Thursday, March 1, 2007
Super Old-school Stalcop!
Todays blog is about a Stalcop ancestor who married a priest and got her portrait painted in the early 1700's by the first professionally trained artist to arrive in Delaware. And we're not talking some starving-artist-in-the-mall, either! Christinia Stalcop Bjork (1686-1720) was the daughter of Peter Stalcop, who was a son of the first Stalcop, Johan Anderson Stalcop. If you check the family tree link on the right hand side of the blog page, you'll see that Peter is my Dad's great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather! ANYWAY, Christina married the Reverend Ericus Bjork, pastor of the Old Swedes Church in the area that is now Wilmington, Delaware. I've read accounts that mention the Stalcop family being a big financial supporter of the Old Swedes Church, and evidently they also found other ways to support the church, too! Go, Christina! So enjoy the very cool and very old portrait of Christinia Stalcop, one of our ancestors! And while you're at it, you can enjoy reading more about these portraits at this link.
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1 comment:
Interesting photo of the portrait of Christina Stalcop.
Born April 19, 1686, Red Clay Creek, New Castle Co. DE
M- Rev. Ericus Björk October 6, 1702 New Castle Co. DE
Died March 16, 1720 Falun, Sweden
Both Christina and Bjork are buried under the floor of Christina Church, Falun.
Your copy appears to be from the digital enhancement made before the portrait was restored in Sweden. It is also printed in reverse as she is facing the other way. Original paintings now on display at the Delaware Historical Museum in Wilmington. DE, just up the hill from Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church. My wife and I provided one-third of the funds to restore and bring the paintings back to New Sweden. After their arrival they were re-dedicated by Crown Princess Victoria.
Larry S. Stallcup
Stalcop@aol.com
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