Notes for Michel Michelsson Baltil Balt: [bergelin.FTW]
P-66. Artist. Shared by June Pelo: MICHEL BALT OR BALTIL
He is thought to have descended from France. It is known that he took part in the work on St. Jacob's church in Stockholm and was called from there by Henric Klasson Fleming to Åbo to set up the pulpit in the cathedral. The work was done in 1650. It is also thought that he built the cathedral pulpit. Some years later we find him a well-to-do citizen in Uleåborg, married to Catharina Forbus. From his brother-in-law in Brahestad, Henric Corte, he received a commission to build a pulpit for Brahestad's church, which was paid for by Corte and was finished 1655. The next commission was interior decorating in Uleåborg's church. Then came the large task of decorating Brahestad's old church; Prof. Samuli Paulaharju in his book "Vanha Raahe" wrote of the pulpit as a holy sculpture in the church. The improvement of the pulpit in Karleby church was influenced by Michael Balt. According to Prof. Helmer Tegengren the shield that adorns the Kronoby church wall was a work of Michael Balt. In Finland's history of art he occupied a remarkable position as being a supreme wood carver. He died 1676. Daughter Catharina Michelsdotter Balt, born ca 1667-70, died 14 Jun 1731, married to Jacob Jurvelius, born ca 1665-70, died 31 May 1731, citizen of Brahestad. They had more than 10 children. Daughter Maria, born 16 Mar 1706, married Lars Frijs in 1738.
In Uleåborg's city history it says that forefather Michael Jurvelius was one of Åbo Academy's first students, law clerk on the University's council 1643-50, master of arts with the first place of honor; assisted professor of philosophy faculty 1649. Several times nominated for a professor's seat, but never succeeded. Pastor in Uleåborg 1667. His death year unknown. He published Oratio de Supberga Jugiende, Åbo 1645. His son evidently was the citizen Jacob Jurvelius who moved to Brahestad. He became progenitor for the numerous Brahestad Jurvelius families. For many generations members of this family have served as pillars in the city; sometimes they stood higher, sometimes lower on the social scale. They have been merchants, expert shoemakers and teachers of infants. The foremost families in Brahestad lived on Storgatan, such as Sovelius, Lang, Jurvelius. On the battlefields they have stood in the front ranks. In the Thirty Year War members of the Sovelius and Jurvelius families were at the front.
The books of birth, marriages and deaths in the archives of Brahestad's church begin in 1690, written Holy Communion records in 1760, but they do not give the exact birth year for either Jacob Jurvelius or his wife. It states there: 1731, citizen Jacob Jurvelius passed away 31 Jun and was buried in the church yard. Jacob Jurvelius' wife was Catharina Balt. Through her comes many farmer famlilies in Karleby that belong to this large family group. Catharina passed away 14 Jun and was buried in the church yard. They had more than 10 children. From them one can conclude that Jacob Jurvelius was born 1655-70, his wife 1665-75.
Of the many children we are most interested in Maria, born 16 Mar 1706, married to Lars Frijs from Karleby 1738. In Gamlakarleby there was a master tailor Johan Jurvelius (Jacobsson) who surely was her brother. He owned a house on Västra Kyrkogatan in the 5th block and was married to Margareta Jacobsdotter Larick, born 30 Nov 1690. Jacob Jurvelius may have had another brother and Maria another brother named Michael, magistrate in Brahestad. His son was called Michael Michaelsson Jurvelius and was the most famous of his family in Brahestad. As the name Michael goes from father to son, it can be seen that this Jacob Jurvelius should be son to the pastor in Uleåborg.
We do not have anything personal about either Malin Olofsdotter or Maria Jurvelius for their descendants. They and all the women of that time grew up, married, worked, bore children for the world and died with much toil and moil and too many childbirths. It was a common epitaph on their gravestones - if they had any.
Children of Michel Michelsson Baltil Balt and Chatarina Casparsdotter Forbus are:
Michel Michelsson Baltil Balt (d. June 03, 1676)
Notes for Michel Michelsson Baltil Balt: