SPENS, AXEL [SSNE 1643]
- Surname
- SPENS, SPENCE
- First name
- AXEL
- Title/rank
- MAJOR, BARON ORREHOLM
- Nationality
- SCOT
- Region
- STOCKHOLM
- Social status
- NOBILITY
- Religion
- CALVINIST
Text source
Axel Spens was the son of James Spens of Wormiston [SSNE 1642] and his second wife, Margaretta Forrat [SSNE 6267]. He was born in 1626. At the age of 13 he matriculated at Uppsala University in 1639 with his little brother Jacob [SSNE 3549]. The letters L.B. are printed after their names. In 1654 Spens became a cavalry officer with Hammarskjolds recruited dragoon regiment. He was promoted to major in 1656 but was captured in Poland and died that year. He married Sofia Rytter (Reuter) and they had three daughters, Cathrina Margareta, Sofia and Virginia. He also had a son, Jacob [SSNE 3550] who became Count Spens. Sophia Spens was still known as his widow by 17 March 1661.
Sources: Riksarkivets ämnessamlingar. Personhistoria
https://sok.riksarkivet.se/bildvisning/A0073861_00080#?c=&m=&s=&cv=79&xywh=3178%2C-119%2C3123%2C1801
Correspondence from or about his widow Sophia is found in: https://sok.riksarkivet.se/bildvisning/A0073861_00095#?c=&m=&s=&cv=94&xywh=953%2C2039%2C2605%2C1502
Correspondence signed by he, his brother Jacob [SSNE 3549] and his step-father, Colonel Higo Hamilton [SSNE 2582- is here: https://sok.riksarkivet.se/bildvisning/A0073861_00397#?c=&m=&s=&cv=396&xywh=2706%2C67%2C3648%2C2104
Swedish Krigsarkiv, KRIGSKOLL FULLMAKT 1655 26.3; Swedish Riksarkiv, Riksarkivets Ämbetsarkiv, Huvudarkivet FV a:31-32 Ang. Skottar i Svensk tjänst, notes compiled by Hammerskjöld.
T. Fischer, The Scots in Sweden (Edinburgh, 1907), pp.215-267; Svenska Adelns Ättartavlor, vol. 7, p.429; Andersson et al, Uppsala Universitets Matrikel, (Uppsala, 1900-1911)
Service record
- SWEDEN, UPPSALA
- Arrived 1639-01-01
- Departed 1639-12-31
- Capacity STUDENT, purpose ACADEMIC
- SWEDEN, HAMMARSKJOLD'S DRAGOON
- Arrived 1654-01-01, as CAVALRY MASTER
- Departed 1656-12-31, as MAJOR
- Capacity OFFICER, purpose MILITARY