Abstract
A DISPUTED HERITAGE: THE LAND OF BANCA (TUTOVA) OF LASCAR COSTIN’S OF BARLAD
We tried to point out the history, throughout more than half a century, of a land named Banca, near the town of Bârlad, in the former district of Tutova, and how the owners of the same changed. Initially owned by the Lambrino family, it passed to Iordache Râșcanu (as his wife’s dowry), than had to be sold for debts. The new owner, Lascăr Costin, left it to his French-born wife Blanche Hognat, who at her turn left it to two of her friends, Theodor V. Ioan and Gheorghe Vidră, solicitors and „proprietors” in the same town of Bârlad. This was the beginning of a long trial which opposed these two to Nathalia Dimopol, former sister-in-law of Theodor V. Ioan. She sustained, though unsuccessfully, the rights to succession (which had become hers as well!) of one of Blanche Hognat’s first cousins.
Finally, the Costin succession (the land of Banca included) was divided between Theodor V. Ioan and Nathalia Dimopol (the latter buyer of the rights of Gheorghe Vidră). She sold her part to Iorgu Radu, equally „proprietor” of Bârlad, who divided it to his offspring.
We also tried to illustrate a few moments and details of “small history” in the life of the described subjects, or their family and friends, in order to recreate some impressions of the past life in Bârlad. We also mention that the land of Banca was repeatedly visited by Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza, prince of Romania, in his capacity of brother-in-law of the initial land owners, the Lambrinos.