New York State Commissioners of Forfeitures Lists of Sales of and Accounts of Payments for Confiscated Lands A4032

New York State Commissioners of Forfeitures Lists of Sales of and Accounts of Payments for Confiscated Lands

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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:

These volumes contain a record of sales of land confiscated from loyalists in the Eastern and Western districts. Included are date of sale; name of purchaser; forfeiter (Eastern Division only); price; lot number and location; acreage (Eastern District only); and date of deed (Western District only). The series also includes accounts for Western District lands, which list purchaser's and forfeiter's names; lands purchased; date and amount of sale; and amounts and means of payments made by the purchaser.

Creator:

New York (State). Commissioners of Forfeitures

Title:

Lists of sales of and accounts of payments for confiscated lands

Quantity:

0.5 cubic feet

3 volumes; 1 disbound list

Inclusive Dates:

1784-1788

Series Number:

A4032

Arrangement

Arranged by district, then chronologically by date of sale or payment on account.

Administrative History

The governor was authorized to appoint commissioners of forfeitures in four districts by legislation of 1784 (7th session). The law specified that the commissioners were to sell forfeited lands at public auction; receive payments in the form of various bills of credit, treasurer's certificates, and currency; and issue deeds to purchasers upon full payment.

Scope and Content Note

These are records of sales by the Commissioners of Forfeitures of lands confiscated from Loyalists during the Revolution.

Two volumes record land sales in the Western District, 1784-1788, and one disbound list records sales in the Eastern District, 1784-1788, providing the following information: date of sale; name of purchaser; by whom forfeited (Eastern District only); price; lot number and location; acreage (Eastern District only); and date of deed (Western District only).

One additional volume contains accounts of persons purchasing forfeited lands. The heading of each account gives the purchasers' and forfeitors' names, lands purchased, date and amount of sale. The account then lists payments made giving the amount and description of the instrument used in payment (e.g. certificates issued by the state, interest due on certificates, currency, etc.).