My Swedish

Roots

The Kalmar Nyckel

Sven Gunnarsson and his Swanson Family

In August 1639, the Swedish government needing settlers for its New Sweden colony, sent word to the governor’s of Elfsborg, Dalsland and Varmland to capture deserted soldiers and others who had committed some slight misdemeanor and send them to America. Among those rounded up in this effort was Sven Gunnarsson. (Barb (Hays) Clayton’s maternal 11th great grandfather) When the Kalmar Nyckel left Goteborg in September 1639, he was aboard with his pregnant wife and two small children. Initially, in New Sweden, Sven was stationed at the Fort Christina plantation, where he was found in 1644 working on the New Sweden tobacco farm. In October 1645 he was finally granted freedom from his servitude and joined other freemen residing at Kingsessing (now West Philadelphia). Here he was known as Sven the Miller, as he operated the first gristmill built in New Sweden on Present Cobbs Creek. Being a freeman in New Sweden was like being a peasant under the tyrannical rule of Governor Johan Printz. Like other freeman, Sven was required to work without pay at Printz’s Printzhof plantation whenever the Governor demanded, was prohibited from trading with the Indians and forced to buy all necessities at the company store. (Sounds like the coal fields of West Virginia) Like other freeman, he fell heavily into debt. Another such freeman, Lasse Svensson the Finn and his wife Carin had their plantation seized by Printz (who renamed it Printztorp). Both Lasse the Finn and his wife were forced to live without shelter in the woods. Both perished, leaving several impoverished children. It was not surprising, therefore, that Sven Gunnarsson was one of the 22 freemen signing a petition of grievances which they submitted to Governor Printz in the summer of 1653. Printz called it a “mutiny” and returned to Sweden. Sven the Miller fared better under Governor Rising, 1654-1655. He even volunteered to help defend Fort Christina against the Dutch invasion. A pitched battle was averted when Rising decided to surrender the Colony. Conditions proved to be even better under Dutch rule. Stuyvesant allowed the Swedes living north of the Christina River to organize their own government. That government, known as the Upland Court, treated Sven Gunnarsson well. In 1664, Sven Gunnarsson moved with his family across the Schuylkill to Wicaco, a former Indian settlement, where Sven’s 1,125 acre plantation embraced what would become the future city of Philadelphia. Here, on this land, the first log church at Wicaco (now Gloria Dei Church) was built in 1677. Sven Gunnarsson died about 1678 and probably was one of the first to be buried at the Wicaco church. In the spring of 1683, Sven’s three sons agreed to provide the northern part of Wicaco for William Penn’s planned new city, to be called Philadelphia. They were left with 230 acres apiece. Records prove that Sven also had two daughters. His family, in the order of their birth, included: 1. Sven Svensson (Swan Swanson) born in Sweden by 1636, married about 1658 Catharina (Carin) Larsdotter, the daughter of Lasse Svensson the Finn. Sven was a justice on the Upland Court, 1681-1682 and served in the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1683. He died at Wicaco in 1696. His widow, born near Stockholm in 1638, was buried at Gloria Dei on 19 August 1720. Their known children: Lasse Swanson born about 1660 died unmarried between 1687 and 1692. Brigitta Swanson born c. 1669, died at Boon’s Island, Kingsessing, after 1753. Married Swan Boon c. 1688; 4 children Margaret Swanson born c. 1671, died 1699 at Passyunk. Married John Larsson Cock in 1694;2 children Barbara Swanson born c. 1674, died at Calcon Hook, Lower Darby, after 1743. Married Hans Boon 1699;5 children Catharina Swanson born 1682, died at Wicaco 1711. Married Peter Bankson 1698;2 children. 2. Gertrude Svensdotter born c. 1638 in Sweden, married the New Sweden soldier Jonas Nilsson in 1654 and died in Kingsessing c. 1695, survived by eleven children: (Barb (Hays) Clayton’s 10th great grandparents) Nils Jonasson born in 1655, died at Aronameck in 1735. Married Christina Gastenberg c. 1683; 8 children Judith Jonasdotter born c. 1658, died at Manatawny, Berks County in 1727. Married Peter Petersson Yocum by 1676; 10 children. Gunilla Jonasdotter born c. 1661, died in Gloucester County, N.J. Married Mans Petersson Cock in 1680; 7 children Mans Jonasson born 1663, died at Manatawny, 1727. Married Ingeborg Lycon c. 1690; 6 children. (Barb (Hays) Clayton’s maternal 9th great grandparents) Anders Jonasson, born c. 1666, died at Aronameck 1728. Married Catharina Boon by 1691; 9 children. Christina Jonasdotter born c. 1668, married (1) Frederick King 1686; (2) Nicklas Lindemeyer 1700; 7 children. John Jonasson born c. 1670 died after 1738. Married Catharina Lock 1693; 5 daughters Peter Jonasson born c. 1673, died after 1697; no issue Jonas Jonasson born c. 1675, died at Kingsessing 1738. Married Anne Amesby 1702; 7 children. Brigitta Jonasdotter, born 1678, died in Blockley Township 1753. Married Marten Garrett 1703; 5 children Jonathan Jonasson, born c. 1681, died at Kingsessing 1748. Married Mary; 2 children 3. Olle Svensson, born at sea on the Kalmar Nyckel in 1640, married an English woman named Lydia Ashman. He served as a justice on the Upland Court, 1673-1680 and died at Wicaco in 1692. His widow Lydia died in New Jersey in 1730. Their eight children: John Swanson, born 1667, never married and died in 1736 in Gloucester County, N.J. Peter Swanson born 1668 died in 1737. Married Anna Stille; 1 child Maria Swanson born c. 1676, died at Wicaco in her youth. Brigitta Swanson born 1678 died after 1747 in Gloucester County. Married (1) Peter Gustafsson c. 1696; (2) Jacob Van Culen 1700; 5 children Lydia Swanson born c. 1680, married Josiah Harper Swan Swanson born c. 1682, died at Wicaco 1712. Married Maria, but no issue. Catharina Swanson born c.1686, died in Burlington County, N.J. Married James Lacony by 1712. Judith Swanson born 1688, died after 1754 in Gloucester County. Married Matthias Mattson 1712; 6 children. 4. Anders Svensson born in New Sweden c. 1642, died at Wicaco in 1688. He married Anna (parents unknown), who died in 1709. Seven children: Gunnar Swanson born 1667, died 1702, leaving 1/3 of his 50 acres to Gloria Dei Church. Never married. Catharine Swanson born c. 1699, died c. 1700. Married Andrew Wheeler c. 1689; 4 children. Elisabeth Swanson born c. 1671, died after 1732. Married Peter Larsson Cock c. 1691; 4 children Christina Swanson born c. 1673, died in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties 1750. Married Mans Gustafsson c. 1693; 8 children Margaret Swanson born c. 1676 died at Boon’s Island by 1719. Married Valentine Cock c. 1696; 4 sons Christopher Swanson, born 1678 died at Wicaco 1735. Married Christina Keen c. 1712; 5 children Andrew Swanson, born 1686, died at Calcon Hook, Lower Darby Township, c. 1735. Married Brigitta Boon c. 1724; 3 children A daughter (name unknown), born in New Sweden after 1644, died in Cecil County, Maryland by 1676. Married Peter Mansson Lom; 1 son All of the above data was taken from Volume 1, Number 18 Winter 1998 issue of the Swedish Colonial News written by author Dr. Peter S. Craig, Historian of the Swedish Colonial Society. To send for a hard copy of this issue contact: Swedish Colonial News 916 South Swanson Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147 Mons Jonasson and Ingeborg Lycon were parents of Magdalene Jonasson, who married Captain Andrew Byrd I. The maternal 8th great grandparents of Barb (Hays) Clayton. The history of the Byrd/Jonasson line can be found on pages 993-998. The Kingery history also mentions the bible that at one time belonged to David and Mary (Byrd) Kingery. The bible was at one time, in the possession of the late Virginia (Kingery) Parrett. It is now owned by her sister, who lives in Jewett, Illinois. On July 19, 1999 a cousin of Barb (Hays) Clayton’s, named Jynelle (Byrd) Caffey contacted her and stated she had obtained copies of the bible records and will be sending copies to Barb as soon as possible. The bible starts with Captain Andrew Byrd II and his wife Mary Reese (Barb (Hays) Clayton’s maternal 7th great grandparents) and records data including Captain Andrew Byrd III and his wife Ann Jones. (Barb (Hays) Clayton’s maternal 6th great grandparents). Barb (Hays) Clayton is a member of the Springfield Chapter DAR through her 6th great grandfather Captain Andrew Byrd III, her National # is 788217. Captain Andrew Byrd III and his wife Ann Jones had a son named John Byrd, who married Elizabeth Coffman. (Barb (Hays) Clayton’s 5th great grandparents) Their daughter Mary Byrd born 18 Feb 1813 in Ohio and she married David Kingery, daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Spong) Kingery. David Kingery was born 1810 in Ross County, Ohio and died in Cumberland County, Ill on 18 April 1858. Mary (Byrd) Kingery died 11 Aug 1887 in Cumberland County, Il and is buried in the Jewett Cemetery in Woodbury Twp. (Barb (Hays) Clayton’s maternal 4th great grandparents) David and Mary (Byrd) Kingery were the parents of Samuel Kingery, who married Mary Jane Rawlings. Samuel Kingery was born 1832-1833 in Ohio and died after 1880 in Bridgeport, Il. Mary Jane (Rawlings) Kingery was born 22 Jan 1832 in Ill and died in Moultrie County, Il after 1880. Samuel and Mary (Rawlings) Kingery married 16 July 1854 in Jasper County, Il. (Barb (Hays) Clayton’s 3rd great grandparents) Samuel and Mary (Rawlings) Kingery were parents of Fannie Kingery, born 25 June 1865 in Cumberland County, Il and she married Daniel Stout on 27 Sept 1881 in Jasper County, Il. Daniel Stout was born in May of 1859 in Virginia and died in Springfield, Il on 15 Nov 1940. Daniel Stout is buried in Mechanicsburg Cemetery in Mechanicsburg, Il and Fannie (Kingery) Stout Van Note died 29 May 1943 in White Heath, Il and is buried in Gibson City Cemetery in Gibson City, Il. Fannie (Kingery) Stout Van Note’s 2nd spouse was William Van Note. (Barb (Hays) Clayton’s maternal great, great grandparents) Daniel and Fannie (Kingery) Stout were parents of Bertha Stout, who was born 15 Aug 1882 in Newton, Il and she married Timothy Carmon Stark, son of John and Elizabeth (Shanks) Stark on 08 Jan 1921 in Decatur, Il. Timothy Stark was 1st married to Katy (?) and they had a son named Jesse Stark, who died in Decatur, Il and is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Decatur, Il. Bertha Stout’s 1st marriage was to John McConnell, son of Nathan and Mary (McMillan) McConnell on 28th May 1900 in Piatt County, Il. Timothy Stark was born 10 Oct 1874 in Athens, Il and died 05 Aug 1952 in Springfield, Il. Timothy Stark is buried in Roselawn Cemetery in Springfield, Il along with his wife Bertha (Stout) McConnell Stark, who died 02 March 1962. (Barb (Hays) Clayton’s maternal great grandparents) Timothy and Bertha (Stout) Stark were parents of two children: Gerald Carmon Stark and Vera Elizabeth Stark. Vera Elizabeth Stark was born 08 July 1922 and presently resides in Montgomery County, Il. Vera Stark married Gus Altevogt, son of John and Lettie (Sammons) Altevogt on 15 Aug 1938 in St. Charles, Missouri. John Altevogt was the son of German born immigrant, Louis Altevogt, who married Anna Heidemann, daughter of John and Anna (?) Heidemann, both born in Germany. Gus Altevogt was born 26 Aug 1919 in Irving, Montgomery County, Il and died 20th June 1998 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Il. Gus Altevogt is buried in St. John’s Cemetery in Irving, Il. (Barb (Hays) Clayton’s grandparents) Gus and Vera (Stark) Altevogt were parents of Gus Altevogt, Florence (Altevogt) Hays Stevenson, Keith Altevogt, Kenny Altevogt and Martha (Altevogt) Wiker, all born in Montgomery County, Il. Florence Bertha Altevogt, born 29th June 1940 in Irving, Il and married Dewey Carroll Hays, son of Otis and May (Thomas) Hays on 20th Dec 1957 in Decatur, Il. Dewey Hays was born 14th Dec 1927 in Decatur, Il and died 14th Jan 1994 in Springfield, Il. Dewey’s life was filled with sadness. When he was 7 his parents divorced and his mother was very ill. After her death, his father Otis had him placed in Lincoln State School along with his younger brother Dale. They would live there until they were in their 20’s. Their father and family never visited the entire time they resided there. Dewey, as an adult was a disturbed abusive person. My mother lived through 17 years of spousal abuse, before she would divorce him. I never knew my grandfather was alive, until we were told that he had died, on 23 May 1976. He was a WW II Vet and was buried in Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Il. I never understood or knew why my father loathed his father, until after my father’s death in 1994. My father developed cancer that spread to his brain, he wandered away from his residence, when a kind person befriended him and took him to a hospital for care. He would then be placed in Walnut Ridge Nursing Home in Springfield, Il. While a resident there for almost a year, social service workers never even attempted to locate next of kin and that was born out through investigation by an attorney. When he died, they called a Funeral Home that catered to Afro-Americans primarily, called W.W. White & Pettiford Funeral Home. The nursing home stated that because they were cheap, he was sent there. He was cremated without authoriztion of any family and he had a brother living in Springfield, Il at the time, whom he had lived with. He was cremated the night he died and no obit was ever placed in the Springfield Journal. When family went to look for him, they found the death certificate in Sangamon County, Il and were given their father’s ashes. He died in Jan 1994 and the family discovered this in Aug of 1994. A ceremony was held over his ashes and they were interred into his sister Virginia’s grave, in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Il. Hours later, the family was notified by the Cemetery, that Dewey Hays’ ashes were buried in Jan and whose ashes did we just bury. After another trip back to Springfield, Il that day, they were told, that they were given a woman’s ashes, named Gladys Hays and they could have called us and told us about the error the day before the Memorial, but in front of 11 witnesses, they stated, “what we didn’t know, wouldn’t hurt us”! We had to threaten them to have the ashes removed from Virginia’s grave and then attempt to recover our father’s real ashes. After three attempts, we only know, that maybe we had his ashes, we will never know. You can’t even sue a funeral home over this, because Illinois law states you must prove harm, meaning someone has to have a heart attack or mental break down right then, otherwise the laws protect them from any recourse. We were told this by our attorney. You want to hear the real horror, while my ten other family members were having it out with Mr. Paul Brookshire, we found a cabinet full of the same black plastic boxes with plastic bags in them with a twist tie. None of the 70 or more boxes were numbered or labeled in any way and I had time to look, as our family was very upset with the funeral home. We were later told that Mr. Brookshire made a profit even through Public Aid, by cremating, placing no obit in the paper and not holding any services and he buries his little black boxes when he gets around to it! Dewey and Florence (Altevogt) Hays were parents of seven children: Barbara Elaine (Hays) Clayton born 23 June 1958 Vera May (Hays) Durstine born 01 Aug 1960 Carol Jean (Hays) Harris Thompson Bernardini born 11 April 1962 Sandra Kay (Hays) Brewer Emerson born 18 May 1965 Jimmie Dean Hays born 3 March 1963 David Lee Hays born 07 June 1966 Brenda Lee (Hays) Mehlburg born 14 July 1973 Barbara Hays married Olin Dale Clayton, son of Dale and Lavonne (Armentrout) Clayton, on 06 Aug 1976 in Witt, Il after a 3 day courtship. Olin was born 20 March 1951 in Hillsboro, Il. Olin and Barb (Hays) Clayton are parents of two children: Belinda Suzanne Clayton born 27 June 1979 in Litchfield, Il and Andrew Olin Dale Clayton born 08 Aug 1980 in Hillsboro, Il. Belinda graduated from Raymond Lincolnwood High School in 1997 and Andrew in 1999.

Mouns Jones House (1716)

Mouns (Jonasson) Jones (maternal 9th great grandfather of Barb (Hays) Clayton) was the earliest Swede to settle at Manatawny. Situated adjacent to the White Horse Ford, his original log cabin built in 1701, was replaced by a stone dwelling in 1716. Mouns operated an inn here, serving the river traffic. Active in local affairs, Mouns also maintained a healthy relationship with the local Native Americans. An encampment of Five Nations took place at this outpost and Mouns was instrumental in arranging meetings between the Five Nations and the provincial government. After his death in 1727, the property passed to Andrew, one of his sons. Nearby Hopewell Furnance, located in Elverson, Pa, a National Historic Site, was started by his great grandson, Mark Bird. Mouns' daughter Margaret married Marcus Huling and their daughter Brigette, married English born William Bird, founder of Birdsboro, Pa. Their son was Mark Bird. The Mouns Jones House, with its small size, Medieval windows and Swedish corner fireplace, is the oldest dwelling in Berks County, Pa. This property, land and an adjoining building were acquired by gift from the Roy Schurr family of Douglassville, Pa in the early 1960's. This building has been carefully restored and is maintained by the Preservation Trust of Berks County, Pa. Not far away from Mouns Jones' home, is the White Horse Inn. The date that the White Horse Inn first opened is unknown. It was owned by Swedish settler, Marcus Huling. Marcus Huling was of course the son in law of Mouns (Jonasson) Jones. As in every community at the time, the inn served as a center of activity, news, and refreshment. Located along the main road (Perkiomen and Reading turnpike) to and from Philadelphia, it was the stopping place for a twice weekly stagecoach stop. A number of important people stopped here, including President George Washington on his way to Reading, during the fever epidemic in Philadelphia. The Reverand Henry Muhlenberg, wrote of the high price of rum that he bought for his driver here and the Duke of Rouchfoucalt de Liancourt spoke of the innkeeper's poor English and that the innkeeper paid rent to the owner who lived near by (George Douglass). The White Horse Inn also served as a mustering place for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and later as a training ground for the militia. Sheriff sales and election parties were also conducted there. The Society for the Prevention of Horse Thievery in Amity Township, held its meetings at the White Horse and the Society's members were advised to keep a fast horse in readiness to chase the thieves. The White Horse Inn was purchased by the Preservation Trust in the early 1970's and over time has been restored. Once again the old inn serves as a center of activity for Old Morlattan Village. The office for the Preservation Trust is located here.

Will of Marcus Huling

In the name of God Amen, the 31st day of March one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven. I Marcus Huling of Amity in the County of Berks and province of Pennsylvania, Yoaman. Being weak of body, but sound of mind and memory. Thanks be given to God and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men as is to die, do this 31st day of March aforesaid, undertake, ordain and publish? this my last will and testament and as ? such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to Bless me with, I give and bequeath to my ? in the following manner and for in so viz: and first I recommend my soul to God that give it and my body to the earth to be buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my executors hereafter named. Impris, I give and bequeath to my son Marcus one shilling sterling to him and his assigns forever. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Bridgette one shilling sterling to her and her assigns forever. Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Maudlin one shilling sterling to her and her assigns forever. Item, I give and bequeath unto my son John Huling, one shilling sterling to him and his assigns forever. Item, I give and bequeath to my son Andrew Huling, my house and lot in Philadelphia lying on Society Hill ? Christian Street with ? the property, here into belonging to him and his heirs and assigns forever and also my young sorrell horse. I give and bequeath to my son Andrew and his assigns forever. Item, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Margaret all the rest of my estate, real and personals to her and her heirs and assigns forever. And it is my will and I do order that all of my just debts and funeral charges shall be paid by my wife Margaret and also the above mention legasee to be paid out of my moveable estate. And I do hereby make, nominate, ordain and appoint my son Andrew Hulings and my wife Margaret my whole and sole coestor and executor of this my last will and testament, to see the same truely and honestly fulfilled and performed according to the true intent and meaning thereof. And I do hereby make void, annul and disallow of any other wills by me heretofore made whether by me or writing allowing this and no other to be my last will and testament. Signed, sealed, published for ? and declared by the said Marcus Huling, sign his last will and testament in the presence of and were present at signing and sealing thereof Peter Yocum, Marcus Huling, John Kirlin and Joseph Millard Reading, Berks County for this twenty first April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven personally appeared Peter Yocum, Yeoman and John Kirlin, Blacksmith, both of the township in the County of Berks and Joseph Millard of Union Township in the same county, Millard and the said Peter Yocum and John Kirlin being solemnly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God and the said Joseph Millard (being one of the People called Quakers), being solemnly affirmed according to law: they the said Peter Yocum and John Kirlin on their solemn oath aforesaid and the said Joseph Millard on his solemn affirmation aforesaid respectively did depose, declare and say that they the deponents and affirmant were present and saw and heard Marcus Hulings the Testator in the aforewritten will named, sign, seal, publish and declare ? to be his last will and testament and that at the time of doing thereof the said Marcus Huling was of sound mind, memory and understanding as they verify and also that the names of those the said Peter Yocum, John Kirlin and Joseph Millard subscribed thereto as witnesses were by those respectively subscribed with their proper hands as witnesses to the said Testament and Last Will in the presence of each other and in presence and at the request of the said Testator.

Marcus Hulings

Mouns Jones House

Barb (Hays) Clayton's 9th great grandparents were Mouns and Ingeborg (Lykin) Jonasson. Mouns Jonasson's daughter Margaret married Marcus Huling. Marcus and Margaret (Jonasson) Hulings had a daughter named Bridgette Hulings. Bridgette married William Bird, founder of Birdsboro, Pa. William and Bridgette (Hulings) Bird had a son named Mark Bird, who married Mary Ross, sister of George Ross and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. George Ross was also an Uncle by marriage to Betsy Ross, the designer of our nations flag! Mary (Ross) Bird's sister was Gertrude Ross and she married George Read, another signer of the Declaration of Independence. Last but certainly not least, Mark Bird's sister Rachael, married James Wilson, a prominent Philadelphia Attorney, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the 1st US Supreme Court Justice appointed by President George Washington.
Now Mouns Jonasson's wife Ingeborg Lykin was the sister of Anders Lykin who married a woman named Ann? They had a daughter named Susannah Lykin and she married Benjamin Boone, the brother of Squire Boone, who was the father of Daniel Boone. Benjamin and Susannah (Lykin) Boone had a daughter named Dinah Boone and she married Benjamin Tallman, the son of William and Anne (Lincoln) Tallman. Anne Lincoln was the daughter of Mordecai and Hannah (Salter) Lincoln, the great, great grandparents of President Abraham Lincoln.

Links to other sites on the Web

Bartram's Garden

John Bartram House

The John Bartram House, originally built by Mouns Jonasson. For resource info see "1693 Census of the Swedes on the Delaware" by Dr. Peter Craig

James Wilson

James Wilson, husband of Rachael Bird, who signed the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia Attorney and 1st US Supreme Court Justice. Rachael Bird was the daughter of William and Bridgette (Hulings) Bird. Bridgette was the daughter of Marcus and Margaret (Jonasson) Hulings.

The Declaration of Independence

The Gloria Dei

© 1999 ocbc76@cillnet.com

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