Tracing the Title of the Hegge Farm in Norway
Hegge Family Tree
We learn in the “Biri-Snertingdal Bygdebok” that the Hegge land was the largest farm in Biri Snertingdal for 14 to 15 generations. It was first mentioned in 1355. The farm was eventually divided into four farms: Northern, Middle, Southern and Eastern with a family living on each. At times, two families worked in partnership. This did not always work well. Hegge farmers also owned land on other farms.
The people who worked the land did not necessarily own it. Some were tenants. In the book, “Eie”, after the name means tenant.
It is the EAST Hegge farm that Niels F and Marthinus Hegge grew up on. Their brother Ole took over the farm after the death of Fredrick Evenson (Krageberg) Hegge. When Ole died in 1905 or 1906, the farm was sold to the Biri township for 75,000 kr., which in today’s dollars is $500,000 according to Andre Stjernen, who provided the translation. The buildings became an old peoples home.
Some of the Hegge Documents trace the title to East Hegge
1. On September 12, 1683 the people on the TWO Hegge farms are:
Torsten Pedersen Hegge, Marte Olsdatter, Ole Arneson and Halvor Olsen Hegge.
2. 39 years later, in 1722, Torger Pederson Heggen purchased a part of ostre (east) Hegge from:
Ole Ekern, Ole Halforsen Heggen, Suir Halvorsen Heggen, Peder Brynstad and Ingeborg Olson, who signed on behalf of their MOTHER IN LAW, Anne Ekeren.
3. In 1724 the Torger Heggen’s estate went thru probate.
4. On November 12, 1726, Andres Klocker purchases ostre Hegge from the Crown at auction.
5. In 1730 Ole Olson Onsom purchases the farm from Klocker. Klocker was married to a MELBY girl and finally settled on Kluke.
6. In 1748 Ole Olson Onsom Hegge transfers the farm to his son, Ole Ølson Hegge II
7. In 1782 the heirs of Ole Olson Hegge II sell the farm to Baard Olson Hegge, the second son of Ole Olson Hegge II
8. At an unknown date, Baard Olson Hegge transfers the farm to his son, Ole Baardson Hegge.
9. In 1833 Ole Baardson Hegge sells the farm to his son-in-law, Fredrick Evenson Krageberg.
10. At an unknown date, Fredrick Evenson Krageberg Hegge sells to his son, Ole Fredrickson, 1834-1906.
The heirs of Ole F. Hegge sell the farm to the Commune of Biri and it has been an old people’s home ever since.