Marit Larsdatter Larsdotter Knutson

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Jomar Berg Berg Web Site MyHeritage.com family tree Family site: Berg Web Site Family tree: Berg Family Tree Smart Matching 202058411-1 MH:S324

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Marit Larsdatter Hosethaug 3 17 OCT 2017 Added by confirming a Smart Match Smart Matching 1505418

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Marit (Marie, Mary) Larson Knutson came to the USA in 1903. She traveled across the Atlantic on the ship Saxonia with her brother Knute who had come to Norway from Rice Lake, Wisconsin, to accompany his sister. According to Marit's letter below, she arrived in Boston April 27, 1903, (shipping records say they arrived in Boston on April 28) went through immigration, and caught a train to Rice Lake where she arrived on May 2, 1903. Marit took an upstairs apartment in a house in Rice Lake. Marit, who was now going by the name Mary, is listed in the June 1, 1905 Wisconsin census as having been a domestic for 12 months, living with her widowed brother Knute and his two children in Rice Lake. In 1908 she married Theodore Knutson and moved to Superior, WI where she had four children.

Children:
Tillie Baskow b. 1909. Myrtle Osmundson b. 1911. Violet Knutsen b. 1913. Ruby Knutsen b. 1918.

This translation of a letter written by Marit Larson to one of her sisters back in Norway was in the possession of Janice Larsen. It tells the story of Marit's trip from Norway to Rice Lake & her first days in Wisconsin.

Rice Lake May 6, 1903 Dear sister [Either Randi or Eli Larsen]

Four days ago we arrived here in America. We came here Monday morning in good health. Many of them were sick but I kept well. I must tell you that we didn't get as nice a place over the Atlantic as we had on the North Sea.

We came to Boston on the 27th [April] but I can tell you there were a lot of time on this trip but you can't get lost on a trip like this.

I had a fun trip over. I make so many friends on the boat. There were many Swedish boys & girls. We were together with Ider Stobursvik too, and he sent greetings to you from him. He went to Washington with Andrs Ulset from Christansund. Ider will be going to send you a picture of himself later. I talked quite a lot with him but more with Ulset. I heard a lot of funny things.

The last day on the boat there was a sad accident, later that night a lady with her baby in her arms dropped the baby and it died at 4 am. The next morning it was buried in the ocean. Then at 6 .m. that same morning a 3 year old died of measles and was buried at 10 a.m. These children were both from Swedish families. A Swedish minister gave the sermon. We didn't hear about this till it was all over. One doesn't always know what goes on at the other end of the boat. I thought this was terrible sad. God only knows where we shall have our last resting place.

When we came to Boston they took us to a hotel. Then we were examined by 3 doctors and a nurse. there were about 200 people there. Can you guess they didn't believe I was a sister to Knute? I thought for sure they were going to keep me there but then they did let me go. One girl that was pregnant had to go back to Norway. 17 people from Ireland had to go back to their land. Quite a few girls were sent to jail as they made trouble on the boat. It pays to be careful and do what is right. Then things will go well. We spent 3 nights on the train. We came to ‘Rice Lake at 8 a.m. We met Marit Flotten and brother Torger. I didn't know Torger then. We met Severet [Seversen, Knute's father-in-law] and then got little Sophie. [Knute's daughter] She knew her father and never left his side. We went to Torger's for dinner but first we saw Marit Flotten and had coffee with her. Torger and I started up there first. Martha [Torger's daughter] met us too. Then we got to the farm then came little Arthur too [Torger's son]. He stayed with me for a long time. The first thing Lena [Torger's wife] asked was if mother was with. She thought it was sad that they could not come here. I thought so too but it wasn't easy to say. They earn a lot of money and it is a good time now. I told Torger what Ole [Torger's brother back in Norway] could do and Torger said that he said he should get them to come over here.

Then Knute, Torger and John left to get their luggage.

In the afternoon I went to Marit Flotten's to see Johannah's [Torger's sister Johanna Meegard] new baby that came last week. She was feeling better now but had been quite ill. I didn't stay long but the next day in the afternoon I went there and the next day too.

In the evening I went to town with Martin [Meegard] and had myself a ride on a horse. That sure was a nice horse. The[y] didn't have those big horses in Norway. He said he thought they should all come here. He thought that being there were so many here there would be enough food and clothing. It shouldn't be too much to think about and the trip- was very easy. I could make another trip right away. Martin has 2 horses and a colt, 4 cows, 3 calves, 1 horse and a lot of children. They have as much milk as on a big farm in Norway. The cows give as much milk as they have so much grass to eat. They make 6 lbs of butter every day. I think here it is so beautiful. We have moved into a house in town. We live on the 2nd floor. There is a bedroom, front room, kitchen pantry and a hall.

I'm getting to the end of my paper so this will be all for now. I hope you will write me right away. Ask Ole to write and tell him he should go home so everybody can read this letter. Let us know how things are at home. Tell everyone that I don't wish myself home yet. I'm mot too wise yet. Marit [Mary] Larson Rice Lake

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Oct 8 2017, 0:18:20 UTC