Per Stålhammar

Who was Per Stålhammar?

Per Stålhammar was a Swedish military officer and soldier under the rule of Gustavus Adolphus, Christina, Charles X, and Charles XI. Stålhammar was born in Angved in Svenarum Parish, Småland, Sweden as Per Jönsson. He grew up on a small farm which his father, Jöns Gudmundsson, leased from the crown. Stålhammar's mother was Karin Pedersdotter.

During childhood Stålhammar used to put sheep out to pasture on his father's farm, but already in 1626 Stålhammar followed a local captain of German descent, Caspar Witte, to the war with Poland. At this point the young Stålhammar was not a regular soldier but a trossdräng, a menial position in the supply train organization of the army. After the Truce of Altmark was signed in 1629 Stålhammar returned to Sweden.

In 1633 Stålhammar became a cavalryman at the regiment Smålands ryttare and his name was changed from Per Jönsson to Per Jönsson Hammar. He was known for his excellent bravery and was promoted to quartermaster in 1640. In 1644 he became a corporal and in 1650 a cornet.

Some years earlier, in September 1644, Stålhammar married Caspar Witte's daughter Susanna. She died already on July 7, 1645, and two years later Stålhammar married his second wife Anna Skytte. On August 30, 1650 Stålhammar was knighted and his surname was changed to Stålhammar by adding the Swedish stål, "steel", to his previous surname. In 1656 Stålhammar became a lieutenant, in 1657 a rittmeister, on June 2, 1663 a major, and on March 6, 1677 he became colonel of his regiment. He retired in August 1692.