Lonmora, Sweden — 16 September 1759
Abducted for four days
The following handwritten text is recorded in the parish book of Ramsberg, Sweden: “In the evening of 16 September 1759, the crofter Jacob Jacobsson ‘s eldest son Jacob, 22 years old, had crossed the lake, Vastra Kiolsjon, to the crofter Anders Nilson at Lonmora, to deliver the food packet for him and his father for the following day’s work in the Woods. Coming back across the lake, as he pulled the boat upon the shore, something strange happened to him. “A large and broad road appeared before him. He followed it and soon reached a large red mansion, in his own words, ‘with grander buildings than Gamlebo.’ Soon he found himself seated on a bench by the door in a big chamber. He saw a chubby little man with a red cap on his head, sitting at the end of a table, and crowds of little people running back and forth. They were in every way like ordinary men, but of short stature. A bit taller than the rest was a fine-looking maiden, who offered him food and drink. He said, ‘No, thank you.’ The Little people asked him whether he wanted to stay with them, and he answered, ‘God, help me back home to my father and mother!’ Then the man with the red cap said, ‘Throw him out, he has such an ugly mouth!’ ’ In the next instant he was back by the lake shore, and from there he returned home. His parents greeted him with pleasure. They had been very worried; together with the neighbors they had searched the woods and the lake for him. Four days and nights had passed without a trace of him. When he finally came back on Thursday evening he had not eaten or slept for four days, yet he had no desire for food or drink. He thought he had been away only for a little while. The following day everything was normal except for an uneasy feeling in his body and mind. “Jacob made this statement to me in the presence of his parents on St. Michael’s Day 1759. This boy has quite a simple, pious, meek and gentle character. He is praised by everyone; all his life he has been known to take pleasure in reading and contemplating God’s words whenever he has some spare time. ”
Source: Ramsberg sockens kyrkobok, El: 1, 1786-1774, handwritten entry by Reverend Vigelius. The book is kept at Landsarkivet, Uppsala, Sweden. Translation by Clas Svahm Case: W296