New York State Engineer and Surveyor Deed Tables Regarding Sale of Holland Land Company Lands B0277

New York State Engineer and Surveyor Deed Tables Regarding Sale of Holland Land Company 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:

The Holland Land Company was an association of Dutch banks and other investors speculating in American land during the late 1700s. This series consists of records of persons who purchased and were deeded lands from the Holland Land Company. Each table apparently records sales from a particular geographic area and includes purchaser; date; lot(s); township; acreage; purchase price; and reference in Deed or Mortgage Books.

Creator:

New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Title:

Deed tables regarding sale of Holland Land Company lands

Quantity:

1 cubic foot

Quantity:

3 volume(s)

Quantity:

1 35mm microfilm roll(s)

Inclusive Dates:

1802-1833

Series Number:

B0277

Arrangement

By tract from which land was purchased, then chronological by date of sale.

Administrative History

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 are records of persons who purchased and were deeded lands from the Holland Land Company. Each table in the volumes apparently records sales from a particular geographic area and provides name of purchaser; date; lot(s); sometimes, a number under the heading "S" (it is not clear what this refers to); township ('T'); range ('R'); acreage; purchase price; volume and page in "Deed Books" (refers to volumes in Holland Land Company Deed Books, but uses a volume numbering system no longer used); sometimes, a volume and page in "Mortgage Books" (not further identified); and occasional notes explaining a particular transaction. The volumes are labeled with one or more letters (for example, Vol. 3--"W.T.") which are not explained but may refer to geographical areas covered in the volumes.