Economical and market conditionings of Polish landowners under the Austrian partition presented in “Memoirs” of Anna Potocka from Działyński family

Abstract

The situation of Polish society, divided by occupants, pushed them to take steps that demanded special skills but also sacrifice and many victims. Educated people, besides all the reasonable worries about their wealth and heritage, felt morally obliged to be responsible for ethical and material values of Polish people.

Anna Potocka from Działyński family, the successor of not only the wealth but also great patriotic tradition of her forefathers, is a perfect example of such an attitude. Anna and her husband Stanisław were truly engaged in charity and various educational ventures. Among many, the most interesting was establishing sculpture school for boys and lace school for girls, both created in Oleszyce.

The separate passage in Anna’s life concerned acquiring of an estate in Rymanów and discovering a mineral water spring there. This period was a permanent struggle against the fate of her private and professional life. Unbroken character, stubbornness and strong belief in her enterprise finally led her to success.

The entire life of Anna Potocka proved that despite meeting many diversities, it was possible to achieve success being a dignified patriot and a devoted social worker at the same time.