'SKJOLD'

The Skjold was an old Danish ship, 3 mast ship rig.,  of about 406 tons. Built 1839 owned by C. Petersen, Sundeborg.(The picture above is of a model of the ship; as no picture existed and is based on the description of it from contemporary records and the known attributes of similar ships of this type) 

Hired from Ross, Vidale and Company for 240 migrants at the price of 11,000 thalers for the journey to South Australia.  She was skippered by Captain Hans Christian Claussen.  Arrived at Port Misery (Port Adelaide) on Thursday, 28th October, 1841 from Altona (3rd July). Cargo, Passengers including Rev. Fritzsche and 213 German emigrants; Surgeon - Dr. Simons.   Departed Port Adelaide 22/24 November to Batavia.

INDEX

1. PASSENGERS ON THE 'SKJOLD'
	HAMPEL: Friedrich Wilhelm & Dorothea Louise (As a widow she married Karl Wilhelm Roehr.)
	ROEHR: Karl Wilhelm & Rosina Dorothea - (As a widower he married Dorothea L. Hampel)

2. LIST OF DEATHS
	HAMPEL: Wilhelm and a child
	ROEHR: Dorothea Rosina & 4 childrem

3. PREPARATIONS TO EMIGRATE TO AUSTRALIA
	The Contract is Signed
	From Prittag to Tschicherzig

4. THE VOYAGE

5. THE SOUTH AUSTRALIA REGISTER

6. A NEW LIFE IN AUSTRALIA
       Selected stories about life in Australia for some immigrees provided by: 
       D. Dienelt for Gay, Henschke, Heppner, Muller, Nietschke, Seidel & Weinert.
       David Hunter for Roehr.

Comments,  corrections or further information regarding the passengers of the Skjold or their descendants will be welcomed.

Passengers on the 'Skjold.'

1. BARTSCH: Johann, from Polnisch-Hammer,(37) and his wife Johanne, nee Schneider(33)- children Susanne (11) ,Gottlieb (9), Karl Wilhelm (5), Dorothea (2).

2. BLAESING: Gottlieb (31)- wife Anna Elizabeth, nee Matzanke (36, died on voyage) - children Johann Diengott (5, died on voyage), Johanne Juliane (4), Johanne Luise (1, died on voyage).

3. BORMANN: Gottfried, from Meseritz wife and five children.

4. EGEL: Gottlob (27) from Kay, and wife Johanne Elisabeth, nee Edlich (28) - Johanne Eleonore (1).

5. FELSCH: Johann Gottlieb (54) from Klein-Dammer, wife Wilhelmine Konstantine, nee Sperling (48) - Edward (18), Henriette (15).

6. GOI: (or GEU) Ernst (23)- wife Eleonore {30) died on voyage, child Gottlieb 1¼ years - died on voyage.
(See GAY)

7. GREIGER: child died at sea.

8. GROCKE: Johann Luis (28) from Zuellichau, wife Anna Elisabeth, nee Metzanke (36) - Elisabeth (1).

9. GROSSER: Albert from Buchwalden, wife Rosina, nee Wogisch - Emilie (12), Edward (10).
http://rgrosser.tripod.com/family/grostory.htm

http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~rgrosser/

10. GROSSMAN: Ewald (32) from Zuellichau, wife Luise, nee Schmidt {30) - Wilhelmine (4), Johann Karl (3) Julius (9 months).

11. HAMPEL: Wilhelm (44) from Tirschtiegel, wife Dorothea Louise nee Hoffmann - children Friedrich Gustav(11), Gotthilf Emanuel(9), Rudolph Herman(8), Albertine Maria (5), Johanne Emilie (2) - husband Wilhelm and a child died on the voyage out.

12. HAUFFE: Johann Gottfried from Birnbaum, Posen, wife Johanne Juliane (23) sister of the Muller brothers.

13. HEIRICH: .... wife and family.

14. HEINZE: Christian (36) from Prittisch, one child (11).

15. HEINZE: Friedrich (43) from Prittisch. wife and three children.

16. HELBIG: Marie Elisabeth (22) maid with Georg Hoeppner family.

17. HENSEL: Carl August (25) from Meseritz. His wife Ernestine died in childbirth at sea. Later he became pastor at Blumberg.

18. HENTSCHKE: Johann Christian (36) from Kutschlau, wife Appolonia, nee Sparmann (38) - Johann Gottlieb (10), August (8), Wilhelm (6), Jobanne Luise (4 months).

19. HENTSCHKE: Johann Christian (16) and Johann Gottlieb (13) from Prittag, stepsons of G. Nitschke (No. 46).

20. HENTSCHKE: Martin {28) from Kutschlau, wife Anna Christine, nee Krueger (25) - Anna Dorothea (4), Johanne Luise (2).

21. HESSE: Miss Hesse died on August 1st, old Mrs Hesse was buried on September 18th.

22. HOEPPNER: Daniel (32) from Sawade, wife Luise Dorothea, nee Nellenberg (28) - Johann Friedrich August (5), Johann Friedrich (3), Karl Gottlob (1). (see HEPPNER).

23. HOEPPNER: Johann Georg (60) from Prittag, wife Rosina, nee Fraelich (48) - Christian (22), Anna Rosina (13).

24. HOFFMANN. Samuel (47) from Altbeckern, two children - Johanne Christine Henriette (14), Karl Rudolph (10). Housekeeper: Johanne Christiane Lux (26) from Bienwitz.

25. HOFFMANN: Beate (66) from Prittisch, a widow.

26. HOFFMANN: Wilhelm (44) from Prittisch, wife and four children.

27. HOHENBERG: Johann George (HOHNBERG) (53) from Sawade, wife Anna Rosina, nee Irmler (50) - Anna Elisabeth (24), Anna Rosina (21), Johanne Dorothea (10), Gottlob (7), August (2).

28. KLAR: Gottried Emanual , mill owner (29), had no assets; (unlawful) wife Luise nee Preuss (29) - Pauline (2), unbaptised. From Deutsch - Kessel.  (see note 1)

29. KLEINITZ: Johann (38) from Birnbaurn, wife Caroline Eleonore, nee Seidel (36) - Wilhelmine Auguste (12), Juliane Bertha (6).

30. KLICHE: Gottfried (41) from Sawade, wife Anna Elisabeth, nee Pietschke (32) - Jobanne Dorothea (7), Auguste (5), Ernestine (2).

31. KOWALD: Anna Rosina (58) widow from Sawade and three daughters - Anna Elisabeth (26) widow of Fellenberg, Anna Dorothea (18), Luise (12) and also a son.

32. KOWALD: Friedrich (25). The father had died shortly before the family left.

33. KOWALD: Johann Christoph (20) another son of the widow Kowald who was  refused a permit to emigrate because of military training, but he left without a  passport.

34. KRAUSE: Gottfried (33) from Sawade, wife Anna Elizabeth, nee Barrien (25) -   Ernestine (3), Johanne Auguste (1).

35. KRUGER: Wilhelm (47) from Rachau, wife Anna Rosina, nee Wabersitzky (38) -   Ernest (15), Christian (15), Ernstine (11), Emilie (6), Auguste (6).

36. KUCHEL: Johann Friedrich (36) from Lochow, wife Johanne Dorothea, nee Kuchel   (30) - Johanne Luise (15 months), Johanne Dorothea (3 months).

37. LEHMANN: Gottfied (42) from Sawade, wife Anna Elisabeth, nee Irmler (36) -   Christianne Pauline (12), Johanne Elisabeth (10), Christianne Ernestine (8),   Johanne Auguste (6), Heinrich (4) and his twin brother Friedrich Reinhold (4), Johann  Gottfied (2) infant also named Johanne Auguste (3 months). Two of these children died at sea.

38. LEOPOLD: Johann Carl Friedrich (37) wife Johanne Louise Caroline, nee  Paeller (31) - Johann Carl Friedrich (9), Johann Carl August (9), Wilhelm Julius  (6), Johann Friedrich (3), Johanne Friedricke Christiane (1).

39 MEIER: Carl G. from Birnbaum, Posen wife and child. The child died at sea. J.F. Mueller notes in his diary that Br. Meier had to leave the ship at Pt. Adelaide on October 30th, and rent accommodation where his wife gave birth to a son.

40. MATTNER: Christian (40) from Zuellichau, wife Elizabeth, nee Matzauke (42) - Wilhelm (14), August (12), Karoline (10), Johanne (8), Ernestine (5).

41. MENZEL: Daniel.

42. MÜLLER: Johann Ferdinand (28) from Bimbaum, Posen, later teacher at Lobethal, also his brothers.

43. MÜLLER: Johann Friedrich (22) from Birabaum, Posen.

44. MÜLLER: Johann August (20) from Bimbaum, Posen.

45. NICHOLAI: Johann Christof  (53} from Prittag, wife Elizabeth nee Froelich, Gotfried (27) - Johann Christof (24), Eva Maria (21).

46. NITSCHKE: Gottfried (38) from Prittag, wife Eva Elizabeth, nee Arlt (38) - Gottlieb (13), Eva Elisabeth (7), Karl Friedrich (5), Friedrich Wilhelm (3), Gottfried (1) also Christian and Gottlieb Hentschke (his stepsons).

47. NITSCHKE: Georg Friedrich (37) from Janny, wife Anna Elisabeth, nee Feilenberg (33) - Gottlieb (9), Johanne Rosina (8), Anna Rosina (7), Jobanna Helena (5), Johanna Ernestine and Johanne Luise (twins 18 months) also his sister Helene Nitschke.

48. PAECH: Johann Gottfried (24).   He was joining his parents who had emigrated three years earlier.

49. PFEIFFER: Johann Georg (25) a shepherd from Kay.

50. PREUSS: Gottlob (61) from Deutsch-Kessel, Johanne Eleanore, nee Schulz - Johann Wilhelm (16), ?. (Daughter Juliane Luise Klar, nee Preuss, wife of Emanuel Klar, see above.  Johann Wilhelm Preuss (changed name to Preiss)  married Johanne Eleanore Steicke,  refer to passenger list of the "Zebra" and Steicke Family Tree.)

51. REICH: A young man from Karge who, according to teacher Mueller, paid six Reichstaler for the trip to Hamburg and intended to emigrate to America, but finally travelled with them to Australia.

52. ROEHR: Karl Wilhelm (32) from Tirschtiegel, wife Rosina Dorothea {32) and family - wife Rosina Dorothea and four of the five children died on the journey.

53. SCHENSCHER: Unknown, wife Dorothea Elisabeth (48) died at sea and was buried on October 6th.

54. SCHULTZ: George August (30) from Zuellichau. wife Eleonore, nee Kleber(32).

55. SCHULTZ: Johann Gottlieb (43) from Zuellichau, wife Johanne Luise, nee Fechner (48) and two children.

56. SCHUMACHER: ... no details given.

57. SCHWARZ: Johann Georg (41) from Siegersdorf, wife Dorothea Elisabeth, nee Hoffmann (34) -- Gottlieb August Julius (9), Carl Julius Gotthelf (7), Maria (4), Andreaus (2).

58. SEELANDER: Johann Gottlieb from Bluraberg, wife Karoline Sophie. nee Hampel (27) - Friedrich August (2). Johann's parents emigrated in 1838.

59. SEIDEL: Christian (54) from Prittag, wife Eva Rosina, nee Kaergel - Gottlieb (18), Christian (13), Helene (16) and adopted daughter Anna Dorothea Wolf (23).

60. STAUDE: Gottlieb (36) widower from Klippendorf, three children - Johann Wilhelm (9), Gottlieb (6), August (3) also his mother-in-law Johanne Luise Preuss, nee Bittroff (58).

61. STEICKE: Gottfried (66) from Kay and five children - Dorothea (32), Johanne Luise (28), Gottlieb (27), Wilhelm (24), Auguste (22).   [J. Gottfried Steicke is believed to be the father of Samuel who came in 1838 on the 'Zebra'.]

62. STEICKE: Johann Gottfried (40) also from Kay wife Anna Rosina. nee Schreck (36) - Johanne Luise (10). Trangost (6), Gottlieb (3), Gottfried (9 months).   [Son on J. Gottfried Steicke].

63. THIELE: Johann George (45) from Crummendorf, wife Anna Rosina, nee Kluge (40) - Karoline (17), Anna Eleonore (15), Johanne Luise (13).

64. THIEDEMANN: Ernst Daniel (4]) from Zuellichau, wife Luise, nee Begen (41) - Gottlieb (11), Daniel (4), Maria (1).

65. THOMAS: Sannel (76) from Meseritz with two children -- father also of:-

66. THOMAS: Johann (47) with four children (son of above).

67. WALLAS: Johann Peter (45) - foster father of Juliane Hauffe, died at sea September 9th.

68. WEINERT: August.

69. WEINERT: Dienegott.

70. WEINERT: Traugott.

71. WENTZEL: (WENZEL} Christian (43) from Harthe, wife Anna Dorothea, nee Hampel (38) - Friedrich Wilhelm (9), Luise  (6), Johanne Eleonore (5).

72. ZEIHN: Karl and Ernst (25), and Gottfried, three brothers from Pollwitz. One died at sea on July 21st.

73. ZEINERT: George (30) from Kay and his mother Maria, nee Durdke (66).

    Dr. Brauer adds a note that he does not claim that this list is absolutely correct or exact in every particular because the information available with respect of a few of the passengers was very meagre and even contradictory.
    Iwan lists also the following as obtaining permits to emigrate in 1841 :-
NEWMANN: Christian, wife Anna Dorothea, nee Meyer from Kay - five children.
SOMMER: Johan George (24) from Kay.
BAUER: Georg Friedrich, wife Anna Elisabeth, nee mersch, four children from Janny.
KLINKE: Johann Gottlieb, from Deutsch-Nettkow, wife Anna Rosina, nee Reimer - five children.
GERLACH: Samuel from Schwiebus, wife Charlotte Friedericke, nee Haupt  -  seven children.                                                                                            -

LIST OF DEATHS

Six children were born while they waited at Hamburg and two children were born on the 'Skjold'.
The names of the children born were:-
    Karl Gottlieb HOEPPNER
    Johanne Pauline SCHULTZ
    Johanne Gottleb GIO or GEU
    Wilhelmine Ernestine ROEHR
    Johann Julius WEINERT
    Johann Gotthard GROCKE  Aug. 25th 1841
    Maria Salome GROSSER  Aug. 26th 1841

The Contract is Signed - on the Hamburg ship Mary Stewart.  On 5th April 1841 Pastor Fitzschke and the lay representatives,  D. Weinert and E. Klar signed the contract.
   ... Messrs. Ross Vidal & Co. undertake further to provide the said passengers from the day of their arrival on board till disembarkation in Adelaide with good and wholesome provisions according to the following scale: daily, for each adult person and for children according to circumstances ¾ pound ship's bread, ¼ pound beef or twice weekly ½ pound pork, ½ pound peas, beans, pearly barley, r meal or potatoes, if such are readily available, in the morning coffee and in the evening tea, water in suitable quantity.  Two children of 8-14 years, 3 children of 4-8, 4 children of 1-4 years are reckoned as one adult person.  Children under 1 year are not reckoned al all.
    These victuals must be suitable cooked and prepared by the ship's cook with the assistance of the passengers.  It is expressly understood however that the passengers cannot make demands for any other provisioning.  They are permitted, however, to provide themselves with other possible necessities of life.
    The deputies undertake, for themselves and their friends, to pay for the passage, inclusive of food and freight, according to the following scale: 1,100 thalers Prussian currency for any number of passengers up to 200 head, amongst whom there must be at least 70 children under 14 years; and 25 thalers extra for every head above 200 up to 240, provided that such additional persons belong to the poor of the congregation, namely to those who have been specified as poor in a list that has been presented, the names of whom are to found at the foot hereof.  Should other passengers join the company, they pay the full passage money of 55 thalers Prussian currency per head.
    The German (Prussian) money at that time consisted of thaler (dollar derived from it).  English equivalent about three shillings (30c).
    Messrs. Ross Vidal & Co. are bound to take along on board, free of charge, that baggage and effects of the passengers, up to 16 cubic feel for every passenger over 14 years.  It shall be permitted that passengers, in calm weather and if such should not be disturbing to the control of the ship, to conduct their common daily worship on the deck.

FROM PRITTAGE TO TSCHICHERZIG

Saturday, 1st May 1841- After many delays the day of assembly was fixed on this day.   The meeting place would be Tschicherzig on the Oder, where there were three barges waiting to transport the emigrants to the port of Hamburg.  The people from Posen boarded one barge; those from Zullichau and Schwiebus and Meseritz in Posen the second, and the third was filled with emigrants from Grunberg Province Silesia, totaling about 270 men, women & children.  The journey was some 600km along the rivers and connecting canals of eastern and central Germany, following the route taken by their fellow believers in 1838.

Thursday 6th May 1841 the barges left, amid loud prayers and hymns, for fear of the police was no longer necessary.

On May 10, they arrived at the first lockgate of the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal, a 25 kms link between the Oder(Odra) and Spree rivers. (This canal was enlarged and extended some 20 odd years later to take the bigger vessels then available.) From here the progress was slow because the canal was only 9.5 metres wide and 1.5 metres deep. They had to negotiate 7 locks along this route to raise them 18 metres and then drop down to the Spree. The Spree flowed north to Berlin. Here too the police forbade all singing of hymns while passing through towns and villages. If they did not adhere to this request, then they would have to pay a fine of 5 thalers."

It is assumed that they moved along the rivers taking advantage of the current and possibly using sails and so reached Berlin itself by 13th May. While there some apparently visited the Museum enduring taunts from the populace who were aware of their journey and the reasons for it and were not particularly sensitive to the situation. They were accompanied by 2 policemen on this excursion but it did not stop the harrassment.
The River branched out through the city and finally joined the River Havel at Spandau. From there they progressed to Potsdam on the Havel See. They then travelled along the River Havel to Havelberg near the junction with the River Elbe

Wednesday 19th May 1841 - Reached Wittenberg on the Elbe - the last Prussian town, and paid their export dues.

Saturday 22nd May the barges arrived in Hamburg at 7.00 pm.
The rain is falling in torrents; but despite the awful weather our good pastor, though looking very ill, is there to welcome us.  As our eyes, after such a long period of separation, behold the good man, who for five years had endured such awful privations to minister to our wants, our hearts go out in love to the beloved and devoted servant of God.  Some of the old people embrace and kiss him, and we all feel that we should like to follow their example.

The two representatives of these emigrants  who have been engaged in the preliminary negotiations, Emanuel Klar and Dienegott Weinert, were also in the welcoming group.  From one of the small boats Pastor Fritzschke delivered an earnest but comforting Ascension sermon, the festival day itself having fallen on the previous Thursday.

24th May a meeting was held to organise the groups into one congregation, coming as they had from various parishes in Posen, Brandenberg and Silesia.  Six elders were elected, two from each of the three areas:  Emanuel Klar and August Grosser (Grunberg), Louis Grocke and Gottlieb Felsch (Zullichaw), and Gottfied Bormann and August Hensel (Posen).

Wednesday 26th May five baptisms took place - Carl Gottlob Heppner, Wilhelmine Ernstine Roehr, Johann Gottlieb Geue, Johanne Pauline Schultz and Gottfied Traugott Klar.   Three days later August Weinert's wife gave birth to a son.

The chartered Skjold, a hurried replacement to the Mary Stewart had not yet arrived in port, and when it did arrive a fortnight later it needed repairs that took about four weeks to complete.  The emigrants had to stay on the barges as the authorities of the Free City of Hamburg would not admit them into the city, until convincing evidence was given that they did not intend to remain in Hamburg, but would go to Australia.

2nd June the Weinert baby was baptized at the Stadtdeich (town pier).

The delays and the renting of premises created financial difficulties for the people who still had to supply all their daily needs.  There was not sufficient money in hand for the passages on the ship, because 274 persons had to be provided for instead of the 200 provided for in the contract of 11,000 thalers.  If the requested funds were not secured there was a grave possibility that they would all be transported back to Prussia.

11th June the group was overjoyed to receive a letter from Mrs. Richardson in Newcastle UK with £270 (1800 thalers) and Pastor Frizschke's future mother-in-law Madame Nehrlich, who was also to emigrate, loaned the necessary balance of 1127 thalers.

14th June the chests were loaded on the Skjold,  but the emigrants themselves had to remain in their rented quarters for another 15 days until they embarked on 30th June.

The Voyage
(Part as collated by Pastor Henry Proeve from all available sources.)

June 30. Although the emigrants embark on the day, the Skjold does not yet leave port.   When it sets out it progresses no further than Altona.

July 2.  Wilhelm Hampel's 2-year-old daughter died at 2.30 pm.  The body is taken this evening to the mortuary in the Altona cemetery for burial at 3 pm tomorrow.

July 3.  The 'Skjold'  unexpectedly is towed out by a steamer at 1 pm and the sorrowing parents and their friends therefore cannot attend the burial.

July 4 and 5.  We lie becalmed.

July 6.  With a favourable wind we set sail at 6 am as far as Cuxhaven.  The pastor is very weak so that he cannot give a sermon.  When we have left Cuxhaven behind us several miles, a strong wind combined with heavy rain drives us back to Cuxhaven.  Gottfied Kliche's 2-year-old daughter dies and is buried at Cuxhaven.

July 7 to 10.  The stormy weather rages all these days.  Mrs. Eleonore Gay dies at 5 pm on June 9 and is buried at Cuxhaven next. day.

July 11.  At 5 pm we leave Cuxhaven for the second time.  Pastor Fritzsche is heard to pray: 'O Lord Jesus Christ, be our compass, rudder and mast; and your breath speed us on our way.'  At 10 pm we pass the island of Heligoland.

July 17.  We catch sight of the cliff of Dover.  There is severe stormy weather as we pass down the English Channel.

July 31.  The 'Skjold' has reached the Canary Islands and passes Tenerife.  Grieger's 6-year-old daugher dies, and is buried in the evening of the same day near the island of Palma.

August 1.  We pass the Islands of Feroe, the westernmost of the Canary Islands.

August 19.  The 'Skjold' crossed the Equator.

October 26.  The 'Skjold' passes Kangaroo Island.  Mrs Reich dies at midday and is buried the last to be buried at sea, in the strait.

October 27.  The 'Skjold' arrives at Holdfast Bay in the morning, a Wednesday.  At 7 pm it reaches the harbour at Port Adelaide.  As soon as the anchor has been cast the emigrants gather for a thanksgiving service, with Pastor Fritzsche conducts with the words of Psalm 107; 23-31 to guide them in their thanksgiving. 'O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.'  During this service F Kavel and A Fiedler, from Klemzig, arrive on the vessel.  The elders from the 'Skjold' and a few others still walk to Klemzig, some 15km distant, this same night.
The voyage of the 'Skjold' had an aspect that was tragic.  To lose about one in five persons was a high price to pay.  Fever, dysentery and puerperal infection spread though the steerage section of the ship and resulted in some 55 deaths, many of them children.

There was great joy and excitement now among the passengers.  Even though they experienced some severe storms theirs was a non-stop voyage of over 20,000 km and 117 days, the the 'Skjold' anchoring off-shore at Port Adelaide on October 27, 1841.

The South Australian Register - Saturday, October 30th, 1841.

'The 'Skjold' (Claussen)
This vessel arrived in the Bay on Wednesday last with 213 German emigrants.  She left Altona on 3 July but brings us no English news.  There were 41 deaths on board during the passage, principally among the children.  The disease was dysentery.  The emigrants are all going to Klemzig, under the charge of the Reverend Mr. Kavel, until they can obtain employment.'

5th November 1841.

'The Danish Ship 'Skjold' (Claussen) - 400 tons register from Altona, with 213 German emigrants.
Cabin passengers: Dr. Simons, Pastor Fritzsche, Mrs. Hilmaur, Mrs. & Miss Nehrlich.   Cargo - 16 cases of cherry cordial, 8 ditto bitters, 6 ditto brandy and wine, 80 barrels beef, 20 ditto pork, 14 ditto flour, 36 bags peas and barley, 30 casks biscuits, 50 tongues, 6 casks containing stone bottles Geneva, 12 lb tobacco, 500 cigars.
John Newman (Agent)'

A NEW LIFE IN AUSTRALIA

GAY, Ernst.  Born 1817 Klastawe, Posen, Prussia.   Widowed and rendered childless as a result of dire fever on board the vessel, Ernst Gay became a foundation Bethany settler, and later remarried to Rosina Hohnberg, daughter of his neighbour, George Hohnberg.  As the Gays prospered, Ernst bought various properties in and about Bethany to extend farming concerns.  His 67 acres land grant, Section 529, Hundred of Moorooroo, during 1854, was the most distant of his purchases.   He died in 1890.

HENSCHKE, August.  Born 1832. Arrived 1841, Skjold from Kutschlau, Brandenburg with parents.  Married 1858 J. Louise Walter, born 1830, died 1873.  Farmer at Parrott Hill from 1856. Died 1866. Buried Grandenberg.

HEPPNER, Daniel.  Born 1808.  From Sawade, Kreis Grünberg, Silesia, Prussia, with his wife and young family.  A journeyman-mason before emigrating.  Daniel became a farmer at Bethany and nearby Krondorf, before moving overland to Gerogery, N.S.W. in 1867.  He died in 1879.   Wife, Louise nee Hohnberg.  Daniel Heppner's two eldest sons, August and Friedrich, farmed near Eden Valley until the whole family left S.A.  Daniel purchased Crown land grazing Section 527 Hundred of Moorooroo, during 1854.

HEPPNER, August.  Born 1835, Kreis Grünberg, Silesia, Prussia.  He and his parents lived at Klemzig and then Bethanien and Krondorf.  In 1861, A. Heppner took up land on the Matthews Estate, near Eden Valley, and in 1862 married Pauline, nee Irmler, at Friedensberg.  The Heppners accompanied the rest of his family to Gerogery, N.S.W. in 1867, where they farmed for the rest of their lives.  He died in 1905 and Pauline in 1916.

MÜLLER, Johann August. Born in Bielsko, near Birnbaum 8th May 1822.  With his brothers Johann Ferdinand and Johann Friedrich moved to Lobethal.  Allocated part section 5125 Hundred of Onkaparinga.  Occupation blacksmith.  Naturalised as an Australian citizen on 25th March 1847.  Married 7th January 1848 Charlotte Wilhelmine Pätzold, born 8th April 1925, died 3rd December 1910. Farmed on 15 acre property west of Lobethal.  August died 15th December 1902. Buried Lobethal General Cemetery.  Fourth child Gottlob Heinrich Muller, born 28th January 1856 married Marie Anna Nitschke, born 10th January 1861. (See Nitschke Family Tree).

MÜLLER, Johann Ferdinand. Born near Birnbaum 17th October 1813, died 19th November 1891. Made temporary home in Hahndorf along with other 'Skjold' passengers.  Formed a settlement in Lobethal. Teacher, trained at the Lobethal College.  Married Auguste Wilhelmine Kleinitz, born 1829, died 5th July 1901.  Eight children. Ref: Three Brothers From Birnbaum, the Müller Family History.

MÜLLER, Johann Friedrich. (Johann Friedrich Miller) Born near Birnbaum 17th February 1819, died 3rd March 1879.  Blacksmith in Lobethal,  bought land around Lobethal in 1853 to farm.  Moved to Barossa Valley in 1859.  Moved to Victoria in the 1870s.  Married Beate Auguste Emilie Behrend, born 25th May 1827, died 20th September 1857, seven children.  Second Marriage to Johanne Friedericke Wilhelmine Semlin, born 4th April 1826, died 5th August 1895, four children.  Ref: Johann Friedrich Miller, An Historical and Geneological Record Compiled by M.J. Pietsch.

NITSCHKE, Gottfried. Born 1802 Janny, Kreis Grünberg, Silesia, Prussia.  Wife Eva, nee Arlt, lost a three-year old son on the voyage out to S.A.  Counted amongst the foundation settlers of Bethany in 1842, G. Nitschke remained in the district for the rest of his life.  He purchased Sections 944 & 945 in the Hundred of South Rhine during 1854.  He died in 1877.

ROEHR, Karl Wilhelm: as a widower he married the widow Hampel, Dorothea Louise (nee Hoffman) at Bethany in 1842. They were married by Pastor Kavel and on the marriage certificate his occupation was noted as teacher. In the immigration information he was stated to be a shoemaker. No doubt he could read and write and that gave him an advantage in this community when it set itself up with its own school and settlement in the area. His life has not been fully researched but it is believed he spent a short time at Hoffnungstahl between 1847 & 1853, and then moved to Neukirch (between Nuriootpa and Kapunda) where he took up land in the area and raised his family (including the 4 surviving Hampel children from his second wife's first marriage). He had two sons (Carl Albert & Johann Adolph) by Dorothea Louise. Johann Adolph was born in 1842 and died in 1915. He married Johanna Louise Staehr and had 15 or 16 children , most of whom survived infancy. Carl Albert was born in 1846 and died in 1928. He married Johanna Helene Nicolai and had 3 children. Both of Karl's sons continued to farm the property at Neukirch. (His great great grandson Elmo Roehr, a descendant of Carl Albert; still cultivates the 80 acres of vines on part of this land, producing a boutique wine which is sold internationally.) The surviving daughter from his first marriage, (Henrietta Dorothea) married a Gallasch and lived in the Lobethal area. Details of his second wife's family in Australia have not been researched but it is noted that other Hampels and Hoffmans were on the "SKOLD" and it is probable that they were related. The stories of the descendants of the 4 children who survived from Dorothea Louise's first marriage have now been compiled by the Hampel Family History Committe of which the writer was a member and a book was published in October 2007 which also included details of the Roehr children from the second marriage. It was considered appropriate that the stories of all of the children should be included in the book as Louise was mother to them all

SEIDEL, Gottlieb.  Born 1824, G. Seidel emigrated with his parents, the farmer Christian Seidel & Rosina, nee Kaergel, from Prittage, Kreis Grünberg, Silesia, Prussia.  Gottlieb became a foundation settler of Bethanien, near Tanunda.  During 1854, G. Seidel bought Crown land, Sections 542 & 543, Hundred of Moorooroo, to utilise as grazing areas.  He remained in the area until his death in 1890.  Wife Dorthea, nee Grocke.

WEINERT, Dienegott.  Born c1807 Silesia.   Following a checkered ambitious career as a founder of Lobethal, when he was variously a businessman and postmaster, Dienegott became a bankrupt in 1864.   Determined on a new start, he established a wine shop at Eltham soon afterwards, and preferred to be called by the Anglicised 'John'.  Sadly, three of his children died in infancy at Lobethal.  His eldest daughter, Mathilde, and her husband, the carpenter Wilhelm Hermel, came with the Weinerts.  Dienegott died in 1869.   Wife, Emilie, nee Brättig, a sister of Mrs. Leopold Herrmann, of the Hundred of Tungkillo, near Mt. Torrens.  Towards the end of the year, after John's death his daughter Melinde married Eden Valley carpenter, Samuel Franke.

Ref:  The Quiet Waters by The Mount Pleasant District Council 1843 - 1993.
        Valley of Smithys Schools & Spires. Reg. S. Munchenberg.

NOTES:

1.  A letter dated 12 July 1841 from brothers Schmidt and Käthner of Grünberg is kept in the archives of the Breslau church administration; in this letter they drew attention to the deplorable way some people were leaving, which they did not approve of.  They said that Klar, a former elder, had been planning his emigration and had then finally left, leaving behind many debts and unreconciled with his creditors.  This Klar is of course the one mentioned above from Deutsch-Kessel, described there as living in an unlawful marriage.  The description 'unlawful' was used by the government, which at the time did not recongnise marriages performed by Lutheran ministers as legal, since they were forbidden to officiate.  In spite of the fact that his marriage was unlawful, Klar was able to be an elder, since his marriage had been blessed by a Lutheran minister. The blot on Klar's character was that he was in debt and hadn't settled the matter. 

Reference: "Because of Their Beliefs Emigation from Prussia to Australia" W. Iwan edited by David Schubert.

Disclaimer: The contents of this page has not  been verified as correct and is intended to be a guide only.

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