Scope and Content Note
The records in this series were compiled by the State Engineer and Surveyor's Office, and predecessor Surveyor General's Office, as part of their responsibilities for overseeing the disposition of public lands, for surveying and mapping state lands, and for overseeing the development of the state's infrastructure system. Overall, the records document the appraisal, surveying, purchase, and sale of lands within the state.
Included are accounts that record sales of various tracts of land; redemption vouchers documenting the re-sale of lots; appraisals of lands; surveys and descriptions of tracts; reports on such topics as land boundaries and state canals; correspondence, including letters about oyster lands; field notes and maps; copies of laws pertaining to such topics as the sale of forfeited lands, appointment of engineers, etc.; applications to the Land Office for purchase of land; leases; and court records such as complaints, petitions, and summonses. A significant portion of the series deals with boundary lines, such as between New York State and the neighboring states of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, and Connecticut, and between various towns within the state.
The New York State Archives is part of the Office of Cultural Education, an office of the New York State Education Department.
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