General History

Blahnik Family History

It has been illustrated by Dr. Roubik, on page 553 of his book about the history of the Chods around Domazlice (Taus) that the Blahnik family was among the oldest Chod families. The origin of the Blahnik family name can be found in the Christian name, "Blazej," according to the old Czech abbreviation, "Blaha." Blahnik could mean "small Blaha" or it could be an abbreviated form.

It is interesting to follow these names in the history of Chodsko. The oldest record about some "Blazej" is in the oldest market books of Chodsko from the village, Pocinovice, dated 1430-1545 (refer to the abstracts in the appendix of Dr. Roubik's book, pages 617-620). The name of "Blasius Hoden de Poczynovice" is among the names of Chod city officials in the Latin record dated November 15, 1430, and the names of two councilmen of Pocinovice, "Ondra et Blasius de Poczynovice" can be found in the Latin record dated July 18, 1434. In a Czech record, dated May 31, 1481, the Councilmen are named "Matthew & Blaha of Pocinovice."

The original family 'Blaha' was also recorded in old lists of residents of the village of Tlumacov in 1550 and 1567. Later (1767), in the same records appeared the name, "Planek." It appears, though, that this form is quite different and originated from a different base than the name "Blaha" (plan--planiti--which means to care fo the forest). Also in the village Klicov in Chodsko, the name, "Planek," could be found in three lists of residents dated 1531, 1550, and 1567. Also in Tlumacov were residents named "Planek." In an official record dated April 26, 1767, Mr. Ondrej Planek is named as a representative for that village (refer to the book of Dr. Roubik, page 490 footnote.)

The oldest known bearer of the name Blahnik (in 1482 also 'Blanik') was Mr. Ondra Blahnik who lived in the village, Lipkov, on the serf grounds which belonged to the territory of Great Chodsko.

In an abstract by Dr. Karl Hostas who was the Director of the Hostas City Museum in Lkatovy, is quoted from the Latin text, in court records, that Ondra, named Blanik (Blahnik), after the death of the owner of the property in Lipkov (who was Blanik's lord) owned 70 'grosu' (a form of currency) of the annual pay. The inheritance, after Jan Spicka, was transferred because of the death of King Vladislava, who gave it to Nachvalovi of Ryzmberg and his descendents.

Ondra Blahnik did not forget his Chod origin and he tried to lift his family, socially, from serfdom. His son, Martin, probably succeeded and reached free status. On this social level he was somewhat more free and independent than the other farmers of Chodsko, who were also the King's property, but their land could be put in lien to local noblemen if the King's coffers were empty and the King needed a loan. In this way, the free farmers could be made into somewhat 'privileged' serfs again.

It would be somewhat impossible to comment on the environment of those past times during which the family lived, especially during the era of great spiritual awakening this family, and others, experienced. After the death of John Huss, in 1415-1419, the Czech country went through a religious movement as never seen before. The spirit of Christ, whose word was spread throughout the Czech country so plentifully, encompassed the entire nation very strongly. According to the Biblical example, people were coming by the thousands to the mountains to hear the preachers. Many preachers were preaching and baptizing to those who believed in Christ, and accepted him as those who are sorry and who are sentenced to death because of sin. (According to the Bible, Romans 6:23: the reward for sin is death but eternal life could be reached through Jesus Christ). The Chodsko area was also a part of this movement. There was a priest, Jan Nakvasa, who was deceived by Mr. Racek of Ryzmberg, and was sold to the Bavarians for a ransom, to be tortured to death. He died as a hero in Novy Kostlich, where his arms and legs were pierced with swords, and then he was tied to a tree and burned. But the cruel Lord of Ryzmberg was very soon punished by God. When the Czech people abandoned Christ's rule, and fought evil by evil, they used the spiritual sword, and Mr. Racek of Ryzmberg was killed in the battle of Vysehrad in Prague on November 1, 1420. It was revenge for the life of the priest, Jan Nakvasa.

Big things were happening around the family house in the nice valley of Loucini in the beautiful setting of Sumava. In 1420, the followers of John Huss were meeting on the hill, ‘Pave’ above Novy Ves in the Kydnsko region which is about 577 meters above sea level, and. they were attacked in May by the soldiers of Bohuslav of Svamberg, dispersed with several hundred of them wounded (this is proof that they were not armed), and their priest who was in armour (we don’t know his name), was transported to Plzen where he was burned to death (Vancura, the History of the city of Klatovy, volume I, page 166: Dr. Roubik, History of Chod.s, page 581).

The Loucim valley also witnessed in 1431 the retreat of the Crusaders from the city of Domazlice towards Nyrsko, around. the castles of Klenovy and Opalka.

Later, Chodsko harbored the Moravian brothers who founded the congregations in Starec, Radonice, and Ujezd., where in 1503, six Moravian brothers were burned to death by the noblemen of Svamberg. Later, out of God’s will, a new congregation was formed and. this delegation was active even after the Battle on the White Hill.

When the farmer, Mikulas Nadrybkovic, was given a year to abandon his religious belief, he chose to be burned to death along with his other brothers. He said that he would rather die than lose his brothers.

According to the following agreement, Mr. Jan of Ryzmberg & Usilov, sold, in 1505, the free farm in Lipkov called ‘Snopkovsky’ to the serf Martin, son of Ondra Blahnik:

"I, Jan of Ryzmberg & Usilov, declare here to everyone who will see or read this agreement, that with good sense and. healthy advice of my friends and. being fully in a position to do so, I sold, voluntarily, my hereditary free farm located in the village, Lipkov. The farm is called ‘Snopkovsky’ and. I sold it to a serf, Martin, who is the son of Blahnik here in Lipkov, and to his wife, Lidmilla, and to their heirs and. to their representatives arid to everyone to whom this agreement will belong in the future. The farm was sold, including the tillable and non-tillable fields, meadows, grasslands, hills, and. valleys, property limits, grasslands and grazing lands, and. with everything within the limits of the property which belonged to the farm as long as remembered. I did not leave anything to myself, with no exceptions, nor did I leave anything to my future deputies. All this I sold for 300 times 60 ‘grosu’ of "misen" it is good pieces of silver which were paid to me in full by the said, Martin, and, therefore, the above described Martin or his heirs or his future deputies can, with full freedom and all rights belonging to the farm, forever hereditary and freely use and hold the described property. Because the property is in their hereditary ownership, they can give it, sell it, barter it, or put it in lien. They can do that either for health or because of death, and. they can do it of their free will as with their own free farm without any interference from my side or from the side of my future deputies. Whenever there would be a time for collecting of King’s taxes or country taxes in Czech country, the above described Martin or his heirs or future owners of the farms will have to pay those King’s or country taxes to the extent paid by everyone else in that upper or lower village. He is not going to pay more or less than other neighbors in that village in such time as those general taxes in Czech country are declared. The above described Martin, his heirs, or future. owners of the farm are, of course, free of all other taxes fees, and serf labor.

And., therefore, I and my deputies now and. in the future, promise on our good. Christian belief, to the described Martin and, to his heirs and future deputies and to the future owners of the farm, that we are not going to bother them, nor criticize them or take anything from the described farm, its meadows, or other things which belong hereditary to the farm and we are not going to divide anything from that or seperate anything from that, but we are going to leave the farm in its entirety as it was in the past. This I promise truthfully and. faithfully as a Christian, and I am going to keep this promise and also my descendents will keep the promise as described. This will not change even if some harm would come to this paper such as by water, or by fire, or because of holes made by moths. To confirm this, I attached with full knowledge and voluntarily, my seal to this paper, and. I ask highborn Lord Jindrich of Milavoce & Beharove, and Mikulas of Besin & Soustov, to attach their seals next to mine, without harming themselves.

This paper was written and given on Thursday of the sign of St. Rehora, and. Pope Zahov, of the year 1505 A. C. (Archive of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Sign of Old. Manuscripts M-37/10).

Out of the serfs, there became free men. The descendant of Martin Blahnik, Hron Blahnik, in 1610 signed himself directly as a free man. In the records dated 1571 on Thursday on the day of Finding the Signed Cross B 21, Hron Blahriik of Libkov (the free man) told to the officials in Prague that his inheritance is in the village of Libkov, a farm called. ‘Snopkovsky’ with hereditary tillable and non-tillable lands, meadows, grasslands, hills, valleys, property limits, and grazing lands, including also a small village next to the woods close to the houses in Lipkov, and with everything that is with-in the limits of the property from his father and that he is using it without any difficulties and that he wants for himself and for his heirs to have this deed for his property registered according to the new regulations.

The following abstract was given from the records of the country with the approval of the highborn brave knight, Mr. Jan of Klenovy & Janovic on Zinkovy & Zitiny, counsel to the highest secretary of the Czech Kingdom under the seals of Zacharise Kaby of Rybnan, deputy judge of Czech Kingdom and Bohuslav of Michalovice on Rvenicice & Novy Sedle, deputy secretary of Czech Kingdom on Thursday after Saint Jilji, 1610. (Signed by Bohuslav of Michalovice, deputy secretary of Czech Kingdom---Abstract of the 1st entry Archive of the Ministry of Internal Affairs; St. Man. M-37/10).

"In the chapter of the schedule of hereditary assets in the year of 1574, on Wednesday after St. Lukas, C 26, Hron Blahnik of Lipkov, free man, told to the officials in Prague, that according to the regulations about registration of deeds, he asked for the registration of his inherited property and, this application was approved by the Common Council held on Thursday after St. Skolastice, 1549 in the Prague Castle. This means that he registered for himself and. his heirs, the farm called Snopkovsky,’ located in the village of Lipkov, including the small dwellings, meadows, tillable and non-tillable lands, grasslands, hills and valleys, property limits, grazing lands, and. also small village located next to the woods." The registration took place in 1549 according to the ruling issued by the Common Council.

This abstract from the country register is given with the approval of highborn brave knight, Mr. Jan of Klenovy & Janovice & of Zinkovy, Roupove, & Breziny, counsel to the highest secretary of Czech Kingdom under the seal of Adam Ryzmberk of Janovice, deputy judge of Czech Kingdom, and. Jan Bukovanskeho Pinty of Bukovy on Bukovany & Krasovice, deputy secretary of Czech Kingdom on Thursday after St. Vorsile, 1615 A.C. Signed by Jan Bukovansky Pinta of Bukovy, deputy secretary of Czech Kingdom (there).

How come the transfer of the ‘Snopkovsky’ farm in Lipkov from the ownership of a free man (Hron Blahnik) into the ownership of nobility is not known, but the descendant of Hron Blahnik, Vaclav Hronka (Hronek from Hron?) who was on the farm in Lipkov in 1603, paid the fee or the rent for the farm to Anna Mesickove of Otrasfeld (refer to F. Maras: Inventory of Fees from 14 Regions of Czech Kingdom).

In this time already another branch of the same family operated the Blahnik’s mill close to the Chod village of Lhota in the valley of Loucim. The population inventory in 1567 (the 3rd list) includes in the village of Lhota, the name of Blahnik (see Dr. Roubik, The History of Chods, page 604.). We do not know his first name nor his relation to the Lipkov branch of the family.

In the Loucim church register about the collected contributions in 1599, when there were evangelic priests, we can read. on the first page among the residents of the village of Lhota, the name of Blahnik. In 1599 he was giving to the church in Loucim, 2 volume units of rye, and. a quart of barley every year,

According to these same records, in 1622, Matej Blahnik (from the Blahnik’s Mill) with Jan Sazama of Pocinovice, gave 6 times 60 pieces of ‘spici (a type of currency)’, for the purchase of a tin chalice for the Lord’s Supper.

According to the records of Matiase Fridrich, a lord of the Saint Cross property, from the beginning of Lord Lamminger’s rule, there were 4 lower mills in the villages of Lhota and Pocinovice. Those mills were contributing the fees in ‘spici.’ The Lord Fridrich did not know how much. (read Dr. Roubik’ s History of Chods, page 547). The report is from 1633.

Out of the Blahnik's family, a Mr. Hajdl Blanik (Blahnik) was recorded in Kralovacky Mayor’s house as the only Czech among 7 Germans. His family name was Germanized by the secretary. (refer to the records of Kralovskiho Hvozde dated 1630. The abstract of’ that from the regional archives in Klatovy is among the abstracts of’ Dr. K. Hostase in the Klatovy Museum).

Matej Blahnik, the proprietor of the mill, is named along with Jan and, Vaclav Blahnik. Each of them had one cow rented from the church and they paid a fee for the cows (4. kr.). Matej, the proprietor of the mill, had later 2 rented cows. The other two men were probably his brothers. Vaclav Blahnik lived in Lhota and he was later the founder branch of the Blahniks of Lhota. The same Vaclav gave on the 8th of July to the church in Loucim, one cow, and he promised to pay the fee to the church for keeping the cow for him as long as he would be absent. (records of the church in Loucim with the records about the garments used for Masses, about the chalices, as a rent for cows).

There is also a list of farms belonging to the church. The records were kept to the honor and glory of God for the future and for the descendants in memory of the respectable priest, Jeronyma Rodicze, from the city of Domazlice, who is currently the priest in Loucim. Given on Monday, after the memory of St. Virgin Dorothy, 1599. (see the work of the archive keeper, Franktisek Tepleho, the Chods church records of Loucim in the collection of the historical society).

The name, Blazik, occurred in the same 1599 record and, it was said that Blazik was supposed to give to the church to Mr. Janem Orichovskym (who probably was the official of the church in Loucim), the 10th bundle. He was supposed to pay it from the Roubaloske property, but he gave just 1/2 of the tenth, or 1/2 of the volume-unit. Out of those parts, he was supposed to pay in total about 3 quarts as the priest wrote down. For the remainder of his life, Blazik kept acknowledging that he owed the priest the 10th bundle.

Among the residents of Loucim, according to the population records from 1599, there was Blazik, who was paying 3 volume units of rye as a contribution. It was not impossible that these forms of family name are in relation with the blood relation of the family of Blahnik. The family names of that time did not have a stable form yet. They were formed at that time. For each village there was a church keeper who was collecting the contributions, and for the village of Lhota, the church keeper’s name was 'Lhotecky.’

It appears that Matej Blahnik, named in the tax record of 1652 of the village of Lhota, belonging to the St. Cross property owned by Lord Fredrich of Lamminger, was probably the son of’ Vaclav. He owned 30 acres of fields from which 9 acres was seeded for winter and 8 acres was seeded in Spring. Besides this, he had 2 teams of horses, 1 cow, 1 young cow, 4 sheep, and 7 pigs.

The Blahnik's Mill, owned originally by Natej Blahnik, was inherited by his son, Martin, who was recorded on the tax roll of 1652 as "Blanieckh." The mill was described as having 1 water wheel. Besides the mill, he owned 60 acres of field, out of which 24 acres were seeded for winter and 8 acres were seeded in the Spring. He had 9 teams of horses, 5 cows, 9 young cows, 16 sheep, and 20 pigs.

Martin Blahnik had several sons. As far as we know he had Jiri (George), Matej (Matthew), Jan (John), and Jakub (James).

The wife of Jiri Blahnik had the name Anna, born Jakouboka on November 7, 1658. She died on January 6, 1722. Jiri Blahnik was released from the serfdom for Lord. Fredrich Lamminger and he married in Klatovy where his brother, the mill proprietor, lived.

On page 91 of the Trade Records book #10 in Klatovy which contains the records dated 1653-1684, there is the following record:

"Jiri Blahnik with his wife, Anna, purchased for himself, his heirs and future descendants, a dwelling named ‘Sandovskou’ which is free of debt, along with the brewery located on the monastery suburbs, and. with everything that is fastened with nails, lead, clay, or mortar. The property was purchased from Anna Jakoubkove (mother-in-law), who was a neighbor in Klatovy for 150 golden pieces according to the following arrangement:

The buyer, Jiri Blahnik, will give to the seller, Anna Jakoubkove, 30 pieces of gold. as a retainer. As an addition, Anna Jakoubkove will give to Jiri Blahnik, to her daughter, Anna, a dowry of 30 pieces of gold, deductible from the cost of the property, and. therefore, 85 pieces of gold remain to be paid. The installments are payable every year in January in the amount of 15 pieces of gold until the whole total is paid. On top of this, the above described. Jiri Blahnik was obligated to give to Anna Jakoubkove, room and board until her death. She would, in turn, work for him within her physical possibilities. Also, Katherine Jakoubkove, his sister-in-law, was promised free room and. board. until she would get married." This was recorded in January 23, 1662.

It is recorded in the city books that Anna Jakoubkove personally acknowledged the receipt of 15 pieces of gold from Jiri Blahnik as a first installment on the house in April 14, 1663. Also the 2nd installment was received by Anna on May 19, 1664.

Anna Jakoubkove was the Widow of Pavel Jakoubkovi, called ‘Hapatovi,’ who purchased from Lidmila Slemrova in 1636, 1/2 of the abundant blue-berry field and the surrounding are (#69), next to his (#68), and Lidmila Knezevske’s house (#85).(reference; Dr. J. Vancura, History of the Past King’s History of Klatovy, part II; Vol. III, page 623).

On page 151, dated March 5, 1668, in the book of’ Great Records of the city of Klatovy, (Archives of Czech Country), is the following record:

Kristof Srna with his wife, Lidmila, purchased for themselves & their heirs, & their future descendants, from Jiri Blahnik and his wife, Anna, his property including the area between the house of the seller and. the house of the buyer. This property is in front of the monastery and. it includes also the large door facing the street. The property in total was purchased for 18 golden pieces. From this place towards the garden of Tobiase Letovsky, there are several hops plants. Krystof Srna lent 8 golden pieces and 18 ‘krejc’ to Jiri Blahnik and therefore Krystof Srna was allowed to keep the hops plants as lien until the loan is paid in full. If the loan is not paid until the hops plants are fully grown, Jiri Blahnik cannot anymore pay the money and even if he would pay, the creditor would keep that year’s hops harvest for himself. Towards this transaction, Krystof Srna paid. to Jiri Blahnik the said 6 pieces of gold and the rest it is 20 pieces and 18 krejc were given to Jan Philip Hoch and the purchaser made a separate deal with him. Whenever the bet would be paid, it was requested that it would be recorded so it happened in Klatovy on February 11, 1668, as applied for by both sides the payment of the debt was recorded in Actum Clatt on March 5, 1668."

In spite of the effort of’ Wolf V. Lamminger of Albenreuth, who was the Lord. of the Chods and who was known from the Legal Suite, they tried. to get the Blahnik brothers back on his property (he needed serfs), but this effort was fruitless because the City Council backed up the residents.

The following was written by the Councilmen of Klatovy to the Captain of the Plzen District on March 24, 1671 (Library copy #3, page 108, Actor of the Museum of Klatovy):

"It was requested from us to submit the release letters of Blahnik brothers who are neighbors in Klatovy to the District Office and. we are doing so, sending the release letters of brothers Jan & Matej, and the letter of sending Jiri Blahnik, as it was rewritten from the original and properly attested. under the seal of the City. We are not sending the release letter of Jiri Blahnik because it was lost. The loss of the release letter of Jiri Blahnik was admitted by Linhart Flaminius, Secretary of the Klatovy City, who obtained the letter of release from Jiri Blahnik, then submitted it to the Lords several prior, but afterwards he forgot to return it, and, therefore the letter was lost.

We can witness with a good. conscience that he had a letter of’ release and. did submit it to the city office, because in Klatovy it is the habit not to accept anyone who was a serf amongst the citizens unless he can show the letter of release.

Because your grace gave to Jiri Blahnik, who was at that time already married in Klatovy, and, that letter was signed by your own hand, you practically admitted that prior to that, you gave to Jiri. Blahnik, a letter releasing him from serfdom. Because of this we hope that no harm will be done to the above named Jiri Blahnik. With that we remain with God."

With regard to his release letter an attached. copy was made for Jiri Blahnik on September 5th (Library copy A3, Vol. 1LI’8b & 1LI.9a). In the same copy book of Klatovy, on page 120, we can read a new letter of the Klatovy officials to their grace captain of the Plzen District, written on May 23rd, 1674:

"High born Serfs: We received your letter yesterday in which you ordered to us, based. upon request from his Grace, Lord Lamminger, that we send the Blahnik brothers, (Jan & Matej, and Jiri, who is married), to the highly regarded district office today. Obeying the order we advised. brothers Blahnik to come to Obytce (several periods from part of’ the letter was missing.) The Blahnik brothers decided to come to your office but because they wouldn’t have their letters of release, which are in the office of the City Secretary, who is out of town, we ask you to kindly excuse them. They will obey and come any other day you will request their presence."

The daughter of Jiri Blahnik, Eva, married Jan Hartla, widower from Benov, in 1695.

Jiri Blahnik died unknown where and when, prior to 1704. His widow married again and. had a husband who was Natej Slechta, who in 1704, with the approval of the Mayor’s Office, from her and, her children orphans, bought the Hapatovska house for 150 pieces of gold (ibid., Vancura, page 623).

The brother of Jiri, Jan Blahnik, was born around 1619 and, he died. in 1697. In the same year, when his brother Jiri, on March 20th, 1662, with his wife, Anna, bought their dwelling in Klatovy, the following record was made in the Klatovy Book of Trade Records No. 10, page 98:

"Jan Blahnik with Anna Marketa, his wife, bought for themselves and to their heirs and to the future descendants, from Jan Bartovic, a mill called ‘Hunovsky,’ located on the Ouhlave River close to Tajanov. The mill is free of debt arid includes everything what is in it, fastened with nails; lead, soil, or mortar arid it total, everything including the water wheels, stones, chests, mill baskets, and other abundant equipment. Also with the river and the rear area between the pond and the road. below the mill. It also includes 2 meadows called. ‘Knoflickova & Koubovna,’ both on the 6th class of’ hay. Along with it goes 1 small pond from which one part of hay could be harvested, located out of the village perimeter, towards Tajanov. It also includes 1 field of less than 8 plows between the fields located in the direction of Red. Mill. All that was sold for 875 pieces of gold. In earnest money, the buyer gave to the seller, 150 pieces of’ gold. The installments of 70 pieces of’ gold. each are going to be payable every January until the debt is paid in full. This transaction was recorded as requested by both sides with the official approval on March 20th, 1662.

On February 14, 1667, Jan Blahnik, the mill proprietor on the new null with his wife, purchased from Katherine Chladkova (aelius Kemcova), one hops field having about 3 piles of poles, for 33 pieces of gold (book of Trade Records in Country Archives, No. 10)

On September 5,1657, the Klatovy officials wrote the following to the District Captains about the brothers Jan & Jiri Blahnik:

"As you requested, we are sending Jan Blahnik to present in Plzen, the original of his release letter to the District Captain, Vilem Brenkov Pukhart from Zelenz Udoli, Lord of Ztina. Jan Blahnik is ordered to present the letter on August 28th this year and. the letter will be without harm, returned to him.

You also ordered us to surrender Jiri, brother of the above named Jan Blahnik, upon the request of’ Lord of Lamminger, because the named Jiri does not have his letter of’ release, but only the letter of’ standing which cannot be accepted as a proof’ of his free status and. therefore, he cannot pose as a free man.

We would like to humbly to inform your Grace that it would mean great harm to the said Jiri Blahnik, if he would have to return to serfdom 13 years after he submitted his letter of release arid. his letter of standing to the Klatovy City Office and. gained the status of’ a free citizen and became married. All those 13 years he lived as a good citizen from what we can witness, but we do not have any knowledge of how his letter of release was lost or why it could not be found.

Jiri Blahnik is a poor man who with his manual work is hardly providing for his wife and his children and therefore we are asking, officially, that you will not deprive him of his freedom. For this purpose we are also returning the addendum to your letter. We remain with God."

From what was said it seems to be quite clear that Jiri Blahnik died on Lamminger's dominion.

The wife of Jan Blahnik, Anna Market, is recorded also giving evidence about so-called miracles appearing with the adulterous picture of the Virgin Mary which was a source of riches to the Church and to the owner. Dr. Vancura, in his book on the history, stated that the blood droplets considered miracles were from cockroaches killed on the picture. Even the Jesuits from Klatovy did not believe in those miracles. The Hour of Darkness, headed by evil, built its tone in this illustrious city with the Black Tower. Among the other Jesuits tricks is known their miracles Cross with hidden mechanisms. Besides these tricks there was the worshipping of darkness which was to cover the Glory of’ God as according to the Bible, containing the words of’ the only Mediator in the face of God (Timothy I; 2, 5). Instead of worshipping the Creator and. the Lord of’ Heaven, the dead picture was worshipped and therefore, the Lord showed several times his anger on this adulterous city and subjected it to frequent fires. The accumulated fortunes of numerous businesses which were growing richer because of’ the idol was dominant, and therefore it was burned. Blinded citizens of Klatovy did not recognize the reason for the often showed anger of God. For this reason our ancestors were demolishing the idols.

The testimony of Anna Marketa Blahnikova was recorded in the Hammerschmidt History of Klatovy, 19th in order: "Anna Marketova Blahnikova testified that on Monday she saw the Virgin Nary moved her left eye so that the pupil was in one moment in one corner of the eye and in the next moment, in the other corner. She said. that she has been sick since she was 15 years old, she suffered from ’White Rose’ in her head and through that miracle signed picture, she became to be healthy and that she attributes this change to the picture."

On January 15, 1672, Jan Blahnik with his wife, Marketa, purchased from Matouse Zachastal, about 5 acres of fields located close to the old road on to Ptak, for 68 pieces of gold. (Klatovy Book of’ Trade Records, #10; 188a). In spite of’ the fact that Jan Blahnik was already rich while his brother was poor, he tried to become even richer. The Heaven of rich on this earth is only a short one. They also enjoy the fun of’ God’s Love but it is not necessarily right. Jan married a rich bride in 1650, Anna Marketa, the daughter of mill property, Kaspar Karban, from Poborovic. The marriage of his brother Jiri, was not rich.

During his marriage, Jan had with Anna Marketa, as far as we know, a daughter, Katerina, who was married in 1713 a Jan Vlck from Rouposka game preserve. Further, they had. a son, Jan, who was the forester in Roxtoky, and. also probably sons; Mikulas, and Petr who was buried in August 28th, 1666 on the bill of St. Martin. The son, Mikulas, born in 1665, was buried on the hill of’ St. Martin in 1683 when he was 18 years old (book of Birth Records in Klatovy).

Natej, the brother of Jiri and Jan, lived in the Cerveny Mlyn in the Klatovy Region. In 1665 he married., Anna, daughter of Jan Stuna from Ondrehovice and, he had with her during the period of 1673 to 1680, 3 children.

We are sorry but the birth records from the church in Loucim were lost and. therefore the records about the Blahnik family prior to 1686 were unavailable. We are, therefore, using only the records from the property books and other sources.

We thought that the son of Jiri Blahnik from Klatovy was Jakub, the heir of the Blahnik mill. After close investigation, we found out that the heir of the mill was Jakub, son of Martin and brother of Jiri, Jan, & Matej. Also the heirs of Jiri Blahnik are recorded as the owners.

In the property book of the Kout Dominion, page 258, is the following record: "Jakub Blahnik from Lhota inherited his mill from his father (is not named) and as such he sold the mill for 1100 pieces of’ gold to Hanuse Deimb, who paid him 250 pieces of gold in cash arid, exchanged that mill with Petr, Simon, Jakub Jr., & Jakub (Senior) Petrak.

Hanuse Jakub Deimb had to pay also 1 horse. Blahnik testified that he received from the named brothers a total of 800 pieces of gold in notes and from the Lukas hayers, 200 pieces of gold. All together, therefore, 1000 pieces of gold and they still owed him 100 pieces of gold. Out of’ the 4 Petrak brothers, Petr Petrak, owned ~ of the mill while the other half was still owned by the old Blahnik to whom they owed 800 pieces of gold, payable in 2 installments. The 4th Petrak brother was supposed to get a total of’ 160 pieces of gold of the inheritance and. out of it 130 pieces of gold. remained to be paid. The Blahnik’s 1/2 of the mill, after the payment of 800 pieces of gold was made, belonged to the brothers Simon & Jakub Jr., since they agreed to pay the inheritance to the 4th brother, in 10 pieces of gold, installments every year until the paper is paid. in full. The agreement was recorded In the presence of Pavel Kveton, "Mayor," and Hanuse Jakub Deimb, mill proprietor from Lhota. It was recorded. on April 27, 1696. In the same year and on the same day, Petr Petrak paid in full 100 pieces of gold to Jakub Blahnik and this payment was also recorded.

According to the Loucim records of birth it is clear that in Blahnik’s Mill lived at that time, 2 Blannik families and the Petrak family. According to the birth records, they were children of’ Jakub Blahnik and his wife, Katerina; Petr Blahnik and his wife, Marketa; and sons of Jiri Blahnik, and children of’ Simon and Petr Petrak.

After the father’s death, the mill was operated and 1/4 of the farm was used by Petr with his wife, Marketa. They had on September 16, 1687, a son, Matous; and a daughter Anna, born on November 22, 1689; and a son, Petr, born on June 28, 1691. On June 14, 1719, Jakub Blahnik took over from his brother, Petr, the hereditary 1/4 of the farm in Lhota with the mill, with one submission, as It was deeded to him by his deceased father, Jiri. With the mill there was also 4 acres of fields, located. amongst the Pocinovice fields behind the bridge, and. also 2 bushels of seed.

Jakub Blahnik from the Blahnik's Mill, according to the birth records in Loucim, had a wife, Katerina. In February 1686, there was a baptism of a daughter, Anna. On June 8, 1691, there was a daughter, Eva; and. on June 28, 1691, son Petr; and June 30, 1692, son Jirik; August 16, 1693, daughter Dorota. On August 7, 1696, Jirik, son of Jakub Blahnik from Lhota, was buried at the age of 20 weeks. (here, obviously, are recorded the children of both Blahnik families).

Old Jakub Blahnik still lived at that time. He is mentioned in the above described records from 1696. He died on February 21, 1701 at the age of 67 years. He followed his wife, Anna, who died on March 12, 1700 at the age of 61. The son of this Jakub Blahnik was named Simon Blahnik, who on November 25, 1692, married his wife, Barboru, who was the daughter of Jan Krale from Pocinovice. Simon is named especially as the one from Blahnik's Mill. On June 14, 1719, Dorota, widow (maybe the second wife) after the deceased Simon Blahnik, obtained the mill and 1/4 of the farm which was used by Jakub Blahnik along with the fields and meadows. She sold the property to her stepson (from the first marriage), Jiri Blahnik from Lhota, for a total of 300 pieces of gold. The buyer gave her 65 pieces of gold and the rest was promised to be paid in 10 pieces of gold, installments every year payable on the day of St. Martin beginning with the year 1720. He also promised to give a room and board to his mother as long as she was going to live. He also promised to take care of the other children until they would mature. Mother was not supposed to bother him with her first son, (when she married the second time, she was a widow arid she had a son). Her annuity included. 3 acres of rye, 3 bushels of wheat, 3 bushels of barley, and. 1 bushel of peas, and, 1 acre of oats, 3 plots of garden reserved for her use, 1 cow, and 1 sheep. The agreement was arranged in the presence of witnesses. They were the senior mayor, Jakub Kronforsta from Pocinovice, and. the mayor and councilman from Lhota. The division of the purchase price was recorded as follows: Petr Blahnik, who was in the army-10 pieces of gold; 75 pieces of gold given to an unknown source; 65 pieces of gold to Matous; 65 pieces of gold to Jakub; Jiri, as proprietor, 65 pieces of gold; Dorota, who was married, 12 pieces of gold.; Elizabeta, 12 pieces of gold, 1 cow, 1 young pig, & 2 sheep; Dorota, the mother received 6 pieces of gold. Total was 300 pieces of gold.

According to the accounting books of the Koutskeho Dominion, dated 1721 (page 183), the property tax payable to the nobility for the Blahniks’ Mill amounted to 50 kreci & 5 den, which was payable on the day of St. Havla. The rent on the mill was payable on the day of St. Jiri and. St. Havla, each time for 3 pieces of gold.

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September 16, 2019