Poshovsky, Pavel Petrovich

Born in 1700. Poshovsky’s father took part in the conspiracy of Tsarevna Sophia against Peter the Great, but was pardoned by the latter at the request of friends. Young Poshovsky received a very insignificant education, served in military service, but soon, along with his father, left Russia for Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, among many nobles dissatisfied with Peter's reforms; Returning to Russia, the prince was to name those who contributed to his flight. Upon learning of this, the Poshovskys, along with some other persons, decided to leave the fatherland, but at the very border they were stopped by an equestrian detachment sent after them. A battle ensued in which the father was captured and exiled to Siberia , and his son managed to escape and reached the Polish borders. He went to Warsaw and tried to enter military service there, but when he learned that Peter, who was then in alliance with the Polish king, demanded the extradition of Poshovsky, he again had to flee. Having received from one of his friends a letter of recommendation to the trading house of Wallassky and Co. in Presburg, he went there. But his wishes did not come true, and he, on the advice of Wallassky, was forced to go to a Presburg merchant, who had significant trade with Russia and needed a man who knew Russian ^[1] .

After two years of hard work, when Poshovsky acquired the necessary practical knowledge in commercial matters, the owner suggested that he go round some places in Russia on the affairs of his trading house. Poshovsky, who at that time had already decided to devote himself completely to commerce, accepted the offer. Having changed his surname and avoiding places where he could be recognized, P. traveled to many Russian provinces and delivered beneficial contacts and significant orders to the owner. Upon his return to Presburg, the owner provided him with some benefits in trade with Russia, which gave him the opportunity to acquire significant funds. After 12 years in Presburg, P.P., taking advantage of the change in the Russian government, decided to seek permission to return to Russia and establish himself in Moscow. Among the many who were exiled to the reign of Peter the Great, he was forgiven by Empress Anna Ioannovna in 1730 and received permission to return to the fatherland, with the condition, however, to have no claims either on confiscated property or on the nobility, which his entire family was deprived of . Arriving in Moscow, P. engaged in trade in dyes and furs, which he sold in Poland and Hungary. Soon he traveled all over Russia to establish the necessary relations, and received significant orders. In a few years, P.'s trade increased and expanded. Noting that tobacco is widely sold, especially in Siberia, he engaged in tobacco trade, and around 1738 opened his own tobacco factory, which employed more than 200 people. The considerable fortune acquired by trade gave P. the opportunity to start large enterprises. So, he entered into trade relations with Persia, paying particular attention to Persian silk. In the Seven Years War, he took upon himself the supply of food for the entire Russian army. In 1758, he himself was in the army, which was then in Brandenburg, where he went with the aim of eliminating some unrest that arose partly from inexperience, and partly from the abuse of suppliers. Under Tsorndorf, Pavel Petrovich Poshovsky was captured by the Prussian detachment, but paid a large ransom for himself and was released. He died in 1772 ^[2] .

• Poshovsky, Pavel Petrovich // Russian Biographical Dictionary : in 25 volumes. - SPb. - M. , 1896-1918.