Ignatius Fortuna

Ignatius Christianus Fridericus Fortuna (* unknown, † November 24, 1789 in Steele ) was the Essen chamber Mohr Fürstäbtissinnen Franziska Christine von Pfalz- Sulzbach and Mary Gwendolyn of Saxony. Unlike many other chamber Moors, which are only appear in paintings of their dominions as status symbols or invoices and inventories or casually mentioned in letters, Ignatius ' life is well documented. The main source here are the files on his estate, and the will of the Abbess Franziska Christine.

Origin and Youth

Ignatius, who received this name only in baptism and its original name is unknown, was taken around 1735 as a child in the kingdom of Essen Abbey. The later Essenes bailiff Franz Adam Schiffer, who had lived as a merchant in South America, brought with him on his return from there, probably from Surinam, two black boys. These were a Christian education and baptized in Essen, the one on the name Maximilian, the other in the parish church of St. John the Baptist on October 12, 1737 in the name of Ignatius Christianus Fridericus. The other names point to the godparents: Christianus came from the Abbess Franziska Christine, Fridericus of Friedrich Christian Freiherr von Brabeck, a canon of the pin Thorn, in which Franziska Christine was also abbess. Both boys were given by sailors to spiritual rulers, Maximilian, who died early, becoming the Prince Abbot Benedict of Geismar of the monastery, Ignatius to the Abbess. Having a Moor at the court, was one from the mid-17th century to the standard of European royal courts, the ecclesiastical princes of growth and food made ​​no exception.

The relationship with the Abbess

Unusually, however, the special trust that Ignatius was met with by Franziska Christine. The Moor who had learned any profession as specified by Franziska Christine Testament, took a prominent position in the household, which is reflected in how he was housed: in Essen Abbey building he lived in the ante-room to the dining room of the Abbess, a kind of living room, in Borbeck a room next to the royal dining room. In the residence premises in Steele 's position was particularly clear: While lackeys, servants, maids and the cook of the princess lived in unheated chambers under the roof, Ignatius had a heated room on the same floor as the princess, a privilege that only the next to him bailiff had the pen and the personal chaplain of the abbess. Little is known about Ignatius ' obligations in the ceremonial court, in his estate, however, found a flute, a violin, a cello and a trumpet, plus items such as a leather riding rope, interpret the fact that Ignatius companies of the Abbess musically and with Acting entertained. In the solemn entry of Franziska Christine's successor Maria Cunegond of Saxony in the city, it was Ignatius, who was wearing her Train, served at the table and the most distinguished guests afterwards proffered the coffee.

Ignatius appreciation at the Essen farm is also to recognize the gifts he received from his mistress: Franziska Christine gave him a gold clock and a fur coat, probably Ignatius also received gifts of money, for he was an unusual for a Moor Prosperity: From File is known that Ignatius already in 1772 could give a sum of 200 thalers to five percent interest to a Jew, who, however, in the following year went bankrupt. Franziska Christine gave Ignatius in her will particularly rich: the " true chamber Mohr " received a lifetime right to live in that she founded an orphanage to Steele, free feed at the same table as the bailiff and the clergy of the Foundation and a flagon of wine on high feast days, Sundays and public holidays. In case of illness the orphanage should pay medical and medicines. It also had " honorable and of sufficient clothing by Teutonic manner" ask him. On major holidays him a " play money " by 1 or 1 ½ Reichstaler should also be paid. Since he had learned any profession, Ignatius should also receive only a slight employment in the orphanage.

Fortuna

So abundant considered Ignatius laid sometime after the death of the abbess in 1776 the surname of Fortuna, with whom he signed in 1780 itself. The care Franziska Christine would probably not have been necessary: The 1776 about 45 -year-old Ignatius was not poor: in 1776 he lent the orphanage, which was after the purchase of a good in economic difficulties, 600 thalers, which he in the following year against the payment of an annual pension of 18 Reichstaler waived. The orphanage was not the only debtor Fortune: The valet of the princess owed ​​him 38 or 23 thalers. Also the sons of skipper, his foster brothers he borrowed money: the one, a prince-bishop Councilor, 1780 50 Reichstaler to two percent interest, another, a silversmith, 200 thalers, to the repayment of Fortuna renounced later return for an annual pension of six Reichstaler.

Death and legacy

Fortuna Ignatius died, and have left no will or heirs, on November 24, 1789 at 7 clock in the morning at the orphanage Steele on " apoplexy ", so after a stroke at the age of probably close to 60 years. When searching for a will was found in his rooms 514 Reichstaler and bulging clothes boxes. This estate of his lifetime always richly dressed " Mr. Ignaz " woke different desires: the children boatman who had brought Ignatius as a child after eating, described themselves as his foster siblings and asked for adjudication of the inheritance. Even the orphanage, where he had lived until recently, asked for the inheritance. The princely office hit as heirs before the tax authorities. Determination of the dispute over inheritance by the Abbess Maria Cunegonde was personally that, so took care of Koblenz, where she lived at the court of her brother. Mary Gwendolyn retained some ostrich feathers from the estate and spent the rest of the orphanage. One of the drawing brothers received 100 thalers, besides were different persons, which deals with the settlement of the inheritance or personal acquaintances Fortune had been smaller gifts.

The orphanage decided to auction the elegant clothes of Fortune, as the lowest of the vests was too valuable for orphans themselves., Erected for this purpose inventory recorded 15 Skirts from top quality fabrics such as damask alone. The auction, which lasted until 1794, which is why some garments were eaten by moths in the meantime, yielded about 300 rix-dollars, so that the value of the entire inheritance was about 1000 thalers. For comparison, the estate was Angelo Soliman, of the 1796 deceased chamber Moors of Prince Liechtenstein, about 35 thalers.

The fate of Soliman to be made after the death of stuffed as a curiosity to the audience to show, Fortuna was also spared. Franziska Christine had placed in her will to bury her Mohr in their vicinity, so that Ignatius Fortuna was buried on 26 November 1789 in the chapel of the orphanage to Steele, where today there is a memorial plaque.

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