The beginnings of Jewish settlement in Izbica Kujawska date back to the second half of the 17th century. Its development was initiated by the charter of Count Kacper Skarbek in 1796. It guaranteed Jews freedom of trade and craftsmanship and placed the Jewish Community Council under the protection of the court (https://sztetl.org.pl/pl/miejscowosci/i/291-izbica-kujawska/99-historia-spolecznosci/137382-historia-spolecznosci, accessed on 1 March 2021). In 1800, the town had 726 inhabitants, including 297 Jews. By 1820, their number had increased to 549, and in 1827, it reached 681 (out of 1474 inhabitants) (http://izbica-kujawska.com/informacje/zydzi_osadnictwo.phphttp://izbica-kujawska.com/informacje/zydzi_osadnictwo.php, accessed on 1 March 2021).
The document held in the collection of the District Museum in Leszno is an official excerpt from the birth certificate of Jakub Lipiński, the son of the merchant Manes and Haja Sura Lipiński, residing in Izbica. The educated Anszel Piotrowski and teacher Chaim Kuciński were listed as witnesses. At the top edge, there is a round seal with the double-headed state eagle in the field. In the surround, there is an inscription in Russian (in cyrillic script) and Polish: "7 ½ KOPIEJEK KOP: SIEDM I PÓŁ" (7 ½ KOPECKS KOPECKS: SEVEN AND HALF). Below the text, the document states the date of issue: "in Izbica on 14/26 July 1861," and the signature: "Mayor of the City of Izbica/ [...]." At the bottom edge, there is a round stamp with the coat of arms of Russia in the field and the inscription in the surround: "WŁOCŁAWEK COUNTY, WŁOCŁAW CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IZBICA".
The letter is in the shape of a standing rectangle and was handwritten on handmade paper in black ink. The entire text is in the Polish language. The paper bears a positive watermark: the coat of arms of Russia and inscriptions in Russian and Polish.
Jakub Lipiński was born on 7 November 1837 in Izbica Kujawska. He had twelve siblings, including four sisters and four brothers, as well as one half-brother and three half-sisters. His father entered into marriage three times (https://www.geni.com/people/Jakob-Lipinski/6000000018796849486https://www.geni.com/people/Jakob-Lipinski/6000000018796849486, accessed on 1 March 2021).
The document was donated to the Museum in Leszno in 2014 by pr. Szczepan Jan Szymandera, a parish priest and antique collector from Pruśce near Rogoźno Wielkopolskie, who purchased it at an online auction.
Dariusz Czwojdrak
