Życie mieszkańców Garbar w świetle testamentów

Abstract

THE LIFE OF THE INHABITANTS OF GARBARY IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR WILLS

In the article the wills of the inhabitants of the jurydyka Garbary from 1688–1793 were analysed. The main aim of the analysis was to answer the question of the demographical structure of the family and mutual relationships among its members. Some space is devoted to a short historical sketch of the Garbary suburb, from the reign of Ladislaus Herman until the closing of the jurydyka in 1800, based on an Austrian decree. Investigating individual wills we can note their characteristic structure, which points to the operative model for the writing of wills. Following the model we can conclude how the mentality of testators was shaped, what was their attitude to wives and children; finally, we possess the testimony of religiosity prevalent in the period. Reading the wills closely, we get to know the financial status of the suburban dwellers of Garbary. Significant information about the wealth of the family and the relationships within it is given by the part of the will concerning the distribution of property. Besides such issues as the number of children or marriages in the family, it is clearly seen in what way the familial preferences of the testator are distributed. The testators clearly stated where they wanted to be interred. It gives us the information as to which of the churches enjoyed the greatest popularity. It is also worth noting that while some give very particular details, others rely on the successors’ will. The testimony of the Garbary inhabitants’ religiosity might be also the bequests to the church institutions. Part of the discussed wills was written by women, which is noteworthy in relation to the period, in which a woman, unless widowed, theoretically could not herself command property.