Robert Moffatt (abt. 1620 - abt. 1680)

Born about 1620 in Scotland

Descendants

Died about 1680 at about age 60 in At Sea

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Biography

Whilst serving the crown of Sweden in a military capacity over the course of many years, Robert became personally known to the king, Charles X, who helped arrange a marriage for Robert with Elisabeth Rutenskjöld, the daughter of Sten Rutenskjöld, another successful and recently ennobled military officer. ^[1]

Carl Gustav X reigned from 1654 to 1660, so these events took place during this period of time. ^[2]

It would also seem that Hedvig Eleonora, wife of Charles X, was acquainted with Karin Wagner, wife of Sten Rutenskjöld, and had a hand in the marriage arrangement. Robert and Elizabeth had a family of many children. ^[1]

However, while on duty at the garrison town of Varberg, Robert fell into an adulterous affair with another officer’s wife. He was sentenced to execution. His wife not only forgave him, but exerted her utmost influence to have him pardoned. Elizabeth’s letter to Hedvig Eleonora, the dowager Queen of Sweden, is still extant, and is translated here. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Colin Moffatt. The Travails of Robert Moffat in Sweden. Attached pdf file. Obtained by Jack Day, July 15, 2017, from a friend on Ancestry.com.
2. ↑ Wikipedia. Charles X Gustav of Sweden. Accessed july 15, 2017. Day-1904

• Riksarkivets ämnessamlingar. Personhistoria, , SE/RA/756/756.1/M/I/M 13 b, "Mofatt", https://sok.riksarkivet.se/bildvisning/A0069904_00228