ROMMEL / ROMMELL FAMILY
The Romel Family of Ash Island
Article by Cherylanne Bailey
Gottlieb W Rommel was born on 17 January 1817 in Grünbach, Birkenfeld, Rhineland-PfalzGermany, to Nicholas and Anna Rommel. Gottlieb married Margaretha Catherina Lang on 7 September 1852 in Germany. She died on 7 May 1892 at Ash Island and he 8 years later on 14 July 1898 at Waratah, NSW, aged 81 years. They had been married 39 years.
EMIGRATION
He arrived with his family on 14 January 1853.
ROMMEL-SCHUCK FRIENDSHIP BEGINNINGS AT EDWIN HICKEY’S “OSTERLEY”
Edwin Hickey, Landowner of Osterley:
Joseph SCHATZ, Vinedresser, and his wife Eva (so the Schatz who married the Rommel knew Franz Schuck at Osterley)
Jacob FLICK, 22, Vinedresser, and his wife Maria Barbara, 21
Henry FLORY, 29, Vinedresser, and wife Eva Catherine, 33
Ludwig KOPF, 24, Vinedresser, and his wife Cathristina, 34
Leonhard OSWALD, 24, Vinedresser, his wife ElisabethaMargaretha, 25, and family.
In relation to single male vinedressers, the only sponsorship I know for certain is my Franz Schuck, evidenced by the birth records which evidence the birth of the first three of Franz Schuck’s children at Osterley and the fourth, Robert, at Ash Island in 1865.
DEATH
ROMELL – The Friends of FREDERICK and GEORGE ROMELL are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of their deceased Father, GOTTLIEB ROMELL: To move from the residence of Mrs Barrett, Ash Island, THIS (Thursday) AFTER NOON, at half-past 2 o’clock, for Sandgate Cemetery.
ROMELL – The Friends of Mrs JOHN TAYLOR, of Tomago, and Mrs BARRETT, are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of their deceased Father, GOTTLIEB ROMELL: To move from the residence of Mrs Barrett, Ash Island, THIS (Thursday) AFTERNOON, at half-past 2 o’clock, for Sandgate Cemetery. ARCHIBALD HAY, Undertaker.¹
ROMELL – The Friends of Mr. and Mrs. F. SILVA are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of their deceased Uncle, GOTTLIEB ROMELL: To move from the residence of Mrs. Barrett, Ash Island, THIS (Thursday) AFTERNOON, at half-past 2 o’clock, for Sandgate Cemetery. ARCHIBALD HAY, Undertaker.
Catherine ROMMEL born 1823, daughter of Sophia Rommel
IN MEMORIAM – ROMMELL – In loving remembrance of my dear mother, Catherine Rommel, who died at Ash Island on May 7th, 1892; aged 69 years.
‘Tis hard to break the tender cord, When love has bound the heart; ‘Tis hard, so hard, to speak the words, We for a time must part. We miss thee from our home, dear mother; We miss thee from thy place; A shadow o’er our life is cast, We miss the sunshine of thy face.
Inserted by her loving daughter and son-in-law, Sophia and George Barrett, Ash Island.²
CHILDREN
They had 5 children includingFrederick and George Arthur Rommell born 1863 died 3 April 1916 at Waratah. George married Ash Island’s Eliza Schuck, Franz Josef Schuck’s daughter.
According to a Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser article reporting on the sale of “Ash Island farms” which appeared on Saturday. 25 May 1889, George Rommel purchased “Lots 58 and 59.—43 acres 3 roods 4 perches, £21 per acre; G.”
A daughter married Ash Island’s William Barrett³ . On the William’s daughters, a Mrs R Murrell, had vivid recollections of her grandmother who lived on Ash island till she was well over 70.”My grandmother reared a family of 8 children on 7 acres of land – alone most of the time, for my grandfather died suddenly when he was young,” she said. “The only access to the island then was a very small hand-winched ferry which crossed the river near the Chinamen’s gardens. It was so small that it held only a few sulkies but there were never any queues.”
Fond Memories Of Ash Island Recent stories about Ash Island have brought nostalgic memories to Mrs. R. Murrell, of Girvan, via Stroud, whose father, Mr. William Barrett, was a native of the island. Mrs. Murrell has vivid recollections of her grand mother, who lived on Ash island till she was well over 70. “My grandmother reared a family of eight children on seven acres of land – alone most of the time, for my grandfather died sud denly when he was young,” she said. “The only access to the island then was a very small hand-winched ferry which crossed the river near the Chinamen’s gardens. It was so small that it held only a few sulkies but there were never any queues.” Mrs. Murrell remembers her childhood trips to her grandmother’s home for Christ mas parties and holidays. “There was a small seat fit ted on the floor of our sulky on which we children sat,” she said. Later when the family grew too big it eventually increased to 12, my father would go up to the island on Christmas Eve, drive the big dray down and take us all up very early on Christmas morning. “As each one married the Christmas gatherings grew. Sometimes dances would be held in the big living room. Most of the island families the Lintotts, Mannings and Petersons would all turn up.’ Quaint Old Home “My grandmother’s house was quaint,” Mrs. Murrell continued. – “There were four rooms with a step down between the front and back two. “Then there was a long brick passageway to the big living and dining room, which ran along the whole length of the house. “Out from one side of the house were the kitchen and laundry and from the other the cream room and the honey room, which were always cool, even in the hottest weather. ” I would love to return to see it all again just as it was, but, alas, there is nothing left now,” Mrs. Murrell said.⁴
¹ NMH, Thursday 14 July 1898 – ² NMH, Monday 7 May 1894 – ³ NMH, Thursday 11 November 1954 – ⁴ Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), Thursday 11 November 1954, page 5