Grocholski Antoni (1767 – 1808)

Grocholski Antoni (1767 – 1808), marshal of the Bracław province. Born on July 7 in Tereszki in the Starokonstantynów district, son of Franciszek, a chamberlain, and Helena Lesznicka. He began his public service in the military in 1786, became a captain of the national cavalry in 1789, and in 1792, as a commissioner and later president of the Civil-Military Order Commission of the Bracław province, he energetically requisitioned magnate militias, equipment, and food for the army of Prince Józef Poniatowski. Knight of the Order of St. Stanislaus and the White Eagle, he left the army with the rank of major general. From the division of property, he took over Tereszki and significant estates inherited in Volhynia (estates: Baczanicki, Czerwoński, Noryński, Ozdziutycki). Appointed marshal of the newly created Bracław province, from 1796 he repeatedly marshaled the Starokonstantynów district. He augmented the collections started by his father with a substantial amount of acquisitions in paintings, sculptures, and other works of art, mostly brought from abroad, mainly Italy; he also possessed a significant library. He was also known for his carefree lifestyle, refinement, and numerous love affairs. Settling in the countryside, he undertook modest peasant reforms in the spirit of landownership.

In 1805, he issued the Laws for the Farmers of the Tereszkowski Estate, proclaiming the liberation of the serfs from labor duties, granting them the title of “farmers” and the promise of full, hereditary ownership of land and buildings. Further chapters of the Laws regulated the new village system, containing provisions on fire defense, orchards, hospital and community funds, agricultural warehouses, etc. At the same time, the Privilege given by the landowner to the farmers included, along with exemption from all gratuitous services, a promise that if favorable results of this reform were shown within three years, the farmers would receive definitive privileges for the perpetual inheritance of the lands and buildings they possessed. In return, the communities issued temporary obligations for three years. All the above acts are dated in Tereszki on April 10, 1805. However, the “perpetual” consolidation of this reform did not occur. G. died childless in Tereszki on April 22, 1808. His younger brother, Jan Nepomucen, inherited the estates, and he did not return to the matter of reforms.