The 'George Washington' , built 1822 in New York, was a former U.S. 3 mast ship rig., owned by the "Nord Deutscher" shipping Line. She rated at 462 tons and was skippered by Captain Matthew Probst. In 1844 the 'George Washington' was contracted to carry 3 cabin passengers, 184 steerage passengers, assorted goods for the S.A. Company and three rams for Anthony Forster, a prominent Adelaide citizen and agent for G.F. Angas. Arrived at Port Misery on 11th September 1844, it berthed on the morning of 12th September from Hamburg (23 May) & Bremen (27/29 May). Departed 8th October to Batavia; 20 crew.

1. ALTMANN: Johann Joseph, journeyman mason (45), wife Anna Maria nee Reimann; 7 children Johann Karl August (20), Johann Karl Joseph (18), Johanne Eleonore (16), Justina (8), Anna Rosina (4), Johann Ernst (4) (twins), and Anna Dorothea (1½), from Schloin, Grunberg, Silesia. Altmann wanted to emigrate in 1839, but at the time was persuaded by Kuschel, the arch-priest at Grunberg, to keep his lease on the parsonage lands and to remain. In 1839 he said that he wanted to emigrate for the sake of freedom of religion.

2. BUCHWALD: Johann Sigismund, farmer retired on life-estate, daugher johanna Dorothea, unmarried, from Niebusch.

3. DECKOW: Johann (56), widow (according to Delius). (see note 2.)

4. DÜHRING : (30), with wife and sons Hermann (2½), Paul (1½), daughter (6), from Kottbus, Brandenburg, also Christian Dühring (23).

5. FECHNER: Christian, cottager (53), wife Anna Elisabeth nee Apelt; children Johann Friedrich Ernst (24), Karl Friedrich (18). from Niubusch, Freistadt, Silesia.

6. FELLENBERG: Gottfired, cottager (53), wife Dorothea Elisabeth; 3 children Dorothea elisabeth (22), Karl Gottlieb (18), Maria Dorothea (16). from Upper Siegersdorf, Freistadt, Silesia.

7. FIELDER: Karl August (25) , from Grünberg.

8. GIDDA: Anton (26), from Gross-Dammer, near Bentschen.

9. HENSEL: Johann Gottlieb, gardener (35), wife Anna Rosina, nee Kothe (32); duaghter Johanne Christiane (8), from Rodstock, Sorau, Brandenburg.

10. HEPPNER: Heinrich, carpenter, wife; foster-daughter Johanna Eleonore Dickon from Freistadt, Silesia.

11. HEPPNER: Gottfied (56); 3 sons Karl (24), Hermann (16), August (11), from Upper Siegersdorf, Freistadt.

12. HOFFMANN: Ernest August, compass-smith, wife; 1 son Luis (5), a minor, from Freidstadt, Silesia.

13. HOFFMANN: Johann Georg, tailor; wife; 7 children, minors from Freistadt, Silesia.

14. IRRGANG: Johann Gottlieb, day-labourer (43); wife Dorothea nee Schmidt (33); 2 children Johanne Auguste (13), Emma Pauline (6), from Christianstadt, Sorau, Brandenburg.

15. IRRGANG: Johanna Rosina, widowed occupant, nee Krause (34); two children Wilhelm Gustave (5), Johanna Christiane (4), from Upper Siegersdorf, Freistadt, Silesia.

16. KAHL: Karl Gottlieb (42), wife, 2 sons Karl (19), Johann (11), from Grünberg, Silesia.

17. KÄTHNER: Johann Gottlieb, teacher (43); wife; children Johann (9) and four daughters (13), (12), (8) and (5), from Schoin, Grünberg, Silesia. (see note 1.)

18. KLEMM: Gottfried (44), wife, 2 sons (16 and 14) and 2 daughers (20 and 10), from Kuschten near Bentschen, Bomst, Posen.

19. KLOSE: Samuel (42), wife, son Gottlieb (5), and 2 daughers (14 and 8), from Schloin, Silesia.

20. KROLL: Johann (37), wife, daughters (2½ and ½), from Kuschten near Bentschen.

21. KRÜGER: (34), wife and children Karl (9), Gustav (5), Theodor (4), from Kottbus, Zullichau, Brandenburg.

22. KRAUSE: Johann Karl, gardener's son, from Seiffersdorf.

23. KUTSCHKE: Thomas (45), wife, son Ludwig (16), daughters (20 and 10), from Kuschten near Bentschen.

24. LAUTERBACH: Gottfried, coachman; wife Eva Rosina nee Lauterbach; 3 children Joahnn Karl Friedrich, Eva Rosina, Anna Maria, from Langhermsdorf, Freistadt, Silesia.

25. LEIBIG: Johann Friedrich, cottager, wife Dorothea Elisabeth, nee Jentsch; 2 children Johann Gottlob and Dorothea Elisabeth, from Seiffersdorf, Freistadt, Silesia.

26. LINDNER: Johann Gottlieb, smith (39), wife, Dorothea Elisabeth, nee Schütz (42): 4 children Johann Christian (10), Karl Traugott (8), Johann Gottlieb (5), Ernst August (1½), from Guschau, Sorau, Brandenburg.

27. MACKENZIE: Ernst Wilhelm, nailsmith apprentice (24), from Grünberg. Silesia.

28. MODISDACH: Simon (28), wife, from Gross Dammer near Bentschen, Bomst, Posen.

29. PFEIFFER: Johann Friedrich, coachman; wife Elisabeth, nee Reiger; 5 children Karl Friedrich Ernst, Johanne Juliane, Johann Friedrich Wilhelm, Johanne Elisabeth, Johann Friedrich, from Langhermsdorf, Friestadt, Silesia.

30. PFEIFFER: Samuel, lodger (72), and daugher Johanne Eleonore (28), from Langhermsdorf, Freistadt, Silesia.

31: PINETZKI: (46) and son Andreas (20), from Gross-Dammer near Bentschen.

32: PINTER: Mathaus Wilhelm (20), from Kottbus, Zullichau, Brandenburg.

33. PSCHYBILLE: (38), wife, sons Andreas (9) Anton (3), from Gross-Dammer near Bentschen.

34. SCHENK: Wilhelm (40), wife and son Ernst, 15.

35. SCHNEIDER: Johann Christof , master wheelwright (27), wife Ernestine Philippine, nee Walter (26), son Johann Gottlieb (1), from Christianstadt, Sorau, Züllichau.

36. SCHRAPEL: Johann Gottlieb, farmer, formerly brick-moulder (50), wife Maria Dorothea, nee Schefler (49); 5 children Johann Gottlieb (19), Johann Friedrich August (17), Johann Traugott (14), Johanna (12), Maria Dorothea (9), from Friedersdorf, Sorau, Züllichau.

37. SCHULZ: Johann Georg, gardner; wife Helene Johanna, nee Jentsch, from Steinborn, Freistadt, Silesia.

38. SCHULZ: Johann Karl Erdmuth, gardener (24), wife Johanne Elisabeth, nee Grossmann, from Steinborn, Freistadt, Silesea.

39. SEIDEL: Christian Friedrich, share farmer (46); wife Anna Elisabeth, nee Schulz (46); 8 children Maria Elisabeth (21), Johanne Rosina (18), Johann Karl Heinrich (16), Johanne Eleonore (13), Christian (10), Anna Elisabeth (8), Johanne Dorothea (4), and Johanne Auguste (1), from Schloin, Grünberg, Silesia. (see note 3.)

40. SPORN: Johann Friedrich, coachman, wife Marie Elisabeth, nee Jentsch, 2 children Johanna Helena and Joahnn Friedrich, from Seiffersdorf, Freistadt, Silesia.

41. STANETZKI: Nikolaus (38), wife, one son, six months and two daughers (6 and 3), from Gross Dammer near Bentschen, Bomst, Posen.

42. STILLER: Johann Samuel (40), day-labourer, son-in-law to Schrapel, wife Johanne Karoline, nee Schrapel (27), children Johann gottlieb (5), Johann Christian (3), from Nismenau, Sorau, Züllichau.

43. STUMANN: (57), wife, 3 daughters (24, 22, 17), 2 sons (9 and 6), from Kottbus, Züllichau.

44. ULBRICHT: Johann Friedrich (40), wife and two daughters, from Brunzelwaldau, Freistadt, Silesia.

45. WALLENT: Lorenz (46), wife, 2 sons Karl (6), Simeon (3), 3 daughters (18, 16, 10), from Gross Dammer, near Bentschen, Bomst, Posen.

46. WALTER: Henrich Alexander, burgher and linen-weaver (29), son-in-law to Schrapel, wife Johanne Ernestine, nee Schrapel (23), and son Simeon Nathaniel (6 months); also the mother Johanne Christiane Walter (60), from Christianstadt, Sorau, Züllichau.

The following emigrants, who belonged to the Christianstadt emigration society also emigrated in 1844. The dismissal documents for the 1844 people were all issued on 11 April 1844.

1. WALTER: Johann Karl, Occupant, from Hartmannsdorf, Silesia. Born 1823, died 1906, buried Point Pass. Married 1848 J. Christiane Scholz, born 1830, died 1913, (sister to E. Hermann Scholz). Farmer at Light Pass, White Hill, Gruenberg 1854 - 1866.

2. SCHULZ: Gorrfired, fee gardener, from Weichau

3. UBLRICHT: Johann Friedrich (4), wife, 2 daughters, from Brunzelwaldau. (according to Delius)

4. SAELGE: Johann Christian, Journeyman miller, from Scheibau.

On the 24th May 1844 the 'George Washington' sailed from Bremen carrying 3 cabin passenger and 184 steerage passengers from Germany.

The voyage was remarkably swift and uneventful, taking only 108 days, without even the excitement of a call to Plymouth in England to collect the customary mails. Thekla Stanetzki (later Mrs. Wilhelm Staude) was to recall how rough the voyage was and how unattractive the basic diet of weevilly biscuits and salted meat. Sorrow over the death of three adults and three children and joy at the birth of eight babies filled minds completely unused to sea travel and the experience of new sights.

The George Washington arrived at South Australia (Pt. Misery) on Thursday morning 12th September 1844.

Those who went out by the George Washington all got employment in the course of a few days after their arrival in the colony.

Ref: 'Christian Friedrich Seidel From Schloin to Schonthal' Family History.
'Because of Their Beliefs' W Iwan Edited by David Schubert.

The George Washington, arrived on Thursday last, brings one hundred and eighty-one steerage, and two cabin passengers. Six deaths occurred on the voyage, viz., three adults and three children. there were also eight births. We understand the passengers present a very clean and respectable appearance. One of them became deranged at an early stage of the passage; and, we are sorry to say, he still continues in that melancholy state.

The George Washington from Germany.
This splendid ship, formerly an American Liner, 461 tons register, now commanded by Capt. Probst, arrived on Thursday the 12th instant, from Bremen, under consignment to H.C. Stakemane, Esq., with 3 cabin and 184 steerage passengers, consisting of 52 Adult males, 40 Adults Females, 45 Boys and 50 Girls = 187.
Three adults and three children died during the passage, and eight births occurred. The emigrants are from several different parts of Germany, but the greater part from Mecklenburgh, Bremen, Holstein, East Prussia, and the Polish Frontier. The appear to be very able-bodied and orderly set, and are in excellent spirits. They consist principally of the agricultural classes, with "a sprinkling" of smiths and other handicraftsmen, and a good proportion of young men and women fit for domestic service.
The passage (a remarkably fine one) was accomplished in great harmony, without any casualty save those above described, and in the short space of 108 days from port to port. The George Washington left Bremen on the 29th May, and not having touched at any port in the British Channel does not bring a direct English Mail; but by the kindness of the consignee we have been furnished with London papers to the 17th May.

Dispersion of the Colony
There was not the same adhesion as a group, after arrival in South Australia, as marked the earlier groups under the Pastors Kavel and Fritzsche. But it is to be noticed that substantial numbers of immigrants on the George Washington remained together in two settlements. It will be noticed in the listing of passengers that quite a number settled at Friedrichsstadt. Another substantial number founded the settlement of Schonthal, between Lobethal and present-day Charleston. These became members of Pastor Fritzsche's congregation at Lobethal.

An Aftermath in Australia: Synodical Action re Passage Money
The costs of the passage must have used up a substantial portion of the financial resources of the Lutheran immigrants. Mendel, one of the very few passengers who did not belong to the religiously motivated group, wrote four months after arrival;
All passengers who came with the George Washington, most of them landing without a penny, are now already in possession of property in the form of land or livestock.
Not long after landing the passengers realised that they would not require the £200 that had been granted to them by the South Australian Company. At a meeting called to consider the question they resolved "to give the money to the poor"; and the resolution was duly carried out. A Synod of the Kavel-Fritzsche congregations, held at Hahndorf in 1845, carried a resolution regarding that matters, which read:
a. That the £200 donated must be alloted to the poor, to enable them to discharge the debt of their passage money. He who has paid off his ship's debts is to classed with the rich.
b. That in case one of these poorer immigrants dies before the debt to his creditors if paid, or if by force of circumstances finds himself unable to pay, his children are under obligation to pay the debt; and that, in case no children survive him, the whole party of the "George Washington" creditors as well as debtors, must shoulder the indebtedness.
c. Synod also resolved to take immediate steps to remove the evil report, which the party from the "George Washington" had brought upon itself, by an intimation of the S.A. Company that the donation of £200 had been made available exclusively to the poor.

ALTMANN, Johann Joseph. Born 1798. Married 1822 Anna Maria Baumann, born 1803, died 1896, buried Gruenberg. From Schloin, Grunberg, Silesia. Mason and farmer at Hahndorf and Gruenberg from 1853 to death in 1857. Buried Hahndorf.
Son. J.C. August, born 1832, died 1902, buried Gruenberg. Married 1852 J. Eleonore Reimann, born 1823, died 1893. Stone mason and farmer at Hahndorf and Gruenberg.
Son. J. Ernst, born 1840, died 1930, Buried Langneil, Tanunda. Married 1861 Auguste Ernstine Hentschke, born 1843, died 1889. Foundation family of Moculta District.

STANITZKY, Nikolauss. Born 1807, from Gross Dammer, Bentschen, Posen. Married Rosalie Olenitschack, born 1808, died 1893. Farmer at Mt. Barker, Birdwood and Parrott Hill from 1856 to death in 1879. Buried Gruenberg. Foundation family of Moculta District.

FECHNER, Christian. Born 1790. Married A. Elisabeth Appelt, born 1793, died 1874. Tailer and Farmer at Bethany and Gawler River, from 1860 to death in 1871. Buried Grandenberg.
Son. J. Friedrich E. born 1820. Married J. Helena Sportn, born 1819. Remarried J. Louise Schultz, born 1826, died 1900. Farmer at Bethany and Gawler River from 1860 to death in 1873. Buried Grandenberg.

Ref: Valley of Smithys Schools & Spires. Reg. S. Munchenberg.

1. The group of emigrants from the District of Sorau were described as Old-Lutheran, and at one hearing they declared that they were emigrating because of restrictions to their religious life and because they felt called to work for the spreading of the evangelical Lutheran religion in distant continent. However, because they were required to take a pastor with them, and they could not produce one, they stated that the teacher Kathner from Schoin who was going along with them would conduct their religious services on the ship. They threatened to emigate without approval as they had already sold their property and paid for part of the voyage. Finally they emphasised that they were emigrating not only because of their faith, but also to seek prosperity in their earthly lives. As a result dismissal documents were issed to 7 people on 20 April 1844. (Schneider, Irrgage, Walter, Stiller, Schrapel, Lindner and Hensel).

2. The most important of the emigration agencies was the firm of Eduard Delius of Bremen, which from the mid 1840s worked hard for emigration to South Australia, and charted and dispatched many ships there. As a result, from the mid 1840s Bremen stood next to Hamburg as the port of departure from our Lutheran emigrants.

Ref: "Because of Their Beliefs" W Iwan edited by David Schubert.

3. Johanne Karl Heinrich Seidel married Johanne Elisabeth Pietsch. Their first child Marie Elisabeth Seidel married August Heinrich Jacob Wegener (see Wegener Descendants).