The Wills of the Women of the Parish of Câmara de Lobos, Madeira Island, in the Late 18th Century: A Contribution to a Local Socioeconomic History

Abstract

This study’s purpose is to analyse female testamentary practices in the parish of Câmara de Lobos, Madeira Island, during the second half of the 18^th century. Its objectives converge towards answering several questions, namely: who were the women testators and how were they socially characterised; which reasons led them to make a will; how did they take care of their funeral and spiritual dispositions; how did they share their inheritances and legacies.
This study is divided into three parts. In the first one, the Ancien Régime will’s legislative framework is presented, observing this document’s structure and the formalities which were inherent to testamentary practice. The second part includes a brief description of the parish of Câmara de Lobos covering its demographic, geographical and socio-economic aspects. The third, and final part, addresses the questions posed. Divided into four sections, we will observe the women testators and their final wishes, which, fortunately, have been preserved in a valuable documentary source in the Madeira Archives and Library.

Keywords: Wills; Câmara de Lobos; Women Testators; 18^th Century.