Hans Hansen Rømer took over Rømeregård after his parents, who died before the probate protocols were introduced in 1681. At that time he was a Corporal (Korporal) in the cavalry; later he would advance in rank to Quartermaster (Kvartermester) in 1699.
A Hans Rømer is recorded as "Kongens Fæster" (King's copyholder) of Skinderbygård, 38 Slg. Klemensker, and Bølstedgård, 39 Slg. Klemensker, in 1719. Skinderbygård is known to have previously been held by a "Remmer Jensen" in 1658 and 1663 (co-taxpayer with Hans Ibsen (-1620-1658-1662-) - possibly Remmer Jensen's father-in-law?). It seems likely that this Rømer Jensen was the uncle of Hans Hansen Rømer. In Bornholm's militia list of 1678 a "Hanss Hanssen Rømmer" is listed in Klemensker parish - possibly living at Skinderbygård? The farm was later sold by the King to a Bertel Jacobsen in 1743, who had been living there since 1737.
He married Birgitte Christensdatter from Pilegård; she died in 1720, and at the probate hearing Hans Rømer was questioned by his brother-in-law Jens Jensen about the inheritance of Hans Rømer's unmarried sister Boel. It seems that Hans was not eager to respond to this, saying that the legal proceedings held after his parents death had been held 40 years previously, and that he could not remember the details.
Boel had lived in his home for four years, and he had promised to look after her for the rest of her days, and give her an honourable funeral. Furthermore, should he die first, his heirs would fulfill this obligation. However, Jens Jensen was not satisfied with "promises", he explained that his wife, Sidsele, the sister of Boel, had received 18 Slettedaler in inheritance, therefore he insisted that Boel receive the same amount. There was also the matter of "jordepenge" (land-money), that being the sisters portion of the proceeds of the sale of the farm to their brother Hans Hansen Rømer - this had yet to be paid out.
Hans replied that since Boel was an old maid near 70 years, he required 3 Mark weekly for her care, which he assumed would be tallied to his credit for the four years already spent under his roof. Regarding her share of the farm - that would be decided by the eight-man council when the time came. From this hearing you can see the situation for a single woman in the 1700s: she was legally a minor for her whole life. Boel had probably made a living working as a maid until she was about 65 years old, at which time she no longer had the strength.
Hans Rømer believed that he had done his duty regarding the care of his sister; while the much younger brother-in-law Jens Jensen was justified in getting all the facts - for if Hans Rømer died, then Jens would have to step in and be responsible for Boel.
The result of the eight-man decision is not known, but it did not matter in the end, since Hans Rømer survived both his sister Boel, and his other sister Sidsele and her husband Jens Jensen.
From Bornholm's militia list of 1678:
Rulla offuer Land Compagniet til Hest paa Boringholmb primum plamij.
Clemeidschier Sogn: Prestens Hl. Ollufss Rytter Hanss Munch, Udygtig Gevehr; Bagge Frandtz Ejtter; Oluf Nielsen i Hassle; Mons Ibsen; Matz Adzerssen; Jenss Abrahamsen; Hanss Hanssen Rømmer; Madz Oelsen; Hanss Mogenssen; Mogens Rassmussen; Hanss Bendtsen; Jenss Suendsen; Hanss Aristsen; Abraham Rassmussen; Larss Hanssen; Hanss Rassmussen; Michel Madtzen; Rassmuss Madtzen; Mogens Monssen.
From Bornholm's Jordebog of 1689:
Vesterherridt, Vestermarie Sogn, Bunde, Nr. 52: Hans Remer.
Nøreherrit, Clemmidscher Sogn, Bunde, Nr. 38: øde.
Nøreherrit, Clemmidscher Sogn, Bunde, Nr. 39: øde.
From Bornholm's Jordebog of 1691:
Wester Herridt, Wester Marie Sogn, Nr. 52: Hans Rømmer, er Self Ejergaard.
Mention of Hans Hansen Rømer in the probate for Hans Hansen, October 20, 1693, page 251:
Anno 1693 den 20 October efter loulig giorde tillysning, holden registering, og vurdering, sampt schifte, og deeling efter sal. Hans Hansen som boede og døde paa dend 8 Jord Eiendegaard beliggende udi Røe Sogn. . . Hans Rømmer i VesterM Sogn fordred efter sin sedel for en foele og moged som af hans søsters Boel Hansdaatters arf end nu skal være bestaaende i dette boe. . . .
Mention of Hans Hansen Rømer in the probate for Anders Ibsen, March 31, 1704, page 438b:
Anno 1704 dend 31 Marty er efter loulig giorde tillysning holden registering, og vurdering sampt skifte og liqvidation efter s. Anders Ibsen, som boede, og døde paa dend 10de Jord Eiendoms gaard beliggende i ØsterM Sogn. . . Quarteremesteren Hans Rømmer i VesterM Sogn lod fordre penge 3 Mk. udlagt. . . .
Extracted from probate for Birgitte Christensdatter, July 5, 1720, page 356:
Anno 1720 dend 5te July er efter loulig giorde tillysning holden registering og vurdering sampt skifte og deeling efter Cornet Hans Hansen Rømers hustru Berite Christensdatter, som boede og døde paa 52 Jord Ejendoms gaard beligende i VesterM Sogn, og det imellem denne sl. quindes efterlevende mand bemelte Hans Hansen Rømer paa ene, og paa anden side dene sl. quindes med hendes mand sammen auflede børn, som er 2 sønner og 2 døttre. Den eldste søn Christen Rømer boende i Clemedsker Sogn, som møtte. Den anden søn Hans Hansen Rømer hos faderen, sin egen værge. Den eldste daatter Sidsele Hansdaatter, 32 aar gl. Dend yngste daatter Bartha Hansdatter, 25 aar. For disse 2de døttre er faderen self verge efter loven.
Extracted from probate for Birgitte Christensdatter, July 5, 1720, page 197:
Anno 1720 dend 5te July eer efter loulig giorde tillysning holden registering og vurdering sampt skifte og deeling efter Cornet Hans Rømmers hustru Berithe Christensdaatter, som boede og døde paa 52 Jord Ejendoms gaard beliggende i VesterM Sogn, og det imellem denne sl. quindes efterlevende mand bemelte Hans Rømmer paa ene, og paa anden side dene sl. quindes med hendes mand sammen auflede børn, som er 2 sønner og 2 døttre. Den eldste søn Christen Rømmer boende i Clemmedsker Sogn, som møtte. Dend anden søn Hans Hansen Rømmer hiemme hos faderen, sin egen værge. Den eldste daatter Sidsele Hansdaatter, 32 aar gl. Dend yngste daatter Barbro Hansdatter, 25 aar. For disse 2de børn er faderen self verge efter loven. . . og hans søster Boehl Hansdaatter Rømmer til falden arf efter hendis sl. fader Hans Rømmer og moder som forhen boede og døde paa forhen 52 gaard som broderen Cornet Hans Rømmer vegne for, og nu udi 4re aaar hauer veret for hannem og barn opholdet. . . mens som søstermanden Jens Jensen var begierende af Corneten Hans Rømmer at hand vild igien for samme om hand vidst hvor meget hende efter hendis salig fader og moder til kom, huor til hand suarede. . . hun er en aldrinde piger ved 70 aar. . . bleven anført Jens Jensen foregave og forbleve at hans hustru som er søster til Boel Hansdaatter. . . (Probate witnessed by: Poul P.J.S. Jensen, Jep Aristsen, Hans H.R. Rømmer, Christen C.H.R Hansen Rømmer, Hans H.R. Hansen Rømmer.)
From the "Afskrifter af nogle Klemensker kirkehandlinger 1733-1800", by Johan Carl Louis Lengnick:
September 16, 1739: Begravelser, Hans Rømer, 85 aar.
May 20, 1740: Begravelser, Zidsele Rømer, 58 aar.
From the above burial records we can conclude that Hans Hansen Rømer, and his un-married daughter Sidsele, were living with Christen Hansen Rømer at Stangegård, 42 Slg. Klemensker, at the times of their deaths.
From the Vestermarie kirkebog:
June 8, 1749: Begraven, Dom. 1 p. Trin. Hans Rømmer, 70 aar gammel. (Possibly the "anden" son of Hans Hansen Rømer?)
From Hans Hansen Rømer and Birgitte Christensdatter Piil descend the man responsible for preserving Bornholm's Almindingen forest: Hans Rømer (1770-1836), and his many brothers.
This database researched and compiled by Norman Lee Madsen, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Oct. 19, 2011.