Yocum Family History
Page Seven
PAGE 255
He was residing at this location by 1693 when he and his wife Mary Stalcop had a family of five. By the turn of the century John Hanson Steelman's fame and fortune as an Indian trader were established. Both William Penn and Maryland vied for his talents in dealing with the Indians, and the ministers of both the Wicaco (Philadelphia) and Christina (Wilmington) churches vied for his favors.
It was at John Hanson Steelman's home in Sahakitko (Elk Landing) where, on 24 June 1697, the Swedish religious contingent of Andrew Rudman, Eric Bjork, Jonas Auren and Jonas Bjurstrom arrived from Sweden to fill the long-vacant pastorates at Wicaco and Crane Hook. Rev. Bjork described the arrival in these words: We then traveled with a favorable wind about 70 English miles (from Annapolis, Maryland) to a place called Trantown (Francetown), at the end of the Elk River, until the second day at 10 o'clock, and from there one English mile to where some of the Swedes lived (Sahakitko).
Before we had been there a day and a night, not only had the renown of our arrival spread almost incredibly, but people from a distance of 10, 12, to 16 miles came with horses to bring us more easily to the congregations. We were pleased to see that many cried with joy, and some would not believe anything before they saw us.
PAGE 256
The Reverand Rudman assumed the pastoral duties at Wicaco; the Rev. Bjork at Crane Hook. The Rev. Auren who was sent to America on temporary assignment, defied his orders and settled at Elk River, preaching for the English and Swedes in that area, later moving to the Swedish church at Racoon (Swedesboro), New Jersey. Bjurstrom came as an attendant to the three ministers. In 1700 he was a witness to Peter Peterson Yocum's
will.
Immediately the new ministers, with the support of their
congregations, set about building new stone and brick churches to
replace the old log structures. Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) was dedicated on 4 June 1699 at Christina (Wilmington); Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) was dedicated 2 June 1700 at Wicaco (Philadelphia).
Without the financial assistance of John Hanson Steelman, it is unlikely that Old Swedes Church in Wilmington could have been built. The first page of Rev. Bjork's churchbook reads: "To the Church of Holy Trinity at Christina in Pensilvania, America, is this bound blank book given for a church, by Mr. John Hance Stellman in the year 1699." Inside, Bjork recounts how Steelman advanced 220 pounds cash for construction of the church and allowed the church to assume a 100-pound note owed to Steelman by his brother-in-law, John Stalcop, when the latter gave part of his land to the church. On 16 November 1706 Steelman
forgave this note and all unpaid interest and was duly rewarded as follows:
The first Sunday in Advent we had occassion to have a general thanksgiving to God, who caused John Hanson Steelman to give 100 pounds with all interest backstanding thereon freely to the church, it being part of the money that we borrowed of him for the building of the church.
For this gift was promised him the first seat on the main aisle, both on the men and women's side, and a burial place in the Church for himself.
John Hanson Steelman was not buried in Holy Trinity. In fact, he and his wife probably seldom attended. By 1710 he was living 16 miles west of the Elk River near the Susquehanna River, where he was visited by his brother Jons (James Hanson Steelman), Rev. Andreas Sandel (Rudman's successor at Wicaco), and Jonas Bjurstrom. As described in Sandel's diary:
1710. November 13-Set out for J. Auren's wedding, with Jons
Steelman and Jonas Bjurstrom. Reached Christina and slept at Mag.
Bjork's. November 14-Reached Elk River shortly after noon...and intending to go further, we hastened on as soon as we had partaken of the noonday meal. It was sixteen English miles to Captain Hansson's, but taking a wrong path leading to Turk's (Turkey) Point, and going six miles out of our way, we came to a house near a wood and the man took us to North East River, and it was near daybreak before we arrived at Capt. Johan Hansson's, who lives 1-1/2 miles from the Susquehanna, where we remained
the following day and night.
November 16-We left Hansson's for Mr. Auren's wedding; had to go back eight miles as he lived east of the river. Mr. Auren was married by Mag. Bjork to Hans Giostason's (Justis') daughter Lydia. We nighted at Anders Nelson (alias Friend), more than a mile from Auren's house.
Next
Home
© 1999 ocbc76@cillnet.com