In the early 19th century, there was a large two-story mansion of white stone in the central part of Simbirsk, at the corner of Bolshaya Saratovskaya and Moskovskaya Streets (now the intersection of Goncharov and Lenina Streets). It used to belong to merchant Alexander Goncharov — the father of the famous Russian novelist Ivan Goncharov, who was born in this house, as well as his brother Nikolay and sisters Alexandra and Anna.
By the 1820s, the Goncharov’s house had turned into an estate. The main building had wings, trading spaces and household outbuildings.
After Alexander Goncharov’s death, the house was inherited by his sons. Until they came of age, the property was run by their mother — Avdotya Goncharova, née Shakhtorina.
In February 1855, Ivan Goncharov had just returned from his round-the-world trip when he paid a brief visit to his native town of Simbirsk. That was when he discussed the inheritance details with his brother Nikolay. That same year, the Goncharov brothers drew up a “division clause” stipulating that the estate could not be divided into parts and was inherited solely by the elder brother Nikolay. Ivan Goncharov was compensated for his share.
However, Nikolay Goncharov did not live in his parents’ house. When he married Yelizaveta Rudolph, the daughter of a Simbirsk doctor, the couple moved to an apartment leased by the gymnasium, where Nikolay worked. Nevertheless, their son Alexander Goncharov later recalled that his mother Yelizaveta Rudolph “rented out the house and repaired it, as well as ordered outbuildings for it…”
Apparently, the brothers also discussed the sale of the house. In May 1857, Ivan Goncharov sent a letter to Nikolay, saying
By the 1820s, the Goncharov’s house had turned into an estate. The main building had wings, trading spaces and household outbuildings.
After Alexander Goncharov’s death, the house was inherited by his sons. Until they came of age, the property was run by their mother — Avdotya Goncharova, née Shakhtorina.
In February 1855, Ivan Goncharov had just returned from his round-the-world trip when he paid a brief visit to his native town of Simbirsk. That was when he discussed the inheritance details with his brother Nikolay. That same year, the Goncharov brothers drew up a “division clause” stipulating that the estate could not be divided into parts and was inherited solely by the elder brother Nikolay. Ivan Goncharov was compensated for his share.
However, Nikolay Goncharov did not live in his parents’ house. When he married Yelizaveta Rudolph, the daughter of a Simbirsk doctor, the couple moved to an apartment leased by the gymnasium, where Nikolay worked. Nevertheless, their son Alexander Goncharov later recalled that his mother Yelizaveta Rudolph “rented out the house and repaired it, as well as ordered outbuildings for it…”
Apparently, the brothers also discussed the sale of the house. In May 1857, Ivan Goncharov sent a letter to Nikolay, saying
