fencing master Franciscus de Antoninis

F. A. is found in the Riksarkivet documents 1701-1702 as he was followed by several officers after arriving from Nyenskanss, Ingermanland. He was trained as a fencing master in the Polish Areas (Gdansk, Wilnus or Cracow, the last most likely), or Padova where many cousins from Friuli were trained. Stayed since 1664 latest in Nyenskanss. Mercenary as so many of the family before and later in the service for the Dutch Princes of Orange, the Republic of Venice, the Austrians, the Spanish (Amrogio Spinola) and the Swedish, Son Anders was also in the service of the Oranje princes after 1688, then for the Swedish in Livland 1702-1010 and finally as guerilla 1711-1720 in Ingermanland and the areas of the present State of Finland (riksarkivet documents) with brothers Abraham, Barthold and Jakob. Older brother Johan took part in guerilla activity but was recruited into the Savo regiments since 1701.

Possible relative in Swedish Livland was Petro Antonio, known as Peter Anthoni, later as ennobled Peter Anthoni Lofelt 1600-1675, known since as in service for Bengt Skytte, first in England and 1629 in Riga and 1636 as agent for the Stophius family busines in Moskow, spy for the Swedish, guvernor for the Ingermanland Nyenskanss and Nötherborg areas.

Y DNA is Finnic origin, but never before known before 1690ies in Finland.

The documented history is partly published in 2021 but new updates available in 2024. Documents included.

MA Erkki Lehto

Peter Antonii Lofelt till Stenbäck och Kupanitz i Ingermanland