Bio for ANDERSDOTTER, Brita Maria (b1831. d.1880), Meeker Co., MN

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FileFormat by Terri--MNArchives

  Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Marilyn Roberston

Submitted: February 2007

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Brita Maria Andersdotter

Apr 6th 1831 -1880



  According to the family records of Julie Bliven, Brita was born in 

Dalsland, Sweden April 6th 1831. I do not have an exact date on when she 

came to America, as those records are not available, yet.

  She married Peter R. Peterson of Telemark, Norway and had their first 

child Elof around 1863 in Wisconsin. Sometime between 1863 and 1865, the 

family moved to Grove City, Danielson Township, Meeker, Minnesota. They 

appear in the 1865 Census of that area. During this time Indian lands 

were made available to Homestead. There were also Indian Wars going on 

between the settlers and the Santee Sioux. I have read some of the actual 

accounts of the massacres of the settlers and they are barbaric!

  In 1865, Brita gave birth to a second son, Ralfe. The names of the 

children and birth years are provided on the US Census 1870.

  Annie Rachael was born 1 Oct. 1866 in a sod hut. Her brother John 

(Johan) was born around 1869.

  Annie was 14 years old, when one day her mother Brita took a gun with 

her out to do some chores. Taking a gun was not unusual due to the 

trouble with Indians. Brita never returned. It was said that husband 

Peter had been digging in the field shortly after her disappearance 

and that he cried for days.

  Did Brita commit suicide? Did Peter kill her? Did Indians take her or 

murder her?

  On the Census 1880, Peter lists his wife as Mary,(she is also listed 

as Mary in the 1865 Census and Maria on the 1870) and the box Insane is 

checked.

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