The first mass emigration from Sweden to America started in Voxnadalen about 150 years ago. The spark ignited with a bonfire of books on the Fiskra farm, between Alfta and Edsbyn on June 11, 1844. All kinds of religious literature, such as Luther's catechism and the teachings of Arnds, were burned. The only literature that was saved was the Bible and Erik Jansson's own writings.
 The picture is a reconstruction and was taken in connection with the 150th anniversary of the book bonfire in 1996. |
Erik Jansson had come from Biskopskulla, Uppland, to Voxnadalen in 1843. He had a pass allowing him to travel around and sell wheat, but his intention was to spread his beliefs about holiness and eternal deliverance from sin. In less than a year he managed to gather more than 1000 followers who were called "Erik-Jansarna" - the followers of Erik Jansson.
Out of the 4000 people who left Sweden between the years 1846-1859, every third person came from Voxnadalen. About 300 villagers of Alfta, or 10 percent of the population, left their roots for an unknown destiny in "the new land of Canaan" in America.
What was it in the 19th Century that made hundreds of people from Voxnadalen leave their homes and follow Erik Jansson to the "land of liberty" on the other side of the Atlantic? It was not because Voxnadalen was a poor area. A lot of Erik Jansson's followers lived in the great Farmhouses of Hälsingland that are still standing in this area, decorated with beautiful paintings on the inside and rich entrance porches. For this first wave of emigrants, religion was a crucial factor. Strong disagreements arose in families and villages between the followers and the opponents of Erik Jansson.
The burning of Luther's catechism and other books was such an offensive and criminal act that the followers of Erik Jansson were persecuted and could no longer stay in the area. They wanted to create a sanctuary where they could practice their religion in peace and Erik Jansson chose what was at the time the land of religious liberty - America. In America it was also possible to buy land at a decent price.
Erik Jansson was killed in 1850, after only four years in his dream colony called Bishop Hill. A distant relative shot him down in front of a court in session as Jansson tried to stop the relative and his family from leaving Bishop Hill. After his death, the colony was run by a board until it dissolved in 1861.
