Research

New York State Surveyor General Abstracts of Letters Patent


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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 consists of abstracts of patents granted for land in New York State. Information includes patentee's name; patent date; land location; land description and acreage. Also included are some undated certifications stating that the preceding abstracts had been compared with the originals in the Secretary's office.
Creator:
Title:
Abstracts of letters patent
Quantity:

0.7 cubic feet

Quantity:

4 volume(s)

Quantity:

1 35mm microfilm roll(s)

Inclusive Dates:
1665-1767
Series Number:
A4005

Arrangement

Chronological by date of patent.

Administrative History

The Secretary and other state officials delivered these abstracts and other records concerning the sale and settlement of state lands to the Surveyor General. The Secretary or a deputy appointed by him was also ex fficio secretary of the Commissioners of the Land Office which was created in 1786 and included the Surveyor General as a member.

Scope and Content Note

This is a volume of abstracts of patents granted for land in New York State providing: patentee's name; patent date; land location; land description; and acreage. Scattered throughout the volume are certifications, signed by Secretary of State Lewis A. Scott or his deputy secretary, stating that they had written the preceding abstracts and compared them with the originals in the Secretary's office. The certifications are all undated but must have been written between 1789 and 1793 when Scott was Secretary of State.

A4005-96: This accretion consists of volumes 1 and 2 of the series, previously missing. Researchers should refer to series accretion A4005-77 for volume 3 and an index to all three volumes organized alphabetically by surname of patent grantees.

Alternate Formats Available

Microform is available at the New York State Archives. Microfilmed in part at the Department of State in 1973 by the Genealogical Society of Utah, microfilm reel 947122 (vols. 1-2 only, 1664-1679). Cataloged by the GSU as part of a collection called "Patents of the State of New York, 1649-1912." GSU microfilm has been digitized by FamilySearch. Images can be viewed online at FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries (including the New York State Archives and the New York State Library).

Related Material

12943Series 12943 Letters Patent contains the original patents from the Secretary of State's office from which the abstracts were prepared.

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

Rough alphabetical index to name of patentee or patent in all 4 volumes of original series; index also provides volume and page, date, number of acres, county, and location of patent.

Custodial History

A4005-96: This accretion completes the set, originally in 4 volumes. At the time of accession of volume 3 and index volume 4 in 1977, the other volumes were presumed lost.

Access Restrictions

Microfilm is not available for duplication or interlibrary loan.

Access Terms

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