2 
 
And what I am about to write now, is The Holy Baptism of the Mickan twins, this has impressed me 
so much ever since I have been told, even now at this very moment, it is very clear in my mind, so 
here it is.  
The twin’s mother was a dressmaker. Just imagine the long white christening gowns, the lovely lace 
trimmings, and a very nice small cover in fine white soft linen trimmed with lace. When the babies 
were lying on the pillows, a blue silk ribbon for the girl and a red silk ribbon for the boy were tied 
twice around each pillow and twice with a bow on the top of each pillow.  
I do not know, but presume a shawl would be used for the cover up of the babies. 
 
The baptism took place at Tanunda, 8 miles from Eben-Ezar. I have been told that Anna Mickan 
carried the baby girl and Andreas Mickan carried the baby boy namely – daughter, Son.  
I am not aware of what conveyance was used, neither who took the Mickan family to Tanunda, and 
I think the name of the minister who officiated was Pastor Staudmeier. 
 
The names given were Anna for the baby daughter and Johann for the baby Son, and I do remember 
quite well being told the following: 
Very friendly people at Tanunda invited the Mickans for lunch and drinks were served, including 
very special dark red wine. 
 
The following are the names of the Andreas Mickans family, who were all born at Eben – Ezar and 
registered at Stockwell, South Australia. 
Johann and Anna the twins, Christianne, Andreas, Magdalena and Elizabeth. 
 
As I am writing this script, thinking of those early years in Australia, the first and foremost thought 
of the migrants would have been to build a church, and a school. 
The name of an early Minister was Pastor Nickquet, and the names of the teachers were Andreas 
Dallwitz, both Senior and Junior (Father and Son) (This is my late husbands Grandfather, and 
Uncle.) 
“O memories that bless” 
 
It has at this very moment entered my mid, that Andreas Mickan attended school at Lights Pass, 
South Australia, for one year and that his teachers name was Mr Lowke. 
 
During the year 1868, the Andreas Mickans family were on the move again, and their destination 
was Albury, New South Wales. 
 
Furniture and farm machinery were loaded on to a paddle steamer at Blanchetown, South Australia, 
which made the long journey up the River Murray to Albury. 
 
Fifty-six people from Ebenezer, Stockwell and Lights Pass, South Australia travelled in a wagon 
train, from the Barossa Valley district, South Australia.  
 
They walked along the River Murray all the way to Albury. 
 
My late father, namely Andreas Mickan told me quite a lot in regards to this journey. Fish he said 
were in great abundance in the river Murray at this time.  
 
When they arrived in Albury there was great excitement as they were given an official reception. 
 
Andreas Mickan took up a selection of land, 350 acres at Bethel, Post Office Huon, seventeen miles 
North of Albury. He built a house, up on the hill. The property became known as Mickans and is 
still known as this to this very day. 
 

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