18th century building in Hokksund In a registration of the buildings in Gamle-Hokksund and Dynge that was carried out in 2015/2016, nine buildings were dated to the 18th century. However, due to extensions and reconstruction, it can be difficult to date the buildings. Up to 50 buildings may have a core from the 18th century, or perhaps from the 17th century. Among the best preserved are Gundersgården (Hobbelstadgata 8), Kolbrækgården (Dynge 34) and Madsengården (Storgata 42). At Falchegården (Storgata 75), the western part dates from the mid-18th century and the eastern part from the early 19th century, and the building has been restored so that the 18th century character is largely preserved. The small houses from the 19th century also contribute to creating an old wooden house environment that has developed naturally over several hundred years. Madsen Farm. Kolbrækgården Gundersgården The Falchegården Ihlengården - «Braathengården»

WELCOME TO PHOTO REGISTRATION Nøstetangen Café, Sorenskrivergården Thursday, April 24 at 7:00 PM Pictures from Terje Koch Betsy Johansen (Narveland) behind the counter. For many years she ran a small kiosk in her private home, right behind Arbeideren in Gamle-Hokksund. She ran it as long as there was a cinema at Arbeideren, from the 1950s until the 1970s. ea-2009-014-001 Betsy Johansen (Narveland) behind the counter. Unknown girl on the left. ea-2009-014-002 Jacob and Betsy Johansen's house in Gamle-Hokksund, where Betsy ran a small cheese shop for many years. They later changed the name to Narveland. ea-2009-014-003 Egil Dahlmann. Terje Koch and Runar Kruke outside Betsy Johansen's kiosk, with Betsy in the window. ea-2009-014-004 Bicycle repairman Ola Larsen ("Ola pang-pang") outside the workshop at Bruhjørnet. On the left is Leif "Vøkert" Bermingrud, who also had the nickname "Elvelosen". ea-2009-014-005 Jacob Johansen (Narveland). ea-2009-014-006 Nils Ole Rønning and Erik Svendsen's car dealership in Stasjonsgata. Previously, baker Rommelhoff-Berg had a shop and cafeteria here, then butcher Torgersen. ea-2009-014-008 Mona and Erling Ystenes' business in Stasjonsgata. Previously, Løvgren-Olsen had a flower shop here. Later, Kirsch had a bicycle repair shop, and it has also been a hobby shop, kebab restaurant (Kalino) etc. Now (2025) the soon-to-open sushi restaurant is here. ea-2009-014-009 Eiker Sparebank's new building, July 1984. ea-2009-014-010 The old fire station in Hellefossveien. Behind the house we see the tall poles that were used to dry fire hoses. ea-2009-014-011 Karl Hansen ("Dakota-Karl")'s kiosk at Bruhjørnet, with the residential building behind. ea-2009-014-012 Karl Hansen, also called "Dakota Karl". ea-2009-014-013 Ukjent mann sager ved. ea-2009-014-014 Taxi driver Kristian Groven with his Essex 1930 model. ea-2009-014-015 Photo by Thor Wilhelm Tollefsen Pictures from Kjell Amundsen Rehearsal with Øvre Eiker Youth Corps, probably in the 1960s. We see, among others, Bjørn Rasmussen (no. 2 in the second row), Hans Hobbelstad (standing behind), Kjell Amundsen on trumpet (no. 2) from the right and Odd Røren (far right, partially hidden by the conductor). ea-2010-006-001 Band exercise - probably a joint exercise with participants from several school bands. Conductor is Einar Kristensen. ea-2010-006-002 Ellen Holmen (Sundt) on clarinet and instructor Einar Kristensen, Kjell Amundsen standing behind. ea-2010-006-003 Øvre Eiker Youth Corps. We see, among others, Runar Narveland, Nils Rasmussen, Odd Røren, Kjell Amundsen, Per Engh, Sverre Nygård, Knut Persson and Torbjørn Oskasin. ea-2010-006-004 Demolition of Hokksund Cooperative. Volunteer work at Øvre Eiker Youth Corps. ea-2010-006-005 Østre Brugata in Hokksund with the Cooperative Society. ea-2010-006-006 Østre Brugata in Hokksund with the Cooperative Society. ea-2010-006-007 Unknown man on the left, then Harald Ingebretsen (Messeconsult), Henry Tranberg and Kjell Amundsen. ea-2010-006-009 Presumably meeting in Hokksund Chamber of Commerce. From left: Grethe Jahr, Nils Christiansen, hidden man, Erling Holden, Gudrun Styve Varlo, Hans Muggerud, Kjell Amundsen (at the end of the table), Arne Stokke, Bjørn Ristvedt, hidden man, Elsie May Stengel, Jorunn Kvale and Britt Stokke Amundsen? ea-2010-006-010 Knut Olav Bakkene, Kjell Amundsen and Harald Loe. Presumably prize giving in Eiker O-team. ea-2010-006-011 Film: The 1952 Olympic Relay Here are the results of the previous registration meeting Pictures from Dynge The backyard of Braathengården, later also called Ihlengården. It was later owned by Blegeberg (daughter and son-in-law of Ihlen). Several families lived there, including their relatives. Opsahl 11-1 The backyard of Braathen farm with the outbuilding. The entire house burned down in 2011. Opsahl 13 The Paulsen family's house in Dynge. The outbuilding on the left has been demolished, while the farmhouse on the right still stands. Opsahl R001 Langebakk photographed from Vendelborg in the direction of Dynge. The nearest house belonged to Karen Fisker, then Thoresen and Laugerud with an old outhouse. The man in the photo is Nils Paulsen (Gabbe), who lived in the outhouse at Paulsen's (cf.R001). He had TV license no. 8 in Norway, and the outhouse became a gathering place for people in the area. Opsahl R005 The old Haugsund school. The building is practically unchanged today. Opsahl ØEK037 Street section from Dynge. The house closest to the left belonged to Kulland, who had an ice house for salmon that was to be shipped by rail (the ice house is not in the photo). The next house belonged to Nils Paulsen - relative (uncle?) of Nils Paulsen in photo R005. The house on the right belonged to Olga Amundsen. Opsahl ØEK101 Photo from Langebakk, taken from Vendelborg towards Dynge (cf.R005) Closest is the flat roof of Ishuset, then Elvehuset. The photo is taken from Hillerens hus (Timberli). Outbuildings down towards the river. Opsahl ØEK102 Street from Dynge. From the left we see the houses of Andreas Engebretsen ("The Count") - his sons Georg, Odd and Arne were good football players. The next house belonged to Julius Grimnes (now belongs to his daughter Turid Skyba), and then Amundsen (cf. ØEK001). Opsahl ØEK899 Street section from Dynge. The photo was taken at the same location as ØEK899, but in the opposite direction. Opsahl ØEK900 Pictures from Gamle-Hokksund Opsahl 103_0301_JFR Opsahl CRW_0499_JFR Kristof014 Opsahl VOP145 Opsahl VOPS846 Opsahl VOPS861 Opsahl ØEK039 Opsahl ØEK040 Opsahl ØEK090 Opsahl ØEK933 Sundbakken Pictures Opsahl 39 Opsahl N36 Opsahl scan 2021 465 Opsahl scan 2021 ny152 Opsahl scan 2021 new159 Opsahl Vidar232 Opsahl Vidar233 Opsahl Vidar234 Opsahl Vidar235 Opsahl Vidar236 Opsahl Vidar238-20x30 Opsahl Vidar239-20x30 Opsahl Vidar242-20x30 Opsahl Vidar258 Opsahl Vidar259 Opsahl Vidar262 Opsahl Vidar263 Opsahl Vidar264 Opsahl Vidar309 Opsahl VO11 127 Opsahl VO11 214 Opsahl VO12 379-66 Opsahl VO14 621 Opsahl VO14 622 Opsahl VO14 623 Opsahl VO14 627 Opsahl VO14 629 Opsahl VO14 630 Opsahl VO14 631 Opsahl VO14 636 Opsahl VO14 641 Opsahl VO14 642 Opsahl VO018 Opsahl VO019 - 92 Opsahl VO027 - 98 VO055-May81 Opsahl VO13546 Opsahl VO13571 Opsahl VO15812 Opsahl VO15813 Opsahl VO15842 Opsahl VO15922 Opsahl VOP263 Opsahl VOP271 Opsahl VOP273 Opsahl VOP278 Opsahl VOP448-jan01 Opsahl VOPS523 Opsahl VOPS544 Opsahl VOPS633 Opsahl VOPS634 Opsahl VOPS635 Opsahl VOPS882 Opsahl ØEK041 Opsahl ØEK119 Opsahl ØEK121 Opsahl ØEK745 Opsahl ØEK758 - 03 Opsahl ØEK814 Opsahl ØEK843 Opsahl ØEK847 Opsahl ØEK859 Opsahl ØEK863 Opsahl ØEK865 Opsahl ØEK866 Opsahl ØEK868 Opsahl ØEK874 Opsahl ØEK881 Opsahl ØEK882 Opsahl ØEK925 Opsahl ØEK927 Opsahl ØEK937

Inns and Guesthouses Many of those living along the main travel routes were likely able to host travelers, serve food and drink, and offer lodging for a small fee. However, if such activity was to be conducted on a somewhat larger scale, a royal license was required. These licenses were issued by the Rentekammer (Treasury Chamber) in Copenhagen, likely based on recommendations from local officials. At the same time, the innkeepers and guesthouse operators were required to pay an annual fee, which the bailiff was responsible for collecting. Therefore, the archive of the County Governor in Buskerud contains considerable information about who was engaged in such activity. From the Rentekammer’s order, dated 3 November 1759, to the bailiff Egger Madsen Fisker: Since it has graciously pleased His Royal Majesty to grant the following Royal Licenses for the operation of inns and guesthouses within the jurisdictions of Hurum, Røyken, Eiker, Lier, and Buskerud, entrusted to him, subject to payment of an annual fee in addition to what has previously been ordered or may be ordered henceforth, namely: Eiker Parish 16. Nils Sutterud from the settlement of Sutterud –                     1 rigsdaler 17. The widow of the late citizen Augustinus – from Lille Steenset –            48 skilling 18. Peder Augustinusen – from the settlement Sanden under Temte –        18 skilling 19. The resident of the holding Frognes under Haug Vicarage –              48 skilling 20. Lars Thosen from the settlement Bacherud near Vestfossen –           24 skilling 21. Tore Clausen, innkeeping on the Fossesholm side –                    1 rigsdaler 22. Rasmus Schiestad on the Semb side –                           1 rigsdaler 48 skilling 23. Peder Augustinussen – likewise –                                   1 rigsdaler 24. Ingeborg Sperren – likewise –                                    1 rigsdaler By Hokksund on the eastern side of the river 25. Richardt Gram –                                            1 rigsdaler 26. The widow of Peder Andersen –                                1 rigsdaler

Nøstetangen's neighbors: Haugsund, Hoen and Prestegården Haugsund Haugsund was not the largest of the settlements on Eiker, but it was in the process of establishing itself as a center for the local administration. It was where the town council meetings were held and where the sheriff lived. Sundstedet was an important hub, with a railway station and inns. The population consisted of timber floaters, char fishermen and salmon fishermen, but also some craftsmen and workers who were connected to the farms on Hoen and Vendelborg. It was a rapidly growing settlement. The Hoen farms The farms Øvre Hoen and Nedre Hoen had considerable dirt roads, but primarily these farms were among the most valuable in the village because of their other "glories". The owner of Øvre Hoen from 1751 was Jens Hofgaard, a well-known lumber merchant and proprietor and the man who commissioned the Hoenspokalen. The mill and sawmill operations in Hoenselva were significantly expanded during his time. Nedre Hoen belonged to the Winther family. They owned a sawmill and mill at Hellefossen, but the greatest value was the rich salmon fishing below the farm. Jens Hofgaard at Hoen - a proprietor and his use Situations Cart over Hoen 1783/84 - who was Jens Irgens? The Winther family on the Hoen farms The Hoen farms in 1765 Eker rectory The parish priest was the most important civil servant in the local community. People had regular contact with him through church services and other church activities, and the churchyard was an important gathering place, where public announcements were read and where news was spread by word of mouth. In addition, the parish priest, together with the chaplain, bells and other assistants, was responsible for important tasks such as school and poor relief. The church and rectory thus became an important center. The Church and the parish priests Schools and poor relief

Rafting in the Drammen River Timber rafting had been taking place in the river since the High Middle Ages, and more and more of the timber had to be transported from the upper parts of the district, where there were still large forests. This applied to both sawn timber and beams that were cut with an axe. The authorities adopted regulations for the rafting and provisions on how large quantities could be cut and sawn on the various saws, but the rafting itself was organized by the lumber merchants in cooperation with each other, but where the largest sawmill owners had the decisive say. The most important timber hinge on Eiker was at Kverk below Skotselv, where the timber was held back and released in quantities no larger than it was possible to sort them when they arrived at the mills. The largest of these sorting hinges was the "Great Hinge" at Nøstetangen, where the timber going to the sawmills in Vestfossen was stopped. Another important hinge was Stenberg, where the beam timber was sorted. There were permanent crews at these hinges, while there was only seasonal work at the smaller hinges and at the quarrying in the tributaries. From Nøstetangen, the timber was pulled up the Vestfosselva river by horses walking along the riverbank. This work was carried out by "timber carriers". In addition, the sawmills in Vestfossen received a good deal of timber from the area around Eikeren. These logs were tied together in rafts and transported across the lake with sails. After the logs had been turned into planks and boards at the sawmills, they were chained together in large "mushrooms", often with several thousand boards, and floated down to the board plots at Bragernes. This plank floating was carried out by special workers called "nersetters".

The farming community at Eiker In the latter half of the 18th century, most of the farmers on Eiker had become freeholders. A hundred years earlier, they had been tenants, either under the crown estate or on estates belonging to nobility and civil servants. The estate economy on Eiker reached its peak under the governor Hannibal Sehested, who was also the lord of Eker county in the years 1648-1652. When he fell from grace, his large estate was taken over by the Crown. This estate was first mortgaged and later sold to private individuals to cover the state's debt. Thus, most of the old estates disappeared, and the Eiker farmers became owners of the farms they lived on. Although the farmers were freeholders, most of them were in considerable debt. The creditors were often merchants involved in the lumber trade and sawmill operations in the district. Instead of paying land taxes as tenants, they had to pay interest and installments to the creditors, and in addition many burdensome taxes and fees were paid to the state. In practice, the difference may not have been that great. But at the same time, the new industries opened up new opportunities for the Eiker farmers. A few owned their own sawmills and were directly involved in the lumber trade. Far more were involved in the transport and delivery of goods to sawmills, mines and other industries. Driving for the Magasinet at Kongsberg was important, and coal was burned that was delivered to the Sølvverket, Nøstetangen glassworks, Hassel ironworks and other businesses. Those who managed to take advantage of these opportunities could become debt-free and in some cases set up as owners of several farms. Not everyone was able to share in the prosperity that the new industries created. The forest at Eiker was being cut down quite a bit, and the authorities introduced restrictions on forestry. It was also not allowed to build new water sawmills that produced for export – that was reserved for the privileged mills, which largely belonged to the bourgeoisie in Drammen. Most of the farmers could not therefore get directly involved in sawmills and the lumber trade and earn income from this. It happened more and more often that farms were divided in connection with inheritance settlements, because the one who had the land did not have the means to redeem the other heirs. The farms thus became so small that the income from forestry and driving became necessary to survive. This in turn affected agriculture and livestock - the oak farmers were not self-sufficient in either grain for food or hay for animal feed, and they bought butter and cattle for slaughter from the valleys and mountain villages. Some of the farms at Eiker were sold to merchants who were involved in the lumber trade and sawmill operations in the district. They were often called "proprietærer", and they usually had their own apartment building at Bragernes, where they mostly lived, while the farm at Eiker was a kind of mixture of industrial farm and pleasure farm. The agricultural community at Eiker thus ranged from such wealthy proprietors to small farmers and householders who lived on a subsistence minimum and who were dependent on wage labor to feed their families.

Magazine drive on "Sölvveien" The transportation of goods between Bragernes and Kongsberg is often called "warehouse transportation". In reality, this transportation took place both on land and by water. The actual transportation was carried out by "reeders" in rowboats and drivers with horses and carts. Along the river and the road there were transport stations, guesthouses and inns where both the transport workers and other travelers could quench their thirst and get food and shelter. This is where goods were probably also bought and sold to the local population, at a time when there were no country stores. All the traffic also provided work for craftsmen such as boat builders, blacksmiths, wheelwrights and shoemakers. In the latter half of the 18th century, the mining town of Kongsberg had around 8,000 inhabitants and was Norway’s second largest city – smaller than Bergen, but larger than Christiania. The local agriculture could not feed such a large population, and the miners and their families were completely dependent on a regular supply of grain and other foodstuffs. This gave great power to a small group of “suppliers”, who had the exclusive right to run this profitable business. Together with the top management at the Silver Works, they constituted the upper class in Kongsberg. The grain and other imported goods destined for Kongsberg came to Drammen - which actually consisted of two separate trading posts - Bragernes and Strømsø. The large warehouse of the silver works was located at Øvre Sund in Bragernes until 1786, when a new and larger warehouse was built on Strømsø. From here the goods were to be transported to the warehouse in Kongsberg - today known as "Magasinparken". This was the origin of the term "Magasinkjørsel", and the transport went through Eiker. Although a road had been built all the way to Bragernes as early as the 1620s, much of the traffic was carried out on the river, especially the transport of heavier goods. The "Røyertene" were a separate professional group, who rowed "big boats" up the river to Haugsund. Some goods were transferred to horses and carts at the Langebru transport station near Haug Church, but much was also transported by boat to Vestfossen and sometimes all the way to Rudstøa in Fiskum. However, the last leg through Kongsbergskogen had to be covered by horse and cart. This was by far one of the country's most important transport arteries. "The Silver Road" is a name that this road has been given in recent times. Originally, it was often called "The King's Road", but also "The Post Road", since there was a fixed postal route here with important correspondence between the management of the Silver Works and the central administration in Copenhagen. Today, several new and larger roads have been built between Drammen and Kongsberg, but at the end of the 18th century, the route was largely the same as when the road was built in the 1620s. Maintenance and improvements were carried out, however. One of the most important was the construction of stone arch bridges, which probably replaced older wooden bridges. The largest and most important was Smedbrua, which was built in 1767 by stonemasons from the Silver Works, where the road crosses the Fiskumelva River. Smaller bridges of the same type were built at Skogen and at Brekke on Nedre Eiker. Today, these bridges are protected as cultural monuments.

Jens Hofgaard at Hoen - a proprietor and his use Jens Hofgaard was among Drammen's largest lumber merchants for several decades. He owned sawmills in Ringerike, Modum and Eiker, but chose to concentrate his business on the Hoenselva to an increasing extent. He is known for having built the large cart at Hoensbruket, and it was he who commissioned the famous "Hoenspokal" from Nøstetangen glassworks. But he was also behind an extensive regulation of the Hoensvassdraget, including through the construction of Himsjødammen. The last decades of the 18th century were a golden age for lumber trade and sawmill operations in Eiker. It was the heyday of the "trading patriciate", also called the "plank nobility". Perhaps the best known is Jørgen von Cappelen, who built Fossesholm Manor as a memorial to himself. Another of the great lumber merchants was Jens Hofgaard, owner of the farm Øvre Hoen with underlying delights, including the water rights in the Hoenselva. His predecessors had also expanded the sawmill operation quite significantly by transferring quota grants from sawmills they owned further up the Drammensvassdraget. But Hofgaard continued this strategy, and he ensured sufficient water flow through a purposeful and comprehensive regulation of the entire watercourse.

The Silverworks mines at Eiker Ever since Kongsberg Sølvverk and Kongsberg were founded in 1624, there has been a close connection between Bergstaden and the neighboring village of Eiker – among other things, the very first silver finds were smelted in Kongens smelhytte in Vestfossen. In the latter half of the 18th century, the Sølvverk employed 400 people, and it had several mines and shards in Eiker – including the “Christianus VI and Dronning Sophie Magdalena mine” in Skarraenga outside Vestfossen, the Kjennerudvannsgruvene in Lurdalen and the Schwabegruva on Grasåsen. The most significant activity, however, was that which was started around 1770 in the outlying areas under the farms Skarra and Kolberg, right on the border with Svene parish in Numedal. This became known as the "Schara Ertzdyb Grube" or simply "Skarragruvene". At this time, the Silver Works started up in several areas that were quite far from the main fields in Saggrenda. This was because the operation of these mines was becoming less profitable, and therefore richer deposits were sought. Optimism was great, and at the Skarra mines, more than 20 sharp points were taken up, two horizontal adits were driven in, totaling around 700 meters in length, and a crushing plant was built, which was powered by hydroelectric power from Dørja. The operation provided work for 50-60 people - at most, around 100 miners were active there. In the long run, the results did not meet expectations, and in 1898 the Skarra mines were closed down after 30 years of operation. This was part of the winding up of Kongsberg Sølvverk, where all operations ceased in 1805. It was not until ten years later that mining operations resumed, but operations were never as extensive as they had been at the end of the 18th century.

Ub c - Sameia Interview Archive This is an archive of around 200 interviews that are not currently publicly available, but which trusted employees can access, for example to record or write down the content. Contact Bent Ek - bent.ek@eikerhistorie.no - if you would like access. L 0116 Margit Bolstad Interviewed by Arne Thorkildsen 28/8-1991. 3 soundtracks - total 1 hour 35 min. Download audio files Contents

The Hoen farms in 1765 In 1765, Øvre Hoen belonged to merchant Jens Hofgaard, who lived in Bragernes. His manager, Peder Gregersen, lived on the farm with his wife Guri Gutormsdatter and their three children. Seven households are listed under the farm, which must have been homesteaders of various kinds. Some of these probably worked at the Hoen sawmills, but there were also three old homesteaders' widows. Niels Clausen Winther, who had recently taken over the farm from his uncle, Peter Nicolai Winther, lived at Nedre Hoen. He lived there with his wife Dorthe, his sister Angel and several servants. The soldier Jens Olssen also lived on the farm, and there were eight household members. Several of them may have worked at the sawmills or had day jobs in connection with the farm or salmon fishing. The Winther family at Hoen Winther was a family descended from old Norwegian nobility that can be traced back to the Middle Ages and that had connections to various farms on Eiker, including Hoen, dating back to the 14th century. The name was again linked to Nedre Hoen in 1685, when a marriage was concluded between Annechen Clausdatter Winther and Niels Christophersen Hoen, who was a parish priest on Eiker. Several of their descendants used Winther as a family name, including the eldest son Claus Nielsen Winther, who became a theologian and parish priest in Stavanger. Øvre Hoen was taken over by his younger brother, Captain Peter Nicolai Winther, but in 1764 his nephew, Niels Clausen Winther, moved back to Eiker and settled on Hoen. He was the owner until 1777, when Nedre Hoen was sold to the brothers Niels and Otto Omsted and farmer Borger Christophersen Woldstad. It is possible that the famous glass cutter Villas Vinter at Nøstetangen was connected to the Winther family at Hoen, but this connection is unclear. The Hofgaard family at Hoen Merchant Jens Hofgaard became the owner of Øvre Hoen in 1751, as heir to his father-in-law Otto von Cappelen. This happened after a long legal dispute between Niels Christensen and Otto von Cappelen, who both claimed to have bought the farm from the previous owner, Christopher Winther. Hofgaard, who was one of Drammen's largest lumber merchants, also became the owner of the sawmills below Hoen, and he increased the yield at these sawmills by transferring quantities from other sawmills in the district, while also having several large dams built to regulate the flow of water in the waterway. He is also known for having built the cart that is depicted on the famous Hoen Cup. Both the lumber business and the Øvre Hoen farm were taken over in 1775 by Jens Hofgaard's sons, Gabriel and Andreas, who started the company "Gabr. & Andr. Hofgaard". When this company was dissolved in 1787, Øvre Hoen and the sawmills passed to Gabriel Hofgaard, and his descendants were owners until 1825.

the Norwegian crofter system Husmannsvesenet var et fenomen som fantes over hele Norge, i forskjellige varianter. Eiker og de andre flatbygdene på Østlandet var nok det området der husmannsvesenet fikk aller størst utbredelse, og innenfor Eikers grenser finner vi mange varianter – det var husmenn med jord og jordløse strandsittere, bygselshusmenn og arbeidshusmenn. Siste halvdel av 1600-tallet og første halvdel av 1700-tallet var en periode med store omveltninger i bondesamfunnet på Eiker. Krongodset og adelsgodsene gikk i oppløsning, mange bønder ble selveiere, men også rike trelasthandlere fra byene kjøpte seg gård og grunn på Eiker. Folketallet økte, og mange nye husmannsplasser ble ryddet. Forarbeidet til ny matrikkel i 1723 er vel den første kilden som gir en samlet oversikt over husmenn på Eiker. Den viser at husmannsvesenet på dette tidspunktet var en institusjon som var veletablert i alle deler av bygda. Hele 116 av gårdene på Eiker hadde husmenn på dette tidspunktet. De aller fleste bare en eller to husmenn, men gårder som Nedre Hoen, Vestre Lo og Skjelbred hadde hele seks stykker, Stenshorne hadde hele ni husmenn, under Fossesholm er det oppgitt 13 og under Haug prestegård 14 husmenn. På så å si alle disse plassene ble det dyrket havre, som regel mellom en halv og en hel tønne. Det betyr at dette var husmenn med jord, mens husmenn uten jord ikke er tatt med – rimelig nok, siden dette var en skattematrikkel og det var jorda en betrakte skatt for. Dersom en tar med alle husmennene som ikke hadde jord, ville nok antallet vært betydelig større enn de 246 husmannsplassene som er oppgitt i 1723. Det neste årstallet vi finner en samlet oversikt over husmenn på Eiker, er 1765, da det ble tatt opp et manntall i forbindelse med innkreving av en ekstraskatt. Her var alle personer over 15 år med, og 252 av dem er ført opp som husmenn. Det er altså bare ubetydelig flere enn i 1723. Men skatten i 1765 var en såkalt koppskatt, slik at også husmenn som ikke hadde jord ble tatt med. Disse blir ikke kalt husmenn i manntallet, men føres i samme skatteklasse som husmennene. av dem var det hele 413 stykker. Ut ifra dette kan vi slutte at nærmere 20% av Eikers befolkningen på midten av 1700-tallet var husmenn.Men mer interessant enn antallet er det kanskje å se nærmere på hva slags husmenn en hadde på Eiker. Dessverre sier ikke manntallet i 1765 stort sett ingen ting om hva folk arbeidet med. Unntakene er åtte hammersmeder ved Hassel jernverk og fjorten stykker på Nøstetangen som «arbeider ved Fabriquen». Men ut ifra bosted er det også mulig å si en hel del om hva husmennene på Eiker livnærte seg av., Ikke overraskende finner vi flest husmenn der det var sagbruk og annen industri. Det var i Vestfossen og Skotselv, langs Hoenselva og i Mjøndalen. Det er vel neppe noen tvil om at mange av disse var sagbruksarbeidere. Under gårder som Solberg og Krokstad var det store møllebruk, og her finner vi også en konsentrasjon av husmenn. Det samme gjelder sundstedet ved Haug – både under Prestegården og på østsiden av Drammenselva under gårdene Lerberg og Hobbelstad. Husmennene her kan ha vært knyttet til tømmerfløting og laksefiske, men også det at Haugsund var et viktig knutepunkt for samferdselen hadde nok sin betydning. Blant husmennene her finner vi nok både vertshusholdere, skysskarer og håndverkere. Likevel er det bare en nokså beskjeden andel av husmennene på 1700-tallet som bodde på slike tettsteder. Under alle de større gårdene i bygda var det vanlig med både fire og fem husmannsplasser eller enda flere. Det gjaldt både gårder sentralt i bygda og de som lå i utkanten. Etableringen av slike husmannsplasser må ha sammenheng med behovet for arbeidskraft på gården, spesielt i onnene. Gårdbrukerne kunne sikre seg arbeidshjelp ved å leie ut jord og ta betaling i form av pliktarbeid. Uten å ha studert husmaannskontraktene nærmere, må en kunne anta at husmennene på slike gårder var såkalte «arbeidshusmenn», mens de som hadde fast arbeid på sager eller i annen industri var «bygselshusmenn», det vil si at de betalte for leie av plassen med penger istedenfor pliktarbeid. På en del steder kan det nok ha vært en kombinasjon – det gjelder for eksempel på gårder som Fossesholm, Ulleland og Hoen, som både hadde en betydelig jordvei og samtidig en stor sagbruksvirksomhet. Mange husmenn var nok også tømmerfløtere. Dem finner vi sikkert langs hele Drammenselva, men det var spesielt mange plasser i nærheten av de store tømmerhengslene ved Kverk og Stenberg. En annen næringsvei som la grunnlag for rydding av husmannsplasser, var bergverksdriften. Når det var så vidt mange husmenn under gårder som Berg og Stenshorne, har nok det sammenheng med at det var drift både i Bergsgruvene og Krambudalsgruvene på 1760-tallet.