Herbig Tree at Springton: Lisa views the historic living conditions in the Barossa Valley region of South Australia
It stands like a beacon at the entrance of the little town of Springton in the Adelaide Hills. This gnarled old river redgum says a lot about the tenacity of the early German settlers who arrived here in the 1850s.
This is the Herbig Tree - home sweet home to Friedrich Herbig and his young wife, Caroline who moved ion here as young newlyweds 150 years ago. If the tree could talk it would no doubt recount the stories Friedrich and Caroline's great grandson, David Herbig shares about the bizarre circumstances that brought them together way back in 1858.
David Herbig: "Caroline was looking after two little kids. She was home with two little boys aged two and a half and another a few months old. A stranger knocked on the door claiming to be looking for straying cattle. She said she hadn't seen any and attacked her, dragged her to the vicinity of the cow yard, put a rope around her neck and hung her off a wattle tree, stabbed her above the left breast and left her hanging there. Then went inside to ransack the house looking for money.
"Fortunately, she was on the plump side, her weight bent the wattle tree enough for her feet to touch the ground, she managed to free herself, ran half a mile to a neighbouring farmhouse, call out 'de-kinda, de-kinda, the children, the children. They sent for the doctor. The doctor said it was only because of the fatty tissue of the stab wound that she didn't bleed to death."
It was while she was recovering from that traumatic experience that she met Friedrich. They married soon after and began their life together in the old gumtree that's gone down in Springton's pioneering history.
With the birth of two children, they outgrew their digs and moved 500 metres up the road where they built a much more conventional abode at what's now known as the Herbig Homestead. The 1860 cottage of timber slab walls and flagstone floor in remarkably good condition considering it was built with no nails or modern tools. Two more sons were born here.
David Herbig: "The story goes that Friedrich used to say goodnight to the boys at a certain time every night. He'd call out to make sure they were all here. And of course they always knew what time he was going to come because he was very punctual. They were always here when he called but not necessarily for very long after.
"As the family continued to grow, in 1864 they had four children, Friedrich's mother was coming out from Germany to join them and they built a stone cottage and they had a further 12 children here bringing the tally to 16."
Sixteen children - nine sons and seven daughters - all from a marriage that began in a local gum tree. Friedrich died 1886 aged 58 which Caroline lived on for another 40 years eventually passing away in 1927 at the age of 87. There are now more than 900 descendants - including Adelaide Crows Captain and All-Australia, Simon Goodwin. Four Herbig families still live in the Springton area and one of the most active is David who loves sharing his ancestor's fascinating story.
He's published the family and district history in his book entitled 'Once There Was a Very Old Gum Tree'. David also runs German Heritage Excursions around the Springton area for school groups or anyone who's interested in German history. To book a tour or purchase a book contact David on 8568 2287.If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
The Herbig Tree
SpringtonSprington German Heritage Excursions
Contact David Herbig
Ph 8568 2287Published 4th October 2009
