Research

Maps of land purchased from the Holland Land Company


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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:
The Holland Land Company was an association of Dutch banks and other investors speculating in American land during the late 1700s. The company purchased over five million acres in central and western New York and Pennsylvania. This series consists of maps including purchaser's name; acreage and boundaries of each purchase and correspondence. One volume also contains an 1804 map of Holland Land Company land in New York State; another contains miscellaneous correspondence concerning land contracts.
Creator:
Title:
Maps of land purchased from the Holland Land Company
Quantity:

6 cubic feet

6 volumes

Inclusive Dates:
1804-[ca. 1849]
Bulk Dates:
bulk [ca. 1840-1849
Series Number:
A4018

Administrative History

The records were purchased by the state from the widow of David E. E. Mix, who had published lists of Holland Land Company records in Catalogue of Maps and Surveys in the Offices of the Secretary of State, State Engineer and Surveyor, and Comptroller, and the New York State Library (Albany, 1859). The state purchased these and other Holland Land Company records in order to have original records concerning state lands.

The Holland Land Company was an association of Dutch banks and other investors speculating in American land in the late 1700s. The company purchased over five million acres in central and western New York and Pennsylvania. The land was divided into ranges numbered I to XV east to west. Ranges were subdivided into townships of six square miles which were then further divided into lots of 360 acres. The lots could be broken into three sections of 120 acres each. Between 1798 and 1800, surveyors ran the lines of the ranges and townships. Following this, work began on internal surveys of the townships. When this was completed in 1819, the company increased its efforts to sell the land. The company sold its last tract of land (in Pennsylvania) in 1849 and was subsequently liquidated. In 1895 the state purchased Holland Land Company records from the widow of David E. E. Mix, whom the state had employed as a surveyor on several occasions.

Scope and Content Note

These volumes of maps provide: name of purchaser; acreage; and boundaries of each purchase. One volume also contains an 1804 map of Holland Land Company land in New York State; another contains miscellaneous correspondence concerning land contracts.

Alternate Formats Available

Microform is available at the New York State Archives through interlibrary loan.

Microfilm: 1 reel; 35 mm.

Related Material

Series A4012, Holland Land Company field notebooks, contain notes related to these maps.

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

Lists of maps in some volumes.

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.

Access Terms

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