Charles Gottlieb Phillip Heinecke - an "invincible spirit" of Tumbarumba NSW, pioneer and veracious reader

Birth

Charles was born approximately 1834 in Goslar, Hanover, Germany to parents George Heinecke or Haneki (butcher) and Johanna Fricke.

In 1847, he left Hanover, aged 13 years and 8 months and went to America until 1853, according to a letter in his naturalization papers.

Arrival

He arrived on the 24th of August, 1853 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia at the age of 19 on the clipper 'Texas' from New York. He is possibly a crewman. The Texas arrived Port Phillip Heads on 23 August 1853, and arrived in Melbourne on the 24th of August 1853.

Marriage

Charles 'Hanecki', butcher, aged 24, married Mary Jane Byrnes, aged 21, Servant. Mary was born in Armagh. Her parents were George (gardener) and Teresa Tindall. A Catholic wedding took place.

His children are as follows:

• Theresa Heinecke was born on the 7th of August, 1860 in Indigo, Victoria.

• Johanna was born in 1864 in Victoria.

• George Thomas was born in 1867 in Beechworth Victoria.

• Eliza Ann was born in 1868 in NSW

• Fritz Frederick was born in 1870 in Albury, NSW.

• Charles Bismark was born in Tumbarumba, NSW.

• Mary J was born in 1873 in Albury, NSW. (She then passed away at the age of 2, in 1875)

• Hermann was born in 1875 in Albury, NSW.

• Burnes Hayes was born in 1877 in Albury, NSW.

• Ida Augusta was born in 1880 in Albury, NSW.

• Roebling was born in 1883 in Albury, NSW.

Above: Charles G Heinecke and family. Taken about 1885. Photo from family collection.

Naturalization: 22 Jul 1909. He also applies for the pension for himself and his wife.

In 1916 he sent letters in January and February asking to be furnished with a document to show that he is not an enemy alien. He did not mention that he had already been naturalized, so the responses from the government were that he should apply to become naturalized. He then wrote that he had previously had business with the authorities in Sydney where his naturalization document was required but had not been returned to him.

Letter by Charles

On account of trouble brewing ahead I must acquaint you of the following:- Somewhere of 1812, England held out overtures to Prussian Artillery Officers, my father went leaving his two brothers in the Army behind Waterloo, Canada, Mauritius, Martinique, Dominique, Guadeloupe etc etc followed my father at the end being greatly crippled resigned, went to Labrador to take possession of some land but found the climate too cold wanted to shift into the U. States but the English government refused to send his pension to there but furnished a list of places where he could live, Hannover being one where I was born in 1834, Hannover being ruled by the Duke of Cambrige, considered then to be a dependency of England, I left Hannover being 13 years and eight months old went to America until 1853, then to Australia 63 years ago where I lived since cut off all connections with Hannover, all this would make me a British subject two times as England payed for my bread & butter (father's pension) and as we must believe in a God I certainly must have some regard for England [to be continued]

Death

Charles died on the 8th of April, 1924, in Tumbarumba, NSW, at the age of 90.

Obituary

CHARLES G. F. HEINECKE.

The death of Mr. Charles Gosland Phillip Heinecke has robbed Tumbarumba of an identity and the district of one of its oldest inhabitants. Deceased had been ailing for about a fortnight, and despite every attention he failed to improve, and death occurred at his late residence, Back Creek, early on Tuesday morning last, he being in his 90th year. Born in Hanover during the time that State was attached to the British crown, at the age of two years he emigrated with his parents to California. When 20 years old he arrived in Victoria, where he followed up mining pursuits, working at Bendigo and Beechworth. In the latter town be married in 1859, and in the following year he made his home at Back Creek, Tumbarumba, where he remained and reared a large family, living in the one abode for 64 years. His invincible spirit impelled him to go into unknown and unmapped regions in the quest for gold, with cheerful disregard of the perils, the discomforts and the hardships involved in the daily life of that period. He was one of a band of hard pioneers who possessed of big hearts as well as big frames, liberally "blazed the trail" for the people who followed them. Naturally with one whose history dipped far back into the early days, Mr. Heinecke had some stirring adventures, and could relate them well. With the characteristic optimism of the gold seeker, he prospected perseveringly for 25 years for a reef at Back Creek, but his hopes were never realised. Even up to a month of his demise he was engaged in the same quest, walking about 3 miles to the scene of his operations each day. He was a man who had a good education and was a veracious reader. His wife died about six years ago. He is survived by six sons and four daughters, viz : George, Charles, Herman, Burnes Hayes, Roebling (Tum- barumba), and Frederick (Sydney), Mesdames W. Gaylard and E. Waite, and Miss Ida (Tumbarumba), and Mrs. W. Curtiss (Port Macquarie). One daughter died in infancy. Members of the family have been identified with the business activities and industries of the Tumbarumba district for years past. There are also a large number of descendants, residing in this and other parts of the State.

Source: The Tumut Advocate and Farmers and Settlers' Adviser (NSW : 1903 - 1925), 15 April, 1924.

Charles Heinecke in the book 'German Anzacs and The First World War' by John Williams.

Below: Heinecke, Charles from the book 'German Anzacs and The First World War' by John Williams. Note: This image is excerpts from pp182-191.