CUNNINGHAM, TAMIS [SSNE 2472]
Text source
Tamis Cunningham appears in Danish-Norwegian service as the commandant of the royal fortifications in Altafjord in Norway. He arrived with another Scot, Captain John Robertson [SSNE 2798] who acted as his second in command. They had a small fleet of Galley’s to protect the fjord and surrounding area from attack by the Swedes. Tamis Cunningham was the cousin of Admiral John Cunningham [SSNE 1497], lensman of Finnmark. Tamis moved there in 1619, the year John was appointed, and probably acted as military governor there during the war with the Swedes, 1643-1645. This is recorded in a letter from John Cunningham where he asked that his cousin be confirmed in 1648 as military governor since he had acted in that capacity during the previous war. We can assume, therefore, that Tamis was still there in 1648.
Sources: Statholderskabets Extraktprotokol af Supplicationer og Resolutioner 1642-1652 (2.vols, Cristiania, 1896-1901), II, p.38. Notes by Hannibal Sehested, February 1648; O. Solberg, Finnmark omkring 1700, Tredie Bind: Lilienskiolds Speculum Boreale, Del II (Oslo, 1945), p.61; J. P. Nielsen, Altas Historie, Bind I: De glemte århundrene 1520-1826 (Alta, 1990), p.102.
Service record
- DENMARK-NORWAY, ALTAFJORD, NORWAY
- Arrived 1611-01-01, as CAPTAIN
- Departed 1619-12-31, as CAPTAIN
- Capacity GOVERNOR, purpose NAVAL
- DENMARK-NORWAY, FINMARK, NORWAY
- Arrived 1619-01-01, as CAPTAIN
- Departed 1643-12-31, as CAPTAIN
- Capacity OFFICER, purpose NAVAL
- Arrived 1643-01-01, as CAPTAIN
- Departed 1649-12-31, as COMMANDER
- Capacity GOVERNOR, purpose MILITARY