Wieprznica – Gmina Koscierzyna – Slownik Geograficzny Translations
Hello,
Below is my translation of the Słownik Geograficzny Krolestwa Polskiego entry for Wieprznica. Any errors in the translations are completely my own.
Location information:
Current administrative location: Wieprznica, Gmina Kościerzyna, Powiat Kościerzyna, Województwo Pomorskie, Poland.
Administrative location in 1895 (Słownik Geograficzny Krolestwa Polskiego): Bebernitz, Kreis Berent, Regierungsbezirk Danzig, Westpreußen, German Empire.
(u Kętrzyń.) Better known as Bierznice. The German name is Bebernitz. A village and milling settlement located between two lakes in powiat Kościerzyna. The post office and Catholic Parish are located in Kościerzyna. The land area is 1052 hectares (488 hectares of arable farmland, 29 hectares of meadows, and 135 hectares of woods). In 1885, there were 13 homes, 21 homesteads, and 126 inhabitants (109 Catholics and 17 Evangelical Protestants). From the previously mentioned statistics, 2 homes with 26 inhabitants fall under Fingershuette and 5 homes with 54 inhabitants to Owśnice.
In 1710, Inspector Szaniawski listed that the Kościerzyna Parish received the amounts of 1 bushel of rye and the same amount in oats from here. The miller gave 1 bushel of rye. In 1772, an inspection by the Prussian commission found the following amounts: 1 innkeeper, 1 miller, 1 person living rent free, 1 tailor, and 3 danników*. The population differs in religion and nationality. The arable land is fie. Each landlord only sows 15 bushels of rye, 1 1/3 bushels of barley, 4 bushels of buckwheat, 1/2 bushel of peas, and harvested 2 1/2 bushels of grain. There are little amounts of meadows, therefore the amount of chaff and straw inventory for winter is lean. The cattle barely have enough for pasture in the spring time, which is free in the forest. The innkeeper is obliged to take liquor from the castle in Kościerzyna to the other buildings that it owns. The miller owns the sawmill and mill. The neighbors have to go to the journeyman miller, whom collects their toll payments of 1 grosz and 1 macy, to grind their bushels. Here, mostly buckwheat kasha (a cereal) was ground. The estate must cut timber piles for the miller free of charge, as it gets 25 stumps and tree tops. For repairs the trees are free. Each farmer pays 1 talar 30 groszy for rent, 120 bushels of rye for the mill, and 4 talar for a fattened swine. Wieprznica makes 20 talar from the sawmill. The village is free from any services. The innkeeper pays 6 talar and 1 bushel of oats. Kutella is permitted 5 talar 30 groszy and 1 bushel of oats. Everyone sends one wagon to Gdańsk and gathers wood in 2 wagons for the Kościerzyna Brewery. A winter tax is paid by the miller and the innkeeper: 6 talar 80 groszy. The population pays the miller 1 talar and the innkeeper 4 talar 36 groszy; fiefs paid the miller 2 talar 60 groszy and the innkeeper 1 talar 30 groszy; and the others paid nothing. Everyone had 2 cows, 20 sheep, and 6 pigs on 2 włók of land.
On October 4, 1650, Sybil Małgorzata, Princess of Breść, Countess Doenhof, the wife of the starosta, sold a vacant area of Bierznica land to the Honorable Kutella from Owśniczka for 50 Polish florins and 30 groszy. The land was sold for any use and the perpetual right of inheritance. The land is where there once was a burning furnace, along the border of the Kościerzyna starosta’s jurisdiction. This sale multiplied the income of this jurisdiction. Howerver, he has to pay 5 Prussian grzywna for rent and make 3 trips to Gdańsk. Tern is free from the Garczynie network of lakes, but they must get permission from the estate to sell their possessions. In 1750, starosta August Czapski, confirmed this privilege for Adam and Katarzyna Kutella. This joined the fields of Kloc above Dezborowo and is used to signify the border. He may continue to use the meadows above the Kania River. Also, he may raise sheep and pigs and brew beer, but is not permitted sell the beer. Wood for fuel and timber for building is free, which are designated by the forest watchmen (ob. Zeitsch. d. Westpr. Gesch. Ver., XV, str. 104). In 1789, topographer Goldbecka, recorded that Bierznica was a wilderness with a mill and about 5 homes. Ks. Fr.
Słownik Geograficzny Krolestwa Poliskiego – Warsaw [1895, vol. 13, p.378]. Retrieved from http://www.mimuw.edu.pl/polszczyzna/SGKP/SG13.djvu?djvuopts&page=378
Notes:
*danina is an old term used to signify “taxes” or “tributes”. I assume that danników could possibly refer to a “tax collector”.
Best Regards,
Al
