Name:                     Jacob Anderson SLOGVIG1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 ,30

Sex:                         Male

Father:                    Anders Knudsen SLOGVIG (1775 - 1848)

Mother:                  Anna Jacobsdatter FIKSTVEDT (FIKSTVEIT) (1769 - )

 

Individual Facts

Birth                       8 Jun 1807                                              Slogvik, Tysvær, Rogaland, Norway16

Baptism                  21 Jun 1807 (age 0)                               Norway

Death                     6 May 1864 (age 56)                             Napa, Napa Co., CA

Burial                      1864                                                        Tulocay Cemetery, Napa, CA

 

AKA:     Jakob Andersonner Slogvik17 -  Slogvig1 -  Slaavig18 -  Jacob Anderson19 -  Jakob Andersen29

                                                                                   

 

Marriages/Children

1. Serine (Serena) Tormodsdatter MADLAND

Marriage                1 Mar 1831 (age 23)                              Kendall (Murray), Orleans Co., NY20,21

 

Children                 Sarah ANDERSON (1834 - 1850)

                                Martha Jane ANDERSON (12 Jun 1836 - 16 Jul 1873) [Married 1.Augustus "Gus" WHEELER; 2. R. C. HILLIARD.]

                                ? ANDERSON ( - )

                                ?Inga ANDERSON (1839 - 1850)

                                Isabelle ANDERSON (18 Jul 1839 - 19 Nov 1881)

                                Andrew Jackson ANDERSON (12 Apr 1842 - 15 Dec 1917)

                                Jacob ANDERSON (21 Jul 1844 - 22 Jul 1866)

                                ?Rachel ANDERSON (1849 - )

                                ? ANDERSON ( - )

                                Julia "Julie" S. ANDERSON (8 May 1855 - bet 1870 and 1872)

 

Notes (Individual)

Burial: [Buried in Block 49, Lot 19 (book 2, p. 64); Lot purchased by Martha Wheeler.]

Death: [Grave stone (shared with wife and son) has "died May 5, 1864;"  bottom of stone has "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." see Photo.]

 

General:  IMMIGRANT    SLOOPER*.   Immigrated to America at age 18 aboard the Norwegian sloop Restoration in 1825.  Jacob dropped his farm name, Slogvig, sometime after arriving in America, using then his patronymic name Anderson.  He and his brother, Knut, were sons of a 'bonde' family (farmers owning land).  The family farm was called Slogvik and was located in the Tysvær Parish about 27 miles north of Stavanger, Norway, across the Boknafjorden and on the west side of Hervikfjorden that leads up to Skjoldafjorden.  (See Note below for information on this farm, its name and area from the Tysvær bygdebok, vol. 2.)**

 

   Rosdail's Slooper book gives little information on Jacob's early years in Norway.  However, Alfred Hauge in Vol. 1 of his historical novel based on the life of Cleng Peerson (often called the "father" of Norwegian/American migration) does describe Jacob's life leading up to his leaving Norway.  Keeping in mind that this is only historical fiction, the following excerpts, while possibly not being historically correct, at least give the flavor of the times and conditions leading up early Norwegian emigration: "... the farm of Slogvig ... 'was the worst hornet's nest of Quakers found anywhere,' and that was said  in spite of the fact that no one on the farm had formally become a member of the Society of Friends. ... When Jacob - who was in his seventeenth year - was to register for confirmation, he had refused to do so unless the pastor on the basis of Holy Writ could prove that confirmation was truly an ordinance instituted by God. ... The pastor ... demanded that the boy be committed to the penitentiary so that he could be instructed there and later be confirmed, or he would have to move from the parish and stay away forever. ... As soon as the boat touched the jetty in Stavanger, he was taken to the town hall and put in a locked room.  The pastor turned up and examined him first in regard to the basic truths, as to Who was his Creator, his Redeemer, and his Comforter in Heaven; to that he replied fully, reciting the Articles of Faith, and without hesitation quoted the interpretations of Luther and Pontoppidan. ... Then the pastor asked him, 'Do you believe all this, then?'  But Jacob said, 'I am being called to account for what I know, not for what I believe  'Also for what you believe, you obstinate fellow!' exclaimed the pastor angrily.  'For it is a pledge of faith that you are going to make before the altar and the countenance of the Lord.'  'Yes,' Jacob answered, 'the pastor is right.  For NO OTHER  reason will I be placed behind bars, that I can be administered the only saving faith and later confess it -- under the same kind of constraint.' (He then, according to Hauge was sentenced to 4 months.) (Hauge, Vol. 1, pp. 310-312) [Note: On 31 Dec 2001 Rotraud & Einar Slogvik searched the archived 1811 to 1825 Skjold church records at the Stavanger library for Jacob's confirmation. No record of Jacob's confirmation could be found!]

 

   Jacob was probably not a formal member of the Quaker Church before he left Norway due to his age and religious restrictions in his area at this time.  However, most authorities now agree that he early on held Quaker beliefs as did many of his family members.  His great uncle Torbjørn Knutson Svinali Nedra was one of those held prisoner in England during the Napoleonic wars and there converted to Quaker beliefs.    Torbjørn returned to Norway and was active in spreading Quaker teachings in the Rogaland county area (see Langhelle's Quaker history article).  Jacob's brothers Knud and Anders, as well as his sister Malene and her husband, were all known to be Quakers.  The nearby farms of Svinali Nedra and Stakland have historical connections with the Quakers.  Jacob was a friend and 3rd cousin once removed of the famous Cleng Peerson who was known as the "Father of Norwegian Emigration" and a noted "free-thinker" and Quaker sympathizer.

 

   Having just turned age 18, Jacob was a crew member ("Apprentice") on the sloop Restoration that sailed for America in 1825 (The Slooper book gives his age as 15 at sailing to America, but this is an error).  Some sources say that he was accompanied on this voyage by his older brother Knud, most authorities now agree that Knud came later.  "The only incident to mar the disembarking (at New York) was the loss of Jacob Slogvig's tools.  He was a file maker (and carpenter) by trade and had brought his files and tools along on the Sloop.  When they were being unloaded they slipped and fell into New York Harbor."  Initially he probably worked for others, but was able to eventually own his own farm at Murray, NY.  In the summer of 1834 he sold the farm and moved his family to Fox River, IL (about 70 miles SW of Chicago) where land was purchased*** and log cabins built in the new Norwegian settlement ("the mother of all subsequent Norwegian settlements in America," p. 62 & 100).  Identified as a Quaker before leaving Norway, he apparently became a "Mormon" (Latter Day Saints) while at Fox River.  Responding to Mormon influence, Jacob was "the first Slooper to leave Fox River for the west and not return.  He and his family started out in 1848 and went to a point in western Iowa near Kanesville (Council Bluffs)... Here he made a claim, entered 600 acres of land, and never continued the Mormon trek" (Rosdail, p. 126).  ".. they were one of the five first settlers in Grove Township (Wheeler Grove area), Pottawattamie County" (Rosdail, p. 423).  "In 1854 Jacob and Serena Anderson decided to follow the great trek to California.  It would appear that they did not sell their Iowa land; and they had about six living children at this time.... The trip was made in a covered wagon with oxen.  In California they settled at a locality called Soscol in Napa County, just to the north of San Francisco Bay.  Here they acquired '555 71/100' acres of 'swamp and overflowed' land, and 50 acres, the Ranch of Soscol**** -- in 1857; also, from D. C. Oakes, 80 acres***** of 'swamp land' in 1861.  These 'Tule Lands', in spite of their unsavory description on the land records, were fruitful, and Jacob prospered at raising grain and live-stock.******  About this time Jacob saw to it that his sons, Andrew J. and Jacob J. were set up with Tule lands.  Andrew received 160 acres for $1000 and paid $320 down.   In 1864, Jacob Anderson Sr. died, -- farther from his native Norway than any other who came over on the Sloop" (Rosdail, p. 425).

 

   In the 1852 Iowa State Census he is listed as having 4 males (including himself) and 5 females in his household; the 3 heads of households listed just before Jacob in this census are Samuel Ferrin, Jacob Elswick and Salmon Wheeler and listed just after Jacob are A. F. Wheeler, Levi Grabell and George Grabell.  In the 1860 US Census Jacob is listed as the head of the household in Napa Twp., Napa Co., CA.  He appears to be listed as age 60 and his occupation is listed as "Farmer."  In the household at that time were his wife Serena age 47, Andrew age 18, Jacob age 15, and Julia age 5.  Listed next on the census sheet (which would tend to indicated the neighboring home) is David C. Oaks, his wife Isabella (Jacob & Serena's daughter) and their one year old son David.  Listed just above Jacob's family in this census was the family of John A. Roney, who was to become the great grandfather of the brothers, George U. & Elwin A. Roney who married in the 1940's the twin sisters Emma & Emily Uhl, who were the third great granddaughters of Jacob Anderson (through his granddaughter Emma Wheeler).

 

   Information received from the Reorganized LDS Church Archives indicate that Jacob was an early member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS); his obituary appeared in the "Saints' Herald" Vol. 14, page 144, under the "Died" heading and states "In Napa Co., California, May 6th, 1864, Jacob Anderson, aged 56 years and 11 months."  Additional information from the RLDS Archives indicate that Jacob, along with fellow Sloopers Gudmund Haukaas and Endre (Andrew) Dahl, were early followers while living in Illinois of the controversial LDS leader James Strange, this being shortly after the death of the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith.  Strange claimed leadership of the church in opposition to Brigham Young.  In the "Chronicles of Ore, 1844-1849" Jacob, along with Haukaas and Dahl, were listed as "High Priests" in attendance at a church meeting with Strange in Apr 1846.  According to an RLDS Assistant Archivist, "Many former Mormons who did not follow Brigham Young affiliated with Strange's group.... Many members became dissatisfied with his leadership, and probably the polygamy practice, and left."  Many later joined the Reorganized LDS Church, as did Jacob and his family.  Some of his descendants continued to belong to the Reorganized LDS Church for several subsequent generations. [Note: in year 2000 the RLDS Church changed its name to "Community of Christ."]

 

   Guinn's 1906 Calif. history book states the following: "Near Napa City he took up a tract of farm land and his last years were devoted to raising grain and stock in Napa County, where he died May 5, 1864.  To an unusual degree he possessed the tastes of the pioneer.  In the opening up of new lands and the reclaiming of the virgin soil he found his chief enjoyment.  The round of pioneer existence, wearying to many, brought him the satisfaction following a duty well done.  The spirit of fearlessness and independence which led him to leave his native land in search of greater opportunities brought him, after numerous changes, to California, the home of his later years, where he enjoyed the comforts scoured (sic) by habits of persevering industry."

 

   *For more information on the Sloopers see notes for Tormod Jensen MADLAND.

 

   ** NOTE:  The name was "Slogvig" in older times (up to 1661).  More recently it is written "Slogvik."  This name comes from the Norwegian word "slob," meaning millrace, and "vi," meaning cove.  This does not mean that there was a millrace there originally, but the landscape appeared to be shaped like a millrace.  Also, down by the old farmyard, in today's farm number 7, there is a valley or an indentation and below this lies an inlet or cove.   According to this area's bygdebok, archeological finds indicate that the area of the Slogvik farms had been occupied as long as 4,000 years ago. (p. 21)  Six people lived on the farm in 1664, 8 in 1701, 4 in 1711, 7 in 1768, 17 in 1801, and 26 in 1865.  By the end of the 19th century there were only 15 in Slogvik.  The people had moved out to other cities and communities and the immigration to America had taken its toll on the area's population. (p. 23)  The caption to a picture on page 29 of the 1990 local history book identifies it as "The old mill at Slogvik." and states that "It has now been restored."  It is now an historical site maintained by Tysvær kommune (municipality). (See photos of this farm & old mill taken in July 2000 on Photo Album 19.)

 

   *** According to Rasmus B. Anderson, Jacob came from New York to the Illinois Fox River area in 1834 with Cleng Peerson but was not able to actually buy land until 1835 as the land wasn't surveyed and put on the market until then.  On 15 June 1835 Jacob purchased 80 acres in Rutland township, La Salle County, in the same area where his brother-in-law, Gudmund Haugaas, also purchased land at that same time.21 (p. 174)  Rutland Twp. was one of 3 adjacent townships settled by the Sloopers and this was called the Fox River Settlement located in the general area of present day Norway, IL.

 

   **** Some details of the 50 acres Jacob bought south of the town of Napa can be found described in the 1860 US Census Agriculture Schedule under his name. This 50 acre parcel was classified "improved land" with a cash value then of $1,500 plus $50 value in farm implements. Also included was a relatively large value of orchard production of $500. Livestock, for a total value of $1,050, included 10 horses, 1 mule, 20 milk cows and 50 "other cattle."30


   ***** 1860 Census Farm Schedule data for the 80 acres that Jacob later bought from his son-in-law was listed just below the above 50 acres under the name of "D. C. Oaks." This farm land was also classified as "improved" with a cash value of $1,600. It produced 450 bushels of barley, 16 tons of hay, 200 lbs of butter and $75 worth of "homemade manufactures." Livestock connected to this farm land included 2 horses and 12 milk cows, for a total livestock value of $350.30

 

   ****** For additional details on, and locations of, property obtained by Jacob and his family in Napa County, California, CLICK HERE.

 

Notes (Family #1)

Marriage: [Norwegian historian Rasmus B. Anderson has marriage location of Kendall, NY.]

 

Sources

1.  Rosdail, J. Hart.  The Sloopers; Their Ancestry and Posterity; The Story of the People on the Norwegian Mayflower, The Sloop, "Restoration.".  Broadview, IL: Norwegian Slooper Society of America, 1961.  pp. 9-10, 19, 29-30, 57, 66-71, 113, 126, 423-425.

2.  Guinn, J. M., Prof..  History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California. An Historical Story of the State's Marvelous Growth from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time.  Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co., 1906.  p. 1469.

3.  Naeseth, Gerhard B..  Norwegian Immigrants to the United States; A Biographical Directory, 1825-1850; Volume One 1825-1843.  Madison, WI: 1993.  p. 5.

4.  Hauge, Alfred.  Cleng Peerson, Volume 1 & 2, Translated from the Norwegian by Erik J. Friis. (Historical novel/fictionalized biography originally published in 3 volumes by Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, Oslo.).  Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1975.  Vol. 1, pp. 310-312, 317, 329, 332-333, 347, 401, plus many references in Vol. 2.

5.  Field, Homer H. and Reed, Hon. Joseph R..  History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, From the Earliest Historic Times to 1907; Also Some Biographical Sketches of Some Prominent Citizens of the County, Vol. I.  Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1907.  p. 197.

6.  1850 US Census.  Pottawattamie Co., IA.

7.  Archive Records furnished by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints under cover letters of 6 and 20 Oct 1999. (Contact person: Barbara J. Bernauer, Assistant Archivist).  Independence, MO: RLDS Church, 1999. [Note: in year 2000 the RLDS Church changed its name to "Community of Christ."]

8.  1860 US Census.  Napa Co., CA.

9.  1852 Iowa State Census.  Indiantown Township, Pottawattamie Co., p. 021.

10.  Anderson, Rasmus B..  The First Chapter of Norwegian Immigration, (1821 - 1840), Its Causes and Results.  (This is a very difficult to find, out-of-print book, but it was transcribed by Neil Hofland of Santa Monica and posted in many installments to the Internet Norway List.  These postings were gathered together from the List Archives and made available in a zipped file format by Debbie Chan of Winnipeg, Canada, in Feb 2000.).  Madison, WI: Published by the author, 1895.  pp. 91-103 & 174-175.

11.  Anderson, Rasmus B..  "'Restaurationen' -- the Norse Mayflower,"  AMERICAN SCANDINAVIAN REVIEW, Vol. 13., pp. 348-360. (Copy of original from Washoe Co. Library, Reno, NV; furnished by Bob Westberg.).  January 1925.

12.  1800 US census.

13.  Dybdal-Holthe, Nils.  Tysvær, Gard og ætt 2, Tysvær Sokn (Vol. 2 of "Tysvær Bygdebok" or local history book for "farms and families" for Tysvær subparish, Tysvær kommune, Rogaland county, Norway).  Stavanger, Norway: Tysvær Kommune - Dreyer Bok, 1990.  pp. 21, 23, 25.

14.  Flom, George T..  A History of Norwegian Immigration to the United States; From the Earliest Beginning down to the Year 1848.  Iowa City, IA: Privately Printed, 1909; Facsimile Reprint by Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD, 1992.  pp. 47, 55, 57-58, 84, 125, 192-3, 196-7.

15.  Blegen, Theodore C..  Norwegian Migration to America 1825-1860.  New York: Haskell House Pub., 1969.  pp. 42, 112, 395.

16.  Naeseth, Gerhard B..  Norwegian Immigrants to the United States; A Biographical Directory, 1825-1850; Volume One 1825-1843.  Madison, WI: 1993.  p, 5.

17.  Rosdail, J. Hart.  The Sloopers; Their Ancestry and Posterity; The Story of the People on the Norwegian Mayflower, The Sloop, "Restoration.".  Broadview, IL: Norwegian Slooper Society of America, 1961.  p. 10.

18.  Ibid.  p. 19.

19.  Ibid.

20.  Ibid.  p. 57.

21.  Anderson, Rasmus B..  Norwegian Immigration - 1821-1840 (As parts copied & furnished by Neil Hofland of Santa Monica, Feb. 1997).  1895. pp. 92, 93, 100, 102, 174, 175, 186, 187.

22.  Langhelle, Svein Ivar.  Tysvær, Slik levde dei 9 - Frå 1820 til 1920 (Vol. 9 of Tysvær local history), Stavanger, Norway: Tysvær Kommune - Dreyer Bok, 1997, pp. 187, 250.

23.  Semmingsen, Ingrid.  Norway to America; A History of the Migration, Translated by Einar Haugen, University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, 1978, p. 11.

24.  Nag, Martin.  Ryfylke-kvekerne! Utvandring! Essays og myter. Stavanger, Norway; Kveldsbel-eika; 2000, pp. 17, 18, 200.

25.  Tysvær historielag.  Vestover! Gløtt frå utvandringa frå Tysvær til Amerika; Årsskrift 1993, Tysvær historielag, p. 14.

26.  Norlie, Olaf Morgan.  History of the Norwegian People in America. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1925 (Heritage Books Reprint, 1999), pp122, 123, 132, 144, 152, 156, 157.

27.  Qualey, Carlton.  Norwegian Settlement in the United States.  Northfield, MN: Norwegian-American Historical Association, 1938, pp. 25, 26.

28.  Mulder, William.  "Norwegian Forerunners Among the Early Mormons," Norwegian-American Studies, Volume 19. Northfield, MN: The Norwegian-American Historical Association (NAHA), 1956, pp.  47, 52. 

29.  Clausen, C. A. [translator]. A Chronicler of Immigrant Life: Svein Nilsson's Articles in Billed-Magazin, 1868-1870. Northfield, MN: The Norwegian-American Historical Association (NAHA), 1982, p. 46. (Note: In this book, Jacob is referred to as "Jakob Andersen.")

30.  Ancestry.com. Selected U.S. Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010; California, Agriculture, 1860, Napa County, Napa Township, lines 14 & 15.

 

Prepared by:

O. Keith Wheeler

Mad River, CA 95552

(707) 574-6595

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