Ornelas de Vasconcelos (Daniel de)
Madeiran lawyer, senator and peer, Baron of São Pedro, known for his 1850 bill to abolish entailed estates (morgados) in Madeira.
He graduated in law from the University of Coimbra (Universidade de Coimbra) and practised as a lawyer in Funchal with great distinction and skill.
In the legislature of 1838–1840, when a seat as full senator for Madeira fell vacant, Dr Daniel de Ornelas was elected to it in April 1839.
He was later raised to the peerage and granted the title of Baron of São Pedro (‘St Peter’).
As a peer of the realm, he became known for the bill he presented in parliament on 15 February 1850, abolishing all the entails, entailed estates and annexed chantries (capela) of this archipelago. The bill was very badly received in Madeira, and more than thirty representatives of old entailed houses sent a petition to the Chambers, showing how inexpedient it was and how harmful to the interests of this island.
He died in Lisbon on 23 February 1878.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 03Place
Places mentioned · 03
Abroad
- Funchal
Where he practised law.
The capital of the archipelago and seat of the principal captaincy, where settlement began; it was made a vila c.1451–52. Its bay, the widest in the archipelago, lies between Ponta do Garajau and Ponta da Cruz and offers sheltered anchorage, though its harbour had never been studied oceanographically. The Elucidário discusses it as a health resort with climate data and records the January 1906 disturbances, the Danish prince's visit in May 1846 and recent volcanic cones in the area.
- Lisbon
Portugal. Where he died.
The Portuguese capital, seat of the Relação court and of the Misericórdia whose privileges and statutes were extended to Funchal. Henrique Franco de Sousa studied at its Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and Luiz José Baiardo moved there in 1821.
- University of Coimbra
Portugal. Where he graduated in law.
The University of Coimbra, in mainland Portugal, was supported by Madeira through tithes and attended by many Madeirans. Several of them graduated there, mostly in law, and others, such as António da Gama and Vitúrio Lopes Rocha, also taught there. Júlio Augusto Henriques held its chair of botany.
People
People mentioned · 01- Aires de Ornelas e Vasconcelos1837–1880
Coimbra-trained lawyer in Funchal, senator for Madeira from 1839 and later peer, who proposed abolishing Madeiran entails in 1850.