The last will of Izabela Branicka nee Poniatowska

Abstract

The article analyses the last will of Izabela Branicka née Poniatowska, written down on 3 Nov 1805, and documents appended to the will, which were termed codicils in the Prussian law. The dispositions of this will are interesting since the testator only had life interest in her estate so she could only bequeath cash and movable property. Much of it, however, were debts, especially sums due to the heirs of her husband, Jan Klemens Branicki. Therefore, the making of the will had to be preceded with certain legal proceedings. To be able to make the will, Izabela Branicka had to resolve a legal tussle with her husband’s heirs, which she  managed to achieve in 1800. Then, she had all her liabilities recorded in Prussian Land Registry and the
Galician Tabula Krajowa (register of land and deeds), securing them on Jan Klemens Branicki’s estates. This was necessary since she wanted her will to have long-term consequences. As a result, a special alms fund was established and 31 people were provided with life-time annuities which were paid for at least 28 years after Branicka’s death.