The last Bosun in Överlännäs parish.
Corporal Eric Edström - Bister / 1858-1929

This is Corporal Bister as retired, and his second wife
                                      In front of the house he built around 1900 in the village Frök
                                     after leaving the military service and the bosun croft in Korfsta
                                                  In Frök he worked at the sawmill.
                                                     Picture is taken around 1920

Some general info about Bosuns

For example an 'Indelnings båtsman', was handed over by every land owner, against liberation of tax.

Since the 'oldest times' every swede had the obligation to participate in the defense of the country.
Towards an attacking enemy, had to go 'both farmer and slave', according to the ancient duty 'man ur huse'
(translated lit.  ; every man out of the house).

It was developed a significant naval defence in Sweden, and by the time it also arised dissatisfaction with the
arbitrary enlisting of people to military service.

Now was instituted the so called Indelningsverket , mainly for organising and getting people to the miltary.
Its organisation was called for the navy . 'det ständiga båtsmanshållet' and for the army: 'det ständiga knekthållet'.

In northern Sweden the bosuns were all ROTE bosuns
The bosuns or bosuns crofts was divied inte the same systems as the soldiers at land and the soldiers croft- in 'Rotar'. One rote could consist of a number of farmers, divided pretty fair so that one rote consisted of both some poor and some wealthy farmers.
It was the rotes responsibility go get new bosuns and equip them with a uniform , a croft, barn and fields and animals and food etc. It was the same system for the soldiers at land.

The farmers of the 'Rote' had also a duty to provide transportation for the Bosun, to the places where they gathered, and to provide them with food for the journey. They was also obliged to help with the care of the croft when the bosun was away. (included help with sowing and harvesting the field).
As a service in return the Bosun had to service often 20 or 25 years.
And when the Bosun retired he was allowed to live at the croft but he didnt owned the house lot.

The bosuns from the coastal areas and coastal cities was considered to be more accustomed with the sea. and was used as sailors and officers. The bosuns from the inland was mainly used to mann the cannons or to serve as a 'rifle shooters'.
After the main education the bosun often serviced a time on different ships in the navy.

The Bosun system was abolished in 1887.

Info about the ships he sailed on -also pictures and sound
 
 

Erik serviced 7 month aboard the ship Wanadis. Read about the life aboard, described by Bosun Humbla, who serviced at this ship some years later.

Further on we have the guard duty. The men are divided in starboard and port guards who alternate on deck.
One guard is having dinner or (skaffar, som det heter) 11.30 and the other 12.00.
The time between 2.30 and 4 pm. they have drills. At home in the town Karlskrona we had a coffebreak at 5 pm but this have completly dried in out here, and is exchanged with an inspection (to see that noone is missing). A strange substitute for coffee. The guards next meal is at 6 pm. but 'Korum' is not executed until 8 when the 'free' guard goes to bed. 12.00 is counted as the first guard hour at sea, then there are change of guards every 4:th hour. Then there are a guard at post at the fuse, that always is burning, and at lifebuoy. If someone falls in the sea
the bouy is immediatly thrown in the water and a lamp on the bouy is lighted. Those of the guards that are not watchouts or steering, is resting on the deck when the weather is fine, and sleeps his guard.
The sail drill was ; the old "märs-sail" is taken down, and a new one put up. At 5 pm it was often blown 'all men take in "märs" - sail'.
This job is very strenous. And also dangerous, especially when the weather is bad.
The weapon and cannon and fire drills, are usual down on deck. Mostly on friday nights, but also on other nights is blown alarm. Then it is to rush up, tear on the most necessare clothing, because you must be the first one to get the cannon in order and get away the first shot.
 
 

 Document found at the military archive

(The Retirement pass I found framed on the wall at Erics dr.dr. Inga-Greta )

Other sources that can be useful in your research about bosuns.

Tingsrätten (The District court)  in that county :  Certificates of registration of title and wills and real estate inventories.

The Royal library in Stockholm

The Naval historical museum and its library in Stockholm
 

Example of an apply for the registration of one's title to the house lot : page 1 and page 2
In this case Eric Bisters house lot in Frök
 

Detailed information about Eric Bister

Married : 28 aug. 1880 in Överlännäs parish
Family : Brita Greta Göransdotter, b. 1 apr. 28 1857 in Kläpp,Överlännäs parish
Children : All born in the Bosun croft in Korfsta, Överlännäs parish.

He was ending his military service in 1895
His Wife died in 1900
Moved to another village (Nyland , Ytterlännäs parish) in 1900, where his son Enok drowned in 1901.
Moved further to the village Frök in Styrnäs parish in1903, and built a house there On the steam saw house lot.
(recent house lot No - Frök 12:3 )
and he worked at the sawmill by the river 'Ångermanälven'.
Remarried in 1904

A list of the children and grandchildren:

Brita Katarina Bister, f. 22 jan. 1881 , lämnade sina 2 barn hos sin Pappa och Emigrerade till USA 1912

• Agda Grafström
• Ive Bister

• Greta Holmgren

• Inez Bode'n
• Eivor Bergman
• Rut Palm
• Violet Wikström

• Ture Bister
• Bengt Bister
• Lizzy Edström

• Inga- Greta Björklund

Nils - Erik Strindlund

Sources :
Tingsrätten i H-sand avd. lagfarter
Tingsätten i Sollefteå , Bouppteckningar
Landarkivet i Härnösand
Svar
Krigsarkivet i Stockholm
Sjöhistoriska Museet i Stockholm
The Toys Museum in Stockholm
Carl Hamnström : Båtsmanshållet i Ångermanland och Medelpad
Fischerström : Ångfartyg
Eric Humbla: En världsomsegling med fregatten Wanadis
 
 

And his last resting place at Styrnäs church lying wonderful by the river. A suitable resting place for a bosun.
Take a look at the View West across the river
 

The grave found july 1998.

Adress to the The Military Archive:
Krigsarkivet
Banergatan 64
S-11588 Stockholm
ph. +468 7824100
fax. +468 7826976

Link to More Facts About Boatsmen
Olof G Strömbergs släkt- och hembygdssida
Båtsmanshållet i Sverige
 
 
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Last updated 1998 Dec. 30
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