HAMILTON, BRITA MARGARETHA [SSNE 6386]

Surname

HAMILTON

First name

BRITA MARGARETHA, MARGARETTA

Nationality

SCOT and IRISH

Text source

Brita Margaretha Hamilton was the daughter of Margaretha Forrat [SSNE 6267] and Hugh Hamilton of Deserf [SSNE 2582]. Brita managed to master the German language during her youth. In 1659 she married Gustav Adolf Skytte [SSNE 4921] of Duderhof, grandson of Maria Neave [SSNE 6272] and Johan Skytte [SSNE 4754]. At the time of the couple's marriage, in February 1659, Gustav Adolf had already begun his piratical activities on the Baltic Sea, which he continued until his capture in 1662. Apparently his sister Christina [SSNE 7271] and her husband, Gustav Drake, were also involved. The following year he was executed for murdering the crew of a Dutch trade ship. Questions have remained as to the extent - if any - of Brita's involvement in her husband's crimes.

Brita is one of few Scottish women to have left her mark in an autograph book, or alba amicorum. Five years before marrying Gustav Adolf, on 2 December 1654, Brita met Erik Drake af Hagelsrum, serving in the Swedish army at the time. She signed his autograph book, writing a comment in German: "Nach Gott unde ehrenn stet mein begerren"

In 1664, now a widow, we see her still in communication with James Spens (younger) [SSNE 3549], her half-brother.

Brita died in 1666.

 

Sources:

Riksarkivets ämnessamlingar. Personhistoria https://sok.riksarkivet.se/bildvisning/A0073861_00227#?c=&m=&s=&cv=226&xywh=3684%2C1025%2C2340%2C1349

Riksarkivet, Skoklostersamlingen II. Personarkiv. (RA/720795.012) E8151. Brita Hamilton to Per Brahe, 1663.

Svenska Adelns Ättartavlor, vol. 3, pp.452-453; Svenska Män och Kvinnor, vol.7, p.94; Uppsala Universitetsbibliotek, Y 38 d, Erik Drake af Hagelsrums Stammbuch, fo. 23r. Thanks to Dr. Thomas Brochard for this last reference.

Female.

Service record

SWEDEN, GOTHENBURG, KALMAR

Arrived 1640-01-01

Departed 1666-12-31

Purpose MISC.