Fortune and resentment: the incredible case of Abreu Guimarães (c.1740-1807)

Abstract

This article analyzes the history of the merchant Antônio de Abreu Guimarães, a Portuguese from a poor family in the Minho region who becomes one of the wealthiest men of the captaincy of Minas Gerais in the second half of the 18th century. Helped by his nephew Francisco de Abreu Guimarães, he amassed large quantities of various goods, land and slaves, building up a considerable fortune and, in 1787, giving rise to so-called “Vínculo da Jaguara”, which henceforth became inalienable possession for financing charity work, such as the creation of hospitals, seminary, carring for orphaned children. However, before becoming effective, it triggered a series of family disagreements that were fundamental to understand the dynamics and the failure of the original merchant’s intent.