Michel Michelsen Hartwig's name is first seen in a record dating from
1612. An inscription on a preacher's pulpit (see Thura) states that
he was mayor for Rønne in 1623. Again in 1630 he is mentioned in a
gift-letter in which councillor Holger Madsen, of Rønne, on behalf of
his wife's sister gives a farm in OL parish to the Rønne Church and
Hospital. Toward this end Holger Madsen:
". . . kindly requested these honest and respected gentlemen: Michel
Hartwig, mayor, and Jørgen Franck, Claus Hermandsen, Morten Bohn,
councillors, and Knud Jensen, town-clerk, to witness this transfer
document with their signatures and seals. Rønne, March 8, 1630."

In the original old danish: ". . . og hafuer wenlig ambedet Erlige og
Welagte Mænd Michel Hartwig Borgemester, Jørgen Franck, Claus
Hermandsen, Morten Bohn, Raadmand, og Knud Jensen, Byeskrifuer med
mig til Witterlighed at besegle og vnderskrifue, Datum Rønne den 8de
Martij Anno 1630."

The gift-letter was copied into the Landregistry in 1737, and its
authenticity witnessed by Major-General Niels Madsen West, chief
county-councillor and Commandant of Bornholm (from March 18, 1722
onwards).

In 1634 Michel Michelsen Hartwig is noted as the owner of Almegård,
26' Slg. in Knudsker, which later went to his son Michel Michelsen
Hartwig. He is last mentioned in 1640
in an inscription on the enclosure around the christening-font in
Rønne Church:

"In the year 1640 under the reign of KING CHRISTIAN the Fourth, and
Holger Rosenkrantz as Count of Glimminge Castle, Michel Hartwig and
Jens Sørensen, mayors; Jørgen
Francke and Peder Kofoed, councillors; and Christen Larsen, town-
bailiff."

In the original old danish: "Anno 1640 regirede KONG KRISTIAN den
Fierde, Holger Rosenkrantz til Glimminge SlotsHerre, Michel Hartwig,
Jens Sørensen, Borgemestre,
Jørgen Francke, Peder Kofod, Raadmænd, Christen Larsen, Bye-Foged."