Matthias Mattsson (1625 - 1705)

Born 1625 in Sweden

Died 1705 at about age 80 in New Castle County, Delaware

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Matthias Mattsson migrated from Sweden to New Sweden in 1654 aboard the Örnen.

Biography

Matthias Mattson was born in Sweden in 1625 and arrived in New Sweden in 1654 aboard the Örnen (Eagle). ^[1] He was a blacksmith living near Fort Trinity in 1654, and by 1660 had acquired the nickname de Vos ('the fox') in his dealings with the Dutch. ^[2] This nickname eventually became de Foss.

In 1671 he lived at Carkoens Hook ^[1] but by 1675 had returned to New Castle County ^[2] were he was active in protesting the conscripting of labor to build dikes. ^[3] In 1683 he acquired a tract west of the Brandywine, where he was living in 1693 and remained until his death in 1705. ^[3]

Matthias De Foss, described as "a smith of our own fold", did the iron work for Holy Trinity Church ^[4] . He also witnessed the sale of land for the church from John Stalcop to Rev. Bjork and the church wardens. ^[4]

Matthias' will, dated 7 May 1705 and proved 27 May 1708 names his wife Sarah and seven children: Hans, Johan, Margaret, Helena, Ingeborg, Anna, and Elisabeth.^[2] His surname had variously been Mattsson, Smith, de Vos, Defose, and de Foss, but most of his descendants adopted the name De Voss. ^[3]

Children

1. Hans
2. Johan
3. Margaret
4. Helena
5. Ingeborg
6. Anna
7. Elisabeth

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Craig, Peter S. 1671 Census of the Delaware. (Philadelphia: Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, 1999) p. 25
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Craig, Peter S. New Sweden Settlers, 1638-1664 Part 5, "Swedish American Genealogist", Volume xviii March 1998. p. 10
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Craig, Peter S. The 1693 Census of the Swedes on the Delaware.(Winter Park, Fla: SAG Publications, 1993) p. 106
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Burr, Horace, translator, The Records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, Wilmington, Del., from 169 7 to 1773, (Wilmington: The Historical Society of Delaware, 1890) pp 38, 62, 166