Rogozno: The contract

In 1785, at the Zamoyski estate office in Zamość, a contract was signed between the ordinate and every farming family was to receive 30 morgas (40 acres) of land including an orchard, vegetable garden and meadow (An artisan would have 15 morgas so they would have time to devote to their profession) A wooden stable for 8 cattle A granary for grain Within 2 years the ordinate built a house for them with a large room, chamber, a kitchen with a brick oven and a chimney, a roof covered with straw and a wooden floor; In proportion to their land, the first spring, each family was to receive: two horses, 2 draft oxen, 2 cows and 1 sow, all of the best species. 1 iron forged wagon, iron plow, 2 wooden harrows with iron teeth and an iron shovel The contract covered farm inheritance, compensation, wood for fuel from the forests, rents, taxes, etc. In case of “neglect, rascality, bad will, destruction of the farm or rent debts: the ordinate could remove the colonist without compensation Unlike my Raczkiewicz relatives that were peasant farmers, the German colonists had a contract. The colonists paid rent twice a year, taxes and additional fees to maintain common elements such as bridges. Since they didn’t profit from the harvest, they were to be paid monthly. While the colonists could volunteer to work for the ordinate, they could not be forced to and there was a prohibition against child labor. Fishing and hunting on the Ordynat’s land was prohibited. Among themselves, they were to select a leader who would decide disputes, keep order and stay in touch with the Ordinance. There was no pay for the position and the person should be “an elderly, decent and enlightened person who can read and write and enjoy a good opinion in the Ordinance and among settlers.”