The first "Amerika-brev"

This information is mostly coming from the first American-letter kept in eastern Norway, it´s a historical document. We have much information about the two Nattestad brother from Veggli sub parish, Rollag in Numedal district. In fall 1836 they visited Stavanger town and for the first time they heard America mentioned. The next year they both decided to emigrate and asked Halsten Halvorsen Fløse to go with them. A letter resently found in a fire-safe "hidden" in a protocol from a school administration meeting on August 15. 1961. The content of the letter was published in the local newspaper "Laagendalsposten" June 13. 2009 by Knut J. Jordheim. The letter written by Halsten Halvorsen Fløse is now stored in the archives in IKA Kongsberg and is dated Feb. 13. 1838 in America. It´s adressed to his father "Velagte Mand" Respected Man Halvor Olsen Fløse Weggli annex i Numedal. It starts with; "To my parents and dear siblings" Halsten´s handwriting is beautiful and clear which is quite amazing since he only was at school for a few weeks in a period of 3-5 years. Halsten was born on Brække-eiet (Fløse) Mai 7. 1815 #20 Halsten and the Nattestad brothers, Ansten and Ole Knudsen, were the first emigrants from Veggli in Rollag parish, Numedal district, Buskerud county. The emigration is recorded March 7. 1837, Halsten age 22 and the two Nattestad brothers as #9-10-12 The Nattestad brother´s paid in advence for the young leaseholder´s son ticket. Perhaps the reason can be found in "Rollag Bygdebok" which portray Halsten as strong and robust, always in a good mood and a worker ant. April 12. they left Veggli in Buskerud, crossed the mountain by ski to Tinn in Telemark and spend the first night on farm Rue. They ended in Roaldkvam in Vindafjord north in Rogaland County, south-western Norway. By accidental transport they reached Stavanger town April 17. where they hired a herring fisher boat to Gothenburg, Sweden, and arrived New York on ship Hilda about June 20. By ship they sailed further to "Skitoga" (Shikaakwa) Chicago where Halsten and the Nattestad brother´s split up. Halsten and a group of 22 Norwegians traveled 220 Kilometre into Illinois to find work. Halsten states that he was employed for a year for 150 Dollar and since many had to accept a salary on 80 Dollar he was satisfied. The Nattestad brothers travelled south to Beaver Creek, Ill, with Ole Rønning from Snåsa. Some letter he wrote was published in a book in Norway in 1839 about the conditions in USA known as "Amerikabok". The heading was "Sanferdige beretninger om America til Opplysning og Nytte for bonde og Menigmann" True reports about America for education and benefit for farmers and workers. Many got ill in Beaver Creek of Malaria and Ole Rønning died there 1838. The next year Ansten and Ole Nattestad returned to Norway because of some family business and Ansten brought Halstens letter with him. Ole Nattestad is supposed to have returned to Norway later in the fall of the same year. In the letter Ansten stated; I am by good health and haven´t been involved in any danger neither "on life or soul" The young Norwegain tells about a dificult start for two reasons, the debt of 80 Dollar to Ansten Nattestad and the language. He was in sorrow longing home from the start "I wished every day I was back in Norway" Ansten tells he learned quickly how to work and the cultural codes, his sorrow turned to joy. He paid back his debt and gave Ansten 30 Dollar extra as a gratitude for his payment in advance and praised the equality he found in America. He tells "I would not exchange this life for the best farm in Veggli. In America you can talk to everyone without one´s hat in one´s hand" He wanted his brothers when they were old enough to join him in America, espesially his brother Ole. Halsten promised to pay back for the ticket if someone could pay in advance. He informed he had not "talled med Norske på 22 uger efter jeg kom i tiennesten hos Master Daanne" I have not spoke with Norwegian´s in 22 weeks after I was employed by Master Daanne. He praise Master Daanne and his people (Family) for the kindness and friendship they showed him, "I wish all the best for them. My bed and place to eat is beautiful. I never had any similar to that in Norway" In the letter Halsten placed presents "The Silk Ribbon and 26 Pens, a present from my "Matmoder" Mrs Daanne to my mother and brothers. To brother Ole. If you can give the money to my father, I promise to pay you back when you arrive here" The letter ends with: Ansten will give you better information. I stop my writing with lovely regards to my dear parents, siblings and all my friends. Goodbye. Written at Master Daane I, Ellenorsled Feb. 13. 1838 in Amerika Sign; Halsten Halvorsøn Fløse. Because of this letter and the Nattestad´s wist back home in 1838 and the publishing of Ole Rønning´s book in -39 a large emigration from Veggli and Tinn started. Halsten´s brother Ole Halvorsen Brekke-eie age 22 emigrated to USA 1839 with Ansten and Ole, right page #18 on bark Emilie, dep. port Drammen in Buskerud, almost next to Veggli comparing with the long 1837 journey to Stavanger, passengers #1-2-76. Notice #5 Liv Høyseth, she married Ole Nattestad in Wisc. Halsten´s brother Eric Halvorsen Brekke emigrated 1841 on Bark Emilie, passenger #58 Halsten´s parents with the two remaining children, Tollev and Liv emigrated 1842 from Brekke-eie, dep. port Drammen on Bark Emilie #[phone number hidden] Ansten and Ole Knudsen Nattestad settled down in Jefferson Prairie as the first Norwegian settlers in Wisconsin. In Clinton Township (former Jefferson Prairie) Dane County on Sept 7. 1841 Ole Nattestad married Liv Knudsadatter Høyseth. They got 8 children all born in Dane. Ole K. Nattestad died Mai 28. 1886 in Dane C. Wisc. There is little information about Halsten Halvorsen Fløse´s destiny in USA, some few tracks exist as in Ephraim Wisconsin 1908 page 194. Halsten Fløse, his two brothers Ole born 1817, Eric born 1824, Ole Tollefsen Kittilsland and Ole Halvorsen Valle, all five from Rollag municipality seems to have been the first Norwegian settlers in Iowa County Wisconsin. Halsten was a black-smith and is supposed to be the settlement Dodgeville´s founder even Henry Dodge started mining there in 1827. Halsten´s two brothers settled down 3-4 Miles west of Dodgeville. The long story ends here, I have two questions; Does anyone have any information on what happened to Halsten Halvorsen Fløse, his siblings and parents and who was Matser Daanne? Kåre