GROCHOLSKI Michał Andrzej (1705-1768) – military, political and social activist. He came from an old noble family of the Syrokomla coat of arms, whose seat was Grocholice in the Sandomierz province. Another family estate was Grabów, and therefore some Grocholski signed as “from Grocholice” and others “from Grabów”. The founder of the so-called “main” or “provincial” line of the family, to which G. belonged, was the son of Łukasz, one of the most ardent dissenters of his time, and Dorota Zielińska, Job Jakub (between 1632 and 1637). His widow, Elżbieta from Dzielińskis, and children are mentioned in the Kamieniec land records (5.XI.1637) as owners of Mykytynciw in Podolia.
G. was born on 5.III. He was the great-grandson of Job Jakub, grandson of Stefan, the subdapifer of Bracław, who converted to Catholicism, and Katarzyna Konstancja from Pelkiw, son of Ludwik, the cupbearer of Dobrzyński, and Justyna from Lenewiczów. He had a sister, Franciszka. From an early age, he began his military service. In the armored banner of Prince J. Wiśniowiecki, he quickly became a lieutenant. By order of the great crown hetman – J. Potocki (from 28.XII.1736), he led city Cossacks in the border Ukrainian starosties to fight against the haidamaks. For effectively suppressing the haidamak activities, King Augustus III in 1752 granted him the title of captain of the armored banner.
G. became the cupbearer of Bracław (1736). Twice elected as a deputy to the general parliament from the Bracław province, he honorably performed various duties as a commissioner and councilor. As a deputy from the Volhynian province to the parliament of 1764, he signed the election of S. Poniatowski. An excellent lawyer, he also became famous as a land judge of the Bracław province (1744). For his activities, he was remembered in the grateful memory of the Podolian nobility as “Defensor Patriae” (“Defender of the Homeland”).
He had no land property. Together with his father, he had the right to 11,000 zlotys, secured in Borszahowka of the Kiev province. This estate was kept by the parents in declared possession based on an agreement (made on 1.IX.1717 in Wyszniwka) with the great Lithuanian hetman M. Wiszniewiecki, but according to the agreement (from 15.IX.1727) with A. Grocholski, the royal captain, Ludwik and Michał renounced the right to this amount. G. also inherited amounts secured on Żernice in the Sanok land (from his father) and on Czerepaszyńce in the Bracław province (from his mother).
In 1725, he married Anna Radzimińska, daughter of Michał, the Ciechanów cupbearer, heir of Dziuńków, Piatniczany, Sabarów, Soroczyn, Woronowica, and Stepanówka in the Bracław province, and Małgorzata from Kamieńskis. According to the prenuptial agreement (concluded on 10.II.1725 in Piatniczany), Anna was to receive a dowry of 10,000 zlotys secured from Piatniczany and Sabarów. Fulfilling the agreement, her father, by an entry on 2.III.1725 in the Vinnytsia town records, gave the young couple Sabarów for 2 years as security for the rental of the aforementioned amount. Of the five Radzimiński children, three sons and a daughter died without offspring, so Anna later inherited from her father all the mentioned estates in the Bracław province.
Skillfully managing his wife’s estate, G. significantly increased them, purchasing in the same province the Trostaniecki and Stryżawski keys (from A. Potocki), and in Volhynia – Hryciw (in 1752 from S. Lubomirski) and Malinki. Additionally, he received from the Lithuanian court marshal J. Sanguszko from the Ostrogski ordinance Tereszki, and together with his wife and sons (by an entry from 4.VI. 1751 in Lublin) in lifetime possession of securities worth 75,917 zlotys. Zoziw, Kamyszowuju, Parijiwku, Liulincy, Strelnyky, and Selewkiwka in the Bracław province. Along with his sons in 1751, he had a lawsuit with the Kalinowskis for Strzyżawka.
He mostly lived in Tereszki but also had a defensive castle in Piatniczany, built according to Z. Grocholski, long before Piatniczany passed into the hands of the Grocholskis (however, according to R. Aftanazy*, it was built by G. and his son Marcin). They generously supported temples: together with his wife, he founded a stone church under the invocation of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a monastery for the Vinnytsia Dominican convent and bequeathed (27.XII.1758 in Tereszki) 30,000 zlotys secured from Woronowic for their maintenance, and for the maintenance of a house for the insane at the monastery, he designated in his spiritual testament (1.VIII.1768) 14,000 zlotys. Additionally, he adorned the Jesuit church in Vinnytsia with many altars and a pulpit, built a Catholic chapel in Tereszki and a Uniate parish church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Piatnyczany (1732), bequeathed 20,000 zlotys to the altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Lopatinski church. In the crypts of the Vinnytsia Dominican church, he organized a family tomb, where he and his wife were buried.
In marriage with Anna Radzimińska, he had children: → Marcin, → Franciszek, Franciszka, married to Remigian Elowicki, Łuck coroner, Justyna- to Stanisław Kordysz, Petroneliu- to Wojciech Bohatko, Aniela – to Adam Urbański, Sanok treasurer, and Agnieszka – to Wojciech Raciborowski.. His sons on 30.IX.1771 in Tereszki made an act of dividing parental estates. In general, after G. his sons inherited 32 villages, 2 towns, and 3 manors (in Lviv, Dubno, and Vinnytsia), and daughters – 60,000.
Slow. geogr. (Pietniczany); *Aftanazy, vol. 10, pp. 284-286. 296, 297 (image of G.’s wife) 393-394, 413, 507; Boniecki, vol. VII, p. 66; Niesiecki, vol. IV, Urbański (1). p. 55, 64, 66; Urbański (2), p. 74; Uruski, vol. IV, pp. 378-379; Drwęca [Radzimiński Z.] Pietniczany and their heirs, Kr., 1878, pp. 5-6: Grocholski Z. Pietniczany//PK, vol. III, pp. 84-85; Grocholski Z. Skała //PK, vol. IV, pp. 166–67; – АЮЗР, part III, vol. 3, p. 233-234, 2. 639; Труды ПЕИСК, p. 211, 245, 246, 248; Teодорорич M. И. Historical and statistical description of the churches and parishes of the Volhynian diocese, Поч., 1893, vol. III, pp. 552-554; — ДАВО; ф. 470, оп. 4, спр. 881, арк. 41-52; ф. 480, оп. 1, спр. 42, арк. 503-506, спр. 57, арк. 552-552 зв.
The biography comes from the book FAMOUS POLES IN THE HISTORY OF VINNYTSIA by Mrs. Wiktoria Kolesnyk.
Excerpts from the Will of Michał from Grabów Grocholski (born 1704) Bracław Land Judge
In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Most Holy Trinity in Three Persons, who be praised forever and ever Amen.
I, Michał from Grabów on Hryciw Grocholski, Judge of the Bracław Voivodeship, when by the will and Grace of God, on the Fifth Day of the Month of March of this year, I began my sixty-fourth year of life, about which in the commonality of all people of this age, the Holy Scripture says, that post sexaginta annos vita Hominis eg…itudo et continus labor et dolor est, which my own experience confirms, as almost daily I feel a significant increase in the weakness of my health and recognize the diminishing strength leaving me, therefore I fear that being already in old age, from the youth of my years under the armored banner of the once Most Enlightened Prince His Excellency Janusz Wiszniowiecki, Castellan of Kraków, serving the Commonwealth in military service, later in age at the Officer’s Rank, on the Regiment of the Ukrainian Party of the Crown Army, during extraordinary unrest in Ukraine, then on deputy, commissioner, and parliamentary functions publicis curis overworked, tired with troubles and worries, around acquiring fortune exhausted by various diseases for several years constantly enduring very weakened, and finally by the irreparable death of Anna from Radzimińskis Grocholska, my most beloved wife in life for forty and several years in marriage with me living piously and godly, distressed and saddened, greater weakness would not force me suddenly in a short time to part with this world without perfect disposition of fortune, so as long as I still have completely healthy senses, and a fresh memory, I have deliberately decided to make an early Disposition of Fortune and substance, because from multiple practices, common experience has sufficiently taught me that if the substance is not properly disposed of, it becomes an occasion for discord and quarrels among the remaining successors, therefore preventing such cases so that my Fortune explained to my equally beloved Children of both sexes Marcin Chorąży of Winnica, Captain of the Armored Troops of His Royal Majesty and the Commonwealth; Franciszek Podstole of Bracław, Deputy of the Grodz. Winnica in the marital state already staying sons, Justyna Kordyszowa, Franciszka Jełowicka, Petronella Bogatko, Aniela Urbańska, four already married, and finally Agnieszka in the Maiden state staying fifth daughters of mine would not be the cause for the erroneous assumptions of some of Their Excellencies Sons-in-law and my daughters not knowing the interest perfectly to inner among these my children dislike and legal God forbid quarrel which does not add but destroys the substance and fortune according to common experience usual, which I want to prevent, therefore for the first notice of the complaints of some of Their Excellencies Sons-in-law of mine about the dowry supposedly with the harm of their Wives, I did not neglect from my fatherly love and as a Father equally loving my children it is necessary to proceed with them in what so that they in their…assumption from superficial Imagination arising, but more in profound truth believe; therefore repeatedly those Their Excellencies Sons-in-law and my married daughters I called, so that having come together they would review the Proofs showing the internal essence of my fortune, and of my late Wife’s substance from which they could properly inform about the dowry of their wives, far greater from my affection than from Fortune due; But since I as their Father could not find this ease in them for a long time, then it must be assumed about the undertaking of Those Their Excellencies Sons-in-law of mine Projected for future unrest and Legal quarrel; I, however, because I truly from my fatherly love equally to all my children I desire that all my children equally loved by me live in Friendship, love and Unanimous peace with each other unceasingly, therefore with this my current Testament I have decided to make the Disposition of my Fortune with the explanation of its Essence described below” Here the Judge explains in the most detailed manner the state of his fortune as inherited from Parents as well as taken in dowry with his wife and fallen on her after the death of her brother Marcin Radzimiński, the land writer of Bracław; shows all debts, namely on the Pietniczańskie and Woronowickie estates at the time of their inheritance from the brother-in-law weighing, which only after long efforts he managed to clear and free from various claims from pledges: finally allocates for each of the five daughters 60,000 złp dowry, but divides the land estates among both sons whom he simultaneously entrusts with the care of the youngest sister, then still unmarried. Further, he disposes:
“The Lubom of the “Strzyżawiecki” Key Estates from the obligation of the above-mentioned marriage Intercyza: to Marcin, the chorąży of Winnica, my eldest Son, I made a Donation, yet not all of the income from them, but only a certain part of it I released to Him for the Insmentament of that… to Him, and to Franciszek, the Podstole of Bracław, having made a Donation of the Woronowickie estates, I did not release any of the income from them to Him, which said estates are not Equivalent in Income corresponding to each other. Therefore post fata mea both my Sons without regard to the Donations made to them by me should release the above-mentioned Estates with other hereditary Estates and under the Right of Lifetime to themselves subject to division among themselves and equally divide with each other, to whom both my Sons all mobile silver in any form and species being et sese moventia, as well as all my household equipment after my death remaining now with this my Testament I Legate and eternally record obliging Them to equally divide all these things remaining post fata mea among themselves, since table silver and my military equipment having given to those my Sons I handed over to them and made a division between them of that silver and Military Equipment, so each of them according to the already made division should keep the silver and military equipment fallen to himself and use it freely and may always. As for my late Wife’s Kleynots not liking to use them she did not prepare them for herself and the rich and other good silk dresses, remaining in her health weakness, for apparatus to various Churches, and other of her lower relatives of her sex being and Maidservants stante vita sua distributed. Therefore after my Wife’s death no kleynots nor her dresses remained; Since I have already lost hope that my married Daughters would receive the rest of the Dowries and the rest from my substance still due to them according to Intercyza, Therefore I obligate my Sons that they being the heirs of all my remaining post fata mea immovable and movable Fortune from the Law of nature and the Crown should pay the rest of these Dowries which to my married Daughter as payment according to my description expressed are due along with the Provision starting from the act of my death.” The Judge finally ends his testament with these words.
“Although I do not doubt the Catholic piety of my Sons, yet obliging them to pious deeds I encourage Them to the record made by me along with my late wife for the sum of Thirty Thousand Polish Zlotys to the Monastery of the Fathers Dominicans in Winnica in …ias Devotiones secured by hand given and remaining unrobust due to my difficulties Acts quibus vis Regni authentices Roboratis and the monastery of the Fathers Dominicans in Winnica within not completed by me, completed so that all Residences suitable for living in it to the Fathers Dominicans there be, and the Lady Anastazya Turczynowiczówna Nun of the Barefoot Carmelites of the Lviv monastery annually ad vitae Oneyże tempora after Two Hundred Polish Zlotys during the Lviv Three Kings Contracts should be paid. I still obligate my Sons for my fatherly love, not only to pay off the above-mentioned debts of mine and legacies, but also any other if they should be any genuine shown now by me for not reminding them to myself not expressed not making the burden of my Soul, having embraced post fata mea, my Fortune, punctually and reliably paid; My good friends in stable and lasting friendship with them and my old servants in memory and care of their conservation. Thus having made the above-mentioned sufficiently proper Disposition of my Fortune and Substance now I proceed to the Disposition of my Soul and Body, for I have for which to give unceasing Thanks to God my Creator with the deepest Adoration not only for the abundant Graces received in my life which dester core almost erexerum, when from a small Fortune by far greater Divine Providence allowed to acquire, but also most of all for that from His mercy He created me from Catholic Parents from Whom to Their Excellencies Job – Ludwik and Justyna Leniewiczówna Grocholski, the Cupbearers of Dobrzyń, my most beloved Parents being from my Childhood in the Holy Catholic Faith raised, in Which until now remaining I desire to complete the rest of my life for the continuous weakness being at its decline; because enlightened in understanding I know perfectly that no man will enter the Kingdom of Heaven who is not united in the Holy Catholic Faith with the Roman Church, before God then the Creator of all visible and invisible things penetrating all the secrets of hearts and human thoughts I declare that I firmly and steadfastly believe and until the exit of my Spirit from the body I desire to confess all that the Roman Church presents for knowledge, for Whose judgments I desire to shed blood, lose life, breathe out my Soul, let my last breath be O Gracious and Merciful God may the first mysteries be confessed, let the last words be calling Jesus and Mary for which having full trust in God’s mercy I entrust my immortal Soul to the Hands of the Lord Jesus Christ my Redeemer and Judge and in the care of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, the Immaculately Conceived His Mother, I ask all the Saints especially my Patrons for intercession for my Soul so that He from His boundless Mercy, having forgiven all my sins, would graciously deign to receive my Soul to His eternal Glory. But what forced You God to create me if not Your own goodness, what brought You from Heaven for the ransom of my Soul by shedding Your Most Holy Blood to the world if not Your Mercy and Love for the human race as You declare: “Deliciae mea esse cum filiis Hominum.”
What then prevents You from saving me, Save me God because You can! Let the ransom of Your Blood lead to the perdition of my sins for which from Your love God I sincerely regret, let the merits of Your Passion and Blood erase and I offer them to You Eternal Father for the erasure of my sins and thus with the price of Your blood Lord ransom that Soul of mine accept to the Glory of Your Saints; As for my body as taken and formed from Earth so returning to this earth to be buried in Catholic Rite in the Winnica Church at the Reverend Fathers Dominicans and await for the voice of the Last Trumpet of its Resurrection. Since I do not know the Day of the fulfillment of Divine judgments over me and Every Catholic for achieving Heaven prepared for himself should always be ready to pay the debt of mortality, preparing myself then for this dreadful hour I apologize to all Whom I have only in the course of my life offended from my infirmity, and I sincerely forgive all my offenses from my heart asking humbly all to forgive me for God’s love their offenses; I obligate my Sons to the Divine Judgment that if any of my servants both staying with me and the Court Servants should think they have any grievance, that they should compensate and appease them, and if it should not be possible during their lifetime due to the current unrest in the country to arrange a decent Funeral for my late Wife in the Winnica Church at the Reverend Fathers Dominicans where my Wife lies, then I obligate my Sons to arrange a Funeral for me and my Wife and their Mother for which Funerals my Sons should not spare from the Fortune left to them by me Expenses, not so much for Worldly fleeting Pomp, but more for Devotion as abundant in Offerings and Vigils as possible remembering the Gospel words:
“Qua mensura mensi fueritis ea remetietur vobis.”
Finally Blessing all my Children, Grandchildren, and Great-grandchildren I lift my heart and mind to God, to join His blessing to mine. I ask that God bless them as He blessed Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, and other Holy Fathers, to bless them with the fatness of the earth and the dew of Heaven, I also bless them in the Name of God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit with the Blessing of all the Holy Patriarchs that not deviating from the path of God’s commandments they may reach Eternal Glory and live loving each other in unshaken and always lasting and sincere friendship and that under the loss of my Fatherly Blessing, which Testament of mine I leave only to myself for correction and alteration. For better faith reason and certainty I sign it with my own hand under the usual seal personally or for my inability through my plenipotentiary hand to this act record…. to corroborate quibusvis Actis Aut..enticio m…m. Datum in Tereszki Die Prima Augusti Millesimo Septingentesimo Octavo Anno.
In this Testament per oblatam submitted signed by Their Excellencies Lords Friends at the signature of the Honorable Grocholski Bracław Land Judge and Seals one on black wax Two on red wax in these words: Michał from Grabów Grocholski Bracław Land Judge verbally and obviously requested Friend to this Testament signs Rafał Myszka Chołoniewski Buski Castellan L.S. Requested to sign Friend signs Ludwik Wirski SyS.
Border Bracław Locus Sigilli.
Which Testament per oblatam submitted as it is to the Winnica Town Books word for word is recorded from which this extract, under the Winnica Town Seal, is issued written in Winnica.
Sermons for the Sundays of the whole year
With the Great Name of the Honorable Mr.
Michał from Grabów Grocholski
Bracław Land Judge, Captain
J. K. M. and R. P. of the Armored Sign
Honored
By Fr. Konstanty Awedyk Soc. Jesu.
Published in the Year 1766
at the Printing House of J. K. M. Academic
Collegium Lwowskiego Soc. Jesu.
Preface
Honorable Lord and Benefactor
I would be one of the most ungrateful if I did not publicly repay and express the favors you showed me in your young age when I was young, the heart I experienced throughout my Religious life, the benefits I received. It’s been almost forty years now since I had the fortune to know your dignity, and it was the same for me to know you as it was then to begin to respect the high qualities of your nature, to praise perfect opinions, to consider the great aptitude for the greatest deeds. Hence it went that from those first years I attached myself with a full heart of respect to your person.
Now, as some requests have come to me to submit my preacher’s work to print, I use this opportunity to fulfill old intentions and fulfill just obligations. Making this offering of due gratitude to you. To you (I say) Great judge first I submit these arrangements of preacher’s thoughts to judgment before others begin to judge them and I will have enough of this to please one who judges things well, fairly and excellently. You allow to honor this unworthy work with the dignity of your Name, and that is enough honor for me, who is perfectly aware of the nobility of your Family, long established in the Homeland, so spread in great Men that many Lands and Voivodeships were honored with their Name as: Kraków, Sandomierz, Ruthenia, Kiev, Volhynia, Bracław, Voivodeships, Przemyśl, Halicz, Sanok, lands, everywhere leaving traces of great merits.
I do not bring here the very first beginnings of your House, as it comes from the ancient Syrokomla Family, who, for more than six centuries flourished in the Polish Kingdom (Bernard Syrokomla Bishop. Poznań. Lived around 1140. ex. Niesiecki) and produced great people for the Homeland. And then divided into many other houses of your coat of arms. I am content with the very Ancestors of your Name, who from Grocholicy for themselves began to be called Grocholski. All were an ornament of the Knightly state, and in need, a defense of the Homeland. – Performing the duty of great people, of whom one says: “Magnorum virorum et ornare et armare Republicam.”
Great people own to adorn and defend the Homeland. And if I do not mention your higher Ancestors, whose memory the burned books in Radom have lost: Mikołaj on Grocholicy, Grzybowa Wola, and Grabowie Grocholski, the father of your Great-great-grandfather (1. Paweł childless, 2. Łukasz with Zielińska 3. Piotr. 4. Marcin sons of Mikołaj) during the reign of King Sigismund the First, in the heaviest public need occasions used, always gave evidence of what the valor of a brave Soldier knows and can do. Łukasz on Grocholicy, son of Mikołaj the second (Łukasz’s sons, 1. Jędrzej with Wyżdżanka. 2. Jerzy with Słupecka. 3. Hieronim. 4. Job Jakub with Dzielińska. 5. Jan Hussar sign of Prince Zasławski and Ostrogski Władysław, Lieutenant) your Great-great-grandfather. – Job Jakub on Grocholicy, the fourth son (Job’s offspring, Helena Nehrebecka. Ewa Nahojowska, son 1. Alexander with Krupska. 2. Stefan with Pełczanka) of Łukasz, Great-grandfather. Stefan from Grabów, Subdapifer of Bracław, the second son of Job, your Grandfather, all of knightly status, and in fact in public occasions, always showed themselves to be true Knights. – Since they lived in those fortunate times of the Kingdom (Swedish, Tatar, Cossack incursions) that it was impossible for the Noble Sons of the Homeland not to be perfectly trained in the military craft, and it was then the same to be worthily born as to be a valiant soldier. As a certain one wrote: In public calamity every Citizen is a soldier (Tertul. In Apo.) In common need, what a worthy citizen is a proven soldier. In these Knightly glorious footsteps of his predecessors stepped Ludwik from Grabów, the Cupbearer of Dobrzyński, the second Son (Sons of Stefan. 1. Job childless. 2. Ludwik with Leniewiczówna. Daughters, Elżbieta Zydaczoska. Krystyna, Konstancya, Katarzyna Helena, Marta, Maidens) of Stefan Subdapifer of Bracław, your worthy Father, (whom I had the honor to know well), a Man of old Polish virtue and piety, full of vivacity a soldier, who although he reached old age, still and in the cold from the beautiful age of old, had so much knightly fire, that he strongly warmed you Honorable Judge Benefactor worthy Son, to go to the great Hero, in knightly arts, and in military governance most perfectly trained never forgotten glory of the Lord, then General of the Army Regiment, Stanisław Poniatowski, Voivode of Mazovia, then castellan of Kraków, and under Him, in the Knightly craft perfected himself.
I cannot here not mention, some Brothers and Nephews, your Ancestors Honorable Lord, as in the violent needs of the Homeland against strong and numerous enemies were exhibited and used. As Andrzej on Grocholicy Grocholski, Brother of Job Jakub, your Great-grandfather, born first son of Łukasz, Colonel of the Ostrogski Ordinance during the terrible Tatar, Cossack, Moscow invasions with Prince Władysław Dominik Zasławski Ordinant. Voivode of Kraków (From the Books of the Dermańska Archimandry Foundation, and this Andrzej was sent to the Estates of the Dermań Monastery: to bring the rebellious subjects to obedience to the Monastery) successfully defeated and defeated the multitudes of enemies. Andrzej, of the same name second son (Andrzej Colonel’s sons: 1. Jan with Olęcka. 2. Andrzej with Makarowiczówna. 3. Krzysztof with Stradowska) of the mentioned Andrzej Colonel of the Ordinance, Captain and Colonel of His Majesty’s and the Commonwealth’s Army similarly not once triumphed over enemy invasions, having some regiments under his command. Remigian from Grabów Grocholski, son of the promised Andrzej, nephew of Stefan, your Grandfather (Testament of Remigian R. 1706, in Krak. oblatowany) ensign of Bracław, colonel of His Majesty with his Commander Hieronim Lubomirski, castellan of Kraków, Grand Hetman, under Vienna distinguished himself in strong skirmishes with the Turks, that this Great Commander entrusted him with leading a significant part of the army to the general battle. Nevertheless, Remigian was grateful for the Hetmanic regards for himself, as almost all the very valuable, from the valuable and special Turkish camp equipment, taken with a victorious hand, he separated and gave by testament to the three sons of the promised high glory Grand Hetman W. K. Castellan of Kraków: Jerzy, starost of Bogusław, Jan, knight of Malta, Aleksander, starost of Kozienice.
Let’s add here the notable Houses, great in the Homeland Name, with whom your noble Ancestors Honorable Judge Benefactor were united by sworn alliance. As: Łaszczów, Szczuków, Olęckich, Wyżdżgów, Szulimirskich, Telefusów, Zielińskich, Dzielińskich, Pełków, Leniewiczów, Słupeckich, Makarowiczów, Czarneckich, Stradowskich, Guzolfów, Nehrebeckich, Nahoiewskich, Siekierzyńskich, Zydaczewskich, Moszczyńskich, Missunów, Bystrzejowskich, Krynickich, Zabierzowskich, Potockich, Rudziewskich, Dąbrowskich. I do not mention (Zofia with Jan Ciołek Poniatowski) Zofia from Malicki Walenty Grocholski, cousin of your Great-grandfather, Noble and happy Daughter, whom for high excellences one of the highest Houses in the Polish Kingdom chose and married.
And from these so highly Noble and valiant Men’s blood you go Honorable Judge Benefactor. And what only worthily born adorn, great people make glorious, what public good deserve, useful to the Homeland, others usually surpass with respect and honor? All these glorious virtues are found in You. Three usually attributes of Sons of the Homeland, as they are glorious in themselves, so they most strongly support and make it happy. Valor, justice, and counsel. When it has to battle the brave, to uphold the law the strong and just, to counsel the faithful and excellent. These all the most valuable Sons of the Homeland properties, experienced from valor Captain, praised from justice Great Judge, repeatedly on General Seyms with honor serving, everyone sees and recognizes in You.
And first if much is owed to the Knightly people by the Homeland? Because their valor secures and saves its borders, Voivodeships and Lands, the integrity of fortunes Houses and Families, internal peace the kingdom grants. You in your young age, that ability and valor showed to be a soldier, that soon when you drew under the sign, the highest of Senators, Prince Janusz Wiszniowiecki, castellan of Kraków under his Armored Sign Banner gave, not long afterward entrusted its Stewardship.
The great Commander of immortal fame, Józef Potocki, Grand Hetman, placed you as the most capable to restrain the haidamak raids, then most often falling in large groups into our border. Therefore he made you the Commander of the Ukrainian, then Volhynian Party. And it was in our eyes, with what your glory, with what the glory of the Polish Knighthood given to your command, with what contentment of all Citizens, you curbed the Cossack unruliness and violence, everywhere striking them hard, taking them successfully, punishing severely. So far that those lands recognized you as their Liberator and Defender. For in a short time you freed from raids the borders, secured Houses, preserved fortunes.
And these deeds of your valor were the reason that His Majesty Augustus III honored you with the Captain’s dignity, which you received with the greater honor that progressing through the ranks of soldierly service, you came to it, and almost bloodily earned it. Through the steps of military offices from Companion to Ensign, from Ensign to Lieutenant, from Lieutenant to Captain’s dignity. Not being guilty or obliged to luck, only to your own work and merits.
Besides knightly deeds, the second thing is, which taken in Voivodeships, respected in the Homeland, worthy of the highest dignities and most capable for them, necessary and useful make others good. And this is the knowledge of the Homeland’s laws, and the strong maintenance of them with justice (Philosophi Graecis, Legum periti Romanis imperabant. Gravera Turpe fuit, Patritio Viro leges ignorare. Idem.). To you Great Judge as the kingdom’s laws are perfectly known, so their maintenance holy usual. Not so as one of the most skilled in law, named Manlius, boasting, that there was no law of which he was not aware, was reproached: “Nulla quidem lex est quam ignores, sed est ne aliqua? Quam observes.” – True, that there is no law of which you are not aware, but is there one? that you observe. – Your, Honorable Judge Benefactor: in these circumstances virtue give testimony the Lublin and Radom Tribunals, on which already being a Deputy already a commissioner, with great unsullied honor, and unblemished conscience fame you performed this high office. From the number of those Judges you were never of whom Silvanius: quo plus de scientia, eo minus de conscientia. The more knowledge in law they have, the less conscience. – As you brought unsullied by any interest, conscience to the court, so with unblemished you always departed. And this made you just in judgments, sincere in the expression of mind, successful in reconciling the most contrary sides, sincere in advising and counsel, and therefore taken and esteemed by all. That whether on Seymiks, when you advised and directed the minds of others, whether on General Seyms, when you twice with general praise served as a deputy, weighing others’ deep insights, wise opinions, strong advice, as if they were some judgments they accepted and agreed to them. Although not without envy of those who did not have similar honor fortune, but I from my person wish, to always see you in this state Honorable Judge Benefactor, so that others have what to envy you, not you others.
I cannot here not mention, what I should have first expressed, what also makes great people more respected and esteemed by all; your virtue and piety to God, devoted to Altars and Temples, made so much for His glory, funds. These are your Honorable Lord’s immortal works, the brick church and monastery of the Fathers Dominicans in Winnica. Adorned not without significant expense, there too our Temple several Altars and a magnificent Pulpit, introduced and endowed with income Brotherhoods. A public chapel in Tereszki with its own fund. And this piety to God of yours, generous largess has drawn His blessings upon you,
and sweetened with happy living. For the highest decrees have provided you with a Friend, as everyone would wish for their happiness. For a Lady from high nobility of her own noble, from perfect qualities praiseworthy, from virtue and piety exemplary, generous to Orders and the poor Honorable Anna from Kamiński
and Michał Radzimińskis for forty-two years now your Wife always dear for sweet living. Granddaughter of those JJ. WW. Radzimińskis of the Lubicz coat of arms, who sat on senatorial chairs, shone with high honors,
related to the first Houses, Szembeks, Rudzińskis, Dunins, Micielski. Of this nobility Friend, and from Her great hopes offspring God has blessed and blessed you Honorable Lord. Or is it not clear His blessing? To look upon such noble Sons in their young age already honored with offices in their Voivodeship. Honorable Chorąży of Winnica, Marcin, the elder son, a Lord full of charm, able to win hearts of even enemies without baseness, to deserve from all without subjection, to earn just regards from the highest persons without flattery. This Honorable Cecylia from Kątski Hołoniewska, Podkomorzanka of Bełsk, of great qualities, pleasant traits, high understanding great and taken and esteemed by all Father, noble Daughter he married. Such a happy alliance, that he contents you with two already grandsons
and his sons besides the little Daughter. Allow me worthy Father of worthy Sons and noble Daughters, Honorable Judge Benefactor, that in these circumstances I dare wish you what Saint Jerome wished certain Parents: “Utinam! Vincant te Filii opta ut & a nepotibus vincaris” (S. Hier. Epist. Ad Demetrium). Enough indeed from your own person you have made honor to your Sons and other Offspring, significantly increased fortune that more lasting because by just means. May they, however: (I wish holy words) surpass you in happiness, fortune, and honors Sons, you should wish that you may also be surpassed by Grandchildren.
Honorable Podstole of Bracław, Franciszek, the younger son, a Lord of established prudence, sharp wit, and high judgment. Perfected in the knowledge of the Homeland’s laws, quick in penetrating interest, deep in opinions. In this age a bachelor, already used more than once for the settlement of the most difficult matters, for reconciling opposing sides with the contentment of both. From these first steps of his praiseworthy working, it can be seen how in further times he may advance and rise high, especially since great happiness deserves honor, working for the public good, on what times their virtue and merits will fall.
According to the great observation of one: “Multum interest, in quae tempora virtus ac bene merita inciderint”. Much depends on what times virtue and good merits will hit (Innocent X. Pont.). When there are those who know them, know how to value, valuing also know how to reward as they are worthy.
This is therefore the happiness of your Great Sons, Great Father, that they have reached this age, these desired times, when our kingdom (in which previously injustice prevailed, the triumph of the powerful prevailed, bread well deserved by the worthy, nothing or less deserved took) begins to emerge from these disorders, under the provident reign of His Majesty Stanisław August P. N. M. Thanks to the Almighty Goodness, that to this impoverished Homeland such now Father, Ruler, and Lord has provided, who as himself through highly great merits, to the highest kingdom’s dignity has come, so the public Good deserving to value, as the wisest of Lords knows; and as the most just of kings, wants and desires to reward their good works and labors.
No less are the joys to the Fatherly heart made from their Persons and from their beautiful Offspring worthy Daughters, all adorned with great natural wisdom and every perfection, who as themselves, virtues, piety full of grateful hearts to Noble Parents, so in the most perfect upbringing of Offspring diligent and successful. These have increased the ornaments of their Homeland’s House all the more, that each of them united by the bond of blood with the most distinguished and highly related Houses. Honorable Justina from the eldest daughters with W. Stanisław Kordysz, Cupbearer of Łuck.- W. Franciszka with W. Remigian Jełowiecki, Stolnik of Łuck (Petronella with Wojciech Bohatko, Podstole of Winnica). – W. Angela with Adam Urbański, Miecznik of Sanok.
Great and excellent Men, whose high natural qualities, nobility of birth with great in the Homeland Houses related, if I were to express, I would have to bring and introduce a large part of our Historians here. On so many noble Houses, and highly distinguished Families, your blood Great Father, cannot but be immortal.
Hope in the Highest decrees, that the remaining youngest of daughters Honorable Józefa, of gracious charm, beautiful qualities, great understanding Maiden, will equally worthy one day, for the honor and greater expansion of the House draw new ornaments. Thus God has blessed you with worthy Offspring, that these seven comforts of your blood, seven blessings of His can justly be called. When you already with eighteen grandchildren along with granddaughters with the contentment of the Fatherly heart look.
May you Honorable Lord with a long life in the freshness of health,
and in the most favorable successes, yet from these young shoots, well-matured fruits await, with a full sincere heart I wish, and I will not cease to beg God for it.
Honorable Lord and Benefactor
Most humble servant
Konstanty Awedyk. Soc. Jesu
Copied by Henryk Grocholski on March 28, 2003.
Michał Grocholski (1705-1768), commander of the Ukrainian and Volhynian Party, for fighting enemy raids is appointed by King Augustus III as captain
Having recommended to Us Your Fidelity in knightly deeds experience and courage as well as proven in various occasions bravery with unblemished loyalty to Our Majesty and the Good of the Homeland (…), we have decided to confer upon Your Fidelity the captain’s charge of the Armored Banner in Our Army and the Commonwealth (…) Therefore we want after Your Fidelity to hold the Mentioned Banner under Our Authority and the Honorable Crown Hetmans (…) to stand diligently for all Our and the Commonwealth’s needs (…) We do not doubt (…) that all this for Us and the Commonwealth for service and for yourself for Glory and Reputation willingly your fidelity will do. Augustus III Rex.
Michał Grocholski (1705-1768), commander of the Ukrainian and Volhynian Party, for fighting enemy raids is appointed by King Augustus III as captain. 7 IX 1752 (date obtained thanks to the courtesy of Mr. Dr. Tomasz Ciesielski).Dominican Church in Vinnytsia
Dominican Church in Vinnytsia, Ukraine (currently a church) Founded by Michał Grocholski – son of Job Ludwik. July 2003 Photo by Henryk Grocholski.
