Samuel Petersson of Christina and His Descendants

Qualification & Procedure List of Qualifying Forefathers Forefather Application Forefather Family Profiles List of Current Forefather Mambers	Samuel Petersson of Christina and His Descendants by Dr. Peter Stebbins Craig Fellow, American Society of Genealogists Fellow, Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania Historian, Swedish Colonial Society originally published in Swedish Colonial News, Volume 3, Number 6 (Spring 2007) When the ship Örnen (the Eagle) arrived in New Sweden in 1654, it brought two new freemen to the country named Samuel Petersson, both of them Finns. They were distinguished by their place of origin and their marks. Both appeared at Tinicum Island on 9 June 1654 to sign the loyalty oath to the new Governor of New Sweden, Johan Risingh. One was recorded as Samuel Petersson of Fryksände Parish in Värmland, Sweden; the other as Samuel Petersson of Bogen, Gunnarskog Parish in Värmland. The latter purchased goods from the company store on 8 July 1654 and soon disappeared from history. Samuel Petersson of Fryksände bought goods from the company store on 2 August 1654. He was residing in the Fort Trinity area (near present New Castle) when that fort was surrendered to the Dutch in September 1655. He then signed an oath of allegiance to the Dutch, signing by his mark, which was in the shape of a diamond with concave sides. In 1657, the Dutch paid Samuel and his co-worker Måns Larsson 18 guilders for services rendered. The first English census of the Delaware, taken in May 1671, found Samuel Petersson and his family residing at Crane Hook on the Delaware River, south of the Christina River. He was among the Finns moving to this location in 1663 at the invitation of the Dutch Governor d’Hinoyossa. In 1669, after the English captured the Delaware from the Dutch, Samuel played a minor role in the “Long Finn Rebellion” for which he was fined 50 guilders. A ringleader in this rebellion was Johan Andersson Stalcop, who owned extensive lands north of the Christina River adjacent to old Fort Christina. To pay for his fine, Stalcop was forced to sell part of his lands. By deeds dated 2 September 1674 and 16 April 1675, Samuel Petersson purchased the lower quarter of the Stalcop plantation, fronting on Christina Creek. This land at Christina became Samuel Petersson’s home until his death in 1689. He also added land to his holdings. This included a patent dated 30 July 1684 from William Penn for “Mill Point,” 300 acres, bounded by land belonging to John & Andrew Stalcop, the “old land” of Samuel Petersson and land of Lucas Stedham. Samuel Petersson was very active in the Swedish church. He gave a 30-foot strip of his former land at Crane Hook for the church at that location. Further, in the dispute between Pastor Lars Carlsson Lock and Pastor Jacobus Fabritius for the right to the pulpit, Samuel Peterson, a warden of the church, supported Lock. By a letter to the English government of 14 August 1675, he joined other leaders of his congregation to urge that Fabritius, who could not speak Swedish, be rejected as their pastor. Samuel signed the letter with the same mark used when signing the oaths of allegiance to Governor Risingh in 1654 and to Governor Stuyvesant in 1655. Samuel Petersson’s wife was Brita, daughter of Jöns Andersson the blacksmith at Christina. Jöns’ will, proved 5 November 1678, left his entire estate to Samuel Petersson. Jöns Andersson and his wife Maria had also arrived on the Eagle in 1654. He lived near Fort Christina and made several purchases from the company store from 17 June 1654 to 8 August 1655. After the surrender of New Sweden to the Dutch in September 1655, he informed Captain Sven Skute that he intended to remain at Fort Christina. He and his wife Maria submitted an affidavit on 7 March 1660 to the Dutch authorities regarding the illegal sale of liquor to the Indians by Hans Juriansen Becker, a Dutch soldier. The will of Samuel Petersson, dated 20 November 1689, has been lost. However, we know from later deeds that the will included a bequest that “he of my sons whom is longest with my loving wife he shall have my now dwelling plantation.” He was survived by his wife Brita and at least nine children, three sons and six daughters. His widow Brita Petersson was listed on the 1693 census as head of a household that included seven others persons. Soon thereafter she married Joshua Jones, an Englishman. On 24 June 1697, she was granted administration of his estate. In August 1697, “Mrs. Brita” subscribed £ 2 towards construction of Holy Trinity Church; her daughter Brita added 12 shillings. During construction of the church, “Mistress Brita” boarded workmen at her house “on the old land” for five weeks. An audit of quitrents (property taxes) in 1701 reported that “Bridget Peterson alias Jones” was current on her taxes. She died in the following year. The 1701 audit showed the existence of two plantations. The one occupied by widow Brita Jones was on the “old land,” originally acquired from Stalcop. This would be inherited by Peter Peterson, the youngest son, who had lived the longest with his mother. The “new land” was then occupied by Matthias Peterson. It was north of Christina and supposed to contain 300 acres when granted by William Penn, but on resurvey was shown to contain 618 acres. Matthias was unwilling to pay the money required to keep the “overplus,” so he kept only the 300 acres of his choosing. To fulfill his father’s directions in his will, Matthias Peterson executed a deed in December 1702 confirming the “old land” to his brother Peter Peterson. Within 40 years after the death of widow Brita, four of her grandchildren became famous, two as wives of the first two ministers of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes’) Church and two as founders of Wilmington and Newark, Delaware. Samuel and Brita Peterson’s known children are listed below in the apparent order of their birth: 1. Margareta Petersson, born c. 1663, was first married about 1686 to Erasmus Stedham, son of Dr. Timen Stiddem. He was father of all of her children. Erasmus, often called "Asmund," was born c. 1658. On 20 October 1686 he acquired from Adam and Benedict Stedham their l/8th shares in the Timen Stiddem plantation, which he apparently shared with his brother Lulof. He served as a churchwarden of Holy Trinity, 1704-1707. The will of Asmund Stedham, husbandman, dated 26 August 1711 and probated 22 August 1712, directed his son Samuel to maintain the other children until they came of age. Erasmus' widow Margaret married Thomas Jones on 7 Sept. 1714 and was buried in 1739. Her known children were: Samuel Stedham, born c. 1687, was named sexton of Holy Trinity Church 1713-1714 and 1716-1717. On 17 September 1719 he married Annika Tussey, the orphaned daughter of Olof and Gertrude Tussey of Brandywine Hundred. They had one child: Jacob Stedham, born 19 September 1720, who died in childhood. Samuel Stedham of Christiana Hundred dictated his nuncupative will on 31 October 1721. His widow thereafter married Jonas Scoggin 1 November 1722 and, finally, James McCaslin. Margareta Stedham, born c. 1689, was married by 26 August 1711 when Asmund wrote his will. She was then the wife of William Howell. Known children by her first marriage were Patience and Elizabeth Howell. Margaret also had an illegitimate daughter named Rachel, described as the daughter of Johan Hayard and Margareta Howell, baptized 5 July 1722. The sole sponsor was Thomas Jones' wife Margareta. On 19 April 1726 Margeret Howell married Richard Jeffries at Holy Trinity Church. Not further traced. Sarah Stedham, born c. 1691, was married before 1713 to Edward Milsson. They had one child baptized at Holy Trinity after baptism records began in 1713: Maria Milsson, born 4 June 1714. Sarah Stedham Milsson was buried in April 1715. Maria Stedham, born 1693, was married on 6 November 1716 to William Forehead of Brandywine Hundred. His name later evolved into Forwood. He was born in Ireland in 1692, moved to England and thence to Delaware. He died in 1777 at the age of 85. His wife Mary died in 1783, 90 years old, the last of Samuel Peterson’s grandchildren to die. William Forwood's will, dated 13 Aug. 1771, was proved 18 Jan. 1777. They had 11 known children. Christina Stedham, born c. 1699, is named in her father's will, but her name has not been found among the records of Holy Trinity. Presumably, she died shortly after her father. Adam Stedham, born c. 1703, was buried 9 January 1723. Erasmus (Asmund) Stedham, born c. 1705, married Christina Hendrickson, 14 May 1735. She was the daughter of Hendrick and Judith Hendrickson, born 27 February 1719. With the death of his two older brothers, Erasmus Stedham inherited the 3/8th share of the Timen Stiddem plantation which his father had owned, and on 26 April 1738 entered into an agreement with Timothy Lulofsson Stedham dividing the property. Thereafter, Erasmus Stedham moved to Penns Neck for about ten years. By 5 May 1748, he had returned to Wilmington area, as he was then chosen to be sexton and gravedigger for the church, On 27 December 1759 he resigned as sexton. In the 1764 church census Erasmus and his wife Christina were living in the Brandywine rota with their 16-year-old son Cornelius. The family's fate after that is not known. Erasmus (Asmund) Stedham, Jr., and his wife Christina had seven children baptized at Holy Trinity. 2. Catharina Peterson, born c. 1665, was married by 1685 to Peter Stalcop, born c. 1664, the son of Johan Andersson Stalcop and Christina Carlsdotter. Peter Stalcop owned extensive lands on Red Clay Creek. He pledged £7 for construction of Holy Trinity Church, helped in its construction for 14 days, furnished horses for two days and lathe for the plastering. On 24 June 1699 he and his wife were assigned pews. Peter’s will, dated 3 September 1709 and proved 16 May 1710, named his wife Catharina and his son-in-law pastor Ericus Björk co-executors, to be joined by his son John when he came of age. Soon after 26 September 1711, his widow Catharina became the second wife of Lucas Stedham, Sr., who had eight children by his first wife. There were no children by her second marriage. Lucas Stedham, Sr., was buried 8 December 1726. Karin (Catharina) last took communion on 6 June 1731. By her first marriage, Catharina had six children who grew to adulthood: Christina Stalcop, born 19 April 1686, married Ericus Björk, the first pastor of Holy Trinity Church, 6 October 1702. Initially, pending completion of a parsonage, they were provided with a house on her father’s Red Clay Creek property. It would be several years before the parsonage was completed. In 1714, when Björk was recalled to assume the pastorate at Falun, Sweden, Christina left America with her husband and five young children (Tobias, Magdalena, Catharina, Christina and Maria). She died in Falun on 16 March 1720. Another son, Peter Björk, had died 10 September 1710 and was buried in Holy Trinity Church. More children were born in Sweden, including Sarah and Brita. Brita Stalcop, born c. 1686, married John Justis, son of Johan Giöstason of Kingsessing, 13 November 1704. As a wedding present, Peter Stalcop gave him 105 acres of his Red Clay Creek plantation. John and Brita Justis sold this land in 1728 to his cousin Jonas Walraven, and acquired 100 acres at “Cold Harbor,” on the north side of Christina Creek. He then subdivided this property to create the town called Newport. Brita died in the spring of 1737. Brita and John Justis had four known children, all of whom died in childhood. John Stalcop, born c. 1692, married Maria Morton (daughter of Matthias Morton and Annika Justis of Ammansland, Ridley Township) by 1711. He inherited his father’s plantation on Red Clay Creek, where he died of a heart attack, 24 June 1751. They had ten children born between 1712 and 1737. Maria Stalcop, born 15 March 1696, married John Corneliusson Van der Veer, 14 January 1714. She accompanied her sister Christina to Sweden, where, after Van der Veer’s death, she married Hans Georgen Schmidt c. 1719. After her sister’s death, the Schmidts returned to New Castle County. Maria’s daughter Catharina Van der Veer, born in Sweden, returned to America and on 4 November 1738 married Simon Johnson in Cecil County, Maryland. Maria had eight more children by her second husband. Maria was buried 19 November 1750. She was then 54 years and 10 months old. Hans Georgen Schmidt (Smith) died of tuberculosis and was buried 27 December 1753. Andrew Stalcop, born c. 1699-1700, married Christina Peterson, 7 May 1725, at the Swedes’ church in Penns Neck. They had a son John, born in Salem County on 15 Dec. 1730. In 1738, Andrew moved back to Newport, Delaware, but by 1750 he and his son John were residing in Cecil County, Maryland. Margareta Stalcop, born c. 1703, married John Morton (son of Matthias Morton of Ammansland, Ridley Township) on 11 November 1725. They lived on a large 436-acre tract south of Christina Creek which John Morton and his brother Matthias had purchased from Ebenezer Empson on 18 November 1724. They had five children. Margareta was buried 12 May 1741. Her husband John Morton wrote his will on 20 April 1742, devising his land to his two surviving sons, Matthias and Peter Morton. 3. Christina Peterson, born c. 1667, married in the late 1680s Gisbert (Jesper) Walraven (son of Walraven Jansen DeVos and Christina Ollesdotter). She was buried 20 December 1725. Gisbert Walraven, also known as Jesper Walraven, was born about 1660. They lived at Middle Borough, Christiana Hundred, where he divided his father's plantation with his younger brother Jonas Walraven, 19 April 1708. His will of the same date, proved 4 June 1708, named five children. Brita Walraven married John Stalcop, son of Andrew Stalcop, by 1706. They had one son who survived childhood, Andrew Håkan Stalcop. After the death of her first husband, Brita married Ambrose London, 6 January 1715, by whom she had four additional children. Brita was buried at Holy Trinity on 16 March 1721 and Ambrose London was buried there on 4 December 1721. Edward Robinson served as executor of his estate and became guardian of London’s only surviving son, Ambrose London, Jr. Catharina Walraven, born 1690, married by 1709 Måns Justis (son of Johan Giöstasson of Kingsessing). They lived on the east side of Red Clay Creek. They had twelve children born between 1710 and 1732, all of whom grew to adulthood. The mother died of a heart attack on 2 January 1754 at the age of 63. Her husband survived her by about two decades. Gisbert (Jesper) Walraven married Maria Snicker (daughter of Hendrick Jöransson Orrhan, snickare (carpenter in Swedish), 24 May 1716. She was buried 12 November 1723. He then married widow Anna Paulson (daughter of Bengt Pålsson and widow of John Garritson) in 1724. She died after 1743. On 15 November 1752, Gisbert married his third wife, Christina Morton, daughter of Matthias Morton and widow of Samuel Peterson. Gisbert Walraven lived his entire life on the Middle Borough plantation, which he inherited from his father. He died intestate before 21 July 1761, when his widow Christina Walraven filed her first accounting of his estate. By his first two wives he had eleven children. Jonas Walraven married in 1723 Catharina Archer, daughter of John and Gertrude (Bartleson) Archer of Ammansland. Jonas was buried 11 March 1727. His widow married Hans Peterson in 1731 and died before 1748. On 28 January 1723/4 Jonas acquired 110 acres at Christina in Christiana Hundred from his cousin Samuel Peterson. A weaver by trade, Jonas devised his land to his son John He was also survived by a daughter Maria. Sarah Walraven married John Seeds, 22 August 1720, but died in childbirth and was buried at Holy Trinity Church on 4 April 1721. Her son Edward Seeds survived.. John Seeds remarried Brita Lynam by 1722. 4. Samuel Peterson, Jr., born in 1668, died intestate and unmarried before 10 March 1691/2, when an inventory was taken, listing his property (six cattle, four pigs, a gun, axe, frying pan, iron pot, chest, anchor and his clothing) as worth £19. 5. Matthias Peterson, born c. 1671, was married c. 1695 to Elisabeth Justis, daughter of John Giöstason of Kingsessing. He pledged £1.1.0 in 1697 for the building of Holy Trinity Church, worked 9 days helping to build the church and provided lathe for the plastering. He and his wife were assigned pews in 1699. He became a warden of the church and served for several years on the church council. He also was named co-executor of the wills of his brothers-in-law Gisbert Walraven 19 May 1708, Asmund Stedham 22 Aug. 1712, and Christian Urinson 16 October 1716. Matthias Peterson was buried 27 September 1719. His widow Elisabeth married Edward Robinson 18 October 1720. His known children were: Samuel Peterson, a twin, born in November 1698, was married on 26 May 1720 to Christina Morton, born 23 October 1699 to Matthias Morton of Ammansland. She died after 1764. They had ten children baptized at Holy Trinity Church. On 15 August 1723, Samuel released 200 acres of the land inherited from his father to his younger brother Matthias Peterson. On 28 January 1723/4 Samuel released another 110 acres to his cousin Jonas Walraven. Samuel died of a heart attack 1 January 1751 at the age of 52. He had ten children. Maria Peterson, a twin, born November 1698, married Christiern Brynberg, a recent immigrant from Sweden, on 2 July 1719. She was buried 31 July 1750 at the age of 51 years and 7 months. Her husband died “of a pitchfork” and was buried 28 March 1752 at the age of 68. They had ten children, six of whom lived to adulthood and married. Matthias Peterson, born c. 1701, never married. By his will dated 6 January 1731/2 and proved 6 February 1731/2, he left 100 acres acquired from his brother Samuel in 1723 to his nephew Matthias Peterson, son of Samuel Peterson, and the other 100 acres to his nephew Peter Brynberg, son of his sister Maria. 6. Sarah Peterson, born c. 1673, married Jonas Walraven, youngest son of Walraven Jansen de Vos in 1693. She died c. 1708. Jonas Walraven married second, by 1713, Anna Justis, widow of Matthias Morton of Ammansland. He lived at Middle Borough in Christiana Hundred. Jonas was buried 31 Aug. 1724. His widow married, as her third husband, Charles Springer, in 1727. By his first marriage to Sarah Peterson, Jonas had five children: Brita Walraven, born in 1693, married Morton Justis, son of Justa Giöstason of Kingsessing, on 1 October 1713. They made their home at Bread and Cheese Island, Mill Creek Hundred, and had ten children born between 1714 and 1739, of whom six grew to adulthood. After Brita’s death at the age of 54 on 14 July 1747, Morton Justis married Magdalena Springer, then twice a widow, on 5 December 1747. Their child Helena was born in 1750. Morton Justis died in 1765 at the age of 78. Sarah Walraven, born 3 February 1695, married Rev. Andreas Hesselius, pastor of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, 3 May 1713. She died in London, England, on 17 June 1724 en route to Sweden with her husband and children, Anders, Jonas, Maria Christina and Sarah, the last of whom was born in London eight weeks before her death. Walraven Walraven, born c. 1698, married Christina Colesberg (daughter of Sven Kålsberg and Elisabeth Anderson), 6 October 1725. On 29 April 1735, as son and heir of Jonas Walraven, Walraven Walraven divided the Middle Borough plantation with Gisbert Walraven, son and heir of Gisbert Walraven. The will of Walraven Walraven, dated 1 August 1736, left his plantation to his two eldest sons, Sven (Swithin) and Jonas. There were four other children. The father was buried 4 Aug. 1736, and his widow married John Justis, 30 July 1737. Christina Walraven, born in 1700, married Morton Morton (son of Matthias Morton of Ammansland) 8 May 1718. They made their home on the south side of Christina River in New Castle Hundred. They had ten children born between 1719 and 1741, of whom four lived to adulthood. Christina died of pleurisy at the age of 53 and was buried 3 May 1754. Her husband remarried and died by 1767. Jonas Walraven, born 31 May 1704, married Maria Justis (daughter of Justa Giöstason of Kingsessing), 1 December 1727. A weaver, he acquired land on the north side of Christina Creek at Newport from his cousin John Justis. He died there on 6 November 1751, survived by two children. 7. Peter Peterson, born c. 1675, married Helena Peterson (daughter of Hans Peterson of Brandywine Hundred) c. 1697. He subscribed £2 for the building of Holy Trinity Church and worked 35½ days on the actual construction of the church. He also served as a church warden and was a member of the church council when he was buried 6 February 1715. He was frequently called Peter Peterson Caupany to distinguish him from Peter Peterson Smith (son of Hans Peterson of Brandywine Hundred). Caupany was derived from the Swedish word “kåpa” meaning a short cloak. By his will of 29 January 1715, Peter bequeathed his 211 acres (the “old ground”), after his wife’s death, to his two surviving sons, Peter and Hans. His widow Helena married Erasmus Stedham 11 May 1716 and was buried 4 May 1724. Peter’s known children were: Peter Peterson, Jr., born c. 1698, married Magdalena Stedham, daughter of Lucas Stedham, on 3 December 1724. On 8 May 1727, Peter and Magdalena conveyed 105 acres, the lower half of the “old ground,” along Christina Creek, to Anders Justis in exchange for 150 acres in Christina Hundred. On 13 November 1732, Peter confirmed to his brother Hans Peterson the upper half of the “old ground.” At the time of the 1752 church census, Peter was living north of the Brandywine. Church records confirm nine children born between 1725 and 1747. Peter died before 1764, when Magdalena was shown as head of household. Hans Peterson, born c. 1704, became the second husband of Catharine Archer (widow of Jonas Walraven) by 1731. He inherited the upper half of the “old ground,” which he conveyed to his eldest son, Jonas Peterson, on 15 October 1763. He had four other children, all of whom grew to adulthood and married. Hans died in 1766. Anders Peterson was buried as a child on 5 April 1713. Anna Peterson married John Littlejohn on 6 May 1729. Not further traced. John Peterson, born 3 June 1714, died young. 8. Brita Peterson, born c. 1680, married by 1704 Anders Justis, son of Johan Giöstason of Kingsessing. The couple lived on the land (300 acres) which Matthias Peterson had inherited from his father. After Matthias Peterson declined to buy the overplus for such land, Anders Justis made repeated requests to the Board of Property in Philadelphia to buy that overplus. He finally succeeded and on 8 May 1727 he traded the 150 acres thus acquired to his brother-in-law Peter Peterson Caupany for 105 acres of the “old ground” situated on the north side of Christina Creek. Soon thereafter, “Andrew and Bridget Justison” began subdividing the land, an endeavor in which their son-in-law Thomas Willing later joined. The result was the creation of “Willing Town,” now known as Wilmington. After the death of Brita, who was buried 27 June 1737, Anders Justis moved to Salem County to live with his youngest daughter Annika. The will of Andrew Justis, dated 15 July 1740 and proved 19 August 1740, named his two surviving daughters. The children of Andrew and Brita Justis were: Catharina Justis, born in 1705, first married Thomas Scott on 30 July 1723. After his death, she married Thomas Willing, 5 December 1728. She had five known daughters by her two marriages. She died after 1764. Brita Justis, born 1707, was buried 21 August 1720 at the age of 13½. Anna (Annika) Justis, born 1709, married Jacob Derickson 9 June 1728. He died 1 October 1728. She then married Charles Corneliuson of Penns Neck, 20 June 1730. His will of 26 December 1750 named Anna and four children. John Justis, born c. 1711, was buried 11 March 1715. 9. Elisabeth Peterson, born c. 1684, married Christiern Jöranson (generally called Christian Urinson) c. 1710. He was born in 1664, the eldest son of Anders Jöransson. On 13 April 1685, after reaching the age of 21, Christiern Jurianson was given 100 acres on White Clay Creek by his stepfather Broer Sinnickson. From 1694 to 1697, Christiern Urinson was also paying the quitrents (taxes) due on the land of John and Ann Stalcop at Christina which he was then renting. A carpenter by trade, Christiern pledged 1½ pounds in 1697 toward construction of Holy Trinity Church in Christina. He was employed in the fall of 1698 to work on the church roof. He worked at this task and other carpentry jobs at the church for 33½ days. He agreed to be the carpenter for the glebe house to be built next to the church. He was present when the land for the glebe was surveyed, 20 June 1701, and started work on the glebe house on 16 October 1701. He remained active in church affairs. On 24 June 1714 he was elected church warden. About 1712, at the age of 48, Christiern married Elisabeth Petersson. They had three children (Sophia, Christiern and Margareta), born between 1713 and 1716, all of whom died in childhood. The will of Christian Urinson, "formerly of Christina Creek but now of Fish Point," was dated 16 October 1716 and proved 6 November 1716. Christiern's widow Elisabeth next married Valentine Cock of Boon's Island, Kingsessing, on 23 April 1720. She then moved to Boon's Island to live on her new husband's own plantation and to help care for his four sons. Elisabeth had no more children of her own by this marriage. After the death of Valentine Cock in 1725, Elisabeth renounced her right to administer his estate and returned to New Castle County where she became housekeeper for the widower Conrad Constantine. On 14 May 1730 she married, as her third husband, John Garretson of Newport, son of Paul Garretson. At the time she was pregnant. Their son Thomas Garretson, "some weeks old," was baptized at Holy Trinity Church on 13 December 1730. The last discovered reference to Elisabeth Peterson Jöransson Cock Garretson was on 18 May 1734, when John Garretson of White Clay Creek Hundred and Elisabeth his wife sold her 15 acres at Fish Point, New Castle Hundred. Elisabeth’s sole surviving child was: Thomas Garretson, born in 1730, was married on 17 April 1754 to Jane Ferris. In the 1764 Holy Trinity Church census he was listed as a Swedish farmer married to an English wife. By 1765 they had moved to Duplin County, North Carolina, in the Cape Fear area, where their surname became Garrison. The 1783 tax list for Duplin County lists Jane Garrison, his widow, with property valued at £10. Thomas and Jane Garrison had at least five children.

Qualification &
Procedure

List of Qualifying
Forefathers

Forefather
Application

Forefather Family
Profiles

List of Current
Forefather Mambers

Samuel Petersson of Christina and His Descendants

by Dr. Peter Stebbins Craig
Fellow, American Society of Genealogists
Fellow, Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
Historian, Swedish Colonial Society

originally published in Swedish Colonial News,
Volume 3, Number 6 (Spring 2007)

When the ship Örnen (the Eagle) arrived in New Sweden in 1654, it brought two new freemen to the country named Samuel Petersson, both of them Finns. They were distinguished by their place of origin and their marks. Both appeared at Tinicum Island on 9 June 1654 to sign the loyalty oath to the new Governor of New Sweden, Johan Risingh. One was recorded as Samuel Petersson of Fryksände Parish in Värmland, Sweden; the other as Samuel Petersson of Bogen, Gunnarskog Parish in Värmland. The latter purchased goods from the company store on 8 July 1654 and soon disappeared from history.

Samuel Petersson of Fryksände bought goods from the company store on 2 August 1654. He was residing in the Fort Trinity area (near present New Castle) when that fort was surrendered to the Dutch in September 1655. He then signed an oath of allegiance to the Dutch, signing by his mark, which was in the shape of a diamond with concave sides. In 1657, the Dutch paid Samuel and his co-worker Måns Larsson 18 guilders for services rendered.

The first English census of the Delaware, taken in May 1671, found Samuel Petersson and his family residing at Crane Hook on the Delaware River, south of the Christina River. He was among the Finns moving to this location in 1663 at the invitation of the Dutch Governor d’Hinoyossa. In 1669, after the English captured the Delaware from the Dutch, Samuel played a minor role in the “Long Finn Rebellion” for which he was fined 50 guilders. A ringleader in this rebellion was Johan Andersson Stalcop, who owned extensive lands north of the Christina River adjacent to old Fort Christina. To pay for his fine, Stalcop was forced to sell part of his lands. By deeds dated 2 September 1674 and 16 April 1675, Samuel Petersson purchased the lower quarter of the Stalcop plantation, fronting on Christina Creek. This land at Christina became Samuel Petersson’s home until his death in 1689. He also added land to his holdings. This included a patent dated 30 July 1684 from William Penn for “Mill Point,” 300 acres, bounded by land belonging to John & Andrew Stalcop, the “old land” of Samuel Petersson and land of Lucas Stedham.

Samuel Petersson was very active in the Swedish church. He gave a 30-foot strip of his former land at Crane Hook for the church at that location. Further, in the dispute between Pastor Lars Carlsson Lock and Pastor Jacobus Fabritius for the right to the pulpit, Samuel Peterson, a warden of the church, supported Lock. By a letter to the English government of 14 August 1675, he joined other leaders of his congregation to urge that Fabritius, who could not speak Swedish, be rejected as their pastor. Samuel signed the letter with the same mark used when signing the oaths of allegiance to Governor Risingh in 1654 and to Governor Stuyvesant in 1655.

Samuel Petersson’s wife was Brita, daughter of Jöns Andersson the blacksmith at Christina. Jöns’ will, proved 5 November 1678, left his entire estate to Samuel Petersson. Jöns Andersson and his wife Maria had also arrived on the Eagle in 1654. He lived near Fort Christina and made several purchases from the company store from 17 June 1654 to 8 August 1655. After the surrender of New Sweden to the Dutch in September 1655, he informed Captain Sven Skute that he intended to remain at Fort Christina. He and his wife Maria submitted an affidavit on 7 March 1660 to the Dutch authorities regarding the illegal sale of liquor to the Indians by Hans Juriansen Becker, a Dutch soldier.

The will of Samuel Petersson, dated 20 November 1689, has been lost. However, we know from later deeds that the will included a bequest that “he of my sons whom is longest with my loving wife he shall have my now dwelling plantation.” He was survived by his wife Brita and at least nine children, three sons and six daughters.

His widow Brita Petersson was listed on the 1693 census as head of a household that included seven others persons. Soon thereafter she married Joshua Jones, an Englishman. On 24 June 1697, she was granted administration of his estate. In August 1697, “Mrs. Brita” subscribed £ 2 towards construction of Holy Trinity Church; her daughter Brita added 12 shillings. During construction of the church, “Mistress Brita” boarded workmen at her house “on the old land” for five weeks. An audit of quitrents (property taxes) in 1701 reported that “Bridget Peterson alias Jones” was current on her taxes. She died in the following year.

The 1701 audit showed the existence of two plantations. The one occupied by widow Brita Jones was on the “old land,” originally acquired from Stalcop. This would be inherited by Peter Peterson, the youngest son, who had lived the longest with his mother. The “new land” was then occupied by Matthias Peterson. It was north of Christina and supposed to contain 300 acres when granted by William Penn, but on resurvey was shown to contain 618 acres. Matthias was unwilling to pay the money required to keep the “overplus,” so he kept only the 300 acres of his choosing. To fulfill his father’s directions in his will, Matthias Peterson executed a deed in December 1702 confirming the “old land” to his brother Peter Peterson.

Within 40 years after the death of widow Brita, four of her grandchildren became famous, two as wives of the first two ministers of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes’) Church and two as founders of Wilmington and Newark, Delaware.

Samuel and Brita Peterson’s known children are listed below in the apparent order of their birth:

1. Margareta Petersson, born c. 1663, was first married about 1686 to Erasmus Stedham, son of Dr. Timen Stiddem. He was father of all of her children. Erasmus, often called "Asmund," was born c. 1658. On 20 October 1686 he acquired from Adam and Benedict Stedham their l/8th shares in the Timen Stiddem plantation, which he apparently shared with his brother Lulof. He served as a churchwarden of Holy Trinity, 1704-1707. The will of Asmund Stedham, husbandman, dated 26 August 1711 and probated 22 August 1712, directed his son Samuel to maintain the other children until they came of age. Erasmus' widow Margaret married Thomas Jones on 7 Sept. 1714 and was buried in 1739. Her known children were:

Samuel Stedham, born c. 1687, was named sexton of Holy Trinity Church 1713-1714 and 1716-1717. On 17 September 1719 he married Annika Tussey, the orphaned daughter of Olof and Gertrude Tussey of Brandywine Hundred. They had one child: Jacob Stedham, born 19 September 1720, who died in childhood. Samuel Stedham of Christiana Hundred dictated his nuncupative will on 31 October 1721. His widow thereafter married Jonas Scoggin 1 November 1722 and, finally, James McCaslin.
Margareta Stedham, born c. 1689, was married by 26 August 1711 when Asmund wrote his will. She was then the wife of William Howell. Known children by her first marriage were Patience and Elizabeth Howell. Margaret also had an illegitimate daughter named Rachel, described as the daughter of Johan Hayard and Margareta Howell, baptized 5 July 1722. The sole sponsor was Thomas Jones' wife Margareta. On 19 April 1726 Margeret Howell married Richard Jeffries at Holy Trinity Church. Not further traced.
Sarah Stedham, born c. 1691, was married before 1713 to Edward Milsson. They had one child baptized at Holy Trinity after baptism records began in 1713: Maria Milsson, born 4 June 1714. Sarah Stedham Milsson was buried in April 1715.
Maria Stedham, born 1693, was married on 6 November 1716 to William Forehead of Brandywine Hundred. His name later evolved into Forwood. He was born in Ireland in 1692, moved to England and thence to Delaware. He died in 1777 at the age of 85. His wife Mary died in 1783, 90 years old, the last of Samuel Peterson’s grandchildren to die. William Forwood's will, dated 13 Aug. 1771, was proved 18 Jan. 1777. They had 11 known children.
Christina Stedham, born c. 1699, is named in her father's will, but her name has not been found among the records of Holy Trinity. Presumably, she died shortly after her father.
Adam Stedham, born c. 1703, was buried 9 January 1723.
Erasmus (Asmund) Stedham, born c. 1705, married Christina Hendrickson, 14 May 1735. She was the daughter of Hendrick and Judith Hendrickson, born 27 February 1719. With the death of his two older brothers, Erasmus Stedham inherited the 3/8th share of the Timen Stiddem plantation which his father had owned, and on 26 April 1738 entered into an agreement with Timothy Lulofsson Stedham dividing the property. Thereafter, Erasmus Stedham moved to Penns Neck for about ten years. By 5 May 1748, he had returned to Wilmington area, as he was then chosen to be sexton and gravedigger for the church, On 27 December 1759 he resigned as sexton. In the 1764 church census Erasmus and his wife Christina were living in the Brandywine rota with their 16-year-old son Cornelius. The family's fate after that is not known. Erasmus (Asmund) Stedham, Jr., and his wife Christina had seven children baptized at Holy Trinity.

2. Catharina Peterson, born c. 1665, was married by 1685 to Peter Stalcop, born c. 1664, the son of Johan Andersson Stalcop and Christina Carlsdotter. Peter Stalcop owned extensive lands on Red Clay Creek. He pledged £7 for construction of Holy Trinity Church, helped in its construction for 14 days, furnished horses for two days and lathe for the plastering. On 24 June 1699 he and his wife were assigned pews. Peter’s will, dated 3 September 1709 and proved 16 May 1710, named his wife Catharina and his son-in-law pastor Ericus Björk co-executors, to be joined by his son John when he came of age. Soon after 26 September 1711, his widow Catharina became the second wife of Lucas Stedham, Sr., who had eight children by his first wife. There were no children by her second marriage. Lucas Stedham, Sr., was buried 8 December 1726. Karin (Catharina) last took communion on 6 June 1731.

By her first marriage, Catharina had six children who grew to adulthood:

Christina Stalcop, born 19 April 1686, married Ericus Björk, the first pastor of Holy Trinity Church, 6 October 1702. Initially, pending completion of a parsonage, they were provided with a house on her father’s Red Clay Creek property. It would be several years before the parsonage was completed. In 1714, when Björk was recalled to assume the pastorate at Falun, Sweden, Christina left America with her husband and five young children (Tobias, Magdalena, Catharina, Christina and Maria). She died in Falun on 16 March 1720. Another son, Peter Björk, had died 10 September 1710 and was buried in Holy Trinity Church. More children were born in Sweden, including Sarah and Brita.
Brita Stalcop, born c. 1686, married John Justis, son of Johan Giöstason of Kingsessing, 13 November 1704. As a wedding present, Peter Stalcop gave him 105 acres of his Red Clay Creek plantation. John and Brita Justis sold this land in 1728 to his cousin Jonas Walraven, and acquired 100 acres at “Cold Harbor,” on the north side of Christina Creek. He then subdivided this property to create the town called Newport. Brita died in the spring of 1737. Brita and John Justis had four known children, all of whom died in childhood.
John Stalcop, born c. 1692, married Maria Morton (daughter of Matthias Morton and Annika Justis of Ammansland, Ridley Township) by 1711. He inherited his father’s plantation on Red Clay Creek, where he died of a heart attack, 24 June 1751. They had ten children born between 1712 and 1737.
Maria Stalcop, born 15 March 1696, married John Corneliusson Van der Veer, 14 January 1714. She accompanied her sister Christina to Sweden, where, after Van der Veer’s death, she married Hans Georgen Schmidt c. 1719. After her sister’s death, the Schmidts returned to New Castle County. Maria’s daughter Catharina Van der Veer, born in Sweden, returned to America and on 4 November 1738 married Simon Johnson in Cecil County, Maryland. Maria had eight more children by her second husband. Maria was buried 19 November 1750. She was then 54 years and 10 months old. Hans Georgen Schmidt (Smith) died of tuberculosis and was buried 27 December 1753.
Andrew Stalcop, born c. 1699-1700, married Christina Peterson, 7 May 1725, at the Swedes’ church in Penns Neck. They had a son John, born in Salem County on 15 Dec. 1730. In 1738, Andrew moved back to Newport, Delaware, but by 1750 he and his son John were residing in Cecil County, Maryland.
Margareta Stalcop, born c. 1703, married John Morton (son of Matthias Morton of Ammansland, Ridley Township) on 11 November 1725. They lived on a large 436-acre tract south of Christina Creek which John Morton and his brother Matthias had purchased from Ebenezer Empson on 18 November 1724. They had five children. Margareta was buried 12 May 1741. Her husband John Morton wrote his will on 20 April 1742, devising his land to his two surviving sons, Matthias and Peter Morton.

3. Christina Peterson, born c. 1667, married in the late 1680s Gisbert (Jesper) Walraven (son of Walraven Jansen DeVos and Christina Ollesdotter). She was buried 20 December 1725. Gisbert Walraven, also known as Jesper Walraven, was born about 1660. They lived at Middle Borough, Christiana Hundred, where he divided his father's plantation with his younger brother Jonas Walraven, 19 April 1708. His will of the same date, proved 4 June 1708, named five children.

Brita Walraven married John Stalcop, son of Andrew Stalcop, by 1706. They had one son who survived childhood, Andrew Håkan Stalcop. After the death of her first husband, Brita married Ambrose London, 6 January 1715, by whom she had four additional children. Brita was buried at Holy Trinity on 16 March 1721 and Ambrose London was buried there on 4 December 1721. Edward Robinson served as executor of his estate and became guardian of London’s only surviving son, Ambrose London, Jr.
Catharina Walraven, born 1690, married by 1709 Måns Justis (son of Johan Giöstasson of Kingsessing). They lived on the east side of Red Clay Creek. They had twelve children born between 1710 and 1732, all of whom grew to adulthood. The mother died of a heart attack on 2 January 1754 at the age of 63. Her husband survived her by about two decades.
Gisbert (Jesper) Walraven married Maria Snicker (daughter of Hendrick Jöransson Orrhan, snickare (carpenter in Swedish), 24 May 1716. She was buried 12 November 1723. He then married widow Anna Paulson (daughter of Bengt Pålsson and widow of John Garritson) in 1724. She died after 1743. On 15 November 1752, Gisbert married his third wife, Christina Morton, daughter of Matthias Morton and widow of Samuel Peterson. Gisbert Walraven lived his entire life on the Middle Borough plantation, which he inherited from his father. He died intestate before 21 July 1761, when his widow Christina Walraven filed her first accounting of his estate. By his first two wives he had eleven children.
Jonas Walraven married in 1723 Catharina Archer, daughter of John and Gertrude (Bartleson) Archer of Ammansland. Jonas was buried 11 March 1727. His widow married Hans Peterson in 1731 and died before 1748. On 28 January 1723/4 Jonas acquired 110 acres at Christina in Christiana Hundred from his cousin Samuel Peterson. A weaver by trade, Jonas devised his land to his son John He was also survived by a daughter Maria.
Sarah Walraven married John Seeds, 22 August 1720, but died in childbirth and was buried at Holy Trinity Church on 4 April 1721. Her son Edward Seeds survived.. John Seeds remarried Brita Lynam by 1722.

4. Samuel Peterson, Jr., born in 1668, died intestate and unmarried before 10 March 1691/2, when an inventory was taken, listing his property (six cattle, four pigs, a gun, axe, frying pan, iron pot, chest, anchor and his clothing) as worth £19.

5. Matthias Peterson, born c. 1671, was married c. 1695 to Elisabeth Justis, daughter of John Giöstason of Kingsessing. He pledged £1.1.0 in 1697 for the building of Holy Trinity Church, worked 9 days helping to build the church and provided lathe for the plastering. He and his wife were assigned pews in 1699. He became a warden of the church and served for several years on the church council. He also was named co-executor of the wills of his brothers-in-law Gisbert Walraven 19 May 1708, Asmund Stedham 22 Aug. 1712, and Christian Urinson 16 October 1716. Matthias Peterson was buried 27 September 1719. His widow Elisabeth married Edward Robinson 18 October 1720. His known children were:

Samuel Peterson, a twin, born in November 1698, was married on 26 May 1720 to Christina Morton, born 23 October 1699 to Matthias Morton of Ammansland. She died after 1764. They had ten children baptized at Holy Trinity Church. On 15 August 1723, Samuel released 200 acres of the land inherited from his father to his younger brother Matthias Peterson. On 28 January 1723/4 Samuel released another 110 acres to his cousin Jonas Walraven. Samuel died of a heart attack 1 January 1751 at the age of 52. He had ten children.
Maria Peterson, a twin, born November 1698, married Christiern Brynberg, a recent immigrant from Sweden, on 2 July 1719. She was buried 31 July 1750 at the age of 51 years and 7 months. Her husband died “of a pitchfork” and was buried 28 March 1752 at the age of 68. They had ten children, six of whom lived to adulthood and married.
Matthias Peterson, born c. 1701, never married. By his will dated 6 January 1731/2 and proved 6 February 1731/2, he left 100 acres acquired from his brother Samuel in 1723 to his nephew Matthias Peterson, son of Samuel Peterson, and the other 100 acres to his nephew Peter Brynberg, son of his sister Maria.

6. Sarah Peterson, born c. 1673, married Jonas Walraven, youngest son of Walraven Jansen de Vos in 1693. She died c. 1708. Jonas Walraven married second, by 1713, Anna Justis, widow of Matthias Morton of Ammansland. He lived at Middle Borough in Christiana Hundred. Jonas was buried 31 Aug. 1724. His widow married, as her third husband, Charles Springer, in 1727. By his first marriage to Sarah Peterson, Jonas had five children:

Brita Walraven, born in 1693, married Morton Justis, son of Justa Giöstason of Kingsessing, on 1 October 1713. They made their home at Bread and Cheese Island, Mill Creek Hundred, and had ten children born between 1714 and 1739, of whom six grew to adulthood. After Brita’s death at the age of 54 on 14 July 1747, Morton Justis married Magdalena Springer, then twice a widow, on 5 December 1747. Their child Helena was born in 1750. Morton Justis died in 1765 at the age of 78.
Sarah Walraven, born 3 February 1695, married Rev. Andreas Hesselius, pastor of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, 3 May 1713. She died in London, England, on 17 June 1724 en route to Sweden with her husband and children, Anders, Jonas, Maria Christina and Sarah, the last of whom was born in London eight weeks before her death.
Walraven Walraven, born c. 1698, married Christina Colesberg (daughter of Sven Kålsberg and Elisabeth Anderson), 6 October 1725. On 29 April 1735, as son and heir of Jonas Walraven, Walraven Walraven divided the Middle Borough plantation with Gisbert Walraven, son and heir of Gisbert Walraven. The will of Walraven Walraven, dated 1 August 1736, left his plantation to his two eldest sons, Sven (Swithin) and Jonas. There were four other children. The father was buried 4 Aug. 1736, and his widow married John Justis, 30 July 1737.
Christina Walraven, born in 1700, married Morton Morton (son of Matthias Morton of Ammansland) 8 May 1718. They made their home on the south side of Christina River in New Castle Hundred. They had ten children born between 1719 and 1741, of whom four lived to adulthood. Christina died of pleurisy at the age of 53 and was buried 3 May 1754. Her husband remarried and died by 1767.
Jonas Walraven, born 31 May 1704, married Maria Justis (daughter of Justa Giöstason of Kingsessing), 1 December 1727. A weaver, he acquired land on the north side of Christina Creek at Newport from his cousin John Justis. He died there on 6 November 1751, survived by two children.

7. Peter Peterson, born c. 1675, married Helena Peterson (daughter of Hans Peterson of Brandywine Hundred) c. 1697. He subscribed £2 for the building of Holy Trinity Church and worked 35½ days on the actual construction of the church. He also served as a church warden and was a member of the church council when he was buried 6 February 1715. He was frequently called Peter Peterson Caupany to distinguish him from Peter Peterson Smith (son of Hans Peterson of Brandywine Hundred). Caupany was derived from the Swedish word “kåpa” meaning a short cloak. By his will of 29 January 1715, Peter bequeathed his 211 acres (the “old ground”), after his wife’s death, to his two surviving sons, Peter and Hans. His widow Helena married Erasmus Stedham 11 May 1716 and was buried 4 May 1724. Peter’s known children were:

Peter Peterson, Jr., born c. 1698, married Magdalena Stedham, daughter of Lucas Stedham, on 3 December 1724. On 8 May 1727, Peter and Magdalena conveyed 105 acres, the lower half of the “old ground,” along Christina Creek, to Anders Justis in exchange for 150 acres in Christina Hundred. On 13 November 1732, Peter confirmed to his brother Hans Peterson the upper half of the “old ground.” At the time of the 1752 church census, Peter was living north of the Brandywine. Church records confirm nine children born between 1725 and 1747. Peter died before 1764, when Magdalena was shown as head of household.
Hans Peterson, born c. 1704, became the second husband of Catharine Archer (widow of Jonas Walraven) by 1731. He inherited the upper half of the “old ground,” which he conveyed to his eldest son, Jonas Peterson, on 15 October 1763. He had four other children, all of whom grew to adulthood and married. Hans died in 1766.
Anders Peterson was buried as a child on 5 April 1713.
Anna Peterson married John Littlejohn on 6 May 1729. Not further traced.
John Peterson, born 3 June 1714, died young.

8. Brita Peterson, born c. 1680, married by 1704 Anders Justis, son of Johan Giöstason of Kingsessing. The couple lived on the land (300 acres) which Matthias Peterson had inherited from his father. After Matthias Peterson declined to buy the overplus for such land, Anders Justis made repeated requests to the Board of Property in Philadelphia to buy that overplus. He finally succeeded and on 8 May 1727 he traded the 150 acres thus acquired to his brother-in-law Peter Peterson Caupany for 105 acres of the “old ground” situated on the north side of Christina Creek. Soon thereafter, “Andrew and Bridget Justison” began subdividing the land, an endeavor in which their son-in-law Thomas Willing later joined. The result was the creation of “Willing Town,” now known as Wilmington. After the death of Brita, who was buried 27 June 1737, Anders Justis moved to Salem County to live with his youngest daughter Annika. The will of Andrew Justis, dated 15 July 1740 and proved 19 August 1740, named his two surviving daughters. The children of Andrew and Brita Justis were:

Catharina Justis, born in 1705, first married Thomas Scott on 30 July 1723. After his death, she married Thomas Willing, 5 December 1728. She had five known daughters by her two marriages. She died after 1764.
Brita Justis, born 1707, was buried 21 August 1720 at the age of 13½.
Anna (Annika) Justis, born 1709, married Jacob Derickson 9 June 1728. He died 1 October 1728. She then married Charles Corneliuson of Penns Neck, 20 June 1730. His will of 26 December 1750 named Anna and four children.
John Justis, born c. 1711, was buried 11 March 1715.

9. Elisabeth Peterson, born c. 1684, married Christiern Jöranson (generally called Christian Urinson) c. 1710. He was born in 1664, the eldest son of Anders Jöransson. On 13 April 1685, after reaching the age of 21, Christiern Jurianson was given 100 acres on White Clay Creek by his stepfather Broer Sinnickson. From 1694 to 1697, Christiern Urinson was also paying the quitrents (taxes) due on the land of John and Ann Stalcop at Christina which he was then renting. A carpenter by trade, Christiern pledged 1½ pounds in 1697 toward construction of Holy Trinity Church in Christina. He was employed in the fall of 1698 to work on the church roof. He worked at this task and other carpentry jobs at the church for 33½ days. He agreed to be the carpenter for the glebe house to be built next to the church. He was present when the land for the glebe was surveyed, 20 June 1701, and started work on the glebe house on 16 October 1701. He remained active in church affairs. On 24 June 1714 he was elected church warden. About 1712, at the age of 48, Christiern married Elisabeth Petersson. They had three children (Sophia, Christiern and Margareta), born between 1713 and 1716, all of whom died in childhood. The will of Christian Urinson, "formerly of Christina Creek but now of Fish Point," was dated 16 October 1716 and proved 6 November 1716.

Christiern's widow Elisabeth next married Valentine Cock of Boon's Island, Kingsessing, on 23 April 1720. She then moved to Boon's Island to live on her new husband's own plantation and to help care for his four sons. Elisabeth had no more children of her own by this marriage. After the death of Valentine Cock in 1725, Elisabeth renounced her right to administer his estate and returned to New Castle County where she became housekeeper for the widower Conrad Constantine. On 14 May 1730 she married, as her third husband, John Garretson of Newport, son of Paul Garretson. At the time she was pregnant. Their son Thomas Garretson, "some weeks old," was baptized at Holy Trinity Church on 13 December 1730. The last discovered reference to Elisabeth Peterson Jöransson Cock Garretson was on 18 May 1734, when John Garretson of White Clay Creek Hundred and Elisabeth his wife sold her 15 acres at Fish Point, New Castle Hundred. Elisabeth’s sole surviving child was:

Thomas Garretson, born in 1730, was married on 17 April 1754 to Jane Ferris. In the 1764 Holy Trinity Church census he was listed as a Swedish farmer married to an English wife. By 1765 they had moved to Duplin County, North Carolina, in the Cape Fear area, where their surname became Garrison. The 1783 tax list for Duplin County lists Jane Garrison, his widow, with property valued at £10. Thomas and Jane Garrison had at least five children.