The Development and Operation of the Institution of Noble Wardship in Kharkiv, 1775–1796

Provincial officials as a distinct social group played a leading role in the political, economic, and cultural integration of Sloboda Ukraine into the administrative, social, and legal space of the Russian Empire in the second half of the 18th century. The evolution of the system of provincial governance in the period from 1775 to 1796 reflected the overall transformations aimed at the unification of the Ukrainian lands with the core regions of the Russian Empire. The creation of a new administrative structure required new personnel. Analysis of documents from the holdings of the Central State Historical Archive of Ukraine (Kyiv) demonstrates that during the period in question the bureaucratic apparatus was staffed in a variety of ways, attracting representatives of different estates. Traditionally, however, preference was given to members of the nobility, and thus noble wardships were of great importance in supplying the state with qualified, well-educated cadres of noble descent and played a valuable role in the administrative reforms in Sloboda Ukraine. The purpose of the study is to characterize the institution of noble wardship in the context of the formation of a new administrative system in the Sloboda Ukraine Governorate and Kharkiv Viceroyalty during the last quarter of the 18th century. Archival records are used to analyze the structure and operations of noble wardships. It is shown that, while these institutions served as a means of replenishing the region’s bureaucracy with representatives of the noble estate, their range of activities was not limited to this function. Young nobles often became representatives of the administrative class. This was facilitated by the activities of noble wardships, which safeguarded the rights and provided financial support to the local nobility. Using previously overlooked documents enables the author to explore the subject in greater depth.