Hjob Wilhelm von Printzen, Major

MAJOR HJOB WILHELM VON PRINTZEN (#3411) was born in Mark Brandenburg, Germany about 1669-1677 (Ovenstad's Militærbiographier Den Norske Hoers (Army Officerer Fra 18 Januar 1628 - Til 17 Mai 1814, pp.267-268 - Germany; Hirsch's Fortegnelse over danske og norske Officerer med Flere fra 1648-1814, p.221-22 - "Markbrandenburg, Germany." His burial record indicates his age at death was 63 and thus he was born in 1677; However, this does not fit with the mention of his rank of sergeant in 1689. He died in København, Denmark, 25 March 1740. In 1737 he was living in the home of his son-in-law and daughter in Fredrikstad, Norway. Major Printzen complained about his son-in-law, Captain Peter Helmich, and had him arrested to be brought before a military court (Hirsch's Fortegnelse over Danske og Norske Officerer ..., 222. In the biographical sketch of Otto Henrick Printzen it is stated "His father (Otto Henrik's father) died in København on March 25, 1740 (ref, case 26 August 1740 #8)). His body was interred in København, Denmark, Garnison Church on 5 April 1740. According to the burial record "Hr Major v Printzen" was 63 years of age and was buried in the church (floor) between (illegible - probably names of two individuals) and permission was given for a driver and a "lligvogn" (hearse). For the burial and hearse 21 rigsdaler were paid. There was no other payment of this large a sum for other individuals appearing in nearby pages of the Garnisons Church records.

Major Hjob Wilhelm von Printzen appears in Ovenstad's Militærbiographier Den Norske Hoers (Army) Officerer Fra 18 Januara 1628 - Til 17 Mai 1814, pp 267-268 - translated as follows: Born in Germany. Sergeant in Bøynenbourg infantry regiment 30 March 1689. Fenrik (Ensign) with same regiment 1 July 1689. First Lieutenant 20 April (13 April) 1700. Captain 23 September 1707. Retired 9 August 1728. obiously there is something wrong with the dates/status here i.e. Sergeant and Fenrik at the same time.

He also appears in (Hirsch's Fortegnelse over danske og norske Officerer med Flere fra 1648-1814, p. 221-2): Hjob Wilhelm Printzen Fenrik (Ensign) in Boynenburg's infantry regiment (1690 (not legible - 1695?). Lieutenant in same regiment (Guldenløwe) 13 April 1700. Captain in same regiment (Cicignon) 23 September 1707. On 11 July 1707 Hjob received a permit to travel for four months to his home in Markbrandenburg (Registratur Nummer 655 in the year 1707). ** Retired as Major 4 August 1728. His Seal (Coat of Arms) can be found in the referred cases 10 May 1713, paragraph 9. According to Ledebur, the bird is supposed to be an owl. Written Prinsen and Printzen. Pommeren and Brandenburg Noble Family. (Beside his name is his coat of arms displaying a shield surmounted with the plumed helmet of a knight and on the shielf itself is a bird (an owl) sitting on a wide support.

Friderich Wilhelm Printzen's biographical sketch in Topsæe simply states that he was the son of a Lieutenant Colonel Prinzen (given names not mentioned) in Norway. His son in law's (Peter Helmich) biographical sketch in Ovenstad indicates Hjob had the rank of Major and this latter rank is confirmed in Hirsch's biographical sketch of Hjob and in the Garnison church burial record.