New York State Comptroller's Office Receipts for Payment and Certificates of Commutation of Quit Rents
Statement on Language
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Overview of the Records
Repository
- New York State Archives
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230
Summary
- Quit rents were a remnant of feudal dues that were levied during both the colonial and early statehood periods. Quit rents were very unpopular and were finally abolished by the Constitution of 1846. This series consists of certificates (printed forms) that document payments and commutation of annual quit rents. Type of information provided is consistent throughout the series, including patent number; payee; patentee; lot number or other description; acreage; amount, interest, and total paid; and date of certificate.
Title
- Receipts for payment and certificates of commutation of quit rents
Quantity
- 2 cubic feet; 10 volumes
Inclusive Dates
Bulk Dates
Series Number
- B1612
Creator
Arrangement
Chronological.
Administrative History
Quit rents were a remnant of feudal dues that were levied during both the colonial and early statehood periods. Quit rents were very unpopular and were finally abolished in 1848.
Scope and Content Note
The series consists of certificates that document payments and commutation of annual quit rents. The earliest certificates are completely hand written and signed by the comptroller and the state treasurer. Later certificates are printed forms, two per page, with information filled in. Type of information provided is consistent throughout the series, including patent number; payee; patentee; lot number or other description; acreage; amount, interest, and total paid; and date of certificate.
Volume 1 of the series contains chronological entries of receipts of quit rents (1754-1765).There is a gap in the records between 1765 and 1806. Dates for several volumes overlap. It is unknown if the records were created separately or bound out of sequence, and the reason why that may have been done.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.