Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/9g54xh651
University Land Records, 1752-1981 (bulk 1752-1860): Finding Aid
AC028
Princeton University Shield
65 Olden Street
Princeton, New Jersey 08540 USA
Phone: 609-258-6345
Fax: 609-258-3385
mudd@princeton.edu
http://www.princeton.edu/~mudd
Published in Published October 20, 2006.
©2006 Princeton University Library
Summary Information
- Creator:
- Princeton University.
- Title and dates:
- University Land Records
- 1752-1981
- bulk 1752-1860
- Abstract:
- The University Land Records consist of deeds, mortgages, bonds, other legal papers, and maps concerning the acquisition, disposition, or description of University properties. The records document the physical expansion of the University from its earliest period through the acquisition of large tracts of land in the 20th century, including the properties around Carnegie Lake and numerous farms. A portion of the papers relate to research conducted by Professor Gerald Breese for his book Princeton University Land, 1752-1984 (1986).
- Size:
- 3.83 linear feet
- 4 boxes and 8 oversize folders
- Call number:
- AC028
- Location:
- Princeton University Library. Department of Rare Books and Special Collections.
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library.
Princeton University Archives.
Princeton, New Jersey 08540 USA - Language(s) of materials:
- English
- Storage note:
- This collection is stored onsite at the Mudd Manuscript Library.
Organizational History
The University Land Records document the physical expansion of the University from its earliest period through the acquisition of large tracts of land in the 20th century, including the properties around Carnegie Lake and numerous farms. Early records document transactions with such Princeton University notables as Nathaniel FitzRandolph, John Witherspoon, Walter Minto, John and Richard Stockton, and John Maclean.
A portion of the papers relate to research conducted by Professor Gerald Breese for his book Princeton University Land, 1752-1984 (1986).
Description
The University Land Records consist of deeds, mortgages, bonds, other legal papers, and maps concerning the acquisition, disposition, or description of University properties. Most of the papers are original though some photocopies are present. The papers consist primarily of standard legal documents with detailed descriptions of the properties in question, as well as maps and surveys of existing University land.
The collection also contains photocopies of deeds, correspondence and papers from other University administrative units, the Mercer County Clerk's Office, the New-York Historical Society and other research facilities gathered by Gerald Breese during research for his book Princeton University Land (1986). Some of Breese's research notes are included and he annotated many of the photocopies.
The collection also contains maps and surveys of Princeton University lands, primarily but not exclusively the main campus. While most of the maps are of a standard type, a few are of a humorous or cartoonish nature, and a few of the surveys were conducted by students.
Arrangement
Organized into the following series:
- Series 1: Gerald Breese Papers, 1752-1976
- Series 2: Office of the Controller, 1752-1907
- Series 3: Maps and Surveys, 1849-1981
Access and Use
Access
Collection is open for research use.
Restrictions on Use and Copyright Information
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the University Archivist. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Provenance and Acquisition
Most of these records were transferred from the University Controllers Office to the University Archives on September 23, 1966 while Gerald Breese donated others after completion of his book. Some are of undetermined provenance.
Related Materials
Researchers interested in the development of the Princeton University campus, particularly its buildings, should also consult the Office of Physical Planning Records, 1869-1994 (bulk 1946-1994): AC154.
Processing and Other Information
Processing Information
This collection was processed by John S. Riddle in 1994. Finding aid written by John S. Riddle in 1994. Additions were processed by Christie Peterson with assistance from Ameena Schelling '12 between November 2010 and January 2011.
Descriptive Rules Used
Finding aid content adheres to that prescribed by Describing Archives: A Content Standard.
Encoding
Machine-readable finding aid encoded in EAD 2002 by Techbooks and Cristela García-Spitz on October 20, 2006.
Language(s) of this Finding Aid
Finding aid written in English.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); University Land Records, Box and Folder Number; University Archives, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Subject Headings
These materials have been indexed in the Princeton University Library online catalog using the following terms. Those seeking related materials should search under these terms.
- Randolph, Nathaniel Fitz, b. 1703.
- Breese, Gerald William.
- Witherspoon, John, 1723-1794.
- Minto, Walter, 1753-1796.
- Stockton, John, 1803-1882.
- Stockton, Richard, 1730-1781.
- Princeton University -- History.
- Deeds.
- School lands.
- Deeds -- 18th century.
- Deeds -- 19th century.
- Deeds -- 20th century.
- Bonds (legal records).
- Land surveys.
- Land titles.
- Mortgage deeds.
- Maps.
Browse other finding aids related to the following terms:
Contents List
Series 1: Gerald Breese Papers, 1752-1976
Description: Series 1: Gerald Breese Papers, 1752-1976, contains photocopies of maps and deeds, mortgages and correspondence collected by Breese concerning the transfer of tracts of land to the University. Some of Breese's research notes are also included. Most of the papers relate to transactions made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The series concludes with a folder on woodlots and close-in properties from 1752 to 1785.
Access: The first portion of Series 1: Gerald Breese materials is arranged alphabetically by title of land, while the second portion contains materials previously separated from the collection that were reunited in 2010.
Miscellaneous deeds from Mercer County Clerk, New-York Historical Society, etc, 1753-1915
Box 1, Folder 1 Gray Farm-Carnegie Lake, 1912-1976
Box 1, Folder 2 Jewell Farm, 1927
Box 1, Folder 3 Major Farm, undated
Box 1, Folder 4 Mather Farm, 1922
Box 1, Folder 5 Olden (Bayles) Farm, 1905-1914
Box 1, Folder 6 Potter Farm-Prospect, 1879-1893
Box 1, Folder 7 Pullen Farm, 1945
Box 1, Folder 8 Schenck Farm, 1839-1922
Box 1, Folder 9 Smith, Robert, Deed, from Samuel Hazard, 1757
Box 1, Folder 9 Springdale Farm, 1882-1975
Box 1, Folder 10 Various farms, including maps, 1927
Box 1, Folder 11 Woodlots, Including Maps, 1752-1785
Box 1, Folder 12 Selected Data Maps on Princeton, 1955
Box 1 Catalog of Maps, undated
Box 1 Princeton University Maps, 1864-1965
Box 1 Cram Negatives and Prints, 1911-1925
Box 1 Street and House Number, undated
Box 1 Land Owned by University, circa 1750, 1916
Box 1 Illustrations pp. 10-40 and Not Used, 1764-1981
Box 1 Illustrations pp. 71-121, 123, circa 1850-1983
Box 1 Illustrations pp. 129-184, 1874-1985
Box 1 Transparency of Olmsted General Plan, prepared by Breese, 1893
Cabinet 7, Drawer 5 3 Reproductions of 1972 September Plans, Prepared by Breese, 1981 February
Cabinet 7, Drawer 5 5 Reproductions of Property Maps from 1943, 1955, 1963, 1976 and 1984, Prepared by Breese, 1943-1984
Cabinet 7, Drawer 5 Reproduction of 1972 September Plans, All Land and Buildings and Farms, Prepared by Breese, 1972
Cabinet 7, Drawer 5 Campus Map in Color, Prepared by Breese, circa 1969
Cabinet 7, Drawer 5 Oversize Maps Removed from Breese's Working Files, undated
Cabinet 7, Drawer 5 Series 2: Office of the Controller, 1752-1907
Description: Series 2: Office of the Controller, 1752-1907, contains original deeds, bonds, maps, correspondence and other legal papers concerning the acquisition and disposition of Princeton University lands. Approximately one-fourth of the collection relates to the 18th century with most of the rest pertaining to the 19th century. One folder relates to 1907. The series concludes with a legal size leather bound volume, Copy of Deeds. It consists of approximately 100 handwritten pages of copies of deeds, of which many of the originals are found in this collection. However, in many cases, the handwritten transcription in Copy of Deeds is more legible than the original. (n.b.: The first folder of the series contains an annotated list of all the papers transferred from the Controller's Office to the University Archives on September 23, 1966.)
Arrangement:
Series 2: Office of the Controller is arranged chronologically.
Lists of deeds and miscellaneous papers, 1966
Box 2, Folder 1 Miscellaneous Papers, circa 19th century
Box 2, Folder 2 Plot Plan between Potters Lane and Washington Avenue, undated
Box 2, Folder 3 Drought (Draught?) of College Land, undated
Box 2, Folder 4 Lines of the College campus mortgaged by Sam. Hazzard, undated
Box 2, Folder 5 Hornor, John, Deed to Trustees, 1752
Box 2, Folder 6 Stockton, John, Deed to the College of New Jersey, 1752
Box 2, Folder 7 Leonard, Thomas, Deed to Trustees, 1752
Box 2, Folder 8 Boundaries of land sold to College by Nathaniel FitzRandolph, 1753
Box 2, Folder 9 Hazard, Samuel, Deed to Robert Smith, 1757
Box 2, Folder 9 Throckmorton, Samuel, Indenture between Throckmorton and Trustees, w/map, 1760
Box 2, Folder 10 Smith, Robert, Indenture with Trustees, 1765
Box 3 Moores, John, Indenture with Joseph Mershon, 1769
Box 3 Mershon, Joseph, Deed to John Witherspoon, 1771
Box 2, Folder 13 Witherspoon, John, Deed, on behalf of Trustees, to Wiggins and Stockton, 1782
Box 2, Folder 14 Trustees of Presbyterian Congregation, Deed to John Witherspoon, 1785
Box 2, Folder 15 Shippen, William, Affidavit re: College buying land from Leonard and Wiggins, 1791
Box 2, Folder 16 Witherspoon, John and Mrs. Deed to Walter Minto, 1792
Box 2, Folder 17 Minto, Walter, Will, 1792
Box 2, Folder 18 Smith, John, Deed to Josiah Ferguson, 1804
Box 2, Folder 19 Ferguson, Josiah, Affidavit, Award of Stockton & Johnson in re Ferguson, 1805
Box 2, Folder 20 Trustees, Deed to Nicholas Waln, 1816
Box 2, Folder 21 Nixon, Henry, et. al., Affidavit, 1823
Box 2, Folder 22 Schenck, John C, Indenture to Sarah and Elizabeth Burk, 1835
Box 2, Folder 23 Story, Isabel, Deed to Henry Clow and Richard Warrens, 1836
Box 2, Folder 24 Burk, Sarah and Elizabeth, Deed to Charles Steadman, 1837
Box 2, Folder 25 Woodhull, John, Mortgage to James Brazier, 1837
Box 2, Folder 26 Jaques,Richard, Deed to John Potter, 1839
Box 2, Folder 27 Potter, John, Deed to Edward Holcombe, 1839
Box 2, Folder 28 Schenck, John, Deed to Archibald Craig, 1839
Box 2, Folder 29 Brazier, James, Bond to John Woodhull, 1841
Box 2, Folder 30 Brazier, James, Bond to Anthony Simmons, 1841
Box 2, Folder 31 Brazier, James, Mortgage to Anthony Simmons, 1841
Box 2, Folder 32 Schenck, John, Indenture to Elizabeth Burk, 1843
Box 2, Folder 33 Olmsted, George T, Deed to Stacy Barcroft, 1844
Box 2, Folder 34 Kovenhoven, Deborah, Deed to Daniel Bray, 1845
Box 2, Folder 35 Kovenhoven, Deborah, Deed to Henry Applegate, 1845
Box 2, Folder 36 Britton, John, Deed to John MacLean, 1845
Box 2, Folder 37 MacLean, John, Deed to Richard Warren, 1845
Box 2, Folder 38 Princeton Bank, Release to Trustees (William Street land), 1846
Box 2, Folder 39 Halsey, Luther, Correspondence with James Green, 1846-1849
Box 2, Folder 39 Schenck, William, Release to Trustees land in vicinity of Williams Street, 1847
Box 2, Folder 40 Worth, Josiah, Deed to Ann Schenck, 1848
Box 2, Folder 41 Holcombe, Edward, Deed to Elizabeth Conover, 1848
Box 2, Folder 42 MacLean, John, Indenture to Trustees, 1848
Box 2, Folder 43 MacLean, John, Deed to Trustees, 1848
Box 2, Folder 44 Oakham, William, Deed to Joseph Scott, 1848
Box 2, Folder 45 Cruser, John, Deed to James Johnson, 1850
Box 2, Folder 46 Konover, Deborah, 2 Deeds to John Woodhull, 1851
Box 2, Folder 47 Upington, John, Bond to John Fisher, 1851
Box 2, Folder 48 Clerk's Certificate on Schenck Property, 1851
Box 2, Folder 49 Upington, Thomas, Mortgage to John Fisher, 1851
Box 2, Folder 50 Schenck, Maryann, Deed to Thomas Upington, 1851
Box 2, Folder 51 Fisher, John, Assignment of mortgage to Cornelius Cottrell, 1851
Box 2, Folder 52 Upington, Thomas, Mortgage to Maryann Schenck, 1851
Box 2, Folder 53 Upington, Thomas, Mortgage to Trustees of the Theological Seminary, 1851
Box 2, Folder 54 Torrey, John, 2 Deeds to Silas Stockton, 1852
Box 2, Folder 55 MacLean, John, Deed to John Woodhull, 1856
Box 2, Folder 56 Upington, Thomas, Mortgage and bond to Mary Ann Schenck, 1852
Box 2, Folder 57 Applegate, Henry, Indenture to Sidney Bergen, 1857
Box 2, Folder 58 Clerk's Certificate on property of Thomas Upington, 1858
Box 2, Folder 59 Trustees, Deed to John Woodhull, 1858
Box 2, Folder 60 Robinson, John et. al., Deed to John Woodhull, 1858
Box 2, Folder 61 Lane, Jacob W., Warrantee deed to John Woodhull, 1858
Box 2, Folder 62 Upington, Thomas, Deed to John Woodhull, 1858
Box 2, Folder 63 Upington, Thomas, Liens on property, 1859
Box 2, Folder 64 Burke, James, Assignment of mortgage to John Woodhull, 1859
Box 2, Folder 65 Perry, Henry, Mortage and bond to James Burke, 1859
Box 2, Folder 66 Burke, James, Deed to John Woodhull, 1860
Box 2, Folder 67 Steadman, Charles, Deed to John Woodhull, 1860
Box 2, Folder 68 Steadman, Charles, Bond to James M. Brown and statement from Brown, 1843, 1860
Box 2, Folder 69 Stockton, Richard and Susan, Deed to Vandike B. Gulick, 1875
Box 2, Folder 70 Sloane, William Milligan, Deed to Trustees, 1907
Box 2, Folder 71 Copy of Deeds, circa 1850
Box 2, Folder 72 Series 3: Maps and Surveys, 1849-1981
Description: Series 3: Maps and Surveys, 1849-1981 contains originals and copies of maps and surveys of Princeton University land that were intended to represent the campus and other University lands as they existed. This is in contrast to maps, plans and surveys in the records of the Office of Physical Planning, which were created as part of the planning and development process and may or may not represent what actually existed. In addition to professionally produced and published maps, this series also contains several student surveys of portions of university land from the early 20th century, possibly created as part of an academic course.
Arrangement:
Arrangement of Series 3: Maps and Surveys, 1848-1981 is loosely chronological with oversize material grouped at the end of the series.
Copies of Maps in Firestone, 1849-1964
Box 4 19th Century Campus Maps, Some Duplicates, 1852-1899
Box 4 1909-1917
Box 4 1920-1929
Box 4 1930-1940
Box 4 1941-1956
Box 4 1961-1967
Box 4 1970-1996
Box 4 Harris Survey Map, 1905
Size: 2 copies
Cabinet 7, Drawer 5 Campus Maps, 1887, 1908, 1952, 1981
Cabinet 7, Drawer 5
Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/9g54xh651