Ottoman 1893 Land Deed Agricultural Field in Adana Yüreğir Title Armenian Deliferian Family

Ottoman Title Deed - Şeyh Murad Village, Yüreğir, Adana 1893

Description

This original Ottoman title deed is dated 30 Kanun-ı Sani 1308 (11 February 1893) and relates to an agricultural field located in Şeyh Murad Village, within the Yüreğir subdistrict of Adana. The land is recorded as belonging to the Balcı Dede Waqf, indicating its connection to a charitable foundation within the Ottoman land system.

The deed documents a transaction carried out through vefaen ferağ, a form of conditional transfer used as collateral. Under this arrangement, the right of disposition over the property was temporarily transferred in return for a loan, with the original owner retaining the right to reclaim the property upon repayment of the debt. This practice reflects Ottoman-era credit mechanisms commonly used in agricultural and commercial life.

The former owner is listed as Bezdikyan Hacı Agop Ağa, an Ottoman citizen, while the registered holder of a half share (nısf hisse) is Deliferyan Bogos Ağa, also an Ottoman citizen. The Deliferyan family was among the prominent Armenian families engaged in large-scale cotton production in the Adana region. The recorded price of 2,000 kuruş represents a substantial amount for the period, confirming that Bogos Ağa extended a significant loan secured by the field. The fact that both parties were Armenian highlights intra-community financial cooperation and solidarity in late Ottoman provincial society. The document bears official Ottoman seals, reinforcing its legal and collectible value.

Key Features

• Type: Ottoman title deed (Tapu)

• Location: Şeyh Murad Village, Yüreğir, Adana

• Property Type: Agricultural field (Waqf land – Balcı Dede Waqf)

• Size: 60 dönüm-ü atik cedid, 23 dönüm, 22 evlek, 54 arşun, 50 kirah

• Boundaries: Road; property of Vesif and Mariam Hatun

• Former Owner: Bezdikyan Hacı Agop Ağa (Ottoman citizen)

• Registered Holder: Deliferyan Bogos (Boghos Deliferian) Ağa (Ottoman citizen), half share (nısf hisse)

• Transaction Type: Vefaen ferağ (property pledged as collateral)

• Recorded Price: 2,000 kuruş

• Date: 30 Kanun-ı Sani 1308 (11 February 1893)

• Features: Official Ottoman seals

• Historical Significance: Documents an Armenian-to-Armenian credit-based land transaction and reflects economic cooperation and waqf-related land practices in late Ottoman Adana