Olof Ericsson was Murdered!

Olof was just 28 years old when he was murdered outside the church in Farila, Gavleborg Sweden. Who was Olof to us? And how and why was he murdered?

Olof was my 7th great grandfather on Maude Edith Olofson Linn's side. Is your head spinning yet? He was born on August 6, 1688; married Kjerstin Persdotter on January 20, 1713; and was murdered by Sergeant Olof Hook outside the parish church on January 20, 1717.

How do I know this? First, Olof's death record indicates the following:


"He died 20 January 1717 and was buried in the front of the church. He was beaten to death by the Sergeant Hook. Otherwise, he led a very quiet life only for 28 years and 19 weeks."

And when we were in Sweden in 2008, our tour guide found the transcript of the trial for Sergeant Hook. The brief story of the murder is that the Sergeant needed a horse to go to the next village; our ancestor Olof brought a horse to him and did not show proper deference to the Sergeant. Angry, the Sergeant beat Olof about the head but later invited him in to have a drink. As Olof was departing to go back to his home, he stumbled from his injuries, slipped on the steps of the church, and died. He was found the next morning.

Two wonderful things we should be thankful for as descendants of Olof Ericsson:

1. He and his wife had a child before he died. Their son Eric Olsson was born in 1716 and is our 6th g-grandfather!
2. The house pictured below was Olof and Kjerstin's house in the early 1700's and is being preserved as an example of the architecture of the time. We toured the house during our visit.

Back of Olof Ericsson House

Bed in the House

Dining Area on Second Floor

Cooking Area of House