Discovery by Mark Palnikaj
Transcribed:
“Zumbi li 19 Marzo 1892.
Jo C. Pierbattista da Vertovecchio Parroco d’Zumbi
afferma col sig.ⁿ Bajram Osman da Fushë Danjënit ho
fatto il battesimo di Mⁿ Prenda con Lazer Tuna con
questa condizione cioè: che Mⁿ Prenda dovri pagare a Lazer Tuna borge
otto e mezzo (piùtre turche £.250.) – Dargjân
per lo borgo della sud.ⁿ somma non-Merkat da P.ⁿ
Dargjân per mutuo – Bajram Osman e Mⁿ-Lazrit. –
– Vaglia –
1.° Per S. Giorgio 1892 £. 1.500.–
2.° Per S. Demetrio 1892 £. 1.000.–
3.° Per S. Giorgio 1893 £. –
Testimoni
Mark Muçia +
Seb Lazrit +
Gjon i Pjetrit +
Gjon i Gols ndry +
Filip Prenda +
Tomi i Lupit +
Gjon i Lefit +
Così è
P.ⁿ Pierbatt.ⁿ da Vertovecchio
Parroco d’Zumbi
[Round seal with religious image]”
Translation:
“Zym, 19 March 1892
I, Fr. Pierbattista da Vertovecchio, Parish Priest of Zym,
declare together with Mr. Bajram Osman from Fushë-Danjani that I have performed the baptism of Mrs. Prenda with Lazer Tuna under the following condition:
that Mrs. Prenda must pay to Lazer Tuna a debt of
eight and a half (Turkish pounds £250) – Dargjân
for the aforementioned sum, not as a market (sale), but as a loan from the aforementioned Dargjân – by Bajram Osman and Mrs. Lazrit.
Promissory Notes (Vaglia):
- For St. George’s Day 1892: £1,500
- For St. Demetrius’ Day 1892: £1,000
- For St. George’s Day 1893: £ —
Witnesses:
Mark Muçia +
Seb Lazrit +
Gjon i Pjetrit +
Gjon i Gols ndry +
Filip Prenda +
Tomi i Lupit +
Gjon i Lefit +
Thus it is,
Fr. Pierbattista da Vertovecchio
Parish Priest of Zym
[Round parish seal with religious image]”
Context
This document records a conditional baptism arranged by the Catholic parish priest of Zym. The baptism of Prenda (wife of Lazer Tuna) was performed on the condition that she (or her family) repays a debt of 250 Turkish pounds to Lazer Tuna. The debt is described as a loan, not a sale. Future payments were secured through promissory notes tied to specific religious feast days. The document was witnessed by seven local men. This reflects how, in 1892, the Catholic Church in the region often played a practical role in mediating social and financial agreements, including matters connected to blood feud reconciliations (pajtim gjaku).
Source
AQSH F. 183 V. 1892 D 846 fl. 1
