.T.G. Hawes, Messrs George Dury, P.H.Ryan, A.Hamburg, H. Woodward and 28 in the second saloon.
For Sydney — Dr. Elliott, Dr. H.D. Olshand, and 32 in the 2nd saloon.
For Apia — Captain Reinecke, and Mrs Reinecke, also 403 in the 3rd class for Melbourne and Sydney. Dr J. Schlensog, Medical Officer.
Mr H. Bottocher Purser.
Ostermeyer, Dewez & Co. Ltd., Agents.
CLEARED OUT Kaiser Wilhelm II S.S.
L. Stormer for Sydney with part of the original cargo.
The Argus, Wed. Nov. 20th, 1889-The Kaiser Wilhelm II is the name of the new steamship which has come out here under the auspices of the Nord-deutscher Llyod line. She is the latest and largest addition to the already numerous fleet of that company, and she has been specially designed and constructed for their Australian mail service. The Kaiser Wilhelm II is intended to raise the status of the German Imperial mail service to Australia. She will therefore be found a formidable competitor in the passenger trade — that is if unusually spacious accommodation and sumptuous surroundings can command patronage. The Kaiser Wilhelm II is also a fast boat, and on a preliminary cruise to New York she averaged 16% knots. A large number of passengers arrived by her. In consequence of her draught of water, she had to coal at Suez instead of Port Said. No less a quantity than 1900 tons was taken in at Suez. The Kaiser Wilhelm II is of German construction and outfit, and she is the first steamship built for the German Imperial mail service to Australia.
She is larger than any other steamship coming here by 600 tons. On return from Sydney, she will remain here for about 2 or 3 days.
The Argus Wed. Nov. 20th, 1889-The S.S. Kaiser Wilhelm II which is the largest steamer that has ever visited this port will be docked in the Alfred Graving Dock today.
The Argus Sat. Nov. 20th, 1889-The German Imperial Mail Steamship, Kaiser Wilhelm II was floated out of the Alfred Graving Dock yesterday forenoon and taken out into the stream. The undocking was accomplished quickly and with ease. The work of putting on the patent anti-fouling composition was accomplished on Thursday night and Captain Stormer expressed himself as well satisfied with the manner in which the docking of the vessel and the cleaning and painting of it had to be done.
The Kaiser Wilhelm II had to take in some 300 tons of coal yesterday, and she will proceed to Sydney today.
The Argus Friday Dec. 6th, 1889-The German Imperial Mail Steamship, Kaiser Wilhelm II, a name imposing enough and
proportionate to the length of the vessel herself, arrived yesterday from Sydney homeward bound. The run round was made in quick time, the distance from Heads to Heads having been accomplished in 39 hours. It is essential that the Kaiser Wilhelm as the premier steamship of the Nord-deutscher Llyod fleet should maintain a high standard of character for speed and the voyage home will be watched with interest. The hurried glimpse obtained here of the attractions of the Kaiser on her arrival was just enough to wet the appetite to see more and it is a misfortune that pier accommodation could not be found for her,so that the general public might have an idea of the strides which are being made with such rapidity nowadays in the building and equipment of ocean steamships.
At Sydney, where the Kaiser was berthed alongside the wharf, she was fairly overrun with visitors and on the day that a small charge was made for admission, the handsome sum of 130 pounds was realised for the hospital. It is computed that there upwards of 13,000 visitors was realised on the vessel on that occasion.
For the homeward trip, the list of passengers is exceedingly limited, but on the other hand, the holds will be full of cargo. Wool and silver lead bullion and other colonial products were taken in at Sydney and a large quantity of wool will be shipped here. Today will be a busy day on board as the vessel is timed to leave here tomorrow forenoon. Much was done yesterday, but with all the bustle of loading which was going on,time was found during the afternoon for a festive assemblage, at which the resources of the steamship on such occasions were made strikingly manifest. Some particulars of the entertainment are given elsewhere. The Kaiser after an enthusiastic parting demonstration at Sydney, left at noon on the 3rd inst., and cleared the Heads at 1 p.m. Gabo was rounded at 6.30 a.m. on the 4th inst., and Port Phillip Heads were entered at 4 a.m. yesterday, the bay being reached at 7 a.m. Moderate S and SE winds with a rough sea prevailed during the passage round. The Kaiser is berthed on the bay just off the Railway Pier, Williamstown.
The Argus, Monday Dec. 9th, 1889-
The German Imperial Mail Steamship Kaiser Wilhelm II was unexpectedly and unavoidably delayed in her departure for Brenem on Saturday in consequence of an accident to the air pump. This was repaired as speedily as possible by the Port Phillip Engineering Co. At 2.15 p.m. yesterday the stately steamship proceeded on her voyage. She cleared the heads at 5 a.m.
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