New York State Engineer and Surveyor Land Appraisal, Survey, and Transaction Records A0244

New York State Engineer and Surveyor Land Appraisal, Survey, and Transaction Records

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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:

This series compiled by the State Engineer and Surveyor documents the appraisal, surveying, purchase, and sale of lands within the state. Records include land tract sales, land appraisals, surveys and descriptions of tracts, reports (such as land boundaries and state canals); correspondence (including about oyster lands), field notes and maps, leases and court records. Many records deal with boundary lines between New York State and the neighboring states and between various towns within the state.

Creator:

New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Title:

Land appraisal, survey, and transaction records

Quantity:

3 cubic feet

9 boxes

Inclusive Dates:

circa 1770-1920

Series Number:

A0244

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.