Krzysztof Ślusarek

The article discusses the number, distribution, social status and legal position of the Jewish population living in the towns of Sanok region at the end of the 18th century. The basis of considerations were military censuses from 1772–1799 and descriptions of cities from 1789. Most Jews were in Lesko, Dobromil, Dynów, Rymanów, Baligród and Ustrzyki. Almost 3/4 of the total number of Jews living in all the cities of the Sanok region were concentrated in these cities. There was also a very high percentage of Jews in relation to the population of these cities, ranging from 30 to 50%. The social and legal status of Jews from the cities of Sanok region was the same as in the whole of Galicia. They had personal freedom, but were subject to numerous restrictions, including not being allowed to hold municipal offices. With a few exceptions, they were required to pay rent on their homes.

Research into the social relations in villages where there were noble villages proved that in the 19th century minor gentry was an in-between stratum, which no longer belonged to landed gentry (since they did not own enough property), but at the same time could not be classified as peasants (since they possessed coats of arms). This situation caused numerous new conflicts. For example, in many Galician noble villages there were clashes between the minor gentry and the landed gentry. Landed gentry regarded minor gentry as a quarrelsome and insubordinate element. Many land owners would have gladly treated their poorer fellows as serfs; they would have also been willing to impose on them the obligations of serfdom. Minor gentry, mindful of the danger they faced, wished to distinguish themselves from peasants in every way available. This was a site of very serious conflicts. Given the smallness of their “fortunes,” minor gentry did not differ from peasantry in terms of material wealth. However, they tried to distinguish themselves through their customs, their dress, managing style and, above all, the emphasis on the tradition of possessing coats of arms.

The article discusses some of the aspects of the broadly understood social life of peasantry in western Lesser Poland at the turn of the 18th century, which was a period of dynamic geopolitical and social changes brought about by, among others, the Partitions of Poland, as well as social and legal reforms introduced at the time. Special attention was given to the following issues: relations within the peasant community, peasants’ participation in the village self-government and their attitude towards the clergy, as well as the matter of the social awareness, religiousness and customs and traditions of peasants. Of course, the study does not fully explore the problems, but it points at issues that need to be further examined within systematic research.