New York (State). Surveyor General

Through an 1819 law the legislature appointed Governor DeWitt Clinton, Surveyor General Simeon DeWitt, Secretary of State John V.N. Yates, Senator Martin Van Buren, Edmund C. Genet, George Tibbits, and Townsend McCoun as commissioners to study and report to the legislature on navigation of the Hudson River.

From the description of Maps produced for the Commissioners to Report a Plan for Improving the Navigation of the Hudson River, 1820-1830, bulk 1820. (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 79679979

An 1825 law required these maps and profiles be produced for a report to the legislature suggesting the best route for such a road. The route, apparently extending from Kingston to Dunkirk along the state's Southern Tier, was never built, although various state roads later connected some of the points along the proposed route.

From the description of Maps, profiles, and surveys of Erie and Hudson state roads, 1825. (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 80795031

The Secretary and other state officials delivered these abstracts and other records concerning the sale and settlement of state lands to the Surveyor General. The Secretary or a deputy appointed by him was also ex fficio secretary of the Commissioners of the Land Office which was created in 1786 and included the Surveyor General as a member.

From the description of Abstracts of letters patent, 1665-1767. (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 79676782

Simeon De Witt served as surveyor general of New York State from 1784 until his death in 1834.

From the description of Deed for land near Lewiston, New York, 1819 June 8. (Buffalo History Museum). WorldCat record id: 57054221

The records were purchased by the state from the widow of David E. E. Mix, who had published lists of Holland Land Company records in Catalogue of Maps and Surveys in the Offices of the Secretary of State, State Engineer and Surveyor, and Comptroller, and the New York State Library (Albany, 1859). The state purchased these and other Holland Land Company records in order to have original records concerning state lands.

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.

From the description of Maps of land purchased from the Holland Land Company, 1804-[ca. 1849], bulk [ca. 1840-1849] (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 83188759

Early relations between New York and Vermont were inextricably linked to the land, and marked by a struggle to establish boundaries and defend property rights. The period covered by the bulk of these records correlates with the formative years of Vermont statehood.

New York Governor George Clinton initially refused to recognize the state of Vermont, although in 1778 he offered to confirm land titles to all inhabitants who would admit the jurisdiction of New York. In 1790 commissioners from the two states agreed that New York would recognize Vermont independence and boundaries in return for Vermont paying New York for land claims. Vermont entered the union in 1791.

Migration was a continuing factor in relations between the two states. The landed aristocracy, through close association with the merchant class, acquired large tracts of land in western and northern New York. Large numbers of people migrated to New York's north country from the Green Mountains across Lake Champlain to settle. It has been estimated that in 1850 one-fifth of the population of Vermont had become citizens of New York.

From the description of Survey maps of lands in New York and Vermont, 1736-1822 (bulk 1760-1790). (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 78272743

The Holland Land Company was an association of Dutch banks and other investors speculating in American land during 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.

From the description of Deeds executed by the Holland Land Company, 1828. (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 79640540