Johan Sigismund Hassius
Johan Sigismund Hassius | |
|---|---|
| 18th Governor of Tranquebar | |
| In office 1 July 1704 – 20 October 1716 | |
| Monarch | Frederick IV |
| Preceded by | Jørgen Bjørn |
| Succeeded by | Christen Brun-Lundegaard |
| 7th Governor of the Diocese of Christianssand | |
| In office 1718–1728 | |
| Monarch | Frederick IV |
| Preceded by | Henrik Adeler |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Frederik Møsting |
| 9th Governor of Nedenes County | |
| In office 1719–1728 | |
| Monarch | Frederick IV |
| Preceded by | Henrik Adeler |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Frederik Møsting |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1664 Christianssand, Denmark–Norway |
| Died | 4 October 1728 Christianssand, Denmark–Norway |
| Resting place | Kristiansand Cathedral, Norway |
| Spouse |
Anna Lauritsdatter Uddal
(m. 1707) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Heinrich Sigismund Hassius Anna Cathrine Jürgers |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Denmark–Norway |
| Branch/service | Norwegian Armed Forces |
| Years of service | 1688–1691 |
| Rank | Regimental quartermaster |
Johan Sigismund Hassius von Lillienpalm to Svanøe (c. 1664 – 4 October 1728) was a Dano-Norwegian nobleman and governor of Danish India from 1 July 1704 to 20 October 1716.
Johan Hassius was born in Norway in about 1664 and entered the Norwegian Army in 1687, being regimental quartermaster from 1688 to 1691. In 1703, he went to Danish India on an appointment by the Danish East India Company. A year later, he became governor of the Danish colony of Tranquebar after the death of the previous governor, Jørgen Bjørn. As governor, he misused his position for his own interests, practising corruption and private trade, while abusing his authority towards his opponents. He subsequently became a big opponent of the newly established Danish-Halle Mission, which took orders from the King of Denmark, instead of him.
He was dismissed as governor on 16 August 1716 and returned to Copenhagen in 1717. Despite his conduct in India, he was ennobled on 17 January 1718 and afterward became the governor of the Diocese of Christianssand and Nedenes County.
Hassius died on 4 October 1728 and was buried in Christianssand Cathedral's burial chamber.