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

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

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.

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.

Microfilm is available for use at the New York State Archives or through interlibrary loan.

Series B0280 Holland Land Company Deed Books is cited in these volumes.

Volume list is available at the repository.

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