Cantemir’ s wills. Case Study (XVIII - beginning XIX centuries)

Wills are legal and historical documents, of particular importance in the research of family relations, everyday life and mentality of the era. They are an irreplaceable source in studying the evolution forms of inheritance, of the structure of such an act. About representatives of Cantemir Dynasty have been published numerous essays, articles, monographs, taking into debate various aspects of their work or private life. But so far nobody has stopped detail on wills representatives Cantemir Dynasty, although some moments and passages of wills have been cited and discussed. The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze the wills of Cantemir Dynasty representatives: Dmitry Cantemir (1673-1723), Antioch Cantemir (1708-1744), son of Dmitry Cantemir, Cantemir Maria (1700-1757), daughter of Dmitry Cantemir and Casandra, Ecaterina (Smaragda) Cantemir (1720-1761), daughter of Dmitry Cantemir and Anastasia Trubetskaia and Dmitry Cantemir (1749-1820), son of Gen. Constantin Cantemir, the nephew of Antioch Cantemir, the hospodar. The Cantemir's wills clearly reflect primarily the family relations. Deprivation of the right to inherit of one child (Dmitry Cantemir's will the hospodar), the division of wealth between the few brothers (Antioch Cantemir's will), naming her husband as the main heir (the will of Catherine-Smaragda Cantemir), changing his will in favor of his granddaughter (The will of Dmitry Cantemir, nephew) shows attitude of will maker to the most closest people. Also everyone is very careful in eternal sleep on site, although it shows the simplicity of the funeral. In terms of the structure will, we can mention the standard form for making testament to Antioch Cantemir. From the fragments we have in our possession ca be affirmed that according tradition were prepared the wills of Mary Catherine and Dmitry Cantemir, the grandson. The testament's form is different at Dmitry Cantemir, The prince, who established clearly step by step (on points) and addressing to the Russian Queen.