Simbirsk Noble Family of the Kryzhins: Landowners and Warriors

Abstract

Introduction. The article explores the traditions of military service to the Fatherland and the evolution of the nobility, noble economy through the study of the genealogy and history of the family. Results and Discussion. In the middle of the XVII century military people “on the fatherland” the Kryzhins were endowed with land and a salary for carrying out guard service on the Atemar-Saransk defensive line. Their land holdings were located in the villages of Alasheevka, Tetyushi and Stemasy. Until the beginning of the XIX century all men of the Kryzhins’ clan carried out military service and participated in the defense of the Fatherland. Peter Egorovich and Alexander Egorovich Kryzhins distinguished themselves in the battles of the Patriotic War of 1812. In the XIX century family members often chose the careers of officials, civil servants, scientists and researchers. Conclusion. The evolution of the Simbirsk noble family of the Kryzhins shows that most of the nobles in the second half of the XIX century lost contact with land ownership, and the state salary became the main source of their livelihood. In the post-reform period, to a large extent, the nobility begins to enjoy the rights and privileges presented to civil servants (the right to be kept in accordance with position and rank, awards, state pension, etc.). The nobility lost its privileges, converging in the legal situation with other classes, there was a movement from the estate to civil society.