New York State Department of State Town Boundary Establishment and Alteration Reports

1849-1909: Rough chronological order by filing date.

1910-1960: Alphabetical by name of town.

Legislation of 1849 (Chapter 194) and 1892 (Chapter 686, Art. II, Sect. 34) authorized county boards of supervisors (except for New York County) to divide or alter boundaries of towns within their counties.

The board was to consider the alteration upon application of at least 12 freeholders and upon being furnished with a map and survey showing proposed alterations for all towns involved. If the board granted the application, the map and survey and a certified statement of the board's actions regarding the alterations were to be filed with the Secretary of State, who was to print them with the next printing of the laws.

Legislation of 1892 (Chapter 686, Art. II, Sect. 36) further authorized county boards of supervisors to establish and define boundary lines between towns. The board was to file a resolution containing a description of the boundaries, along with a map and survey, with the Secretary of State, who was to print them with the next printing of the laws.

The Revised Statutes of 1889 (Part I, Ch. VIII, Title VI, Sect. 5-6) authorized the State Engineer and Surveyor to hear arguments of town officers disputing town boundaries and to direct a survey if necessary to determine the true boundaries. The State Engineer and Surveyor was to file the determination with the Secretary of State. This determination was to be final unless changed by an act of the legislature.

Documents constituting the official record of the alteration or establishment of town boundaries concern: division of towns to erect new towns; annexation of parts of towns to other towns; and settlement of boundary disputes between towns.

The records include: proceedings, resolutions, and legislative acts of county boards of supervisors considering and acting upon applications to alter or establish town boundaries, usually including descriptions of the boundaries; maps of the boundaries to be altered or established, sometimes showing only the boundary lines and sometimes providing more details such as lot divisions and waterways; surveyors' reports of boundary lines; and State Engineer and Surveyor's determinations of the true boundaries of towns to settle disputes. An endorsement on the back of many documents provides the date filed with the Secretary of State.

The index to Volume 2 contains numerous cartoon drawings and illustrations, often humorous.

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

Series A4695 Office of General Services Bureau of Land Management Index to Maps partially indexes this series.

A0461-78: Alphabetical place name index in each volume (1849-1909).

A0461-78: Volume list and folder list are available at the repository.

Collation date 1849-1937.

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