Eric Pålsson Mullica facts for kids
Eric Pålsson Mullica was an early Finnish settler who came to a place called New Sweden. This was a Swedish colony in North America a long time ago. Eric and his family became so well-known that many places in New Jersey are named after them!
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Who Was Eric Mullica?
Eric Mullica was born in April 1636 in Sweden. His original Finnish name was "Erkki." His father, Pål Jönsson Mullica, traveled to New Sweden with his family in 1654. They sailed on a ship called the Örnen, which means Eagle.
Eric's family had roots in Finland. His grandfather, Juho Mulikka, had moved from Finland to Sweden. The name "Mullica" comes from the Finnish word mullikka, which means "young bull."
Life in New Sweden
Eric Mullica lived for several years in Tacony, which is now part of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Later, he moved to the area of Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey.
He built his home near Little Egg Harbor in what is now the town of Lower Bank. Because he lived there, a nearby area was named Mullica Township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, to honor him. Also, a river that used to be called the "Little Egg Harbor River" is now known as the Mullica River.
Eric had eight children with his first wife, Ingrid. She was the daughter of Olof Philipsson, another Finn who arrived in New Sweden. After Ingrid passed away, Eric married Ingeborg Helm. Eric Mullica died sometime before the year 1704.
Mullica Family Legacy
Eric's sons, William, Eric Jr., and John, moved further west. They settled in an area now known as Mullica Hill. This place is in Harrison Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
In 1704, Eric's sons, Eric Jr., William, and John, bought about 400 acres of land. They built their own farmhouses there. Eric Jr. and William built their houses in 1704, and these homes are still standing today on North Main Street in Mullica Hill.
Places Named After the Mullicas
The Mullica family left a lasting mark on the map! Here are some places named after them:
- Mullica Township - A township in Atlantic County, located on the Mullica River.
- Mullica Hill - A town in Gloucester County.
- Mullica Hill Pond - A reservoir in Gloucester County, near Mullica Hill.
- Mullica Landing Point - An airport in Atlantic County.
- Mullica River - A river that flows through Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, and Ocean Counties.
