18 ․ 19세기 懷德 宋村大同契 下契의 구성과 운영

Abstract

After the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, the regional scope of Joseon’s Hyangyak(鄕約) has been reduced from Gunhyun(郡縣) to Dong(洞) or Li(里). Then, it operated as Donggye(洞契) due to general changes in society. This system was mainly organized as Sanghahapgye(上下合契), which both Sanggye(上契), a group formed with Yangban(兩班), and Hagye(下契), a group formed with Sangcheon(常賤), were cooperatively participated. Until today, the research on the Hagye among Donggye in the late Joseon period has left something to be desired because a great part of Hagye data was omitted in Donggye data or only the first name of the Hagye members were written in Jwamok(座目). The presumed reason for missing records of Hagye is because the Hagye was not considered as important part of the group to record or the Hagye members deleted their own records after they improved their socioeconomic status. This research analyzed the organization and operation of Songchon Daedonggye(宋村大同契)’s Hagye which was practiced in Songchonri Naenammyeon, Hoedukhyeon, Chungcheongdo(忠淸道 懷德縣 內南面 宋村里) in the 18th and 19th Century. Unlike most Donggye data in the late Joseon period, the Songchon Daedonggye’s data can be highly valued as a historical material because it contains many information on Hagye members such as name, date of birth, year of Daeyip(代入)․Chuyip(追入), number of members, and status. Originally, Songchonri was a gathering town of particular Sajok(士族), Eunjin Song’s clan(恩津宋氏). Yet, due to the agitated caste system after the 18th century, the constitution of ruling class became complicated and the social structure had changed. Thus, the existing Jaejisajok reduced the the scale of Hyangyak as Li(里) and established Songchon Daedonggye in 1739 in order to restore and maintain their control in rural community. From the 18th century to late 19th century, this system maintained its formation as Sanghahapgye. In addition, this system was utilized as gathering residents by emphasizing the function of Sanggye(喪契) in order to proceed funeral rites in village. In this period, as the original purpose of Hyangyak‘s establishment, the Songchon Daedonggye’s Hagye members were ruled by the Sanggye members. The Hagye members’ main duty involved physical work such as Sangyegun(喪輿軍) and Jomyogun(造墓軍) for Songchonri’s funeral rites. If one of the Hagye’s members was dead or kicked out, their family member filled up a vacancy in order to smoothly proceed the funeral rite and supply work forces. The Sanggye controlled the Hagye strictly to prevent their escape but they also balanced the degree of strictness. If one member violated Donggye’s regulation, the Hagye members were punished more strictly compared to the Sanggye members, Moreover, the Hagye members paid their taxes in terms of their family’s financial condition. It was one of the method to prevent the agitation of village along with SangCheonmin’s social growth. The Hagye mostly acknowledged and accepted their status in relation to the Sanggye. However, some tried to break away from the mandatory activities of Donggye by running away or violating regulation.