Mother in the Parlor

I have mentioned previously that Land Registers from Bohemia often provide some tidbits of interesting information. The Jan 17 2024 post dealt with the Penicka's in our family line and how in 1673 Bartholomej willed a cow to his wife "on account of her long-standing marriage and faithful service at all times."  Today, let me turn again to the Penicka line, which is Konzal through marriage, and deal with the mother in the parlor.

Martin Konzal Birth (1702)

Christina Penicka of Nebahovy, a daughter of Bartholomej and his faithful wife Dorothea (yes, the one who received a cow on her husband's death) married Mathias Konzal of Zernovice on 3 Feb 1692. Mathias purchased his family's farm holding on 19 Feb 1689 following the death of his father. On 11 Apr 1738, one year and four months after his father passed away the holding was purchased by the youngest son of Mathias and Christina, Martin Konzal. His sister Barbara is my 6th great grandmother, making Martin my 6th great great uncle. His handover document is where one starts to wonder about the family dynamic. Martin was the youngest of six children and, being in his early thirties at the time of his father's death in 1736, likely did much of the farm work for his mother until he was able to purchase the holding in 1738. 

Martin Konzal Marriage (1743)

It was customary for a new holding owner to take on not only the cost of the farm, but also providing retirement benefits and funeral expenses of his surviving parent(s). Many farms had a smaller house on the property referred to as the retirement annex. If not used for a retired couple it may have been living quarters for a farm hand or rented out. Although farm hands often lived in the family quarters. Moms or stepmoms often outlive their husband. Grimm tales are noteworthy regarding the prevalence of evil stepmothers. In Martin's situation the document notes the following: "The conditions of the purchase follow that the widow Christina, as the new holder’s mother, should be permitted to remain in the farmhouse parlor for as long as she can get along with her son (italics by author for emphasis), however, should they not get along, Christina is permitted to remain in the retirement annex." For some reason, the mother wants to live in the house and not the retirement annex, but if they cannot get along she has the right to live in the retirement annex. Martin was single at the time, and perhaps desired to keep an eye out for him. Or, she desired someone to talk to. Many widows seem to be lonely, but at that time and culture, the parents were near a son or daughter, at least in the farm culture.

Summary Translation of Provisions for
Christina and Mariana required by Martin Konzal (1638)

This case either upends, or proves what I think I know about mother's and their youngest son. From experience as a child, the youngest son (I am a middle child) of a large family was often the most spoiled child in the family, particularly a large family. I am thinking this proves the point. Christina really wanted to stay in the house so she could continue to dote on her son. He did not marry until 27 Oct 1743, so five years after his purchase of the holding. He may well have needed his mother to help around the house as he worked the fields. His sister Marianna never married, and she, like Christina obtained retirement benefits from Martin. This often indicates some level of disability for a sibling, although there is not indication in the land register summary I had completed that she was disabled in any way. 

Christina Birth (1670)

Records often record a disability and the need for care of a sibling. The purchase agreement contains provisions to provide not only his mother with varied harvests from arable land, straw from certain fields, flax seed, a four beds of cabbage, but also fruit from specified fruit trees and three klafter (just under three cords) of firewood. Upon her mother's death Mariana would receive rye, barley, hay, peas and three field beds of cabbage. Both Christina and Mariana are thought to have died in or before 1767. 

Part of original text of Provisions for Christina and Mariana

When Martin took on the holding, his mother lived in the parlor, or the retirement annex for 29 or 30 years until her death at about age 97. Given that length of time, I sure hope they did in fact get along. There is no available record to indicate if she was pushed to the retirement annex, but Martin and his wife had seven children and so that may well have occurred. For an idea of a typical farm house in Bohemia, please see this post. Life with extended family was common, and so Martin's wife, just bore the load with the mother-in-law in the house, or next door. Martin died in 1794 at age 90, three months and three days after his 90th birthday. He must have had his mother's longevity gene.

I think Christina was a force to be reckoned with as a wife and mother. Two instances in the record show this: first, that she received a cow on the death of her husband (a great gift for a true land girl), and second that she was allowed to live in the parlor, but only for as long as she can get along with her son. It is not her son getting along with her, but her getting along with her son. Maybe it is best to think of her as an 18th century version of Marie Barone, who truly doted on her youngest son, even in a family of two children. Whatever the situation, living to 97 she sure made an impact as the mother in the parlor.

Source: Land Register for Zernovice, Prachatice District, Bohemia, Ord 21 image 11 at: https://digi.ceskearchivy.cz/720428/11/2603/2430/18/0

Summary Translation by Richard D'Amelio, 2023.