Respectability in an Era of Religious Revival: the Golden Age

Respectability in an era of Religious Revival: The Golden Age

The battle for Copenhagen in 1801 and again in 1807, and the Napoleonic wars in Europe to 1815 barely registered in the life of this branch of the family.

Antonius Thomasellis Preisler was born in Copenhagen at Den kgl. Fodselsstiftelsen for unwed mothers on Jan 28 1791. He was adopted as a baby by Niels Hansen and his wife Kirstine Jensdatter and grew up in the small place of Højby. Niels was a husmand med Jord og graver, a small holder who didn’t have a farm. To supplement a small income he was also graver employed to perform various administrative tasks about the church and graveyard including the maintenance and planting.

Photograph from Jens Stolt on panoramio.com Rorup Kirk and Kirkeyard

In 1801 Antonius is said to be ‘Fra opfostringen, Kustfond’ for bringing up and rearing with funds from the ‘kust’ which could be ‘kunst’ an art fund. Possibly as his father and mother had been performers or possibly due to his grandfather being an artist. There were funds for his support and also so he could be apprenticed to a trade to be hjulmager wheel maker, and find his way in life with a respectable trade.

Gård i Højby was shared by Olav Sejeroe on panoramio.com. The most remarkable thing in the whole area is Bronze age mound Kongehøjen used for observations .

1 From Højby to the Rorup Kirke, this was far from a bustling city area (Google Maps)

Possibly as a wheelmaker, Antonius had need of the local blacksmith to make rims. Why Kirke Saaby and not Roskilde, we don’t know, but it is at Kirke Saaby he meets the blacksmith Jens Clausen’s daughter Maren. He most likely had access to a horse and cart to travel there, as Antonius is from Højby over a 2hr walk away from Kirke Saaby. When he marries 17 November 1812, he is surnamed Nielsen son of Niels the man who brought him up, to fit into his narrow world bounded by seasons and the near-bye village. There would have been no sense there of the drama of Napoleon’s struggles with Russia, that in the end would bring relative peace to Europe and Denmark.

Google maps 2 Antonius and Maren likely grew up without a sense of the turmoil, some distance from events. The era may be summed up in the introduction to the Golden Age Den danske guldalder.

“Copenhagen, the centre of the country's intellectual life, first experienced huge fires in 1794 and 1795 which destroyed both Christiansborg Palace and large areas of the inner city. In 1801 (April), as a result of the country's involvement in the League of Armed Neutrality, the British fleet inflicted serious damage on the city during the Battle of Copenhagen. In 1807, on rumours that the French might force Denmark to close the Baltic to their shipping, the British once again bombarded Copenhagen, this time specifically its civilian population. Then in 1813, as a result of the country's inability to support the costs of war, Denmark declared a State bankruptcy “ Wikipedia

Peter Anderson in his blog notes “Christian VII (29 January 1749 – 13 March 1808) reigned as King of Denmark and Norway from 1766 until his death. He was afflicted with serious mental illness. From 1784 until 1808, his son ruled as de-facto regent, becoming King Frederick VI upon Christian's death. He was a fairly liberal monarch, but perhaps not well suited to the challenges that the Napoleonic Wars would bring.

The Danes saw action during the Napoleonic Wars, but most of it was away from the main theaters. In November 1800, Denmark renewed the Treaty of Armed Neutrality with Russia and Sweden, which pertained to freedom of shipping in the Baltic Sea. This was perceived as an act of hostility by Great Britain. The threat of invasion by Britain was real, and the Danes were totally unprepared. They raised several volunteer units, most notable the King's Livjager Corps,..In April of 1801 the British navy attacked the Danish fleet at Copenhagen. After a fierce battle in the harbor, none less than Admiral Horatio Nelson ignored orders from the fleet commander, Sir Hyde Parker to break off action. Nelson instead destroyed most of the Danish fleet. Danish losses roughly 6,000 dead and wounded, six times those of the British.

The 1st Battle of Copenhagen shocked the Danes into putting their military on a more modern footing. Despite their defeat, the Danes retained a considerable Navy. Following the defeat of Prussia by Napoleon in 1806, Britain became concerned that Napoleon would invade Denmark, and seize the Danish fleet for his own use. In 1807, the majority of the Army, under the command of the Crown Prince, was stationed in southern Jutland, prepared to oppose a French invasion. Both France and England attempted to persuade the Danes to give up their neutrality, and support their cause, but neither was successful. On July 31, 1807 Talleyrand was instructed to tell the Danes to prepare for war against Britain or face invasion by a French Corps under Marshal Bernadotte. Instead, the British sent a fleet of 22 ships to attack Denmark, resulting in the 2nd Battle of Copenhagen, August 16 - September 5th, 1807. They demanded surrender of the Danish fleet to Britain. The Danes resisted, and the British fleet bombarded the city for three days. The bulk of the civilian population had been evacuated prior to the bombardment. The bombardment included Congreve Rockets, which started a number of fires, burning over 1,000 buildings, made worse by the civilian evacuation who would have fought the fires. The bombardment of the city killed some 195 civilians and injured 768. British troops under Arthur Wellesley defeated a Danish force, composed largely of militia, at the Battle of Køge. The Danes capitulated on September 7th, handing over their fleet to Britain for the duration of the war. Denmark thus became the firm if reluctant ally of Napoleon.” http://blundersonthedanube.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/danish-army-of-napoleonic-wars- part-1.html

3 With the city still recovering, Antonius’ father, Joachim Daniel Preisler an actor, died in Copenhagen April 2 1809 in poverty at Frederiks Hospital, near the place his son is born leaving 4 girls from 2 marriages, the eldest Johanne single at 29, the youngest Charlotte Emile a baby. Johanne never married and dies in 1815 and Charlotte Emile dies 13 in 1822, which many indicate they were poor. Joachim Daniel’s era, was the one of Struensee and of the mad King, but it was now ended and a new era was beginning.

The whole nation was to be affected by the forces that propelled N.F.S. Grundtvig (1783-1872) to boldly denounce the clergy of Copenhagen in his first sermon in 1810. Grundtvig published that sermon and it offended the ecclesiastical establishment. In that year 1810 Grundtvig underwent a religious crisis and converted to a deeper Lutheranism. There was an emergence of deep spiritual and intellectual ethos.

Not far away at an equal radius, in Roskilde, 3 June 1810 Ane Kirstine Redder or Ridder was born to a shoemaker and his wife of noble descent. She was to impact on their lives more nearly.

Antonius, known as Nielsen, and Maren have a son Hans Christian in Kirke Saaby, Feb 16 1813. Hans Christian is a popular combination at that time, Hans Christian Andersen being born 1805.

They must feel the need to move and enter a wider world. Though it is now a time of peace, Antonius seeks a role in the military, and by January 6 1815 when his daughter Marie is born he is an under constable in the military Garrison in Copenhagen (Garnison). Marie is Antonius’ mother’s and grandmother’s name. His mother Marie Christine Jensen had died when he was 6 years old in 1797.

On Aug 14 1817 Ane Catherine is born to Anthon Celis Bombarier 1st Art. Corps, and Maren Jensdatter. This indicated he is now part of the Army.

In 1819 Antonius would have been keenly aware of army action. Though the nations had signed treaties the people were in ferment with new ideas. E. O. A. Hedegaard writes of an episode where large portions of the Copenhagen garrison were set against rioters in the otherwise peaceful royal city.

Hedegaard points out that after the Napoleonic wars in 1815, the majority of Europe was split, many disillusioned and poor. The extensive French occupation had created strong fractions and parties which by legitimate or violent means sought to destroy the power of lords and introduce democratic governance. This was evident in Germany, where student organizations were enthusiastic about political freedom, patriotism and nationalism.

4 German author August Kotzebue (1761-1819), who, as Russia's advocate penned reactionary writings with blazing criticism of youth's liberal and national ideas, attracted great hatred and was murdered in March 1819. The murder caused a riot in Germany and as often happened earlier and later in history, the mob had turned on Jews (perhaps perceived as liberal?) who were subjected to violent persecution. This riot reached Copenhagen where the poverty had formed a ground for violent, emotional discharges and this consequent irrational riot of 1819.

Hedegaard tells of a well reputed silk and clothing manufacturer, Raphael at Østergade 67, who had set up a shop, elegant and advanced: mahogany wood with gilded columns. The display panel was made of glass with the company's name in gold-plated letters. Jacobsen's shop was similarly equipped in the same street. The windows were filled with luxury items, in an era of shortages. On September 3, someone wrote on the stock exchange, calling on "all good and Christian citizens" to stand together to drive the Jews, "this society's plague", out of Copenhagen. They called for assembly in Østergade where richest Jews' business were to be found. The police chief was warned but the local police were not able to deal with the mob that emerged, broke windows, and damaged the buildings apparently even retreating to pubs, rather than arrest the rioters. On Sunday September 6th, there was looting of the damaged buildings.In Læderstræde, Hyskenstræde, Vimmelskaftet, Kjøbmagergade, Gammeltorv and elsewhere the windows were smashed, some sought to enter the houses and destroy the furniture.

Frederick VI was a popular, personal, warm-hearted monarch, who received in the chamber's chamberlains as well as constables. He was convinced that anyone could have the faith he wanted without concealment. His motto was “God and the just cause"

We, Frederik the Sixth, etc., are quite aware: We have with extreme dismay experienced that many light and ignorant people have in our royal city of residence allowed the mob to execute violent acts against many of our subjects, so that they have even gone so far as to oppose the power they have used to enforce citizenship. We have therefore found ourselves moved to take such powerful measures to restore the peace and tranquility that should exist between citizens they be protected and we would therefore warn everyone to not get close to the places where conspiracy and riot exists, as he must know himself that he is at risk when power is used against the disturbance of public righteousness, because anyone who falls on such occasions lies on his deeds. So, by this means, all assemblies on the street are prohibited, the police, when more than two or three are found, have power to separate them. Those in disobedience to police orders or others are to be held in order to restore peace and order, any participation in violent conduct, deterioration of public prosperity, Our commissioned commission, is authorized to without appeal, to apply strict corporal punishment, or, by the nature of the case, even apply the death penalty. Copenhagen, 6th Sept. 1819 th Frederik R. Kaas (L. S.)

1600 of the army were mobilised to deal with the rioters, the 7th September seeing armed clashes. The unrest lasted until the 12th. There was no free press in this era, despite the king’s liberality. His rein was absolute and he controlled the armed forces. The army leaders gave instruction to break the riot with use of firearms as required, but it seems no one was killed, not even Jews (though there were many of both injured) and many arrested. The king was described as: "Frederick the Sixth, King of the Jews," an allusion to the gospel of Mark. By the 30th of September the riot was fully over. https://krigsvidenskab.dk/joedefejden-i-koebenhavn-1819

5 The king’s letter sets the tone for the era of N.F.S Grunting, and the golden era that became one of religious infused respectability by mid century. Faith and conviction would become personal. The priests would be no longer custodians of the national consciousness but the individual. The individual had a more marked sense of how they wished to be seen in the eyes of their God and their fellow man.

In 1828 Danish consciousness was also outward looking toward Germany and England and it was decreed that all Danes take surnames. The family finally emerge as Preislers. Clearly there was national discussion leading up to the decree. In this era of discussion about names, from 1820 there is also a personal drama of identity in the life of Antonius.

Antonius had to prove who he was, to obtain a large legacy. Below is a description from 500 Preislere i 500 år eller Den danske gren af Slægten Preisler

At han havde en slags dabsattest med Anthonius Thomaselli, og at han (måske senere) kendte sin biologiske forælder, kommer frem, da en halvsoster Mariane Galeotti, dør og efterlader en stor arv.

Arvesagen udviklede sig til en indviklet retsag, der vareded i 4 aar (1820-24).

Højesterets Voteringsprotolol for Aar 1824, Litra C Nr. 59 Forhenværende Berider Henrik Bruhn paa sin Hustrue Cathrine Margrethe Jensens, ogsaa kaldet Fredelund, hendes Vegne contra Bombarder Anthonius Thomaselli Presier Vota

I december Maaned 1818 døde her in Staden Mariane Galeotti, en ægate Datter of Balletmester Vincenzo Galeotti of Marie Kirstine Jensen, eller som hun or Kaldes, Fredelund, og blev af den Kongelige Lands Over sanmt Hof og Stadsrets Skiftecommisions taget under Behandling. Denne dom indakede berider Bruhn på sin Hustrue vegne, der påstod at være Jomfrue Frederlunds "kjødelidge søskended" Man A th. kunne ved hjælp af vidner hevise sin identitet:

Den 3 Juli 1820 optaget tingvidne, Huusmand Niels Hansen har under dette bevidnet, at han og hans kone ved Kyndelmisse 1791 meldte sig paa Fødselsstifttelsen her i Staden og modtoge til Opfostring et drengebarn, hvilket de erfarede i Daaben vaer kaldet Anthonius Thomaselli.

Han fik tillige en lille Seddel, hvor dette Navn var paasat, og som han ved Forhøret foreviste. Efter at de omtrent et halvt Fjerdingsaar havde havt dette Barn i Pleje, var der en Dag, da de kom fra Kirken, ankommet en fremmed, velkladt Mandsperson, som de erfarede havde havt Barnets Svøb aabnet og sad med Barnet paa Armen, da de kom hjem.

De Blev herved, som Vidnet udtrykker sig, overraskede. Den fremmede Person tilkjendegav dem imidlertid strax, at han var Barnets Fader og efter at have opholdet sig noget, efterlod han dem med sigende, at han snart vilde komme igjen. Efter 8 eller nogle flere Dages Forløb, kom han igjen, og sagde da, at hans navn var Preisler.

Han tilføjede, at vilde om kort Tid komme med Barnets moder, dennes Søster og en lille Pige. Preisler kunde Vidnet forklare, han var Acteur, kom nemling en Dag til dem tilbage med 3 Fruentimmere, af hvilke det ene var Marie Fredelund, Barnet Moder, det andet Søster Trine Fredelund, Citanens Hustrue, og det tredle begge disses moder, kaldt

6 Madam Fredelund, hvilket sidste Vidnet, efter sin Forklaring, vi nøjere kjender. Der var desuden med dem en lille Pige paa 4 a 5 Aaar af navn Mariane Galeotti.

Dette udsagn blev afgørende, og der kom flere vidneudsagn: Rigtigheden af hvad disse Vidnesbyrd saaledes er oplyst, bestyrker derfor betydeleigen ved flere andre Bevisligheder. Hertil henregner jeg Indstaevnt Plejeforælders tvende Døtre, Anna Elisabeth Hansen of Maren Nielsdatter samt Skuespiller Preislers Enke, Frederikke Reimanns af Givne Vidnesbyrd, og en af Kommissioner Jens Dahl

Sagen er klar, trods de indviklede famieforhold, of A Th. er mere arveberettiget som søn, end Catherine Margrethe Fredelund som soser til "jomfru" Fredelund, der jo arver forst omgang. Han arver en stor sum penge og nedsætter sig som Hjul-og Karetmager. Bopæl i 1825: Torvegade 375 og d.5.5.1827 foreviser han sit mesterstykke i hjul- og - karetmager professionen. Hans Hustrue, Maren Jensdatter, bliver sa fin, at hun begynder at kalde sig Mariane, men de bliver skilt in 1831, efter A.Th. bliver indblandet i checkfalsk, som han dog bliver frikendt for.

The Danish account from 500 Preislere i 500 år incorrectly says Antonius was confirmed as Anton Nielsen, In 1804 he was confirmed as Antonius Thomasellis Preisler in Glim Kirke. This shows Antonius Thomaselli knew his biological parents. This is evident when a half-sister Mariane Galeotti. dies in 1818 in and leaves a great legacy. The arbitration case evolved into an intricate lawsuit that lasted 4 years from 1820 to 1824.

His half sister Mariane Galeotti likely was born in 1785 at the Den Kgl. Fødselsstiftelse (there is a Mariane 16 April, but it is not uncommon) to Marie Christine Jensen or Fredelund. Marie’s mother had married Abraham Fredelund when Marie was young. Marie took Fredelund as her stage name as a ballet dancer and was known as Jomfru Fredelund. Danish Ballet from 1775 was led by a world renown figure Vincenzo Thomaselli (b. 5.3.1733 Florence) who took the surname Galeotti. He had married in 1763 the ballet dancer Antonia Guidi, but she died 29.7.1780. He was known for his vibrant innovative ballet. In 1784 the star of his innovative choreography Anine Marie Magdalene Frølich and Galeotti became lovers, but the relationship ended unhappily. Exhausted by the intense physical demands of her art, her health deteriorated quickly. Anine Frølich, collapsed during a performance and was carried home, but died shortly afterwards on 6 November 1784 at just 22. The next star dancer was Mariane Jensen (b.20.11.1767 Mariager d.29.8.1797 of dancer Sebastian Samuel Lever 1737–1812 & Anne Marie Jensdatter Spentrup 1750–96). Marie Fredelund was known to be very beautiful. It is known she had to give up dancing as she broke her foot, and then goes to acting. Marie’s first acting role was for a performance 25.03.1784 as Elise a 12 year old daughter in ‘ Ægteskabsdjævelen ’ a comedy by J.C. Tode (she was 17). There is then a significant gap to her Debut role in 10.1.1786 as Angelique in Den nye Prøve . From 1786 Marie is thought to have been a mistress of Joachim Daniel Preisler, and Mariane was 4 or 5 in 1791 suggesting a birth c.1786. From 1786 Marie was acting full time. Perhaps the damaged foot was cover, or perhaps it co-incided. In 1801 Mariane is living with Vincenzo with his other daughter Caroline.

FT-1801 Købmager Kvarter, Store Købmager Gade Matr. 11, 69, Vincent Galeotti 58 Enke Huusfader Balletmester, Caroline Galeotti 27 Ugift hans Datter, Mariane Jess 13 (b 1788) Ugift antaget Barn Hos Galeotti, Maren Giede 30 Ugift Tienestepige, Pauline Christensen 25 Ugift Tienestepige.

7 Mariane Galeotti debuted as ballet dancer a couple of years after the death of the father Vincenzo (December 16, 1816, perhaps his retirement in 1812? When she was 27), but did not secure favour and retired shortly afterwards. When she and the sister (Caroline) died, they sought legitimate heirs for the small fortune that Galeotti had accumulated. The lucky one became, after the words of Antonine Bournonville (Galeotis’ Balettmaster successor), an Italian who had landed in one of our unions like Tambourmajor . He proved he was the rightful heir and returned to Galeottis’ country of birth. http://scans.library.utoronto.ca/pdf/5/37/dendanskeskuepla00zachuoft/dendanskeskuepl a00zachuoft.pdf

The daughter Marriane Galeotti must have inherited part of the Galeotti fortune, but she dies 2 years and one day after her father, on 17 December 1818. She is in Trinitatias Parish not far from where Antonius was in Garnisons.

Google maps

A bit over year later proceedings begin to sort out who should inherit from Mariane Galeotti, as it appears Antonius was in dispute with his mother Marie’s sister.

The Supreme Court Voteringsprotcol for the year 1824, has Litra C Nr. 59 Berider Henrik Bruhn representing his wife Cathrine Margrethe Jensen, also called Fredelund

Versus Bombarder Anthonius Thomaselli Preisler Vota

After Mariane Galeotti, a daughter of Balletmaster Vincenzo Galeotti of Marie Kirstine Jensen, or as she or called Fredelund, died, the Royal Court of Justice and the City Council's Skifte (inheritance) committee takes the case.

This judgment invokes Bruhn on behalf of his wife, claiming to be Jomfru Fredelund's "Kjødelidge Sibling". Antonius. testifies with his witnesses, to his identity: He brings in the man who brought him up: Niels Hansen. This is from the case (above in Danish):

8 “On July 3, 1820, Huusmand Niels Hansen has witnessed that he and his wife at Kyndelmisse in 1791 reported to the Den Kgl Fodselsstiftelsen, here in the city and received a boy child for birth, as they learned from the Christening, called Anthonius Thomaselli.

He also received a small note, where this name was asserted, and which he expressed at the hearing. After they had for about a half-year had taken care of this child, there was a day when they came from the church, arriving to find a strange, handsome well dressed man who, as they had learned, had opened the child's sweep? and sat with the child on the arm when they came home.

They thus, as the witness expresses, are surprised. However, the foreign Person immediately acknowledged that he was the father of the child and after staying something, he left them saying that he would soon return. After 8 or more days, he came again and then said that his name was Preisler.

He added that he would in a short time come with the mother of the child, her sister and a little girl. Preisler, the witness explains said he was an actor, one day returned to them with three lady mothers, one of whom was Marie Fredelund, the mother of the child, the second her sister, Trine Fredelund, the wife of (Bruhn), and the third the mother of both of them called Madam Fredelund which last witness, according to his explanation, we know more accurately. There was also a little girl of 4 to 5 years old by the name of Mariane Galeotti.

This statement became crucial and several witness statements were made:

The righteousness of what these testimonies are thus enlightened, and confirms the significance of several other evidences. To this end, I refer to the Inaugured Nursing Parents' twin daughters, Anna Elisabeth Hansen of Maren Nielsdatter and Actor Preisler's widow, Frederikke Reimanns of Givne Witnesses, and one of Commissioners Jens Dahl.

The case is clear, despite the intricate family relationship, that Antonius is the more legitimate heir as a son, than Catherine Margrethe Fredelund as a sister to "Jomfru" Fredelund, who would inherit the first round.”

The court case at the Highest Court (held in the Princes Palace since the fire of 1794) indicates that Joachim Daniel Preisler’s window knew of his son by Marie Fredelund, and that Antonius’ father had taken an interest in him. In the middle of this revealing, 4 year long court case, in 1822, a son is born Apr 14 1822 that they called Joachim Daniel, and christened at Garnisons. He is named for Antonius’ father.

Antonius’s father Joachim Daniel had been dead over 10 years now, and nobody was considering past scandal. Their era had passed. Curiously there is no son named Jens for Maren’s father. There is no daughter Maren for her mother, and we have the sense in all this that Maren is following Antonius, the stronger personality of the two.

9 500 Preislere i 500 år notes Antonius inherits a large amount of money in 1825 and sets himself up as a wheel and carriage-maker. His residence in 1825 is Torvegade 375 and on 5.5.1827 he is registered as a master in the wheel and carriage-maker profession. “His wife, Maren Jensdatter, is so nice that she starts calling herself Mariane.”

Antonius leaves the military in 1824 and returns to a career making wheels, as a svend ‘young man’ meaning an apprentice. They were now living on Torvegade 379. Maren had twins Joachim Julius and Joachim Eduard on April 12, 1824. They were christened at Vor Freslers (which had since 1750 its curious twisted spire).

The taking of surnames must have been discussed before 1828, as in 1824 Maren Jensdatter becomes ‘Mariane Clausen’ as she takes the surname of her father.

Was Mariane always Antonius’ name for Maren, a play on the similarity of Marine, for which Maren is the short version, and the name of his elder sister, or did it become his name for her?

Frederiksberg

Antonius moves out of Copenhagen to Frederiksberg to set up his own business as a Wheelmaker. Frederiksberg was some distance from Copenhagen as this view by Holm of from Frederiksberg Slot to Copenhagen, shows and it was a small village then.

On Nov 14 1826 the son Antonius Thomasellis (named for Antonius not his wife’s father) is born and Mariane becomes Preisler fodt Clausen. He names as godfather a fellow Wheelmaker Moller, a wheelmaker apprentice Thomas Perot and a Smedemester Halversen. Mariane has an affectionate relationship with the midwife Holland. She is named godmother for the 2nd time. This is Anna Hallander born in 1786 in Holstein, 1840 in Dybensgade still a jordemoder Midwife. It is likely they are on Vesterbro, then in Frederiksberg Parish.

In 1828 when the young Marie is confirmed in Frederiksberg we have a picture of a well off, good sized family all growing up: Hans Christian 15, Marie 13, Ane Catherine 11 Joachim Daniel 6, twins Julius and Eduard 4, and Antonius 2.

Heinrich Gustav Ferdinand Holm (1803-1861) View from Frederiksberg Castle to skyline of Copenhagen , dated 1823. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/631148

10 Frederiksberg Slotshave mod København c1830. (H.G.F.Holm) https://nypolitivennen.blogspot.com.au/p/kjbenhavns-satirisk-komiske-veiviser.html

A map of Frederiksberg in 1811 source http://www.taxafinn.dk/falkonerstory.htm

11 It all Changes, the coming of Ane Kirstine Ridder

But something happens, and it all changes. 500 Preislere i 500 år notes that despite Maren changing her name to Mariane to please Antonius they are divorced on 23.9.1831, after Antonius is involved in checkfalsk or counterfeiting, which he is acquitted of. But there is more to the story. 500 Preislere i 500 år counts 8 children to Mariane, but this is not true. There were only 7.

At some point they relocate to Copenhagen. We will now add another voice.: Ane Kirstine Ridder who had left Roskilde for Copenhagen in 1826. And an event at Amaliegade 23-25, Den kongelige fødselsstiftelse where Antonius’ daughter to the unmarried Ane Kirstine Ridder, Antonette Petrine is born Feb 9 1830. The birth record has ‘Preisler’ written in faintly, possibly later.

Jakob Behrend. in 1839 made some comments, about Den kongelige fødselsstiftelse, “Tiny children are helped to the world and are cared for as if the mother who misses has contributed to their lives. It is a human-loving, fruitful and important institution that conceals the diversity of sins. Women drive so thick, so it's a light, and drive out from there as slender as virgins, a prediction many of them continue to lead. And now the girlfriends say to one of them, "God Emilie, where have you been so long?", Is usually answered: "In the countryside!". "During winter?" https://nypolitivennen.blogspot.com.au/p/kjbenhavns-satirisk-komiske-veiviser.html

Map from 1841

http://www.kb. dk/maps/kortsa/ 2012/jul/kortatl as/object70546/ da/

12 We don’t see the family in 1834, as much of Copenhagen is missing in that census. Hans Christian Preisler the eldest son 22, is in Sundbyevester Bye, Tårnby, (born 1812, Ugift Hjulmagersvend ) in the House of Bastian Sorensen, 1804, Peter Olsen, Hjulmagersvend and his wife Oline Hansine de Place 1806.

On March 28 1834 Antonine Kirstine is born Den kongelige fødselsstiftelse. There are no notes on the record and no surname, but she emerges in the 1840 census as Antonius’s daughter and she is confirmed also as Ane Kirstine Ridder’s daughter.

Not long after there is the sadness of the death of Jochim Daniel on April 26 1834 son of Hjulmand Anthonius Preisler, buried Trinitatias. The handwriting is poor but it looks like they lived at H/M?julergade(n)? 128. There is a Vogenmager gade. There is a Myntergade which is Møntergade but in 1840 Møntergade 128 is not Myntergade. In 1837 there was a Myntergade 128. In 1806 Pilestræde 128 becomes Møntergade 128* 1806 owned by Magnus & Valentin, fabrikører. In 1859 it becomes husnumre Møntergade 2 / Pilestræde 54 (this building on the corner of Pilestræde and Myntergade no longer exists, see map on page 12)

Then Emma Marianne is born in the Den Kgl Fødselsstiftelsen on Mar 17 1837. The record for her birth has a pale note, written later, that can just be made out ‘Karetmager Antoni Thomaseis. Preisler og Ane Kirstine fodt Ridder - in next line which is even harder to read a date in 1857.

Copies of the records from the Kirkebog

13 On February 1 1840 there is a census which captures the state of the family.

FT år 1840, Anton Preislen, Amt København, Herred København (Staden) Kvarter Rosenborg Kvarter Stednavn L. Brøndstræde i Huset No 108 Familie nr. 764, Matr.nr. 2 Sal 4125 Anton Preislen Mand 49 1791 Enke(mand) Hiul og Karethmager 4126 Joachim Eduard Presilen Mand 16 1824 Ugift Hans børn 4127 Joachim Julius Preislen Mand 16 1824 Ugift Hans børn 4128 Anton Preislen Mand 14 1826 Ugift Hans børn 4129 Ane Kathrine Kvinde 10 1830 Ugift Hans børn 4130 Antomine Preislen Mand 6 1834 Ugift Hans børn 4131 Emma Mariane Preislen Kvinde 3 1837 Ugift Hans børn 4132 Ane Christine Ridden Kvinde 29 1811 Ugift Haandarbeide

14 Lille Brøndstræde set fra Store Brøndstræde, Niels Ludvig Mariboes billedsamling optaget i perioden 1880-1919, Københavns Museum.

In 1791 Bertel Thorvaldsen (1777-1844) carver of the Golden Age lived with his parents Karen & Gotskalk Thorvaldsen on this street. Gotskalk was a wood-carver at a ship yard. https://arkivet.thorvaldsensmuseum.dk/articles/thorvaldsens-residences

After the big fire in Copenhagen in 1728 two streets, Store and Lille Brøndstræde were built, whose houses were of very low quality. The neighborhood was characterized by a host of hostels and brothels. Below map of Vimmelskaftet & Lille Heiligeststraede.

(from Gedde 1757)

15 Hans Christian is missing from the 1840 census. We might notice something strange: Ane Catherine 1830 is Antone Kirstine born 1830! But Ane Catherine is elsewhere.

Ft 1840 Anna Cathrine Preisler, København (Staden) Købmager Kvarter, Østergade 63 Family No 3, Matr No 2 sal 403 Carl August Bindfeil Male 41 1799 Married Handelsbogholder 404 Johanne Marie Female 35 1805 Married Hans kone 405 Johan August Male 14 1826 Single 406 Christian Waldemar Male 12 1828 Single 407 Anna Cathrine Preisler Female 23 1817 Single Tjenestepige

We might also note in Lille Brøndstræde that Anton is a widow and Ane Kirstine is last on the list, as a labourer. The use of the word Enke(mand) also indicated separated, I have been told with authority from a genealogy group that the word was not as specific, and was used in this era people who had been married and were now alone. We see living not far away,

FT 1840 Mariane Preisler , København (Staden) Sankt Annæ Øster Kvarter, Amaliegade 128, Nybygningen, Lemmestuen No. 8 Familie nr. 597 Matr.nr. No. 8 Kommentar "Født i KirkeSaabye" 3672 Marie Frantzine Antoinette Schneider Kvinde 7 1833 Ugift Faderen forhen Underofficer 3673 Fredericke Sophie Caroline Berg 65 1775 Enke Manden Seilmagersvend 3674 Johanne Marie Brunckel Kvinde 88 1752 Enke Manden Bødkersvend 3675 Maren Overgaard Kvinde 77 1763 Enke 3676 Anne Cathrine Steen Kvinde 79 1761 Enke Manden Arbeidsmand 3677 Mariane Preisler Kvinde 49 1791 Enke Manden Hjulmager

Almindeligt Hospital is for the old, widows, those separated, the infirm, those without work, the mad and alcoholic, the poor who could not manage themselves or stay with the family. It was also the home for a while of the sister of Ane Kirstine Ridder, Ane Helene born 12 October 1812 in Roskilde, was resident there in the 1840s, with also her future husband Hans Nielsen Falck, whom she married 30 December 1846 at Trinitatis,

Almindeligt Hospital. http://www.eremit.dk/ebog/ros/rosenh 4.html

Almindeligt Hospital er beliggende i Amaliegade (127-128) ved det Classenske Bibliothek. Hovedbygningen har en Længde af 305

16 The map locates where all, but the missing Hans Christian were in 1840. All within a half hour walk of each other.

Google maps

On November 28 1842 Ane Kirstine Ridder gives birth to a son named Joachim Daniel at the Fødselsstiftelsen. His birth record has no notes at all. He dies aged 5 in 1848.

In the 1 February 1845 Census they have moved again, to Vimmelskaftet No 138, one of the streets featured in anti Jewish disturbances and riots of 1819, but which now prosperous in the peace of the Golden Age. They are living between the Meyers, Disse 5 personer hører til den mosariske tro (is it co-incidence Meyer turns up further down the tree?), and Moses Salomonsen 1810. It is also the street that Mariane Galeotti had been living on in 1818.

Mariane Preisler in the 1845 Census is still in Sankt Annæ Øster Kvarter I. Almindeligt Hospital, Amaliegade 128 but ‘Hospitalslem’ in the Hospital. She is noted as Separated, born 1790 Saabye Sogn, Manden Hjulmand . On May 11 1845 she is noted in seeking Communion and she dies July 12 1845 at Almindeligt noted as Separatet , 55 years old. The living conditions everywhere in Copenhagen were poor, as the census shows many people to one room of the houses, but the Almindeligt Hospital was noted as crowded. It was perhaps a place where one would not wish to live a long life.

Ane Catherine in the 1845 Census is ‘Trine’ Preisler, Tjenestepige or servant in the house of hotelejer William Murdoch, Bredegade 188. Now called Bredegade 37, it was in 1837 bought by William Murdoch, a Scotsman who turned it into a restaurant ‘Stadt Hamburg’ a gathering place for the wealthy of the neighbourhood. Later in 1847

17 the building was partly demolished to make the most exclusive new hotel in Copenhagen, the Phoenix hosting many famous people and royal families. It was now the Victorian era in England, with both solid moral citizens and the wealthy with a veneer of morality. And people were now on the move. Intriguingly after her mother dies, Ane Catherine Preisler leaves for England, turning up in 1861 in Finneys Cottages, Barrow Field Lane, Edmonton, Middlesex, England as a visitor with James a Police Constable & Martha Edwards, living on investments. She appears never to marry and lives a long life until dying at 78 at NorthCott, Edmonton, Essex, England between April 1896 and June 1896. She lived the Victorian Age as an independent woman as the era transformed from the golden age into the age of industry.

In 1845 Antonine Petrine Preisler, who had likely been the cause of separation of Antonius and Maren, is confirmed as the daughter of Antonius and Ane Kirstine Ridder at Trintatias Kirke, as the nation becomes more educated and more aware of the morality of the Bible .

http://kb-images.kb.dk/DAMJP2/DAM/Maps/0000/070/160/dk004325/full/full/0/native.jpg

1858

1850,1855 1860

1845

They move again, now to Lille Helliggeistesstræde 163. There was rejoicing and sorrow on one day, 24 December 1847 as Joachim Eduard Preisler marries Ane Marie Christensen in Trinitias Kirke, and on the same day Hans Christian’s illegitimate son, Hans Christian, who had been living with the family dies. Hans Christian’s son is buried

18 at Helligånds Kirke. Ane Marie Christensen was the daughter of a farmer from Tolne, Hjorring, living with her uncle a reasonable well off Pub owner (Vaertushusholder ) in Gammel Mont 156.

In 1848 June 14 there is again rejoicing and sorrow. Antonius eldest daughter Marie married Ludvig Grøndahl a Slagter , Butcher, at Garnisons Kirke, but on June 27 Antonius youngest son by Ane Kirstine Ridder, Joachim Daniel dies aged 5 and a half.

The world about reaches their street in September 1849 as David Monies (1812-1894) captures the moment and paints the returned soldiers after the truce in Schleswig- Holstein between Denmark and Germany.

Den samme Begivenhed. Indgangsporten til Helliggeists Kirkeplads, David Monies 1850.

19 Did the Preisler’s like others, race to put out their flags? It does give the sense though that they were living there and then in the centre of the Danish world.

The Fødselsstiftelsen, might be said to becoming a convenient family institution, for it is used again on Oct 27 1849 by the girlfriend of the son Antonius, Elizabeth Thomine Valentin, when their daughter Antoniette Emilie Valentin Preisler is born there. In 1850 Antonius Jr is still single, though no doubt there is pressure for him to marry.

The 1 February 1850 Census is revealing, of what the census taker thought… København (Staden). Frimand Kvarter, Family No 974 Matr Lille Helliggeiststræde 163, stuen i baghuset Antonius Thomassellis Preisler, Born Place, København 4756 Antonius Thomassellis Preisler Male 59 1791 Widow hjul- og karetmager 4757 Ane Kirstine Ridder Female 39 1811 Single 4758 Hans Christian Preisler Male 37 1813 Single hjulmagersvend 4759 Anton Preisler Male 23 1827 Single hjulmagersvend 4760 Emma Mariane Do. Female 12 1838 Single

The local Census taker places Ane Kirstine as if she were a wife, but they note she is unmarried.

It is 1850 the height of the golden age, where Antonius was reaching years of experience making wheels and carriages and his sons were following him to success.

On 13 November 1847 Joachim Eduard, one of the twin sons, became listed as a Borger of the city as Wheel and Carriage maker. 500 Preislere i 500 år also note at some point becomes a member of fire brigade (Bandkorpset). This turns out not to be an irrelevant detail. In the 1850 Census Eduard is living as a Wheel and Carriage-maker, married with his young family nearby within an 8 min walk in Sankt Peders Stræde 120

To round out the family in 1850, his twin Joachim Julius was labouring as svend in Farum, Marie is married living in Høje Taastrup, Ane Cathrine is ‘Trine Preisler’ 32 huusjomfru house keeper to G.K. North 37 of England at Amaliegade 117, Antionette Petrine 30 is servant to Svend Erik Ryberg 34, børstenbindermester in Antonistræde 229, Antonine Kirstine 16 is servant at Ostergade 69 to Jacobine 45, Birgitte 42, and Sara 40, Rasmussen dameskræderinder seamstresses.

Joachim Julius seems not to have been so closely associated with the family, but he must have come from Farum into the city as on 6th September 1850 he marries Johanne Charlotte Grim of 29 Kronprincessgade in Trinitatias Kirk. He was 26 and a Hjulmagersvend from Farum, and he names Grovsmed Blacksmith Casper Hoy as his witness. Casper Hoy lived at that time in the same house as his father Antionius.

On September 19th, 1852 Antonette Petrine Preisler, living at the time for convenience possibly in Vasterbro, Frederiksberg marries Georg Vilhelm Klaebel, a Snedkersvend or Carpenter at Frederiksberg Kirke. She names Antonius Thomaselli Preisler Hjul og Karetmager Lille Helligeststarde 163 as her witness, and his witness is Johannes Ausgust Klabel St Labjorgade 179. One may suspect that respectability is beginning to be noticed, as Antionette would be obviously pregnant when she marries, and their daughter Marie Antoinette is born bare 3 months later on the 17 of December 1852 at the now much used Fødselsstiftelsen in København.

20 The 1855 census appears to be in Antonius’ own hand. Most Census have one hand, but for this year every family has a different hand.

They are still living at Lille Helliggeistesstræde 163. What may be noted is that Antonius himself, if it is his hand, does not use ‘Thomasellis. He then lists his daughters by Ane Kirstine, without naming their relationship to himself, then Mine Petersen 15, then his granddaughter then, last, Ane Kirstine Ridder, with age blurred and nothing said as to her role. This is now nearly 10 years since Antonius’ wife has died, one may wonder just what the relationship now had become.

21 On Mar 23 1855 when their child is nearly 5, the son Anthonius Thomacellis Preisler Karetmagersvend Lille Heilligestraede 163 marries Elizabeth Thomine Valentinsen at Trinitatis Kirke. His witness is A. T. Priesler Lille Heilligestrade 163.

At this point Antonius has 3 sons married, 2 of whom are carriage makers living nearby and one whom is a wheel maker. Now we have another voice, Ane Kirstine Ridder through her great-granddaughter. http://www3.sympatico.ca/staal/history.htm

The following (in italics) was typed in 1960 by Axel Staal. He translated a Danish article that came from an interview with his sister (Sigbrit Staal)

Now you have heard about my (Sigbrit and Axel Staal) grandparents on father’s side and I will now turn to the ancestors on my mother’s side. (The sofa on which you are sitting was a wedding present to my mother’s mother in 1853.)

Note the sofa is a fine heirloom specimen which indicated that in 1853 someone in the family was doing well, we will see later that it does have a bearing on analysis. Carriages were sofas on wheels. We will also see that ‘1853’, is actually 1858. Anyone who goes looking for a marriage of Emma Mariane Preisler in 1853 will be very, very disappointed, as Sigbrit Staal’s mother’s mother Emma Mariane didn’t marry in that year but on rather 15 April 1858 . I found the marriage in a searchable data base and knew she was living unmarried in 1855. Was it a simple case of mistaking an 8 for a 3 or something else? Why backdate? It does give a respectable distance to the known birth date of Sophus Jorgensen, her son, who was born 1st March 1857. And this now is the age of respectability.

I have to go back one generation more, to my great-grandmother, Ane Preisler. She was born in 1810 and died in 1896, when I was ten years old. (Pic.5 below) I remember her clearly as a short, well rounded figure with a look of authority.

At 10 it is likely that the story would not be remembered, so this account is at least second hand, but still tells us what they thought they knew.

She was married at the age of 15, by her mother’s wishes, to an elderly widower with grown-up married sons who worked with their father in his carriage making activity.

This statement that she was married at 15 does not stand up to scrutiny in light of the documentary evidence. Ten years after the wife had died when there was no impediment they were still not married. But it has an element that betrays the truth. She was not married at 15 to Antonius Preisler but at 46 in 1857, when indeed he did have grown up sons whom were married, and indeed one of her own daughters was grown up and married. She was nearly the last to marry of all, by one week before her own daughter Antonine by Antonius was married. When Ane Kirstine was 15 her own mother was dead. Her mother had died 13th March 1818, when she was only 8 years old. Her father a shoemaker dies in 1820. It is likely Ane’s life was a struggle of service from that time. The look of authority perhaps was the mark of a life of hardship, to a 10 year old child.

Antonius was old when they married at Helligånds Kirke, København on Jan 16 1857

He was Widow Hjulmager Antonius Thomaselli Preisler 66 years supposedly of St Annaplads 160 (a search cannot find such an address from 1840 -1860, There is a 60 where his son Joachim Eduard and family lived - but 160 does not exist). But she also

22 was no longer young either. ‘Jomfru’ Ane Kirstine Ridder was 46 years of Lille Heiligeststraed 163. Their witnesses were Maskinfader Jorgen Jorgensen St Pederstrade 140, Peter Søren Lassen 1806 Vogenmand Wagonmaker of Lille Helliggeiststræde 163.

One feels the address at 160 Skt Anneplads/Strade was for the appearance of respectability in the golden age, as before he had been living at Lille Helliggeiststræde 163 and a week later he is again living there. On Jan. 23 1857 at the marriage of their daughter Antonine Kirstine Preisler to Christian August Seitzberg at Helligaands Kirke she is 23 of Lille Heiligeststrade 163, and her witness is Hjul og Karetmager A.T Preisler of Heilgestrade 163. His witness is Ivar Seidlin Mollerstraede 77

Preisler was of Huguenot family which emigrated from Lorraine in the 17th century.

This is incorrect; they were Bohemian which is now split between Germany, Poland and Czech Republic and not in France. The account also left out the journey though Dresden and Nuremberg in Germany. One might wonder why that was left out. I have not found a source substantiating that they are from Lorraine.

He lived in a large house in Copenhagen, which also housed his two married sons. In a building at the back was the workshop. It was strange for Ane, at the age of 15, to be the lady of the house.

It was indeed strange.. and in fact was so strange as it didn’t happen. I can’t find any sons when married ever lived with them! Perhaps between census as they were forever on the move! The 4th and eldest son Hans Christian, who had a child outside marriage, lives with them sometimes, but he wasn’t married. At age 15 Ane Kirstine Ridder was a ‘tien’ or servant for Christian Larsen’s widow in Roskilde. She moves to Copenhagen (as recorded in the Kirkebog) on the 19th July 1826. Its is likely at age 16 she was ready to move on to find better things.

In 1826 the Preislers were in Frederiksberg, Vesterbro and were there until 1828, as shown by the confirmation of Marie, where her parents are at the same place that her brother was born 2 years before.

She bore two children, my grandmother Emma and her sister Antomine.

She had 4 children. Antonette Petrine, Antonine Kirstine, Emma Mariane and Joachim Daniel. The first child Antonette Petrine was born at the Fødselsstiftelsen Feb 9 1830. This is a conception about May 1829, when Ane Kirstine Ridder is 19. It is likely that the Preislers moved to Copenhagen that year 1829 and somehow he came in contact with her. The likely scenario is that she was a servant somewhere, being a servant in Antonius’ house is most likely, as by this time they had inherited a large amount of money and had a good sized family. It is noticeable in the census that Antonius rarely has a female servant as, perhaps in effect, he always had one in Ane Kirstine.

One day my great-grandfather came in with wonderful news. A member of the Danish court had ordered a very special carriage. Money was no object, but the material and workmanship had to be the finest. Special wood should be used, the trim in genuine silver and the finest of cloth for the upholstery. The carriage was finally finished and ready for delivery the next day. But then came a catastrophe. Somehow a fire started, and house, workshop and carriage went up in flames. Fire insurance was unknown in those days and the family was completely ruined and without a roof over its head.

23 1850. Frederik 7.´s gallakaret udført af karetmager Henry Fife from http://sadelmager-dahlman.dk/kongehusets%20heste%205/index.html

The census indicates they lived with others. They moved regularly. If one lodging had been burnt they would not have been homeless, in the way owner occupiers were, they would have moved as they had done so many times to another (with all the others in that house). The making of carriages would require a yard somewhere, but where this yard was in that dense city area they lived is not clear. Did it move when they moved or was it in one location in a court as they moved about it? But indeed a fire would lose them the most precious things, the carriage and tools. Remember Joachim Eduard was noted as a member of the fire fighting corps - was it after this event? Amagatorv 1861 Bernhard Olsen (1836-1922) http://www.kb.dk/images/billed/2010/okt/billeder/object283763/da/ Great-grandfather could not bear his loss, and he lost his reason, which he never regained. It was now up to Ane to look after a sick man and two small girls.

The census records don’t support this as occurring before 1860, when Antonius is about 70. He seems active and as head of the house in 1855 his hand is steady. They marry in 1857, which is not sensible if the male is dotty. In the 1860 census there are no children with them at all and they are living on Amagertorv No 12

Census Year 1860 København (Staden) Frimand Kvarter, Amagertorv No 12, Bagbygningen , Family No 46, Religion Lutheraner 256 Antonius Preisler Male 69 1791 Married Hjulmagermester 257 Ane Kirstine Female 49 1811 Married Hustru 258 Amalie Jørgensen Female 23 1837 Single Logerende Syerske

Hjulmager mester indicates Antonius has people working for him. They are not living with him, rather a lodger supplements finances.

24 Pic. 5. Fotograf (G.W) Alexandersen har engang i det forrige aarhundrede taget dette »Øiebliksfotografi« af oldemor Ane, den ukuelige. Den klasiske midterskilning og kappe med hagebaand. Man læser ikke af de blide, runde træk og øjnenes udtryk den bitre kamp, hun har været igennem. (Øiebliksfotografi was at Vesterbrogade 43, 1873-1889)

She moved into a couple of miserable rooms and began to make brushes. The old man polished the wood, Ane inserted the bristles, and when a quantity was ready they were placed in two large baskets. Then she prepared sandwiches for the family and set out to sell the brushes to farmers outside the city. She seldom got money, but she bartered the brushes for eggs, butter, pork and other foodstuffs. Some of this she sold, when she came back, and the rest the family consumed. In this manner she supported the family for four to five years, till the children were old enough to help and great-grandfather died.

Ten years later in the February 1. 1870 census Antonius is Divorced, in a list of men in fattighuset (poorhouse) Hospitabelane, Norgesgade. Ane Preisler is living with a 17 year old granddaughter from her daughter who married Georg Klabel. By 1870 Antonious is 80 years old, and it is likely indeed he could not work to support them. From 1860 there were children’s children, but not with them. In 1870 Emma Mariane is doing well in Frederiksberg slotsogn and has a servant. But in 1870 Georg Klabel is missing and Antonette Petrine has 3 children. It is possible the care of those Klabel grandchildren was part of her life sometime from the late 1860s. Losing ones reason would be a reason for being put in hospital. Antonius may have been affected by the death of his children. Maire dies in 1864, Julius dies 24 December 1867 as a carriage- maker in Sunbyvester and Hans Christian dies 30 October 1869 as a Carriage-maker in Pilestraede 42. From time of the census in 1870 to Antonius’ death in Hospital in April 8 1872 is over 2 and half years. Antonius is buried at Trinitatis, April 14 1872.

If there was 4 years of broom-making, the loss of the carriage was about 1866. This is possible as Joachim Eduard was in 1866 a Karetmager Mester with people working for him, as was his brother Antonius with Hans Christian being a svend, and Julius also working making carriages, but by 1870 Joachim Eduard is moved and is longer making carriages. Intriguingly in October 1869 not long before he dies, Hans Christian is also a Carriage-maker. One person cannot build a great carriage alone, and then two of the five men die, and then Antonius dies.

The couple of rooms were their lodging all the time. No-one but the truly wealthy had a whole house. As they moved and moved it is likely they moved sometime between 1860 and 1870 to somewhere poorer. According to this account this went on from 4-5 years.

25 We might ask why can’t the family support them? Had they argued with them all? All the sons? What no charity? Possibly as they might have argued. In this then we see foolish pride. Let us go down. We will see that from 1870, the 2 stories coincide.

His death was a relief to Ane. Now she could make other plans. She began a business of selling cooked, warm food of a modest kind. Each day had a different menu, which was repeated every week. It might be pea soup and fat pork or gruel and a fish dish etc. She ran this business successfully for many years. She never married again and never spent a cent on luxuries. It is possible that this led to her death. One winter evening she walked a long distance from the home of some friends to her own. It was sleety and windy, but she hated to spend money on carfare despite her 86 years. Pneumonia set in and great-grandmother Ane died.

I now come to grandmother Preisler. (Pic. 4) She had been strictly brought up and taught the value of money and self-reliance. At the age of 14, she was apprenticed to a dressmaker. She told me about a fancy dress shop in Copenhagen, owned by a Louise Rasmussen, which had a wax mannequin in the window. The latest in Paris fashions was displayed on it. Apprentices from other shops stood in front of this window to study the various dresses, so they could bring the ideas back to their own shops. Grandmother’s employer also did some work for Miss Rasmussen and grandmother delivered it to her. This Miss Rasmussen later became Countess Danner, when she entered a morganatic marriage with King Frederik VII.

We can date this as before 8 August 1850, when Louise Rasmussen was given the title ‘Countess of Danner’ and was married to Frederick VII. This is intriguing as Emma is born Mar 17 1837, making her just 13 in 1850.

Pic. 4. Mormor Emma Preisler, gift Jørgensen, der blev gift som 16-aarig og enke i en alder af 33 aar – med 7 børn! Et levende, foretagsomt ansigt, hvis uvurderlige arbejdsredskab blev en symaskine.

The sewing in those days was by hand, but grandmother saved her money and became one of the first in Denmark to own a Singer Sewing Machine and that became of prime importance later in her life.

Singer invented his machine in 1851, and the handle 1854 and genuine production began after 1860. The first machine may be a bit before 1860.

At 16 years of age she married my grandfather Jorgensen. He was a man of definite convictions. He and a friend were

26 the first two Danes to renounce the Lutheran faith, in which they had been brought up and register as definite atheists. In those days, unless you were a Jew or Catholic, every Dane was presumed to be a Lutheran and as such subject to certain church taxes. They had seven children, five boys and two girls. The oldest son, Sophus, had been christened as a concession to his grandmother, but none of the others were christened.

Sophus Antonius Emil Jørgensen, born 1 March 1857, was christened at Frue Kirke, Copenhagen Mar 1 1857. The record notes Ugift unmarried fuentiner? Emma Mariane Preisler 112 Kathehus? sal Fader father fulmagtig clerk Niels Emil Jorgensen. Was this really a concession to Ane Kristine Ridder, or to something else? Is it because none of Ane’s own children were christened publically? But this is one very effective way to bring into the open paternity . Curiously the christening is not in the parish where the family lived. The much used Fødselsstiftelsen was to conceal who the parents were.

The exposure may indeed have worked, or some other persuasion as a bit over a year later Niels Emil Jorgensen, no matter how radical and modern he thought he was, is brought to the altar of respectability and married at Helligånds Kirke, Copenhagen April 15 1858. Fuldmagtig clerk Niels Emile Jorgensen 34 Ungkarl Unmarried St Pederstrade 140, Jomfru Emma Mariane Preisler 21, St Helliggeistrade 153, the witnesses Jorgen Jogensen Vartou?, Hjul og Karetmager Antonius Thomasili Preisler Store Helliggeststrade 153.

Johannes Reinholt Jorgen Jørgensen in born in Hillerød, Frederiksborg, August 13 1858, a bare 4 months after they marry. That is one reason not to christen, in the age of public respectability under a veneer of morality.

Despite his (Niels) stand on religion he was employed by the Danish government and assigned to a post in Schleswig-Holstein, which then was part of Denmark. After the war of 1864, when Germany annexed this territory, my grandfather refused to continue in his job, as that meant becoming a German citizen, and he was transferred to a post in Hillerød.

The Jorgensen family are in Sct Hans Gade Copenhagen in the 1860 census and listed as Lutheran. The stand on lack of belief in the era of personal belief was clearly for family consumption only. In every census he is Lutheran. In between they must go into Schleswig-Holstein, and be transferred back.

And now tragedy struck my grandmother, as it had her mother. Grandfather suffered a heart attack and dropped dead in his garden, leaving grandmother with seven children and hardly any money. She was then 33 years old.

Emma Marianne’s husband dies March 26 1871 Hillerød, Frederiksborg we see then that the two females lives co-incided in time. The brush making is not long before there are 7 children/ grandchildren in Copenhagen with no means of support. In the 1880 census Ane Kirstine Preisler is tacked again on the end of the list with Emma Mariane Jorgensen in Studiestræde, Copenhagen with five children: Reinhold Jorgen being 21 to Otto Daniel being 9. There is also Johanne Frederieke Klabel at 18 another grandchild, niece to Emma. There are 2 lodgers in addition.

Now her training as a modiste and sewing machine operator came as a life saver. She began to support her family as seamstress and dressmaker. She made many friends, among them J.C. Hostrup, who besides being a well known playwright was minister in

27 the local church. He found out that six of the children had not been christened and used his influence to get that done.

Hans Carl David Jorgensen born in 1868 was christened with his brother born 29 September 1870 on May 12, 1871 Hillerød, Frederiksborg. Curiously Adoph Victor Emanuel born in Copenhagen 9th July 1860 is christened Kirke Holmens, Copenhagen on 27th August 1872, less than a year after his father had died dramatically as if struck by God. They are noted as living Nabolos 3. There is another record as Emma Mariane’s daughter Emma Mariane has a birth record at Skt Johannes Kirke Copenhagen dated 17th November 1862, and written in pale ink later beside it christened 27th August 1782 Kirk Holmens. Julie Augusta Christine is noted as born 6 July 1865 Hillerød, Frederiksborg and written there later she is christened 27 August Kirke Holmens. There was not just one minister following them but many pastors checking their flocks…

After a short time, grandmother decided to move to Copenhagen where it was easier for her to find work. She rented a fairly large apartment, furnished the two front rooms well and rented them out, while she crowded her own family into the rear rooms. Her business prospered and she had to employ assistants for her needlework.

But they had moved to Copenhagen before the older children were christened. These are the facts. Why, this occurred is not clear. They are in Copenhagen the 1880 census and indeed there are 2 lodgers. A detail element confirmed by a record!

As you can see from this, the women on mother’s side were rationalistic, practical and undaunted by tragedies. The men, on my father’s side were romanticists, musical and tempermental. The love of music is a trait which we all have, and I understand it has gone down to the youngest present members of the family.

It is interesting that the story bears out a character of females that can do without males- The writer of this had a son with no father, in his first years he has her surname Staal. She said in census she was a widow but there was no marriage. She changed her surname and her son’s surname to Greve, and it is written on her birth record.

She is proud of her story but what she presents, is not quite the truth. We see what happens, in fact, when the breadwinning male dies or becomes old and incapacitated by age: Emma Marianne is left poor suddenly, Ane Kirstine finds poorness comes upon her when he husband fails and becomes a burden to her. To marry young doesn’t argue for being rationalistic unless it was to marry someone with prospects . Her prospects were in fact dreams which were disappointed. Again Ane Kirstine seeks advantage, but has to see also the end in choosing a man 20 years her senior. It may have seemed rational when he was in his 40’s and she in her 20s and he was in the prime of life, and even to marry him when he was 66 when he was well, but it did not answer her hopes and dreams. There is a deep emotional truth in

“His death was a relief to Ane. Now she could make other plans”

Plans are dreams. Her dreams hadn’t been realised, so she needed to dream again. Ane Kirstine Ridder didn’t marry again, as she never had a chance. When her husband died in 1872 she was already old by that era at 62, and she had nothing left financially from a long life with Antonius who had used up a good inheritance, to make her attractive, and in addition after 1871 she had a daughter with 7 children in a similar straight.

28 I may mention here that grandmother Jorgensen also was very musical. Even when old, she had a fine, clear voice, and she always sang while she worked at her sewing machine. She loved operatic arias, especially Donizetti, Rossini and Auber. She knew every aria in The Daughter of the Regiment, and when I later heard this in the Royal Theater it was as if grandmother was singing, but something seemed to be missing. It seemed to be the orchestration, but I could not place it. Finally it dawned on me. What I missed was the soft hum of the sewing machine, which the orchestra naturally did not reproduce.

The question the author doesn’t ask herself is why the sofa given 1853 (1858) was so fine and how her grandmother came to know the operatic arias, if she was raised from age 9 to 14 in squalid brush-making poverty! Nothing is said of Ane Kirstine’s musical talent, so the male Antonius who is never mentioned by name in her account is likely the musical one- as his father and mother were musical, both singing in their acting roles and it is likely that he was the one who gave Emma Mariane a love of music in the good years only hinted at when Ane Kirstine, is in her dreams, ‘lady of the house’ and the Preisler men, all five of them, build a business from wheel making to that of carriages, not any carriages, but those fit for the Royal court. In all this she misses the remarkable life of Antonius out of illegitimate poverty into prosperity and back again which Ane must have known, but perhaps not appreciated enough to convey to Sigbrit.

The story then is just why two journalist’s both Sigbrit Greve and the lady who wrote it failed due diligence that so many things are not substantiated by the historical documents. There is still mystery held by Antonius Preisler’s wife, Mariane..

What is written? O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit. (Jeremiah 16:19)

Fire casts the glow of the Golden Age

There is another story of the prosperity that Antonius with Ane Kirstine reached in 1860. In 1860 they were living Amagertorv 12 (now Amagertorv 33) the centre of the cultural district. Even today it is the pedestrian life of the city.

In 1860 there is no indication the poor people lived in the street! This picture captures many carriages. This was not the location of miserable rooms. In the same house they also lived with Christian Wilhelm Ranch 1828 Copenhagen (b. 1906 Viborg) he was a photographer who went onto a stellar career in Goteborg. It was a locality for four photographers, increasing in numbers to 1900, none whom would be located in poor areas, as at that time it was an art for the wealthy.

29 In 1860 Antonius and his wife were also living in the same house as Christian Charles Blicher and his family born 1816 in Randelev. He had also moved from Lille Heigeist rade 157 in 1850. He was the son of Steen Steensen Blicher the Priest, Writer and Poet. Christian Charles Blicher’s was by occupation a conductor of an omnibus.

Now curiously much of the recollections chosen for a Preisler descendant’s website are about the connection to the Blicher family! What a strange co-incidence!

This a poor translation of Birthe Volmer Jensen’s story of her Preisler ancestry, ……………………………………………………………………………………………. My tip-tip-grandfather Chr. Jacob Preisler born 1712 in Dresden. Come about 1730 to Copenhagen, where his brother was Brandmajor (Fire department head) . He was ancestor to both to my father and my mother. His youngest sons were twins. One became a Doctor, my father's great-grandfather. The other became Gartner, my mother's grandfather.

Gartner's son Fred. Chr. Preisler married to Petra f. Holm was Snedker and owner of Preisler's Hotel in Viborg. Steen Steensen Blicher was their good friend from his time as priest in Thorning and their stay at the nearby Stendalsgaard at Fr. Chr's Svoger Skovrider Jens Bang.

It's a fun case that Erik's great-grandfather Fabr. O.F. Olsen, who lived in Copenhagen, was also friends with Blicher. In Søren Vasegaard's book about Blicher it is written "In the years 1837-39," The Higher was the Loop of Time. "And Blicher was as always in the flow of time, not uncommonly among the front, sometimes even far ahead of time. Multiple are the letters Blicher wrote about the advancement of the Supreme, and Hørrens behandling, om lærredfabrikation and encouragement for its increase ".

O.F.Olsen took over Køng's factory in 1836. Here is probably the connection between him and Blicher. He got Blicher's desk and had his books with Dedication. We do not know who in the family got the books, but the desk was after his death first with a daughter in south jutland. After her, Erik's father should inherit it. He had lived with his grandfather a transition while he was in high school. Unfortunately, he did not ask about how the grandfather had got the desk. It's funny that Erik's grandparents in Copenhagen and my grandparents in Jutland are Blicher's friends.

My grandfather was a funny man, I loved him very much. Unfortunately, I do not have a small book that I received as a child of him, filled with his drawings. One of them I remember. He had drawn a crocodile. The text wrote "To the crocodile crying cryingly, the very soonest children are upstairs. For my confirmation he gave me The painter Exner's sketch for a school image from Fanø, like Mrs. Exner had delivered him after Exner's death. He must have known them well. I should have asked him about that, but who thinks so when you are 14 years old and it is Confirmation day.

Grandmother I remember as a nice and loving. They came of course much to Lyngby from Copenhagen. Grandfather walked like always long walks while the grandmother sat inside and crocheted and knitted the most beautiful children's clothing for Holbech, who had business Corner of Købmagergade and Amagertorv. By 1930 it was to be be a gold wedding anniversary. Grandfather was a real family man, Mother and Uncle Knud was there to help with the preparations. Then in February Grandpa lay sick, so Mother went in to see for him. "Ruth, may I come to die before the gold wedding party? He asked. "Yes, you can, "said Mother. He did too

30 After the funeral, of course, the family was united with Uncle Knud and Aunt Else on Ternevej. In the grandfather's mouth, it was a cheerful evening, where many happy stories about him were told. He was an unpretentious original human being. In Steen Eiler Rasmussen's memories of childhood on Østerbro, there is a place: "When Mother had been in the ale at Gartner Preisler, she always had something fun to tell."

From the book "I’d rather play football with the boys" by Birthe Volmer Jensen http://www.jan-preisler.dk/storefam/fodbold/fodboldcit.html …………………………………………………………………………………………….

Perhaps in all lives there is an element of meeting, paths as warp and weft and ironic underline. That a Preisler should lead fire prevention one generation and another noted to be devastated by fire in subsequent generations. That one family in 3 branches are tied to the lives of one other family, and that one of a Priest.

But a priest that ran counter to Gruntvig’s tendency - he pioneered the novella. Wikipedia records, As a clergyman he is said to have been less than inspired. His main interests were hunting and writing. In 1842 he was accused of alcoholism and abandoned from a Cooperation of Danish writers. Many struggles with his superiors the following years led to his dismissal shortly before his death… He is one of the first novelists to make significant use of the unreliable narrator . ..a realist, dealing with broken dreams

There it is. The comment. It is the theatre of the real, artistic people. Antonius’ origins..

Google maps

We know that Emma Mariane knew the operas and could sing well. In those days the royal court favoured Italian opera. See how close they lived to the centre of the cultural world in the Golden Age of fine arts? Wheel and carriage making were a craft in the tradition of Borgers and Guilds, Antonius and his family must not have lived as a mere labourers, but as artisans.

Their fire must have bookended the city fire that began the Golden Age.

31 The life of Antonius matches the life of the theatre, as from 1837 it moved to new larger premises and again in 1874 (the photo below from 1873 not long after he dies). This was the era when August Bourneville (1805-1879) dancer, chorographer and manger of ballet and opera at Det Kongelige Teater walked about with S øren Kierkegaard (1813-1855), but publically disagreed with him on the role of the State Church. Kierkegaard argued that Bishop Jacob Peter Mynster's (1775-1854) conception of Christianity was mistaken, demanding too little of its adherents. https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Det_Kongelige_Teater#/media/File:Det_Kgl_Teater_1873.jpg

There is a context that speaks: Antonius’ father first came on a Sunday, from a life in the theatre, but he left his son with a man who both went to church and tended the church yard. The theatre was close, a short walk away, but Antonius lived after his wife died in 1845 with Ane Kirstine , both of them every day for12 years , looking at a massive church, Helligånds Kirke, directly opposite, in the age of Grundtvig, Kierkegaard and respectability. A sad drama of loss played out, amid a consciousness of deception. It plays true if Maren Mari-ane had left, saying ‘have Ane’, but yet in his heart Antonius really didn’t want Ane, but somehow it all: child, maid and wife.

Marine Marie means ‘their rebellion/ bitter’ and Ane ‘grace’. Life goes on, after fire.... Left Store Helliggejst Stræde (fra 1881 Valkendorfsgade) fra Amagertorv ca. 1865. Tv. på hjørnet af Amagertorv skilt for Snedkermester P. Rostrups Ligkistemagasin (nr. 38), Jacob Erslews Musik og boghandel. I gaden bl.a. skilt for skrædder C. D. Damm og Otto Wedels Fotografiske Atelier. andRight the other half of the picture – the veiw from Lille Helliggejst Stræde ..in 1850..(nu Niels Hemmingsens Gade), by P. Lund, tegner.