Stanisław Poniatowski (1676–1762)

Count Stanisław (or Stanislas) Poniatowski (Chojnik or Dereczyn, September 15/16, 1676ndash Ryki, August 2/30, 1762) was a Polish–Lithuanian noble, Knight of the Order of the White Eagle since 1726.

He was a Swedish General, General of the Lithuanian Army ("generał lejtnant wojsk litewskich"). He became Podstoli of Lithuania ("podstoli litewski") in 1722, Grand Treasurer of Lithuanian Army ("podskarbi wielki litewski") in 1722, voivode of the Masovian Voivodeship in 1731, regimentarz of the Crown Army ("regimentarz wojsk koronnych") in 1733, castellan of Kraków in 1752 and starost of Wojnicz and Lublin. He was the son of Count Franciszek Poniatowski (1640/1650ndash 1691–1695), "łowczy podlaski" in 1680 and "cześnik wyszogrodzki" in 1690, and wife, married in 1673 or 1674, Helena Niewiarowska, and grandson of one Jan Poniatowski, who died before 1676, and wife. His older brother Count Józef (1674ndash after 1731) was a "generał wojsk koronnych" and married Helena Otfinowska, without issue. His younger siblings were Count Michał Jacenty, a Dominican, and Countess Zofia, a Carmelitan Abbess in Kraków.

He married firstly shortly after 1701 and divorced Teresa Woynianka-Jasieniecka, who died after 1710, without issue, and secondly Princess Konstancja Czartoryska on September 14, 1720. They had eight children.

He was the father of the last King of Poland, Stanisław II August (Poniatowski), who was crowned in 1764. On December 4of the same year he awarded the title of Prince to all his three brothers Kazimierz, Andrzej and Michał Jerzy. Today, only the descendants of the youngest brother Stanislaw survive (in France and Mexico). He had two other sons, who died young, unmarried and without issue, Count Franciszek Poniatowski (1723-1749/1759), canon and provost in the Cathedral of Kraków ("kanonik i proboszcz katedralny krakowski"), chancellor of Gniezno in 1748, and Count Aleksander Poniatowski (1725-killed in action on June 29, 1744), "adiutant of Karl von Lothringen", and two daughters, Ludwika Maria Poniatowska and Izabella Poniatowska.

Roots

The Poniatowski family is of Italian origin, descended from the family of the Torelli. A member of this family settled in Poland and assumed the name of Poniatowski from his wife's estate of Poniatow. (Source: New International Encyclopedia)

Literature

(A book written of his grandson):
* Boguslawsky, "Biographie des Fürsten Jos. Ant. von Poniatowsky" (Cracow, 1831)