(Written by Sylvia R. Toolson from information obtained in a history 
written by Joseph G. Nelson, a grandson, from information contained 
in a history written by a granddaughter, Hannah Christensen and from 
genealogical research.)


Quoting from Joseph G. Nelson:
"Bendt Nielsen was born 6 August 1802 in Taarnby, Copenhagen, 
Denmark, a son of Niels Bendtsen and Marchen Mogensen.  His wife, Ane 
Swendsen, was born 8 January 1801 in Taarnby, Copenhagen, Denmark, a 
daughter of Svend Svendsen and Elm Tonnesen.  They were descendants 
of those Holland Colonists brought to Denmark by the King's request 
to do gardening for the royalty and were given the Island of Amager, 
which is now part of Copenhagen.  The island of Amager is connected 
with Copenhagen by a little causeway."

Bendt (Bent) and Ane became the parents of seven children:  Svend 
(born 4 November 1826); Tonnes (born 16 September 1828); Niels (born 
26 February 1831); Marchen (born 19 January 1833); Trein or Trena 
(born 14 November 1836); Emma (born 20 November 1838) and Peder (born 
22 October 1842).  All of the children were born in Taarnby, 
Copenhagen, Denmark.

Quoting from Hannah Christensen, a granddaughter:
"Mother (she is speaking of Trein, the fifth child of Bendt and Ane) 
was born in a little place called Timmerupe.  Here the people all 
made their living at farming and market gardening. I remember the
little straw thatched house with its garden of vegetables and 
flowers, especially the bed of sweet smelling pinks.  Mother used to 
pick them every day and sell them in the city.  I think all of 
grandmother's family were born and raised in that little home and 
then father and mother (Trein married Jens Christiansen Lamp, also 
known as Jens Christensen) began their married life there and their 
four eldest children were born there."

Quoting again from Joseph G. Nelson:
"Bendt Nielsen served as night watchman for forty years in his own 
village of Taarnby on Amager Island.  He must have been an honored 
officer to have held this important position for so many years.  His 
duty was to call out each hour, "Two o'clock and all is well."  He 
also called out conditions of the weather.  His only weapon of 
defense was a stick armed on the end with spikes.

At dawn of day he retired to his home to rest and sleep for a few 
hours.  Then he went fishing in a boat and seined a red spotted fish 
called "rod spetter".  His wife, Ane, would dress and carry the fish 
to the market with vegetables and fruits in season.  They had only 
one


BENDT NIELSEN AND ANE SWENDSEN - Life sketch               Page 2



cherry tree on the home plot, but the children never had a cherry, 
all had to go to market to help buy the essentials.  

The Island of Amager is connected with Copenhagen by a little 
causeway over which Marchen, the eldest daughter, went to visit her 
parents and brothers and sisters each week.  She worked in Copenhagen 
for a lady and received the sum of $24.00 for a years' work.  On one 
of these visits to see her loved ones, she carried with her a small 
pitcher of cream, kept back from the cat's portion, thinking how nice 
the cream would taste in her mother's coffee.  Her mother refused to 
use the purloined cream much to Marchen's chagrin, who never dreamed 
this little act could be called dishonest.

Marchen, also known as Martha, was the first in the family to accept 
the Gospel, hearing it in the early years of its introduction into 
Denmark under Apostle Erastus Snow.  She was baptized in water from 
which two feet of ice had to be cut in order to perform the 
ordinance.  A cold beginning, but compensated for by the spiritual 
glow from within.  She hastened to carry the glad tidings to her 
loved ones, but oh, what a disappointment!  Her mother all but 
disowned her crying "Our Martha is lost, she has joined those awful 
Mormons!"  Martha left to go back to Copenhagen and little Peder, her 
brother, ran after her crying "Marta, come back!"  She turned and 
said to him "Never mind, Peder, you will come to America also."  All 
of the family in due time came to America, except the parents, who 
remained until death released them.  Bendt died 6 May 1857 and Ane 
died 27 June 1862.