1722
Settlement Contract for Mucsi
1722 Settlement Contract
In 1720 a census
record showed that eleven families were listed in the new
settlement of “Nova Possessio Mucse.” They consisted of four
Hungarian families: Martinus Apostaghy, Joannes Szkrinyay,
Joannes Tóth, Joannes Morvai; four Slavic families: Michael
Dukon (judge), Matthias Schleschak, Georgius Schleschak, Adamus
Bukovics; and three German families: Balthasar Fuchsberger,
Johannes Jahn and Joannes Pot.
Multiple sources
confirm that the first organized group of German settlers
arrived in 1721. One of the first tasks to be completed was for
the landowner to create a contract with the settlers. This
document outlined the obligations of the German settlers and
explained the rights granted to the settlers by the landowner.
Taken from Wendelin
Hambuch, Mutsching/Mucsi: Geschichte und Gesellschaft
einer ehemalingen fuldischen Gemeinde in Ungarn,
Tankönyvkiadó, Budapest, 1988, 60-61. Translated by Steve Jahn
on 17 July 2010.
- - - - - - - - -
I, Claudius
Florimundus, Count of Mercy of the Holy Roman Empire of German
Nations, by virtue of the following lines, announce to all
concerned that after I acquired, with perpetual rights, all
these properties belonging to this Domain, [ed. historically
known as the Apar Domain], I want to set these and their use in
order, and I am striving not only to keep the Inhabitants and
the Settlers but to increase their numbers.
In accordance with
your submissive request, I have, as outlined in the Articles
listed below, the above listed Villages with their tillable and
deserted lands, given and granted for your use, namely the
inhabitants of the village of Mucsi.
First:
The Settlers of the
village of Mucsi, however many there are or eventually will be,
will give for their use of the lands and services of the Domain
in Monies or Labor, 1/9 of fruits, harvests and dram shop income
[ed. alcohol sales]. But not fishing and hunting, these rights
shall remain the privilege of the Domain owners. If a farmer has
a plow team with 6 oxen, his payment shall be calculated as 15
Rhineland Guilden, plus a large tub of wheat and a large tub of
feed grain, plus the whole community will give 3 wagonloads of
hay annually. If a farmer has a team of 3 oxen, his payment is
˝; if he has a team of only 2 oxen, his payment shall be 1/3.
Second:
Half of the above
mentioned payments are due at the Feast of the Holy Soldier and
Martyr, St. George [ed. April 23]; the other half is due at the
Feast of St. Michael [ed. September 29] of the same year.
Third:
The inhabitants of the
above named village shall enjoy these lands belonging to their
community along with the attached wild lands and the deserted
lands of Pahd and Dus, to freely plow them, mow them or graze
them, in short, enjoy all the products and fruits of these
lands.
Fourth:
If, at some time there
will be acorn bearing oak trees growing, the inhabitants will be
allowed to let their animals graze not only within the community
boundaries and the wild lands of Pahd and Dus, but also, if
there is a shortage of acorns, on other lands and properties
belonging to the Domain.
Fifth:
If in any Village and its boundaries or
deserted lands there is a shortage of firewood for their
personal use, the inhabitants will be allowed to gather such
firewood, provided it does not bear acorns, on any other lands
and properties belonging to the Domain. If, however, they
require building timber, they will have to apply for a permit
with the Estate office. If they fail to do so, they will incur a
fine or penalty.
Sixth:
With regards to the settlement and
improvement of the village, it shall be announced here and to
all, that the laws and the authority of the Domain leadership
shall be upheld at all times.
Seventh:
With regards to the wrong doers, concerning
their fines, the assessment is the privilege of the Domain
authority and such fines are paid solely to the authority.
Eighth:
If new vines are to be planted to create
new vineyards, these lands will be exempt from the property tax
for six years; after that they will require the customary 1/9
duty.
Ninth:
If one of the settlers, who has home and
belongings, will not be able to assemble a full or partial
hoofed team of oxen, he will owe the Domain, if he has a wagon
and horses or cows, 3 forint; if he has no animals 1.5 forint.
Tenth:
If any settlers are not willing to acquire
fields and oxen, for the purpose of putting the interests of the
Domain at a disadvantage, but want to build up their farm with
other animals and utilization, the property of such settlers
will be estimated proportionately, or they will be strongly
urged to acquire the customary animals and utilities.
Eleventh:
If any one of the
immigrated settlers, the native born excluded, is inclined to
leave the Domain to settle somewhere else, for all legal reasons
and causes, he shall be allowed to freely do so with all his
property, providing he has paid his debts and announced his
intentions thirty days ahead of time. Also he shall take with
him 2/3 of the value of his sold home.
Twelve:
Because the
inhabitants of the above named village, freely and heartily
agreed to adhere to and fulfill the twelve points on this list,
they shall be assured by me and my family, that the state and
the facts of the above mentioned provisions and promises will be
kept and preserved.
Hőgyész, the 27th
of July 1722
