Ottoman 1898 Land Deed Field in Trabzon Of Title Muslim Family

Ottoman Field Title Deed from Of, Trabzon – Memlos-ı Sufla Village (1898)

Description:

This original Ottoman title deed, dated 24 Mart 1314 (5 April 1898), documents the transfer of an agricultural field located in the district of Of, Trabzon. The village name appears as Memlos-ı Sufla (reading uncertain due to handwriting), a common challenge in Ottoman cursive documents. Written in Ottoman Turkish and bearing official seals, the document is a strong example of late 19th-century rural land administration in the Black Sea region.

The property is recorded as a field (tarla) with a total size of 4 dönüm and is registered under plot number 11444. Its boundaries are clearly defined according to neighboring lands: to the east by Alemdar oğlu Molla Mehmed’s field, to the west by Serdar oğlu Hasan Efendi’s field, to the north by a public road (tarik-i amm), and to the south by the field of Ömer oğulları Tahir. These boundary descriptions reflect the traditional Ottoman cadastral system, where neighboring properties served as the primary reference points.

The previous owner is listed as Ömer oğlu Mehmed bin Ali. The deed records that he presented a document dated February 1288, proving his ownership of the field, and subsequently sold the property. This detail provides insight into the legal process of ownership verification and transfer within the Ottoman land registry system.

The new owners are recorded as Serdar oğlu Mehmed and Süleyman oğlu Mehmed, indicating a shared ownership structure. The assessed value (kıymet) and the sale price (bedel) are both listed as 2000, showing that the property was transferred at its full appraised value, a detail that reflects a straightforward market transaction.

With its clear ownership chain, documented legal process, and official seals, this deed offers a valuable glimpse into the functioning of provincial Ottoman land records. It also reflects the agricultural and social structure of the Trabzon region in the late 19th century.

Key Features:

• Type: Ottoman agricultural title deed (field deed)

• Date: 24 Mart 1314 (5 April 1898)

• Location: Of, Trabzon – Memlos-ı Sufla Village (reading uncertain)

• Property Type: Field (tarla)

• Plot Number: 11444

• Property Size: 4 dönüm

• Boundaries: Alemdar oğlu Molla Mehmed (east), Serdar oğlu Hasan Efendi (west), public road (north), Ömer oğulları Tahir (south)

• Previous Owner: Ömer oğlu Mehmed bin Ali

• Transfer Reason: Ownership proven with earlier document (dated February 1288) and subsequent sale

• New Owners: Serdar oğlu Mehmed and Süleyman oğlu Mehmed

• Assessed Value: 2000

• Sale Price: 2000 (sold at assessed value)

• Historical Significance: Illustrates Ottoman rural land ownership, legal verification, and transfer practices

• Physical Features: Official seals present

• Collectible Significance: Clear and well-documented example of provincial Ottoman land registry

• Condition: Partial yellowing present