Augustus Mundt

Born C.1821, son of Friedrich and Louisa Mundt (nee Hobet) came to Australia from Prussia, Germany in January 1862 on the ship "Cesar Godeffroy". Landing at Port Alma he moved directly to the Alton Downs Agricultural Reserve where he purchased three portions of land, being Parish of Nicholson, Portions 61,62, 63, an area of some 160 acres. Augustus' first marriage was to Mary Duban in Germany , known children of this marriage were Frederica and Mary. Mary (nee Duban) died in Germany and Augustus then married Wilhelmmina Brandenburg at Prenzlow in Prussia. (Wilhelmenia was the daughter of Christian and Christina Brandenburg (nee Bame). Travelling with him to Australia were his wife, Wilhelmina and five children, namely Frederica and Mary, from his first marriage and Frederick August, Wilhelmina Louise and William Henry from his second marriage. Augustus lost his wife, Wilhelmina on 18th May 1862 aged 35years. Her daughter Wilhelmina Louise had died on April 16, 1862. The following year their son Frederick August died on 3rd January 1863. Augustus abandoned his three children Frederica, Mary and William. His third marriage was to Elizabeth Johnstone ( a widow from Tasmania) who was also a German migrant being born in Prenzbur, Prussia. A minister of the Primitive Methodist Church married them in a house at Laurel Bank on 15th April 1875. Elizabeth Johnstone had been a teacher in Germany so started teaching school from her home at Alton Downs for a fee of three pence (2 cents) per pupil per week. Several families who had more than one child found it almost impossible to keep paying. The government was petitioned for a Provisional School which was established 12 June 1882 and was known as the Lilymere School. Mrs. Elizabeth Mundt remained as teacher with 15 pupils. The school continued to operate in the Mundt home. It is interesting to note that one pupils, Peter Roos is named with Augustus Mundt as guardian. This school was closed in 1892 when the Alton Downs Provisional School was opened opposite the cemetery. Records show that Elizabeth Mundt received a salary of 65 pounds per annum in 1887. Education Queensland records show in an Inspector's report of 17th March 1889 describe Mrs Mundt as "a rather superior woman to the ordinary farmer's wife, and has taught a private school before. The letter "L" is her great stumbling block which she constantly fals foul. She is an elderly woman with one child or a step child Peter Roos.