Matthias de Tonsberg
1638, Tønsberg, Vestfold - 1705, Bergen

The following was translated from Norwegian to English from:
http://www.snl.no/.nbl_biografi/Mats_De_Tonsberg/utdypning
Many words are untranslated and some maybe a little strangely.

Mats Matthias De Tonsberg, born 1638, birthplace Tønsberg, Vestfold, died 1705, death place Bergen. Parents: Royal kommissarius and Assessor in Court Over Right Anders Madssøn (1609-1670) and Karen Stranger (1617-98). Married ca. 1668 to Anna Catharina Mechlenburg (9/29/1649 to 6/19/1745, daughter of the land commissioner and assessor in Court Over Right Willum Mechlenburg (1615-1677) and Isabella de Brier (1619-1676). Father of Wilhelm de Tonsberg (1680-1731), brother of Christian Stockfleth (ca. 1639-1704), uncle to Karen Toller (1662 - 1742).

Matsdee Tonsberg was one of the 1600-century skilled officials, who also followed the customs and acted as a successful businessman.

De Tonsberg, who, like his brothers took the name of his native town, belonged to one of the 1600 century's most prominent family circles in Norway. His father was rich, and the family had connections with the royal house, they Tonsberg niece was married to General Hausmann, who was the half brother of the governor Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve. De Tonsberg had therefore the best relationships, which - in addition to the great inherited wealth - meant that he was free in the choice of career.

De Tonsberg got an excellent education and in 1655 was a student at the University of Copenhagen. The bourgeoisie had by this time taken by the nobility customs, and sons of rich fathers were sent on dannelsestur in Europe. Mats de Tonsberg went out together with the two-year older brother, Oluf, and they were in 1661 enrolled at the University of Leyden, where they studied politics and history. The tour then proceeded to Germany, Italy and France, with long stays at several universities, before 1665 ended in England. The brothers then returned home in 1665 and he was employed as a secretary in the Danish Chancellery, the traditional first job for young men that focused on a career in civil work.

De Tonsberg returned to Norway in 1668, when he was appointed Rigens printer, with Akershus castle tjenestested. This was considered a superior secretarial position, subject to the governor. De Tonsberg was at Akershus 1679 until he received the office of Governor of Buskerud. He then settled in Drammen, which was the base for his large private business. As Governor, he had to deal with unrest among farmers as a result of the constant tax increases. De Tonsberg was the 1694 Prefect in Kristiansand and Governor of Nedenes and Bamble County. He had a difficult period 1700-04, when he was sick and laid off from their offices. Then he received the office of Prefect of Bergen, as he sat in until shortly before his death.

Besides amtmannsstillingene de Tonsberg had other central tasks. In 1684, he was a member of the Over Court Court, where he served a period as Chief Justice. 1704 he joined the Royal Act of Akershus, an institution that had far-reaching powers and ruled the country at the king's behalf. Tonsberg they got 1684 rank title kanselliråd was etatsråd 1704. As etatsråd Prefect and he belonged to the third rank, class, and was thus, like their descendants, considered to be hereditary nobleman.

De Tonsberg also ran large private business alongside his work as official. From his base in Drammen, he drove the export of lumber and worked with the town's leading merchant and ship owner, Mads Wiel. Tonsberg they owned the noble seat of the manor Wolf Country Spokes (setegården Ulveland i Eiker). His son inherited the farm and was shortly before the death of his father was appointed Prefect of Bergen.

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