Johann Christian Henschke
was born in Kutschlau in the district of Züllichau, Brandenberg
on December 24, 1803. He had one, at least one bother Johann Martin and, it is thought
[1], another Johann Georg who also immigrated
to South Australia. Little is known about his early life. He
married Appolonia Wilhelmine Sparmann sometime before 1830. Christian
and Wilhelmine had four children - Johann Gottlieb (ca. 1830), Johann August (23 Jul 1832), Johann Friedrich Wilhelm (22 Dec 1834) and Johanna Luise (Sep 1840). The immigration records [2] give his occupation as cottager and journeyman
mason.
In 1841, the Henschke Family embarked on
the Skjold [3]
departing Altona (near Hamburg) on 3 Jul 1841. Christian's bother,
Martin, and his family were also on
board. The voyage was to have tragic consequences for the Henschke
family. Deaths on the voyage included Christian's wife, two of his children - Johanne
Louise (d 29 Jun 1841, in Hamburg prior to departure) and Johann Friedrich
Wilhelm (d 30 Sep 1841, at sea) - and his niece (also Johanne Louise). The Skjold arrived in South Australia on 27 Oct 1841
Christian and his children settled in initially
in Lobethal [5]. Johann Christian Henschke
is reported as a farmer in Allan's Almanac of 1844 [6] and is described
as a wheelwright in early church documents [1].
In 1843, Johann Christian Henschke married Dorothea
Elisabeth Schmidt. Dorothea Elisabeth Schmidt was born on 11 Oct
1819 in Skampe, also in the district of Züllichau, Brandenberg,
the daughter of Gottlob Schmidt and Anna
Dorothea (nee Kluge). She had arrived in Australia aboard
the Zebra in 1838 with her parents, brothers
(Gottfried, Johann Gottlob) and sisters (Anna Dorothea, Anna Elisabeth Rosina). The couple's
first two children, Johann Carl Ferdinand (b 1 Jan 1844) and Johann Christian
(b 13 Aug 1845) were born in Lobethal.
In ca 1847 Johann Christian, Dorothea Elisabeth
and their family moved to the Krondorf area. His brother, Martin was already resident in the area.
Their son Paul Gotthard (b 9 Aug
1847) was baptised at Bethany, five further children Johanna Dorothea Elisabeth (27
Jun 1850),
Maria Christina (5 Aug 1852), Johann Traugott Gotthilf (18 Aug 1854),
Johann Gottfried (b 24 May 1856) and Emma Helena (17 Aug 1858) were baptised at Krondorf.
In 1862 Johann Christian purchased 80 acres
of land in North Rhine (later Keyneton). A house and a winery were
built on the property. The first wines were sold in 1868 marking
the beginning of Henschke Wines [1]. On
his death, this property passed to his son Paul Gotthard.
Christian died, aged 69, on 9 Dec 1873
after injuries from being kicked by a horse. The entry
in the Krondorf burial register contains the following information: 'Johann
Christian Henschke d 9 Dec 1873, age 70, buried 10 Dec 1873 (Krondorf),
b 24 Dec 1803, husband of Dorothea Elisabeth Henschke (nee Schmidt) was,
by profession, wheelwright and mason, came to SA on 26 Oct 1841. Layreader
at the Krondorf Church.'
Dorothea Elisabeth died, aged 74, on 26 Oct
1898. She is buried in a separate plot in the Krondorf cemetery.
[1] Henschke Heritage Henschke Heritage
Group Inc.: Adelaide, 1995.
[2] Iwan, W. Because of Their Beliefs (translated
and edited by Schubert, D.) H. Schubert: Highgate, SA, 1995, (p 8).
[3] Mattner, M.; Ross, D.; Coleman, L. The Mattners in
Australia 1839-1980 Mattner Family Reunion Committee: Adelaide,
1981.
[4] Proeve, H.F.W. A Dwelling Place at Bethany Lutheran Publishing House: Adelaide, 1983.
[5] Brauer, A. Under The Southern Cross Lutheran
Publishing House: Adelaide, 1956 (facsimile edition 1985) (pp 64-66,
70).
[6] Munchenburg, R.S., Proeve, H.F.W., Ross, D.A., Hausler,
A., Saegenschnitter, G.B. The Barossa - A Vision Realised Barossa
Valley Archives and Historical Trust: Tanunda, 1992 (p. 61).
[7] Twining A., Twining S. South Australian Land Returns for 1843
(first compiled by James Allen 1844) Twining's Secretarial: Woodcroft,
SA, 1992 (p 25, name given as Hemhschke).
Biography