Anna Krefting
Encyclopedia
Anna Paulsdatter Krefting née Vogt was a Norwegian businesswoman who ran and expanded her family's business enterprises in and around Christiania
for over 50 years. Among these enterprises were mines and ironworks, forestry, and trade.
Anna Paulsdatter Vogt was born into an affluent family in Christiania with ties to the government in Denmark. Her father, Paul Pedersen Vogt, was originally from Denmark and was responsible for the stores at Akershus Fortress
but also a merchant, mill owner, and shipowner in Christiania. Anna's mother, Catarina née Bauman, was the daughter of Dominicus Brau(n)man, war commissary and also in charge of the stores at Akershus.
Anna married Herman Krefting on October 26, 1699, when she was only 16 years old. The couple had at least seven children together. Anna was widowed while she was pregnant with the last child. She never remarried but took over the business and real estate interests of her husband and managed them for 54 years. In particular, the ironworks
at Bærums Verk
grew to be the largest of its kind in Norway during her time. But she was also responsible for purchase and sale of land, other ironworks, and mines.
She also established a school for the children of her employees and contributed heavily to Tanum Church. She was in continuous litigation with count Ferdinand Anton Danneskiold-Laurvig
over rights to mine iron ore on her property on the island of Langøy
outside of Kragerø
. In 1719 she and her son-in-law Andreas Walleur were granted exclusive rights by the crown to run the iron works at Dikemark
. When Walleur died, Krefting let her widowed daughter Anna Katarina run the works. In 1762, the main building burned down at Bærums Verk, but Krefting managed its reconstruction. Since none of Krefting's descendants were interested in taking over her work, the property and holdings were sold on auction upon her death in 1766.
Krefting's holdings were visited by two kings, Frederik IV
in 1704, and Christian IV
in 1733.
Krefting also resisted the invasion by Charles XII of Sweden
during the Great Northern War
in 1716 by notifying Norwegian forces of the Swedish troops' dispositions.
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
for over 50 years. Among these enterprises were mines and ironworks, forestry, and trade.
Anna Paulsdatter Vogt was born into an affluent family in Christiania with ties to the government in Denmark. Her father, Paul Pedersen Vogt, was originally from Denmark and was responsible for the stores at Akershus Fortress
Akershus Fortress
Akershus Fortress or Akershus Castle is a medieval castle that was built to protect Oslo, the capital of Norway. It has also been used as a prison.- Construction :...
but also a merchant, mill owner, and shipowner in Christiania. Anna's mother, Catarina née Bauman, was the daughter of Dominicus Brau(n)man, war commissary and also in charge of the stores at Akershus.
Anna married Herman Krefting on October 26, 1699, when she was only 16 years old. The couple had at least seven children together. Anna was widowed while she was pregnant with the last child. She never remarried but took over the business and real estate interests of her husband and managed them for 54 years. In particular, the ironworks
Ironworks
An ironworks or iron works is a building or site where iron is smelted and where heavy iron and/or steel products are made. The term is both singular and plural, i.e...
at Bærums Verk
Bærums Verk
Bærums Verk is a village in Bærum in Akershus, Norway, with a population of about 8000. It is located on both sides of the river Lomma.-History:...
grew to be the largest of its kind in Norway during her time. But she was also responsible for purchase and sale of land, other ironworks, and mines.
She also established a school for the children of her employees and contributed heavily to Tanum Church. She was in continuous litigation with count Ferdinand Anton Danneskiold-Laurvig
Ferdinand Anton Danneskiold-Laurvig
Ferdinand Anton Danneskiold-Laurvig was a Danish count, Gehejmekonferensråd and director of the Danish West India Company from 1723.-Biography:...
over rights to mine iron ore on her property on the island of Langøy
Langøy
-Places:*Langøy, Møre og Romsdal, a village in Averøy, Norway*Langøy, Telemark, an island in Kragerø, Norway*Langøya, the third largest island in Norway...
outside of Kragerø
Kragerø
is a town and municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Vestmar. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Kragerø....
. In 1719 she and her son-in-law Andreas Walleur were granted exclusive rights by the crown to run the iron works at Dikemark
Dikemark
-References:...
. When Walleur died, Krefting let her widowed daughter Anna Katarina run the works. In 1762, the main building burned down at Bærums Verk, but Krefting managed its reconstruction. Since none of Krefting's descendants were interested in taking over her work, the property and holdings were sold on auction upon her death in 1766.
Krefting's holdings were visited by two kings, Frederik IV
Frederick IV of Denmark
Frederick IV was the king of Denmark and Norway from 1699 until his death. Frederick was the son of King Christian V of Denmark and Norway and Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel .-Foreign affairs:...
in 1704, and Christian IV
Christian VI of Denmark
Christian VI was King of Denmark and Norway from 1730 to 1746.He was the son of King Frederick IV of Denmark and Norway and Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow. He married Sophia Magdalen of Brandenburg-Kulmbach and fathered Frederick V.-The reign and personality of Christian VI:To posterity Christian...
in 1733.
Krefting also resisted the invasion by Charles XII of Sweden
Charles XII of Sweden
Charles XII also Carl of Sweden, , Latinized to Carolus Rex, Turkish: Demirbaş Şarl, also known as Charles the Habitué was the King of the Swedish Empire from 1697 to 1718...
during the Great Northern War
Great Northern War
The Great Northern War was a conflict in which a coalition led by the Tsardom of Russia successfully contested the supremacy of the Swedish Empire in northern Central Europe and Eastern Europe. The initial leaders of the anti-Swedish alliance were Peter I the Great of Russia, Frederick IV of...
in 1716 by notifying Norwegian forces of the Swedish troops' dispositions.