The Murder of Olof Ericsson

Do you ever wonder how close we came to having one of our direct line ancestors die? How close we came to never being born with the murder of an ancestor? For example, if Peter or Frank Linn had died in World War I, none of us would be here.

In one case, my grandmother Maude Edith Olofson's line would have failed to exist with the death, the murder, of her 5th great grandfather, my 7th great-grandfather, Olof Ericsson. Here is the story of his murder.

Olof Ericsson was born in Farila Parish in Gavleborg County on August 6, 1688. He met and married the soldier's (later the innkeeper) daughter, Kerstin Persdotter, on November 13, 1713. They were both just about 25 years old. Olof was a farmer, a successful farmer, who had a large, two-story home in Farila. Today, that home is preserved as a Heritage Farm in Farila as an example of the architecture of the early 1700's. I have visited Farila Parish and walked through the beautiful home that belonged to our ancestor.

Olof Ericsson House in Farila Parish

Inside Olof Ericsson House - First Floor Living Space with Fireplace

Bed in Olof Ericsson's house, second floor

In the cold Swedish winter, on January 20, 1717, something terrible happened to Olof. He stumbled from the local inn feeling the effects of the beating he had taken earlier in the day. His head ached. And he could feel the welts building on his shoulders and back. Olof knew that he'd been hurt but assumed that he would be fine if he could just keep going. He staggered toward the church on his way to a nearby town. It was late on the evening of January 20, a bitter cold evening in this northern village in Sweden. Olof made his way to the steps outside the church grounds but before he could climb the steps, Olof crumbled to the ground. The last breath of life exhaled from his body onto the icy pool beneath him. Olof's body lay in front of the church in Farila all night.

Farila Church where Olof Ericsson died

The next morning, farmer Anders Olsson found Olof's frozen body. Anders ran to the inn where Olof's in-laws, Per Mansson and Margreta Andersdotter, the innkeepers, lived. As Anders relayed the news of the death of their son-in-law, Per and Margreta immediately suspected the Sargent, Sargent Hook as the murderer. They had heard a commotion outside the inn earlier in the day and had seen Olof and Sargent Hook arguing. And, according to the stories they'd heard from others, they knew the source of the argument.

Sargent Hook needed transportation to the nearby village of Jarsvo where he would soon meet up with other soldiers and be sent to fight the Russians and their allies in the Great Northern War. Up to this point, Sweden had been a world power, but since 1700, fierce battles had been taking place. It was customary for local farmers to aid soldiers, and Olof Ericsson was willing to lend his horse to Sargent Hook and later walk to the nearby village of Jarsvo to retrieve his steed.

Before I continue this story, you might be wondering how I know these details or even if I'm making it up. The story is true, and I'll explain at the end of this post how I know so many details of a murder in 1717.

Earlier in the day, Olof had arrived with his horse at the home near the inn where Sargent Hook was staying. The Sargent came out to greet Olof, but he was immediately upset that Olof hadn't shown proper respect to him. Olof had not removed his hat for the Sargent. This may seem like a minor insult today, but not in Sweden in the 1700's and not to Sargent Hook. The Sargent drew his sword, yelled at Olof, and beat Olof around the upper back and shoulders. As Olof tried to run away, Sargent Hook beat him with his fists around the head and shoulders until Olof fell to the ground. A neighbor came out to remind Sargent Hook that Olof Ericsson was an esteemed farmer, son-in-law of the innkeepers, and a well-respected man in the village. The Sargent put his sword back, apparently realizing that he had overreacted. Hook helped Olof up, invited him into the house where they had a drink. Both men apparently thought that Olof was not badly hurt at the time.

After the two men consumed a small amount of alcohol, Sargent Hook left with Olof's horse to go to Jarsvo. And later, Olof struck out to walk the 12 miles to Jarsvo to retrieve his horse. Olof only walked as far as the local church in Farila when he collapsed and died.

When word reached Sargent Hook that he was wanted for the murder of Olof Ericsson, Hook fled. But he later returned and was tried and sentenced to death for Olof Ericsson's murder. He was in prison in Gefleborg but was released in 1723. He went to Jarsvo where he died in 1724.

So, how do I know that this is true? When we visited Farila in 2009, we met with a local tour guide who took us to the church, to the inn, to the home that was Olof Ericsson's. And then she shared the transcript of the trial with me.

Olof Ericsson and his wife Kerstin Persdotter had been married just a bit more than 3 years when Olof was murdered. This line, with Olof dead, might have ended, meaning I wouldn't be here, and probably you wouldn't either if you are descended from Maude Edith Olofson Linn. But lucky for us, Olof and Kerstin had one son before Olof was murdered. His name was Eric Olofsson. He was born on January 24, 1716, he was just one year old when his father was murdered. And he is my 6th great-grandfather.