조선 후기 목천 지방 사회의 동향 - 천주교 신자의 정착과 관련해서 -

Abstract

The present essay surveys changes in local society in Mokcheon in relation to the history of Christianity during the Late Joseon Period. Since the Sinyu Bakhae (persecution) in 1801, many Naepo christians moved to the Mokcheon area and established new settlements. It is an interesting and important issue to look into how they became aware of the Mokchen area and why they chose that particular area. Geographic features of its remote mountainous area and location of transportation route may have been primary reasons, but we should also consider other social and historical factors that facilitated the establishment of new settlements. I focus on documentary records by An Jeongbok (1712-1791) and Hwang Yunseok (1729-1791), who worked as Mokcheon County executives during the reigns of King Yeongjo and King Jeongjo. The records show that the government official's power dwindled, the local noble class became disrupted, and the activities of commoners developed during the period. This changing social condition may have made the area as "safe refugee" for christians from the west.