Manuel Maria da Terra Brum

Manuel Maria da Terra Brum (2 February 1825 - 11 July 1905), was noble, winegrower and 3rd Baron of Alagoa, whose seat was the island of Faial, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.

He was a member of one of the oldest and illustrious families, that included Brums, Terras and Silveiras. Son of the majorat José Francisco da Terra Brum (1st Baron of Alagoa and last Captain-mor of the island of Faial) and his wife Francisca Paula Brum e Silveira.

Manuel Maria, like his father, was one of the largest winegrowers on the island of Pico, producing 1000 pipas of Verdelho wine annually.

Baron

Cultured and practical businessman, he dedicated his life to the "development of industry, agriculture, vineyards and noble exploration of all the sources of wealth in Faial and Pico". After his first voyages abroad he created the Quinta da Silveira (Estate of Silveira), in Santo Amaro, which became "one of the richest and more beautiful properties in the Azores, rivalling the decanted gardens of São Miguel". In fact, Manuel Maria da Terra Brum "was to the islands of Faial and Pico, what for the island of the Archangel [São Miguel] were the Cantos and the Jácomes Correias, his friends and correspondents." As pestilence and phylloxera (1852 and 1873) spread, destroying the vineyards, many of the richer property-owners of Horta and inhabitants of Pico were brought to ruin. Battling against ruin, Manuel Maria Terra introduced new castes, including American grape varieties. His initiative provoked a renaissance in the wines of Pico, as other winegrowers adopted new castes, resulting in new wines. During the course of his conversion, Manuel Maria spent much of his fortune (selling-off his estate) but was successful in recuperating his investment.

Recognizing his contribution to the peoples of the Faial-Pico Channel, King Carlos I of Portugal (on his visit to the Azores in 1901) granted him the title of 3rd Baron of Alagoa, a title that had been extinguished with the death of his brother in 1844.

Later life

Manuel Maria da Terra Brum left behind his name in various buildings and philanthropic works. On 28 November 1859, he became one of the founders of the Amor da Pátria, becoming president for several years. He was also on the board of the Caixa Económica Faialense, becoming president and responsible for the construction of the roadway along Vista Alegre.

He had no direct descendants, leaving his house along Areia Largga, estate in Alagoa and various vineyards, furniture, dinnerware and boats in Area Larga, to António da Cunha de Menezes Brum and José Bettencourt V. Correia é Ávila, his workers José Pereira and José Francisco de Medeiros and his servants Ricarda Luísa and Constança Margarida, with the rest of his fortune being equally divided between his nephews. His funeral was on the afternoon of 12 July 1905. His body was escorted by directors from the Sociedade Amor da Pátria, Luz e Caridade and Asilo da Infância Desvalida (Asylum for Destitute Children), to whom he was their protector and president.