As redes de sociabilidade da família Gomes de sá no Sertão do Piancó (capitania da Paraíba do Norte, século XVIII).

Abstract

In the middle of conflicts with the native people "Tapuais", the Piancó outback (sertão), located far west of the Captaincy of Paraíba do Norte, was the scene for territorial integration routes, started in the late seventeenth century and extended until the middle of the eighteenth century. Given sesmeiros’ role and the prospect for their estate enlargement, a new sociopolitical structure, based on the Ancien Régime, was set up in these semi-arid hinterlands. Aiming at greater power centralization, the administrative apparatus was established based on the work of Ordinances and ordinary judges. As a result of the favors granted by the Lusitanian Empire, a local elite was formed in this area, in which he Gomes de Sa family was one of the most important. This work examines documentary sources found in Piancó region’s notary offices, such as letters of attorney, manumission files, deeds, and certificates, as well as files of social, economic and political nature, found in the Historical Overseas Archive. The purpose is to analyze the political and social strategies employed by the chief captain and ordinary judge Joseph Gomes de Sá and his son, Colonel and ordinary judge José Gomes de Sá, from the second half of the eighteenth century. Special attention is given to family ramifications and social networking creation because this approach allowed the Gomes de Sá to control Piancó river, Piranhas and Rio do Peixe regions.