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Being only a distant relative, Johann Krohmann can surely bring history a little bit closer to home. View my Fan Chart for a visual explanation. -
Johann was one of six children resulting from the marriage of his father Johann to Magdalene Helena Kost. He was born in Budenheim, Germany -
There was a great need for “quality labour” in the Australian Colonies. Germans had been identified as a source of sturdy, hard-working settlers. Living condition of many families in Germany was poor due to overpopulation, famines, and civil strife – most notably the revolutions of 1848 - many desperate people were eager to improve their lot. Millions would uproot themselves and their families and embark on a one way voyage to the Americas, Australia and elsewhere. -
Wanting more than to tend vineyards or work at a winery, being a son of a large family, it appears that Johann longed for more security than possible in Germany at that time. He decided to try his luck and sought a new life with promise that hard work might bring success, if not in Germany, then Australia would be his goal.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_revolutions_of_1848%E2%80%931849 -
On the 5th of Octobet 1854 at the age of 25, Johann left from Hamburg, Germany to live and make a life in Australia. He made this very long voyage onboard the "Johan Caesar" and arrived on January 1st, 1855 at Port Adelaide, South Australia. -
Eva Heinz and her family arrived in Australia on the S/S Williamsburg on the 19th of September 1855 together with Margaretha, Philip, and his parents, Philip and Appolonia as assisted immigrants. If this was coincidence or by design, being from the same town in Germany were Eva & Johann destined to meet in Australia? -
Johann spent some time in Clarence Town, NSW located 193 kilometres (120 mi) north of Sydney, before travelling to the Hill End Goldfields. The locality is bisected by the Williams River. The township sits just to the west of the river from where it flows into the Hunter River at Raymond Terrace. But talk of Gold mining directed his next move.
https://placesandpics.com/locations/new-south-wales/clarence-town-nsw/ -
Johann had already built the timber slab and a small cottage around 1856. He was a wine merchant and had a small vineyard. This is where, after his marriage to Eva, the first of their 3 children were born! (So many years have gone by, but the cottage had been refurbished some time ago. Elisabetha lived there when she returned to Hill End. It is said that the Remnants are still standing today). The cottage is maintained by the NSW National Parkes & Wildlife Service & is Heritage listed. -
The cottage had been extended into an L-Shape configuration. Now a historic site and hopefully still standing today. -
These volumes contain many details of the Hill End gold mining times in Australia. Also available at:
https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/649110 -
Hard work and the promise for a better life became evicent.. Johann bought many parcels of land and his rights to mine gold were granted. Johann became a very rich man from his Gold Mine on Hawkins Hill, registered as
"Krohmanns Gold Mining Co". with a nominal capital of 80,000.00 Pounds. -
Johann Krohmann married Eva Heinz in 1860 at Maitland, New South Wales. She was 14 years old! -
Map is not dated: Johann Krohmann's two Blocks are shown in Section 19John Heinz's Allotment is shown in portion 148. The Dorhauer Timber yard had not yet been established on the Kerr block opposite Short Street.
Krohmann. Heinz, and Dorhauer were related families and all from Budenhagen, Germany. -
Elizabetha grew up and married Martin Ruppel on
Sep 7 1881 - in Hattersheim am Main, Hesse, Germany, the town where Martin was born. -
Johann Krohmann & Eva Krohmann plus one other person standing at the entrance. -
Mary-Ann married Wilhelm Würsdörfer who was born in Nauort, Westerwaldkreis, Rheinland Pfalz, Germany! They had 4 children.
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Daughter of Johann & Eva Krohmann, born 1867
Buried at Clarence Town NSW Australia -
I, John Krohmann do sincerely promise and swear, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, as lawful Sovereign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of this Colony of New South Wales, dependent on and belonging to the said United Kingdom; and that I will defend Her to the utmost of my power against all traitorous conspiracies and attempts whatever, which shall be made against Her Person, Crown, and Dignity; and that.... signed John Krohmann
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On 16th November 1870 he purchased land of 1 acre, 8 1/2 perches which was listed in Book volume CV!!, Parish of Tambaroora Folio 50. (Gov. Gazette 16/11/1870 Issue 279).
Also on 7th October 1871 it was reported tin the "Freeman's Journal" Sydney that he donated 100 pounds to aid in the erection of a Catholic Church in Hill End. -
In 1871 Johann held land situated in Tambaroora of 11 3/4 perches being portion # 152 (Gov. Gazette 12/11/1872) and according to the Hill End land Occupancy Index 1869/70, he held allotments 1 and 3 in section 19. continued next page
https://www.heatgg.org.au/hill-end-story/brief-history/ -
Three articles copied from excerpts now legible -
According to the Government Gazette dated 27th June 1871 he purchased allotment 6 in section 18 of the Hill End Town Map which in 1874 was owned by J. Bell and is beleived to be the original site of the Dorhauer Timber Yard before it moved to the Germantown Lane area. The appraised value being 6 Pounds. Heinrich Dorhauer either purchased the lot from John Krohmann or leased it from him. cont. -
All three of Johann's children are listed in the Hill End School Register 1870 to 1872 -
Johann Krohmann and Family return to the Country of their birth.
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Scarcely credible finds in the claims of Paxton and Co. and Krohmann and Co. In the former it is said to be like breaking out clubs of gold.
The piece of stone, if it may be so called, weighed rather more than one hundred and fifty pounds and of that weight there were more than one hundred pounds weight of gold. Krohmann has also got upon a new vein, and is breaking out stone as rich as any he has ever had before.”
Johann Krohmann has purchased many additional parcels to be mined. -
Upon his return to Germany, Johann was re-naturalized a German Citizen. It is then that he also became the Mayor of Budenheim. -
Johann pledged that if they arrived safely he would commission this painting of the Stations of the Cross for the local church. The Images of the Krohmann Family can be seen in the background of this painting of the Station of the Cross. There is a circle around the image of his deceased wife, Eva. Their son Johann who died age 6, is depictied as an Angel.
Now hung in St. Remigius Church,Osthofen near Alzey, after being transferred from St.Pankratius at Budenheim. -
Johann was also one of 17 registered proprietors with 800 shares in the "Bald Hill MiningCompany which was registered on 1st October 1872. On 30th March 1872 he applied for alease on "South Hargraves" of 10 acres and paid rent of 19 pounds but let the lease lapsewhen he returned to Germany (Gov. Gazette 05/06/1874 -
Dear Sir,
On the occasion of your departure from amongst the members of The Catholic Church Committee cannot permit you to leave without thus publically recording our deep sense of your sterling worth and the many benefits which this district has derived at your hands.
You have terminated (we trust only for a season) along career, energy and untiring energy and perserverance by a triumphant and richly deserved success. You .... cont. reading the original copy) -
A very sincere letter expressing appreciation of generosity accompanied by a special gift of a silver Cup to have as a memory until he returns.... -
Supplied by Bernhard Krauthausen
L to R > Mary Ann, Madeline (Lena), Elisabeth (Lissy), Eva, Johann jr, Eva Christina Maria,
Johann -
Susanna died May 16, 1874
Source: Williams Web Site managed by LAFAE2 -
Obituary: EVA Krohman (HEINZ} (1845-1873) Eva married Johann Krohmann in Maitland, New South wales in 1860, and they had seven children, six of which were born in the Hill End / Tambaroora area. Their daughter Susanna was born in Budenheim Germany after they had returned there in 1873. Eva died on the 13th April 1873 in Budenheim, Germany, nine days after Susanna was born. -
One year after the loss of Eva at age 27, Johann remarries. Elizabeth was born May 21 1841 in Budenheim, Germany. It is believed Elizabeth had been living in the Krohmann household as a nurse to Eva and the children. Johann & Elizabeth had three further children - Margaret Katharina, Adalbertus Augustus, Emma Margaretha Krohmann -
Son of Johann Krohmann and Elisabethae Ackermanm
Baptized Dec 10 1874
Source: Williams Web Site managed by LAFAE2 -
Emma died Oct 7 1876
Source: Williams Web Site managed by LAFAE2 -
Katharina died the same day in Budenheim, Germany
Source: Williams Web Site managed by LAFAE2 -
Emma died 1878
Source: Williams Web Site managed by LAFAE2 -
Johann was born in 1873 -
Margaret was born in Budenheim Germany
She was married on Jan 25 1899 to Claude Hill in Sydney Australia -
After Johann's Death in 1878, Elisabeth returned to Australia with two of her children on the ship SS John Elder which birthed in Victoria in 1881 where she spent two years at the Krohmann Cottage at Hill End. -
Son of Heinrich Gottfried Theodor Dorhauer and Margaretha Dorhauer, born Heinz
Elisabeth witnessed his birth -
Elisabeth went to Sydney and was naturalised an Australian citizen. She took the oath of allegiance on 22nd September 1904
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Margaret died in Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Elisabeth had returned to the family home in Australia after Johann's death. She died in Paddington, Australia (possibly Sydney) -
The German Telephone Directory still lists many "Krohmann's" in the area around Johann's place of birth. His life was surrounded by family and close relatives, not only in his home environment but working together at the mines, building homes and giving of himself to Church and Community. Yes, Johann had become a rich man in Australia, but he was generous, much loved and respected by all who knew him. -
If further collaboration were possible, I would love to do so in order to enter only correct facts. Cousins have spoken to me about what they heard about Johann's life, but more than 100 years later, none are old enough to be able to share first-hand knowledge.
References used:
All available Genealogical Websites- Ancestry & MyHeritage
Heinz Family History (google.com)
Krohmann Photo Album
The Goldfields Dorhauer Odyssey.get-16
Andrea Bentschneider- Historical Documents, Personalities, General
