Gentry of Greater Poland
Gentry is a society rank wchich continues a tradition of knighthood and nobility wchich was finally shaped in XIX-th century. In Greater Poland – wchich was under prussian partition back then – the conditions for gentry’s blossoming were entirely different then in the other partitions (russian and austrian). The estates here were far smaller than the estates on the borderland but had more solid and caring economy and because of that the landlords of Greater Poland were maybe less wealthy but more stable in terms of their incom.
In XVI-th century an important role had the Górki family, XVII-th century was the time of glory for Opalińscy and Leszczyńscy families and a century later for Działyńscy, Sułkowscy and Raczyńscy families. XIX-th century changed their roles in a society. The old nobility was now more equal because of the birth of gentry class and also in the cities – the intelligence class as well.
Raczyńscy family (the crest of Nałęcz), from the end of XVIII-th century with the main residence in Rogalin, is one of the most significant families. Kazimierz (1729-1824), the Starost of Greater Poland was a creator of the glory of this family who was fortunate to preserve their traditions.
Another deserving house was a Działyńscy House (the crest of Ogończyk) residing in Kórnik from 1676. The estate was bought by Zygmunt Działyński (died in 1685) and two last man from the house – Tytus (1796-1861) and Jan Kanty (1829-80) were the ones who made their family famous not only in Greater Poland.
Quite import ant were also Morawscy – dyplomats and soldiers. One of them, Franciszek (1783-1861), was a general, War minister of Polish Kingdom as well as a poet, Witold (1895-1944) was an insurrectionist of Greater Poland and polish military attache in Berlin.
The dyplomats were also Józef Lipski (1894-1958) from Lewków (the county of Ostrów) and Tadeusz Gustaw Jackowski (1889-1972) from Wronczyn (the county of Poznań). Great role belonged to Augustyn Gorzeński (1742-1816) from Dobrzyca (the county of Pleszew), he was a general and patron of art. And one of the creators of the 3rd of May Consitution. Also, many great soldiers were born in the families like Niegolewscy, Mycielscy, Potworowscy, Taczanowscy, Skórzewscy, Turnowie, Żółtowscy, Mańkowscy and Chłapowscy families were known as excellent farmers. One of them, Dezydery Chłapowski (1788-1879) was an aide-de camp of Napoleon Bonaparte, later a reformer of agriculture in a prussian annexation and one of the brightests generals during the November Uprising (also known as the Cadet Revolution or Polish-Russian War of 1830-31).
Kwileccy family are mostly landlords and scientists, Szczanieccy family – the social and national activists and Mielżyńscy family, especially Maciej (1799-1870) and Seweryn (1804-72) are famous for taking part in the November Uprising and for their organic work.
The tradition of landlords are slowly coming back to Greater Poland and although it is not the same social rank as 100 years ago, the members of these historic families lead the example in their mutual attachment to Polish identity, showing a great level class and ethics wchich was characteristic for older generations of their ancestors.
