Resettlement opportunities of bonded peasants of the Kolyvano-Voskresensky mining district in the first quarter of the 19th century on the example of Semipalatinsk district peasants

Resettlement of bonded peasants in the 19th century was controlled more strictly than in the 18th century. Due to the unauthorized resettlement of peasants, there were founded new villages in the mining district. The authorities were forced to legitimize them. Resettlement of peasants was considered unauthorized if there was no permission from the mining administration. Such peasants were considered fugitives, they were wanted and returned to their former places of residence. Settlement of new villages was perceived positively when they were founded by the decision of administrations. After the founding of Petropavlovskaya village in the place chosen by Major General Scalon in the Biysk Commandant's Office, many peasants-"Poles" from Staroaleyskaya village wished to move there. Peasants from other villages, such as Bobrovskaya, wanted to move there too. In the 19th century control over the resettlement of peasants became tougher. However, resettlement was still carried out. In 1801, the mining administration allowed to move peasants of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Ubinsk regions to the places that peasants found themselves. The relocation of 228 people was approved, but the number of requests for resettlement was greater. In 1804, Solonovka village, founded by peasants without permission, was officially recognized. In this case, the residents were forbidden to accept new immigrants. The mining administration issued decrees which forbade the resettlement of peasants and made zemstvo heads organize the return of resettlers to their former places of residence. Similar decrees were issued in 1817 and 1819. By the Decree of the mining administration from 1836, zemstvo heads were obliged to prevent the preparation of peasants to resettlement. Search for new places of residence was forbidden. Peasants had to obtain a special permit issued by a zemstvo head by recommendation of rural foremen even for short absences for cropping, selling grain surpluses and cattle at the market, for work. The need to obtain a permit led to abuse of power; peasants often had to make gifts to zemstvo heads for the requested document. Sometimes obtaining a permit was delayed, and peasants engaged in cropping were late for they waited too long for the permission. However, an attempt to completely stop peasant resettlement failed, new villages were still founded in the territory of the Mining Office both by the bonded peasants and those who came from the outside of the mining district.

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