Hi Colleen, not sure if they are connected. I don't have any information on a previouse marriage or any kind of disability or wether or not he was a captain. All I have is that Jacob was from Arendal, Norway married a Karen born about 1851 and then the children they had.Found the family listed in the 1900 Aust-Agder, Norway, Barbu census - mother and children but no Jacob. It may be possible that she was previously married and then she and Jacob met up but I have no data to back that theory up. Keep intouch.