Commencing our Lutge voyage of discovery - Peter Benson Lutge died on 17 May 1890

We've set up this space to connect with Lutge descendants in Australia - to share stories and develop our understanding of the family in Australia and our Danish and Irish roots.

Peter Benson Lutge was born on 15 March 1837 on Aabenraa, Aabenraa-Sonderborg, Denmark.  Peter was the oldest of the eight children of Johann Friedrich Lutge (Lytge or Lutje) and Maria Cathrina Jensen (Jensdr).  The various spellings demonstrate how difficult this research can be!  Equally, there can be absolute gems fall into you lap like this page from the 1855 Denmark Census.

https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-10258-1907202-/peter-b-lutge-in-1855-denmark-census?indId=individual-382609941-2000217&s=382609941

Dated 4 August 1855, Peter Benson, aged 17, is living at Vaegterplads in Aabenraa with his father, Johann Friedrich (47), his mother, Maria Cathrina (45) and his 2 younger brothers and 5 younger sisters - Cathrina Dorothea (16), Hans Jensen (14), Johann Friedrich (12), Anna Adelheid (10), Bothilde Maria (8), Cathrina (6) and Marie Christine (4).  At this point, I can't explain the repetition of names between the oldest and second youngest daughters.

Aabenraa, Denmark - Peter Benson Lutge's home town

Aebenraa (open beach) is described as an historic market town which was a fishing village in the 1700s and developed into a shipping town.  It's located at the head of the Aabenraa Fjord.  From about 1750 to 1865, its ships sailed all over the world trading with the Mediterranean countries, China, South America and Australia.   As a result of the Second War of Schleswig, it became part of Prussia in 1864 and, as such, part of the North German Confederation.  In 1871, the town became part of the German Empire.  In 1920, it rejoined Denmark.

X marks the spot of Aabenraa, Denmark - Peter Benson Lutge's home town

Peter was a man of the sea.  I've traced some of his voyages prior to his arrival in Australia on 25 May 1862 - a crewman on The Hindoo.  

On 19 October 1864, Peter, aged 27, married Mary Bonner at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney.  Mary was 10 years younger than Peter Benson and had arrived with her aunt, Sarah Sweeney, from County Donegal, Ireland on 05 December 1863 on board the Hotspur.  Peter and Mary were both living in Cumberland Street in The Rocks, Sydney when they married - Peter's occupation was a mariner and Mary's a servant.  

Cumberland Street, The Rocks - date unknown

Peter was naturalised on 26 June 1869 around the time their third child was born.  The family had settled in Cumberland Street.   Peter describes himself as a ship owner and stevedore on these document which also bear his signature.



For a short time in the early 1870s, Peter was the licencee of the Dumbarton Castle Hotel in Kent Street, The Rocks.  We don't know if he was still a stevedore during this time.  By 1875, he was out of the hotel game and living in Princes Street, The Rocks.

Miller's Point and The Rocks around 1870

In the mid 1880s, Peter, Mary and their 10 young children moved to "Military Road, St Leonards" - around Mosman.

The family of Peter Benson Lutge and Mary Lutge (nee Bonner)

Peter and Mary continued to live in the area.  Peter and Richard Moran had a stevedoring partnership that operated from around Mosman Bay.

On 25 Jun 1889, Mary Lutge (nee Bonner) died, aged 42 at her home in "Military Road St Leonards" from "brights disease of kidneys".  Peter and Mary were married for almost 25 years.  Mary was buried at the Catholic Cemetery in Gore Hill, St Leonards on 27 June 1889.

Less than a year later on 1 May 1890, Peter died at his home in "Military Road, Mossman Bay, North Shore" from "valvular disease of the heart and broncho pneumonia".  Peter and Mary were survived by their 10 children.  Peter was buried with Mary on 19 May 1890 at the Catholic Cemetery in Gore Hill.  

Family Notices (1890, June 25). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 4. Retrieved May 17, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128768482

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