He was born in 1649 to Otto Gotthardsson Vellingk and Christina Nilsdotter Mannersköld, and had a brother, Mauritz Wellingk. He was promoted to general in 1698. He participated in key battles of Great Northern War including: the Battle of Narva in 1700, and the Crossing of Daugava near Riga in 1701. He participated in the Battle of Klissow on July 9, 1702. He was in the Battle of Punitz on October 28, 1704. He was made a royal advisor in 1705, and ennobled as a count in 1706.