Hans Paus was the son of Povel Pedersson Paus (1620–1715), parish priest in Hjartdal, and Ingrid Corneliusdatter Trinnepol, who belonged to the Skien patriciate who had made a fortune in the sawmill industry (her family might originate in Trinitapoli, Italy).
Trinitapoli is south of the marsh, Zapponeta is further north along the coast from the marsh and Margherita di Savoia is further south along the coast from the marsh.