Prussia / South Australia

Mystery Hoffmann

As we know, a number of the children of Samuel and Maria Rosina (nee Hayn) Hoffmann emigrated to South Australia in the 1840s. GGG Grandfather JSG sailed with his family on the Skjold in 1841. The word must have been sent back as two of his sisters made the same journey in in 1849 on the GH Wappaus , and I am convinced it was their younger brother that made the parallel trip on the Goddefroy the same year. The correspondence to and from Prussia would have been interesting. The persecution most of the Old Lutherans were escaping had waned well and truly, but I am of the belief that for JSG this was a convenient vehicle for his travel rather than the driving force. It is not that I believe his faith in our Savior Jesus Christ was any less than his companions, the contrary in fact. By all accounts he was a very confident and moral man. This is obvious from his business dealings in Prussia as well as the lessons he passed on to his family. His sons were also adept at business and gave back generously but quietly in their active community lives as well. It probably took an improvement in sailing ships, and assurance from newer immigrants before JSG would  have recommended the voyage to his family. JSG and GGG Grandma were very comfortable and happy.

Apparently also travelling on the GH Wappaus in 1849, noted in the ‘Biographical Index of South Australians’ are A.F.C. Hoffmann and a child, listed as from Liegnitz, Silesia. And historian Reg Butler asked the question as they also came from Leignitz, are all the Hoffmann’s travelling together related?

Currently, we have no more information and  A. F. C. Hoffmann and child disappeared after being listed here. From what we know it was not a sibling of our family, but we know nothing of aunts and uncles so may have been a cousin. From my studies, same surname from same or surrounding towns emigrating to SA at this time from  Prussia usually meant a family tie – but research shows that ‘Hoffmann’ was also a popular surname in Liegnitz.

This is another thing that may come to light in the future…

 

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