Nils Mattson

From Book: "Anthony Nelson" Neals (Nils) Mattson, our ancestor, arrived in New Sweden in 1654, during the Swedish occupation of the Delaware River. Having lived under three flags, he died after May 31, 1693 in Gloucester County, West New Jersey. His wife's name was Margareta. Neals Mattson, a millwright from Torshalla (near Stockholm), Sweden, came aboard the "Orn" (Eagle), which left Gothenburg on February 2, 1654."There they were mustered and their testimonials examined," so as to exclude "any criminals, malefactors, or others who had done anything wrong . . . so that God, the Most High, might not let His revenge and punishment afflict the accompanying good people and the ship and goods, with The bad and wicked." The vessel was over-crowded, and the expedition started in a "cracking cold winter and great storm." The ship was driven back by head winds and found to be leaking. Mending the leak, they started again, but storms turned them from their course. On the 14th day, their captain "was so confused that he, with astonishment, did not know" where they were. To his surprise, he found they were near Calais and there they anchored. Setting out again they were halted by three English frigates, and yielding after their bowsprit had been shot away, had to go to Dover to get a passport. They put in at Weymouth and Falmouth for supplies. Resuming their voyage thence across the "Western Ocean" for two weeks and a half, "a terrible and violent storm" prevailed. After being lost again, it was discovered that they were atone of the Canaries, where the natives had "shot at us the whole night." The next day they first were stoned, then feasted sumptuously. On March 26 they left, and two weeks later they were in serious condition from "violent and contagious diseases"; there was "misery, yes, lamentation above lamentation, so that a person, even if he had a heart of stone would have felt sorrow and grief" . . . Very many had died, and "their grave was dug deep enough for them." With the sun, the dirt, and "coarse and rotten victuals" and putrid water, none but the most hardy survived. Soon they sighted three hostile Turkish ships. All the sick people were carried on deck. "Even if they were half dead, every man had to go up, and only hold a gun in their hands, if they could do no more; but those who had not enough strength to stand were propped up and supported between two healthy men." And so this stricken ship manned by half-dead scarecrows made ready for action. Two rounds from its lame-duck battery gave the Turks pause, and when they "saw such a large number of men on our ship, and observed that we had so heavy cannon," they did not attack, and left! On April 16,(*)Who's Who in America. The ship arrived at St. Kitts, where it was first bombarded "merrily, "then allowed to take on supplies and leave. Two weeks later, they ran into a fearful storm that carried away their sails, and the ship "so thrown over on its side" that the masts touched on the waves, and many were lost overboard. The masts had to be cut away. With jury-masts and rags of canvas, they staggered into the Bay of Virginia on May 12, wherein another storm, they were stripped of canvas, and ran on a reef that "cracked severely in the ship." They put about, and on May 20, 1654, 107days from Gothenburg, they anchored in the Delaware, embarking 2 days later at Fort Christina (near Wilmington). A hundred had died, out of 350passengers, men, women, children, and soldiers, many of them Finns (SSD717, 720; NS); and the rest were so ill, even the sailors could not lift the anchor. Following the arrival of the vessel, the population of New Sweden amounted to 368 persons (WD 168). So came the last ship from the fatherland during the Swedish occupation, and so came Nels Matson to these shores! Notes (e) and (p). For our family, these events had particular significance. During the siege by the Dutch from New Amsterdam and the negotiations for re-capture by them, which began by the arrival of their Armada in the Delaware Bay on September 6, 1655, and terminated in the surrender on October 11, a Testimonial was addressed to the Director of New Sweden, respecting "the bearer of this letter, the upright and intelligent, Nils Mattson, freeman" of Herring Island, stating that Mattson could not remove so hastily on account of property, and that he "now lately in the war for the defense of the Country voluntarily went down to Fort Trinity, but was taken prisoner *** (meanwhile the enemy was robbing his house and stripping his wife of everything at their home). Through all of this he conducted himself as a good subject ought to do *** Done at Fort Christina, September 24, 1655. John Rising" (WD 189; NS 80). (Fort Trinity was at the present New Castle, Del.; Rising was the Swedish Governor.) After the English Conquest of 1664, Nels Matson's earlier ownership of land was ratified, as is shown by an original grant and confirmation no win the Manuscript Department of the Historical Society of Penna., dated March 10, 1670/1, made by Governor Francis Lovelace, of New York, unto Neals Matson for 100 acres " now in his possession" on the Delaware River, bounded by Crum Creek (which means Crooked Creek), adjoining Claus? Andries land (near present Eddystone, Pa.) On June 4, 1673, Neeles Matsen as one of the arbitrators appointed by the Court at Upland, in a land dispute between Peter Andries and Jonas Nielson of Kingsesse, made an award in Peter's favor respecting lands in Kingsesse (Kingsesse is in the region of Cobb's Creek at its junction with Darby Creek.) Neeles Matsen signed by mark. In the census (ca) 1671-1674, listing the householders along the river, "Neilds Mathiasson" appears in the Upland group. Evidently, Anthony Nelson, had not yet become a householder. Neeles Matson, and Anthony Matson, appears in the List of Tydable (taxable) Persons of November 13, 1677, at Colkoens Hoek between Cobb's Creek and Crum Creek (GMNJ 13:4; Up 77, 197). On March 12, 1677/8, Neeles Mattsen appeared in Court and assigned, unto James Sanderlins, a Patent granted by Governor Richard Nicolls (of New York) on August 6, 1668, "which Patent was formerly by said Sanderlin made over to said Neeles Matsen" (after the latter date). The land was described: Whereas there are two lots of land in Upland at Delaware upon ye North side of Creek or Kill next and adjoining to Israell Helms and Joost Daniel's land and bounded with Villus Lace, containing in breadth six and thirty yards, which said lots were laid out by the officers at Delaware, etc.

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