Jens Hansen Smed

Jens Hansen Smed was the son of Hans Mikkelsen Smed.  Jens was born in Nebsager in 1711 and was christened in the church of Nebsager on the day after Christmas in 1711. It is written in the parish register that he was named after Jens Techo, who was the priest’s father-in-law. His paternal grandfather, Mikkel Smed, was one of his godfathers.
On February 17, 1739 he became the copyholder of a house in the village of Breth, in the parish of Barrit. He took over the house from his father, and just like his father, Jens Hansen Smed had to also pay an annual tax of 10 “slettedaler” in landgilde. That amount would be decreased proportional to the smith’s work that he did on the manor of Skerrildgaard, who was the owner of his house. Among other things he was to make horseshoes for two mares on the manor. It is from this profession that the family is called Smed. “Smed” is the Danish word for “Smith”.
It is believed that Jens Hansen Smed was married around 1739. The church register in Barrit first begins in 1745 and at that time he was married to Karen Madsdatter. The children of Karen Madsdatter and Jens Hansen Smed were: Birthe Jensdatter (christened 8/28/1746), Hans Jensen (christened 3/3/1748), Anne Jensdatter (christened 10/25/1750), the twins Mads and Anders Jensen (christened 5/12/1754), Ellen Jensdatter (christened 8/31/1760), and Niels Jensen (christened 12/26/1761). Jens Hansen Smed’s wife, Karen Madsdatter died in 1784. 
We know from the census papers from 1787 that his son, Hans Jensen in Breth, gave him accommodation and support. At the time of the 1801 census Jens Hansen was living with his daughter Birthe Jensdatter in Breth. He died in 1805 and was buried in the churchyard of Barrit on April 11, 1805.

Look at his genealogical table

Look at his wife Karen Madsdatter's biography