Hans Thomsen (1824 - 1853)

Hans Thomsen was born 12 Sep. 1824 on Sunde farm, Tysnes in Hordaland County, Norway. He died 8 Oct. 1853 on Straumøy farm, Valestrand (Sveio), Hordaland County. He was burried 13 Oct. 1853. He was son of Tolleif Thomsen and Cathrine Nielsdatter. Hans married Kari Knutsdatter from Austvik farm, Sveio. They had 1 son:

1. Hans Carl Thomsen, b. 5 Jan. 1854(# 14), d. 1941, m. 1887, Mary Ellen Griffiths. He moved to New Zealand abt. 1886.

Hans Thomsen moved from Engesund and bought Straumøy farm in Valestrand (Sveio) in 1851. He was running the farm until he died 29 years old in 1853. His son Hans Carl was born a few months after he died. Hans Thomsen owned , 1 horse, 5 cows, 25 sheeps, "1 hustømre" (a timbered house, log-cabin), a half partnership in 3 fishing nets and a grain mill, 2 fishingboats, a new boathouse, 1 bridal crown.

He also owned a small library of Christian literature: 1 bibel, 1 devotion book, 1 "Bibelske sange" (Bible songbook), a hymn book written by Vexel, 2 hymn books written by Kingo, a prayerbook, 1 "Kristelig samliv" (a book on Christian marriage), 1 "Taler av Gosner" (The Speeches (Sermons?) of Gosner), 3 bundles of "small books", 1 "Hjertets speil" (Herat's Mirror), 1 "Sjelens Sangoffer" (The soul's Song Offerings).

Hans' farm was appraised at 525 specie (silver) dollars. The sum indicates that he
was one of the cleverest and most capable men in the area.

Kari married (2) Jon Johannessen from Andal farm, Bømlo in 1855. 1)

1) Microfilm: Church record Stord.
Simon Steinsbø: Sveio Gards - og ættesoge I, page 207 - 208.
Simon Steinsbø: Sveio Gards - og ættesoge III, page 282.