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SCS News Fall 2004, Volume 3, Number 1

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SCS News Fall 2004, Volume 3, Number 1 Swedish Colonial News Volume 3, Number 1 Fall 2004 Preserving the legacy of the New Sweden Colony in America The Faces of New Sweden now in print Kim-Eric Williams After more than two years of work, the long-awaited The Faces of New Sweden is now available and was premiered at the New Sweden History Conference on November 20 in Wilmington, DE. It is a perfect-bound book and includes many full color reproductions of the recently rediscovered paintings of Pastor Erik Björk and his wife Christina Stalcop. Erik Björk was one of the three Church of Sweden priests sent to America in 1697 by Jesper Svedberg and King Carl IX to revive the churches and serve the remaining Swedes on the Delaware. He was pastor at Holy Trinity (Old Swedes’) Church in Wilmington from 1697 until 1713. The portraits of Björk and his wife seem to date to 1712 and are by America’s first portrait painter, Gustavus (Gustaf) Hesselius, who was the brother of the next two Swedish priests to serve in Wilmington, Andreas Hesselius and Samuel Hesselius. The family background of the painter Gustavus Hesselius and the families of Erik Björk and Christina Stalcop is told by the author Hans Ling of Uppsala, Sweden, legal advisor to the National Heritage Board and a Forefather member of the Swedish Colonial Society. In this Issue... continued on page 6 HISTORIC SITE OBSERVATIONS Delaware National Printzhof Bricks 5 Coastal Heritage 16 FOREFATHERS Park DELEGATION 2 Pål Jönsson Mullica 7 to Sweden 2004 FOREFATHERS Dr. Peter S. Craig this land was surveyed and patented. On 14 April 1664, Rev. Lars Lock con- Pål Jönsson Mullica vened the widow and heirs of Pål Jönsson at the Crane Hook church and drafted an agree- the Finn and his ment for the division of his property. The land at Indian Point was to be divided between the Descendants widow Margareta Andersdotter and her son-in- law Hans Peterson. “None So Good in Three and a half centuries ago, in 1654, Finland” was to be divided among the the ship Eagle arrived in New Sweden, carrying youngest daughters. many Finns. Among them was the large family After the death of Pål Jönsson, his widow of Pål Jönsson Mullica. Generally known as Pål Margareta Andersdotter married the widower Jönsson, his Finnish surname (Mullikka) rarely Anders Mattsson, who had been a passenger on appeared in the records. On one occasion he the ill-fated Golden Calf, which had arrived was called “little Pole,” leading one genealogist near Manhattan in 1655. Eventually he to claim he was the first of Polish birth to come rejoined his countrymen (including his brother to America. However, records show that he Matthias Mattsson) on the Delaware and on 14 came originally from Mora in Hälsingland, but November 1668 received a patent from the probably had moved to western Sweden prior English for Margareta’s half of Wild Hook. to being recruited by Captain Sven Skute to Anders Mattsson died within a few months come to America. after this patent was issued. His son, by the Many passengers died during the trans- same name, thereafter moved to Maryland. Atlantic voyage of the Eagle and Pål Mullica The Long Finn Rebellion was himself in poor health, so that his family In late 1669, Margaret Andersdotter, now initially had to be supported by charity. After twice a widow, and her children living in New the Dutch takeover in 1655, the family was liv- Castle County became active in the Long Finn ing on the southwest side of the Christina Rebellion – a plot to take up arms against the River, obliquely opposite Fort Christina. In English when (as was erroneously expected) a June 1656 Margareta, the wife of Pål Jönsson Swedish fleet would sail up the Delaware River the Finn, complained to the Dutch court at to re-establish New Sweden. Fort Casimir (present New Castle) that Anders The plot was discovered and quashed by the Finn was threatening to take her grain from Peter Cock, then chief justice of the Swedish the field and secured an injunction from the court at Upland. As a result of her involve- court, prohibiting further molestation. This ment, Margaret was fined 100 guilders. On land was being rented on half shares. one fine list, she was listed as “Margaret Indian Point Matson, widow.” On the other she was named Soon, however, Governor Stuyvesant as “Paul Johnson’s wife.” granted Pål Jönsson his own land on the north The last mention of Margareta side of the Brandywine at the mouth of Skilpot Andersdotter was in a deed dated in September Creek. This tract was known as Wild or Indian 1674 when she sold her half of “Wild Point” to Point, and finally patented to Pål Jönsson on 7 her grandson Paul Månsson, who on the same April 1661. day reconveyed the same to her son-in-law Before this patent arrived, Pål Jönsson had Hans Peterson. already moved to Cecil County, Maryland, Paul Jönsson Mullica and Margaret with his wife and younger children, leaving his Andersdotter had ten children, all of whom eldest children behind to manage the land at appear to have been born in Sweden: Indian Point. 1. — Pålsdotter, became the first wife of None So Good In Finland Måns Pålsson by 1654. He was also a Finn On 29 July 1661, Maryland granted Pål arriving on the Eagle in that year and initially Jönsson denization, allowing him to secure settled in “Finland,” the area just north of Naa- land in present Cecil County. He selected a site man’s Creek in present Delaware County, PA. on the north side of the Sassafras River, which She had two children before her death c. 1658 he called, “None So Good in Finland.” – Paul Månsson and Margareta Månsdotter. Unfortunately, Pål Jönsson Mullica died before 2. Elisabeth Pålsdotter became the sec- continued on page 4 2 Swedish Colonial News GOVERNOR’S LETTER Swedish Colonial Society 916 South Swanson Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147 High Patron Fall 2004 His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf King of Sweden Dear Friends of New Sweden, Deputy High Patron Her Royal Highness Now barely two weeks old, my copy of The Faces of New Sweden is already Crown Princess Victoria worn from use and dog-eared from reference. My reading is partly because Patron of interest in the Björk and Stalcop paintings, but primarily because I can His Excellency Jan Eliasson Ambassador of Sweden scarcely believe we really did it. I am happy to report that this volume repre- sents the third puzzle piece that had been missing from our work “preserving Associate Patron the legacy of the New Sweden Colony in America.” Hon. Agneta Hägglund Bailey Consul of Sweden • Our long history of public celebration has been well maintained by the 365th Jubilee Celebration and the Royal visit of Crown Princess Victoria in 2003; the Falckner Tercentenary at Philadelphia Cathedral; the five-day visit of HSwMS CARLSKRONA to Wilmington and, of course, the ever-popular annual New Sweden History Conference (now entering its 5th year of success). Governor • The transfer of Pennsylvania’s Gov. Printz Park from state to local ownership Ronald Hendrickson was accomplished with safeguards to forever bar commercial development. New Senior Deputy Governor Jersey has a new monument proclaiming its proud New Sweden heritage. Soon, Chaplain-Archivist Delaware will boast a National Coastal Heritage Park anchored by Ft. Christina The Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williams and the historic Seventh Street Peninsula. Junior Deputy Governor Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Sooy Bridwell • And now The Faces of New Sweden proclaims the Society as a legitimate pub- lishing resource for new works that promote our proud legacy. Joining Swedish Registrar Colonial News and our web site <www.ColonialSwedes.org>, this book com- A. Doriney Seagers 371 Devon Way pletes the picture painted of our 95-year-old mandate. West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 918-0943 As I approach the last few months of my term of leadership I can, hopefully, Recording Secretary be forgiven for my unapologetic enthusiasm for the good works we have Aleasa J. Hogate accomplished. These past years have permitted me the honor of serving with a Publicist group of volunteers that knows no equal. I am proud of the work we have Alfred J. Nicolosi done, the friendships we have formed and the memories we have made. Counselor Gordon L. Keen, Esq. Thank you all. Color Guard Captain Kenneth S. Peterson Sincerely, Historian Dr. Peter S. Craig, F.A.S.G Visit us on the internet at: www.ColonialSwedes.org Ronald Hendrickson Please contact us at: Governor [email protected] Swedish Colonial News 3 FOREFATHERS from page 2 ond wife of Måns Pålsson, who relocated his seven children; d. after 1731, Mullica Hill, NJ. home plantation to an island in the Christina • Eric, Jr., b. 1675, m. Margareta, daugh- River at the north end of Crane Hook. He was ter of Olle Petersson; seven children; d. after fined 150 guilders in the Long Finn Rebellion. 1754, Mullica Hill, NJ. He served as a Councilman for the Swedish • John, b. 1677, m. Anna Halton; d. church at Crane Hook, but became disabled in 1766, Mullica Hill, NJ; no surviving children. 1676 while working for Hans Peterson. He • Helena (Ella), b. 1680, m. George Keen; died at the age of 70 in December 1680. d. before 1740; three children living to adult- Elisabeth had four known children by him, hood. sons John and Peter Månsson and daughters • Catharina, b. 1682; not traced. Catharine (who became the second wife of • Stephen, b. 1684, m. Elisabeth —, 1712, Matthias Holstein of the Wicaco congregation) Christina Homan, 1731; died at Maurice River, and Anna (who married John Tussey).
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