They came out on the ship Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee Patel, an Indian ship. The captain, Charles Laun, sailed the Patel from Bremen with 262 German immigrants, after a voyage of 117 days from port to port. This cargo was also on the ship: 145 cases merchandise, 16 kegs merchandise, 19 chests hardware, 10 tons tar, 10 tons pitch, 15 bales cordage, 2 packages cigars, 1 cask nails, 6 rolls lead, 1 package merchandise, 6 pans, 4 forms, 3 plates, 4 lead troughs, 50 carboys linseed oil, 9 bales wire, 11 packages miners tools, Stakeman, 9 cases merchandise, 1 cask do Order, 1 case Mundy, 1 case Dutton, and 2 cases Laun. Her passage had been a pleasant and prosperous one throughout with the exception of the last Sunday when the weather was so rough and stormy that the ship was nearly thrown to her beam ends. Even the sailors admitted that they were in considerable danger for a few hours. The passengers she brought were of a rather superior class, and comprised many tradesmen, such as: linen-, cotton- and cloth-weavers, miners, two chemists, and a practical assayer, besides the usual carpenters, builders, shoe-makers, tailors etc. They were in good spirits and appeared to be well-pleased with the first glimpse of their newly-adopted country. They rejoiced to hear that perfect religious liberty was the rule of the Government in this country, as persecution on the ground of spiritual faith was more rife than ever in Germany, especially in the domains of the King of Prussia. Amongst the newcomers on this vessel were Hanovarians, Hessians, Saxons and others. There were seven children born on the passage, and eleven persons had died, chiefly very old men and young children. About 200 of the Silesians in the group were accommodated temporarily in Bethany and Langmeil. Some settled at Light Pass, which soon led to the formation of a separate congregation.

Johann Franz Sonntag, then aged 25 years, a son of Franz Matthias, also came from Germany with his wife, Maria Dorothea (nee Gratz), on the same ship. Johann Franz was born at Coppen. When he grew up and was married, he owned a farm at Stentsch, now called Szczaniec (near Bentschen) in Poland.

Johann Franz Sonntag and Maria Gratz

Marriage document 

Both Sonntag families settled in Bethany, South Australia. There are no records to indicate where Franz Matthias made his home. It could have been in one of the little cottages at the foothills. Johann Franz bought a small property, lot 20 of section 5, near the foot-hills. This land was transferred from Friedrich Gottlieb Hamdorf, a wheel-wright, and Carl Heinrich Thiele, to Johann Franz Sonntag. Here the couple settled into their home. They were very unfortunate with their family. It is recorded that there were 16 children from the first marriage; some were miscarriages, and some died in infancy.

Details are given of only one son, that is Johann Carl August, who was born on May 31, 1852; baptized on June 8, 1852, by Pastor H. A. E. Meyer at Bethany, and lived 8 days. Franz's first wife, Maria, died on July 16, 1855, at the age of 36 years from apoplexy, a brain haemorrhage. Franz remarried in the same year on August 30, 1855, at the Sonntag residence. The officiating minister was Dr. C.W. L. lacke. His second wife was Julianne Henriette Friedericke Preiss who was born at Hanover on October 27, 1839. She came out to Australia with her parents, two brothers and two sisters on the ship, Herder, in 1851, arriving at Port Adelaide on September 21. They then came to the country and settled at Gawler for a while. Then they walked to Angas Park, and lived there for some time.

In 1856 a son was born to Franz and Julianne. His name was Franz Albert. He lived only 5 months and died from a gastric disorder. Records stated that 23 children were born from the second marriage. Some again were miscarriages and some children died in infancy. However, fifteen children are recorded in this book as descendants. These children were all baptized. Franz and his wife with their family spent all their married life on the property at Bethany. As the children became older they were married and left. After Franz died, Julianne moved to Tanunda. This Sonntag residence was then transferred to the youngest son, Carl Ludwig. He, his wife and thirteen children, carried on again until Carl died. The property was then transferred to one of his sons-in-law, Edgar Herbert Kassebaum, in 1972.

I have attached a clip showing Zbąszyń and surrounding countryside as it is today. It is a promotional video for the town made in 2013.

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Klemzig is a suburb of Adelaide in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. It was the first settlement of German immigrants in Australia and was named after the village of Klemzig, near Züllichau in southeastern Brandenburg in the German state of Prussia, where they originated from. That Klemzig is now in western Poland and is now known by the Polish name Klępsk.

Street scene of Klemzig painted by George French Angas in 1846

Credit for the following goes to Erna G. Hentschke (nee Sonntag). This is a transcription of the work in the creation of the Sonntag Reunion Book published in 1974. Hopefully publishing online allows more people to enjoy the hard work and discover more about the history of the Sonntags

Blazon:

Azure; a terrace vert, surmounted by a figured sun in splendour, all within a golden border.
Crest: Between two buffalo horns argent; the sun of the arms.
Symbolism:
Azure - A bright blue color which represents truth and loyalty.

Border - This charge is used as a difference between relatives bearing the same arms; it is also an augmentation of an honor. The color gold denotes the qualities of generosity and elevation of mind.

Sun - Revered in nearly every culture as the giver of life, glory and power.

Vert - The color green. Represents the qualities of hope, joy and loyalty in love.

Port Adelaide in 1847 (SA Archives)

The second image overlooks Lake Błędno from the township of Zbąszyń.