Else Larsdotter Resen Mandt (1687-1785) from Fredrikstad, Norway, gave us a name which has been used in every generation that follows her. She gave us a touch of Danish or German ancestral blood line when she married military officer Mikkel Larsson Mandt from Schleswig- Holstein on the continent. Mikkel may have been of noble birth and he left his home for political reasons or with a military appointment by the Danish King. He didn’t disclose many facts of his early life so there has been much speculation about his origins and story.
We know he fought in the war against King Karl XII of Sweden and met Else when he was stationed at Fredrikstad. They also lived in Christiansand before he was assigned to the military training camp at Vinje in Telemark in1710. In this Vesterlandske Regiment, he was the chief administrative officer, and he also became a land owner and Klokker at the Vinje Church. He was well educated for his time and a skilled goldsmith whose filigree jewelry was much in demand. There are many stories of how he traveled through Telemark selling his fine jewelry. Even the peasants wanted their coins made into jewelry for the superstitions of the country demanded that they wear jewelry every day.
Paul H. Mandt writes “Else, it has been said, was exceptionally beautiful. Although firm and sharp tongued, she was an intelligent and capable spouse and mother. Both parents evidently came from good backgrounds and together instructed their eight children in the basics and the arts. The boys particularly were known for their fine handwriting and proper use of language. The four adult sons all became outstanding goldsmiths, prominent citizens, lensmenn and parish klokkers. All acquired property and many descendants.”
The September 4, 1974 AFTENPOSTE says “the Mandt descendants were regarded as people who could master any situation. Besides being outstanding artists and craftsmen, many of them had more knowledge than was usual at that time. They could read and write and get high positions of influence”.
Else Mandt’s final gift to her descendants was living to be 99 years old and passing those hardy genes to each of those who come after her. Her journey became a blending of the nationalities and the first of many cross cultural marriages for the good of the generations. We honor her strong contributions of our family tree.