New York State Engineer and Surveyor Western Division Engineer's Office Ledgers for Western Division Accounts

The volumes in this series are arranged chronologically and therein by account holder or type of expense. The expenses are then listed chronologically.

Chapter 79 of the Laws of 1895 proposed enlargement and improvement of the state canal system. Work was to be done by contract and in accordance with plans, specifications, and estimates prepared and approved by the State Engineer and Surveyor that stated the extent of each piece of work and the materials to be used in doing it. Succeeding legislation in 1896 and 1897 amended that law, regulating the making of contracts for work on the canal, reapportioning unexpended balances, and appropriating funds for carrying on canal improvements. The records from 1895-1904 document the work done under this law.

The volumes in this series were used by the Western Division of the New York State Canal System contain financial information for the Western Division of the New York State Canal System. The volumes document financial accounts relating to various people, projects, and organizations. The volumes list name, expenses, balance, amount paid, check numbers, and balance carried over. Occupation of the account holder is sometimes included as well. The volumes are organized by account holder or type of expense (stationery, fuel, postage, and ordinary and extraordinary repairs related to the canal). The expenses are then listed chronologically. Volumes 1 through 4 are indexed, but Volume 5 lacks an index.

B0687Series B0687, Contract specifications, engineers' estimates, and related documents pertaining to the nine million dollar canal improvement

B0688Series B0688, Journals for Western Division accounts

B0689Series B0689, Ledgers for Western Division Accounts

B0396Series B0396, Sectional canal survey maps of the 1895 improvement of the Erie Canal

A4425Series, A4425 Card file index to Erie Canal construction and improvements and

B0395Series B0395, Contract plans relating to improvement of the Erie and Oswego canals all contain related records.

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