«My dear son John» from the letters of Diomid Nesterovich Popko to Ivan Diomidovich Popko (1857–1870)

Historical studies of provincial everyday life are becoming increasingly popular not only among historians, but also cause interest among readers. In such surveys, the role of sources is very important, including the preserved materials of personal origin, especially when it concerns the long -gone age of the XIX.

The article is devoted to the correspondence of Diomid Nesterovich Popka (1789–1872), Archpriest of the Timashevsky Kuren with his son, from 1857 to 1870, the future general-lieutenant of the Kuban Cossack army, one of the first historians of Chernomory, the author of a number of literary works, books and articles on the history of the Black Sea, Kuban, and Terek Cossack troops – Ivan Diomidovich Popko (1819–1893), who served during that period in St. Petersburg, in the 2nd squadron of the Life Guards of the Black Sea Cossack Division, then located as commander of the Psekup regiment of the Kuban Cossack troops based in the village of Keyvoye, the Kuban region. Russian historians paid a lot of attention to various facts from his life rich in events. However, his relations with loved ones and relatives were given little attention. In addition, many controversial facts of his biography were not fully revealed. Therefore, it is very interesting to learn about his life and relationships with his father from their correspondence, where he acts as an obedient and respectful son.

In the State Archive of the Stavropol Territory, in the Foundation 377, the authors of the article revealed five letters of Diomid Nesterovich addressed to his son, all written from Kurenaya Timashevsky. They served the main source base for the article. The letters contribute to a broader understanding of relationships within the family, close friends and the relatives of the general, whom he tried to patronize his whole long life, because he had proper financial opportunities and moral authority.

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