# Johan Garmann > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Johan_Garmann > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Johan_Garmann.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johan_Garmann > Source revision: 1312310876 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Danish-born Norwegian merchant and settler}} {{Infobox person | name = Johan Garmann | birth_date = 1583 | birth_place = [Haderslev](/source/Haderslev), [Duchy of Schleswig](/source/Duchy_of_Schleswig), [Denmark-Norway](/source/Denmark-Norway) | death_date = {{Death date and age|1651|02|07|1583|}} | death_place = [Kongsberg](/source/Kongsberg_(town)), [Norway](/source/Norway) | occupation = [Merchant](/source/Merchant), [alderman](/source/alderman) | employer = [Kongsberg Silver Mines](/source/Kongsberg_Silver_Mines) | spouse = {{marriage|Boel Reiminch|1608}} | children = {{plainlist| *Annechen Garmann *Johan Garmann (the Younger) *Herman Johansen Garmann}} }} '''Johan Garmann''' (formerly '''Gaarmann'''), called "'''the Elder'''", (1583 – 7 February 1651) was a Danish-born [merchant](/source/merchant), [alderman](/source/alderman), royal [factor](/source/Factor_(agent)), and early prominent [settler](/source/settler) in Norway during the seventeenth century. Originating from [Haderslev](/source/Haderslev), in what was then part of the [Duchy of Schleswig](/source/Duchy_of_Schleswig) (under the [Danish crown](/source/Monarchy_of_Denmark)), Garmann was compelled to leave his home due to the turmoil of the [Thirty Years’ War](/source/Thirty_Years'_War). After a temporary stay in [Malmö](/source/Malm%C3%B6), he received royal permission to travel to Christiania (now [Oslo](/source/Oslo)), then part of the [Danish-Norwegian realm](/source/Denmark%E2%80%93Norway), where he established himself as a leading figure in trade, provisioning, and administration associated with the emergent [Kongsberg Silver Mines](/source/Kongsberg_Silver_Mines).{{Cite web |title=Garmann (slekt) – Slektshistoriewiki |url=https://www.genealogi.no/wiki/index.php/Garmann_(slekt) |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=www.genealogi.no}}{{Cite book |last=Thuesen |first=Nils Petter |url=https://bibsok.no/?tnr=41718 |title=Kongens nye by: Christiania 1624-1648 |date=1998 |publisher=Pax forlag |isbn=978-82-530-1926-0 |location=Oslo |pages=108 |language=no}} He became relatively wealthy, and founded a family line in Norway, known as the [Garmann](/source/Garmann) family (derived from the Danish word for [farmer](/source/farmer); {{Langx|da|gaarmand}}), which came to enjoy considerable social standing and influence within the country's mercantile and administrative circles. His firstborn son, also named Johan Garmann (the Younger), became the first Land Commissioner of Norway, when [Frederick III](/source/Frederick_III_of_Denmark) created a [treasury](/source/treasury) for Norway in 1661. His second born, Hermann Garmann, became Inspector-General of [Customs](/source/Customs), [magistrate](/source/magistrate) president, and commercial director in [Bergen](/source/Bergen_(city)).{{Cite book |last=Kommune |first=Aker |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_sknAQAAMAAJ |title=Aker, 1837-1937: kommunens styre og forvaltning gjennem hundre år ... |date=1947 |publisher=Aker Kommune |language=no}} Although several earlier encyclopedias and literary works have suggested that he was the [illegitimate son](/source/Royal_bastard) of [Frederick II of Denmark](/source/Frederick_II_of_Denmark), these claims are unsubstantiated and lack credible historical verification.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NYzZSAAACAAJ |title=I.W. Prebensen og Wenche Grove. Litt om dem og deres slegt |date=1920 |publisher=Grøndahl & Søns Boktrykkeri |pages=91 |language=no}} == Biography == === Early life === Garmann was born in 1583 in [Haderslev](/source/Haderslev), a commercial town in the [Duchy of Schleswig](/source/Duchy_of_Schleswig) (under the [Danish crown](/source/Monarchy_of_Denmark)). A [burgher](/source/Burgher_(social_class)), by the early seventeenth century, he had established himself as a substantial [merchant](/source/merchant) in his hometown. Records suggest that he operated a [trading house](/source/Trading_company) on the [castle grounds](/source/Haderslevhus) and [market square](/source/market_square) in Haderslev prior to 1622. From 1626, he became an [alderman](/source/alderman) ({{Langx|da|rådmand}}) of Haderslev. He married Boel Reiminch of [Kolding](/source/Kolding) in ca. 1608, and they had several children. His son Herman attended school in [Hamburg](/source/Hamburg) and served with a merchant in [Lübeck](/source/L%C3%BCbeck), and later with the [customs officer](/source/customs_officer) in [Øresund](/source/%C3%98resund). Garmann must therefore have had many connections to the trading circles of Denmark and northern Germany.{{Cite book |last=Hjellestad |first=Hermod |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wPQnAQAAMAAJ |title=Fana |date=1933 |publisher=J.D. Beyer |pages=187 |language=no}} Despite his evidently successful mercantile endeavours, Garmann's circumstances — and those of countless others — were increasingly shaped by the turbulence of the [Thirty Years’ War](/source/Thirty_Years'_War) (1618–1648). In 1627, forces under [Imperial](/source/Holy_Roman_Empire) [supreme commander](/source/Commander-in-chief) [Albrecht von Wallenstein](/source/Albrecht_von_Wallenstein) entered Danish territory, causing widespread unrest. In the wake of these conflicts, Garmann left Haderslev and initially took refuge in [Malmö](/source/Malm%C3%B6). On 10 January 1628, he secured a royal “leidebrev” ([safe passage](/source/safe_passage)) from King [Christian IV](/source/Christian_IV_of_Denmark) permitting him — accompanied by his wife, children, and brother-in-law, along with a ship and goods— to move to Christiania ([Oslo](/source/Oslo)) or elsewhere in [Norway](/source/Norway). === Immigration to Norway === [[File:Fra_Kongens_gruve.jpg|left|thumb|The [Kongsberg Silver Mines](/source/Kongsberg_Silver_Mines), where Garmann was a factor, shareholder and commercial stakeholder. Painting from 1834 by [Johannes Flintoe](/source/Johannes_Flintoe).]] Garmann [immigrated](/source/Immigration) as part of a larger community of affluent and enterprising [Southern Jutland](/source/Southern_Jutland) families who settled in Oslo.{{Citation |last=Rian |first=Øystein |title=Johan Garmann |date=2024-11-25 |work=Norsk biografisk leksikon |url=https://nbl.snl.no/Johan_Garmann |access-date=2024-12-16 |language=no}} Shortly after arriving, Garmann acquired citizenship (borgerskap) in [Christiania](/source/Oslo).{{Cite book |last=Thuesen |first=Nils Petter |title=Oslos historie i årstall: fra de eldste tider til 1800 |date=2001 |publisher=Topografisk |isbn=978-82-7981-005-6 |location=Oslo |pages=123 |language=no}} Nevertheless, he chose to reside and develop his enterprises at [Bragernes](/source/Bragernes), an area across the [Drammenselva](/source/Drammenselva) river from [Strømsø](/source/Str%C3%B8ms%C3%B8), and a growing commercial district positioned advantageously for trade and resource acquisition.{{Cite web |date=2009-10-29 |title=Leksikon over slekter i Norge G. Lexikon Familiennamen familynames G-. |url=http://www.vigerust.net/lexikon/lexikon_slekter_g.html |access-date=2024-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029154946/http://www.vigerust.net/lexikon/lexikon_slekter_g.html |archive-date=29 October 2009 }} Garmann quickly became affiliated with the [Governor-general](/source/Governor-general_of_Norway) of [Norway](/source/Norway), [Jens Hermansson Juel](/source/Jens_Hermansson_Juel), who secured him major trade contracts with the Crown and [Kongsberg Silverworks](/source/Kongsberg_Silver_Mines).{{Citation |last=Rian |first=Øystein |title=Jens Juel |date=2024-11-25 |work=Norsk biografisk leksikon |url=https://nbl.snl.no/Jens_Juel |access-date=2024-12-16 |language=no}} According to [Hannibal Sehested](/source/Hannibal_Sehested_(governor))’s records, Garmann held leases on several substantial parcels of land situated above [Bragernes Church](/source/Bragernes_Church). In the immediate vicinity, various members of his close family also leased property.{{Cite book |last=Pedersen |first=Thord |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MwkrAQAAMAAJ |title=Drammen: en norsk østlandsbys utviklingshistorie |date=1961 |publisher=Drammen kommune |pages=161 |language=no}} === Kongsberg Silver Mines and other commercial activities === At the time of Garmann's immigration to Oslo, the [Kongsberg Silver Mines](/source/Kongsberg_Silver_Mines) at [Kongsberg](/source/Kongsberg_(town)) in [Buskerud county](/source/Buskerud), constituted the largest [mining field](/source/Mining) in Norway, was undergoing rapid expansion following its discovery in 1623. Not long after his arrival, he was appointed as the [factor](/source/Factor_(agent)) of the Silver Company and royal provisioner (''providiteur'') of the Silver Mines. This position required him to oversee and ensure the delivery of materials, provisions, and equipment necessary for the mines’ operations, as well as to support the workforce engaged in [silver extraction](/source/Silver_mining).{{Cite journal |last=Thomle |first=E. A. |date=1894-01-01 |title=Nogle Oplysninger om de ældste Slægtled af Familien Garmann i Norge. |url=https://tidsskrift.dk/personalhistorisk_tidsskrift/article/view/78390 |journal=Personalhistorisk Tidsskrift |language=da |pages=145–162 |issn=2445-4958}} He accumulated a considerable fortune by the standards of the time, and much of it was secured in [silver](/source/silver).{{Cite book |last=Bull |first=Edvard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O6toBxZpbIIC&q=Kristianias%20historie.%20Bind%20II.%201624-1740 |title=Kristianias historie: 1624-1740 |date=1927 |publisher=J.W. Cappelen |volume=II |location=Oslo |pages=60 |language=da}} In later accounts of the silver mines, it is evident that Garmann is recognised as one of the ‘big customers’.{{Cite journal |last1=Berg |first1=Bjørn Ivar |last2=Nordrum |first2=Fred Steinar |date=2003 |title=Omsetning av sølvstuffer ved Kongsberg Sølvverk på 1600- og 1700-tallet. |url=http://www.nags.net/Mineralsymposium/2003/Berg%20&%20Nordrum%20(2003).pdf |journal=Norsk Bergverksmuseum, Skrift |volume=25 |pages=69–81 |quote=Blant [de] store kunder}} He is recorded in the sales lists with a total of 45 lots with 4.7 kg of silver, the 5th largest buyer overall (the largest was [Christian IV](/source/Christian_IV_of_Denmark)). By the early 1630s, Garmann had entered the networks of merchants (among them [Niels Toller](/source/Niels_Toller){{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gxU-zgEACAAJ |title=Oslo bys historie: Byen ved festningen. Fra 1536 til 1814. Av Knut Sprauten |date=1990 |publisher=J.W. Cappelen |isbn=978-82-02-09146-0 |pages=194 |language=no}}) and suppliers granted contracts with state authorities, military fortifications, and other public projects. Records indicate that as early as 1630, he provided [gunpowder](/source/gunpowder) and [lead](/source/lead) to [Akershus Fortress](/source/Akershus_Fortress), a key royal fortress in the region. In 1638, he again delivered gunpowder, followed in 1639 and 1640 by the provision of [timber](/source/Lumber) and [firewood](/source/firewood) ({{Langx|da|deler og brændeved}}) to meet the needs of the authorities. By 1645, Garmann was tasked with supplying [masts](/source/Mast_(sailing)) and [beams](/source/Beam_(nautical)) for royal construction or maintenance projects. In 1649, he furnished provisions for the royal ships. He pursued the [timber trade](/source/timber_trade) both independently and in partnership with his fellow Haderslev native, [Hans Eggertsen Stockfleth](/source/Hans_Stockfleth). Together, Garmann and Eggertsen were involved in founding the [Hassel Iron Works](/source/Hassel_Iron_Works) ({{Langx|da|Hassel Jernværk}}) at [Modum](/source/Modum), each holding a quarter share.{{Cite book |last1=Jørgensen |first1=Hans-Jørgen |title=Det norske tollvesens historie. B.1. Fra middelalderen til 1814 |last2=Lund |first2=Carl |date=1969 |publisher=Tolldirektoratet |location=Oslo |pages=77 |language=NO}}{{Cite book |last=Johnsen |first=Nils |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4LkvAQAAMAAJ |title=Eker: traek av en storbygds saga; utgit ved komunal foranstaltning |date=1914 |pages=156 |language=da}} == Marriage and progeny == Johan Garmann married Boel Hermansdatter Reiminch (d. 12 February 1657), daughter of Herman Reiminc, an [apothecary](/source/apothecary) in [Kolding](/source/Kolding) by his wife Margrethe Wilhelmsdatter Schumacher. They reportedly had seven children: * Annechen ‘Anna’ Garmann (b. ca. 1605), married in 1630 to Frederik Bøyesen of Foss (d. 1679), forest inspector and manager of the King's Mill. * Johan Garmann "the Younger" (ca. 1608–1673), first [land commissioner](/source/High_commissioner) of Norway, diocesan warden and [customs officer](/source/customs_officer) in Oslo, later castle clerk at [Akershus](/source/Akershus_Fortress). Married 1640 to Maren Willumsdatter Dop (1620–1654), married 1661 to Margrethe Jespersdatter. * Willum Garmann (d. 1644), [bailiff](/source/bailiff) in [Akers](/source/Akershus) [bailiwick](/source/bailiwick) later bailiff in [Buskerud](/source/Buskerud) and [Hallingdal](/source/Hallingdal) bailiwick, married Lene Jørgensdatter. * Herman Garmann (1612–1674), Inspector-General of [Customs](/source/Customs), [magistrate](/source/magistrate) president, and commercial director in [Bergen](/source/Bergen), married 1636 to Margrethe Buch (1618–1669), married 1671 to Catharine Munthe (ca. 1628–1674). * Bernt Garmann (1620–1656), parish priest in [Gran](/source/Gran_(village)), married Anna Knudsdatter (no children). * Elisabeth Garmann (ca. 1620–1686), married 1648 to Johan Garmann (the Elder)'s successor as [factor](/source/Factor_(agent)) at [Kongsberg Silver Mines](/source/Kongsberg_Silver_Mines), Johan Reinholtzen Hass (d. 1663). * Anna Catharina Garmann, married doctor in [Bergen](/source/Bergen_(city)) later [medical officer of health](/source/medical_officer_of_health) ({{Langx|no|Stadsmedicus}}) in [Trondheim](/source/Trondheim_(city)), Didrik Eckhoff (d. 1675). == Supposed royal parentage == {{multiple image | align = right | image1 = Margrethe Rasmusdatter Stoud - Norsk portrettarkiv - Riksantikvaren - S000909.jpg | width1 = | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = President Bergen.jpg | width2 = | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = The two portraits at the heart of the apocryphal story. {{Ill|Margrethe "med Hanken" Stoud|no|Margrethe Rasmusdatter Stoud}} (left), the reputed mistress to either [Frederick II](/source/Frederick_II_of_Denmark) or his son [Chrisitan IV](/source/Christian_IV_of_Denmark), and Herman Garmann (right), whose resemblance to Christian was considered "striking". | direction = | image_gap = 10 | total_width = 350 }} A recurring, though unsubstantiated, tradition holds that Johan Garmann was the illegitimate son of [Frederick II, King of Denmark-Norway](/source/Frederick_II_of_Denmark), and thus a half-brother of [Chrisitan IV](/source/Christian_IV_of_Denmark). Variations of this claim appeared in several printed sources, including editions of the [Aschehoug](/source/Aschehoug) and [Gyldendal's](/source/Gyldendal) ''[Great Norwegian Encyclopedia](/source/Great_Norwegian_Encyclopedia)'' from before 1969 through the early 1990s, as well as in genealogical literature.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=psgNzwEACAAJ |title=Aschehoug og Gyldendals store norske leksikon |date=1983 |publisher=Kunnskapsforl. |isbn=8257300373 |editor-last=Kortner |editor-first=Olaf |location=Oslo |language=no |quote=skal ha vært sønn av Frederik 2 |editor-last2=Munthe |editor-first2=Preben |editor-last3=Tveterås |editor-first3=Egil}}{{Cite web |title=Aschehougs konversasjonsleksikon. 7 |url=https://www.nb.no/search?mediatype=b%C3%B8ker&title=%22Aschehougs%20konversasjonsleksikon.%207%20:%20Forvalter-GPU%22 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=www.nb.no |via=Nasjonalbiblioteket}} One of the earliest identified references to this account can be traced to a genealogical compilation published by Anna Juliane Hopstock in 1876, which included the Garmann family among a number of other interconnected lineages.{{Cite book |last=Hopstock |first=Anna Juliane |url=https://bibsok.no/?mode=vt&pubsok_txt_0=Stamtavle%20over%20familierne%20Garmann,%20Schanche,%20Krohn%20og%20Hopstock |title=Stamtavle over familierne Garmann, Schanche, Krohn og Hopstock |date=1876 |publisher=(Printed as manuscript) |location=Bergen |pages=11 |language=no |via=[National Library of Norway](/source/National_Library_of_Norway)}} === Magdalene med Hanken === Central to this tradition is the tale of Magdalene (or Margrethe) "med Hanken", a reputedly beautiful woman depicted in a portrait once owned by David Brunchorst Garmann at the Mjelde estate, south of [Bergen](/source/Bergen_(city)). According to family lore, Magdalene was [morganatically wed](/source/Morganatic_marriage) ({{Langx|da|til venstre hånd}}) to one of the Frederick [Danish-Norwegian kings](/source/List_of_Danish_monarchs), receiving considerable estates, such as Sandviken and [Damsgård](/source/Damsg%C3%A5rd_Manor), and bearing a son who became the progenitor of the Garmann lineage. With reference to Norwegian clergyman [Hans Strøm](/source/Hans_Str%C3%B8m), historian {{Ill|B. E. Bendixen|no|Bendix Edvard Bendixen}} has identified the woman in the portrait as {{Ill|Margrethe Rasmusdatter Stoud|no|Margrethe Rasmusdatter Stoud}}, a wealthy landowner whose descendants married into the Garmann family.{{Cite book |last=Bergens Museum |url=https://archive.org/details/bergensmuseumsaa1911berg |title=Bergens Museums aarbok |date=1911 |publisher=Bergen : The Museum |others=Smithsonian Libraries |pages=76}} According to Strøm, the phrase “med hanken” originally referred to Margrethe's residence on [Hankø](/source/Hank%C3%B8), expressed as “i Hanken.” Over time, this evolved into “med hanken,” likely due to confusion with the distinctive handle-shaped hairpin depicted in her portrait.{{Cite book |last=Strøm |first=Hans |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IwwoAQAAMAAJ&q=Physisk%20og%20Oeconomisk%20Beskrivelse%20over%20Fogderiet%20S%C3%B8ndm%C3%B8r,%20beliggende%20i%20Bergens%20Stift,%20i%20Norge |title=Physisk og oekonomisk beskrivelse over fogderiet Søndmør: beliggende i Bergens stift i Norge |date=1906 |publisher=Søndmørspostens bogtrykkeri |pages=77 |language=da}} Art historian {{Ill|Einar Lexow|no|Einar Lexow}} claims that Margrethe was a mistress of [Christian IV](/source/Christian_IV_of_Denmark) (who was known to favour [extramarital relations](/source/Extramarital_sex)), and that their [illegitimate child](/source/Royal_bastard) was Johan's son, Herman Garmann, rather than Johan himself.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jAEoAQAAMAAJ |title=Frå Fjon til Fusa |date=1982 |editor-last=Clausen |editor-first=Conrad |pages=138 |language=no |via=[University of Wisconsin–Madison](/source/University_of_Wisconsin%E2%80%93Madison)}} The legend is said to have gained traction due to a perceived resemblance between members of the Garmann family and the [House of Oldenburg](/source/House_of_Oldenburg), particularly Herman Garmann's supposed likeness to Christian IV.{{Cite book |last=Moe |first=Wladimir |url=https://archive.org/details/norskestorgaarde00moew |title=Norske storgaarde |date=1912 |publisher=Kristiania |others=Getty Research Institute |pages=226}} Bendixen, however, rejects both accounts as unfounded, though he acknowledges that Herman's striking resemblance to the king may have inspired such stories.{{Cite book |last=Bendixen |first=B.E. |url=https://bibsok.no/?mode=p&tnr=367207 |title=Kirkerne i Søndre Bergenhus amt : bygninger og inventarium. |date=1904 |publisher=Grieg |location=Bergen |pages=598 |language=no}} == References == {{reflist}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Garmann, Johan}} Category:1583 births Category:1651 deaths Category:People from Buskerud Category:Norwegian merchants Category:People from Haderslev Municipality Category:Norwegian people of Danish descent Category:17th-century Norwegian businesspeople Category:Norwegian landowners Category:17th-century merchants Category:Merchants from Denmark–Norway Category:Danish merchants Category:17th-century Danish businesspeople Category:Factors --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Johan Garmann](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johan_Garmann) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johan_Garmann?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.