Ottoman 1898 Land Deed House in Kayseri Title Armenian Family 2 watermark

Ottoman House Title Deed from Kayseri – Sayacı Quarter, Hasık Area (1898)

Description

This Ottoman title deed is dated 20 Recep 1316 (4 December 1898) and pertains to a residential property located in Kayseri, Sayacı Mahallesi, Hasık mevki. The document concerns a house, specifically the upper (fevkani) room, and records seven shares out of a total of eighty shares of the property. In the nevi (legal classification) section, the property is defined as “sarf-ı mülk,” indicating full private ownership.

The deed was issued due to the death of the original owner, reflecting an inheritance-based transfer. The former owner is listed as Hacı Agop Koçinyan, an Ottoman citizen. Following his death, seven shares of the property passed to his daughter (kerimesi), Verçin (Verjin), who is recorded as the lawful title holder. Both names are Armenian, making this document a clear example of Armenian property ownership and inheritance practices in late 19th-century Kayseri.

The boundaries of the property are defined by adjacent properties and a caravanserai, consistent with Ottoman cadastral conventions. The size of the property is precisely recorded using traditional Ottoman measurement units, and the assessed value (kıymet) is listed as 125 kuruş.

The document is preserved on thick, high-quality paper with an Ottoman-script watermark and bears official seals, enhancing its authenticity and collectible appeal. As a late Ottoman inheritance deed tied to an Armenian family, this title deed offers valuable insight into urban property structure and the multi-ethnic character of Kayseri at the end of the 19th century.

Key Features

• Type: Ottoman house title deed

• Date: 20 Recep 1316 (4 December 1898)

• Location: Kayseri, Sayacı Mahallesi, Hasık area

• Property Type: House – upper (fevkani) room

• Total Shares: 80 shares

• Recorded Share: 7 shares

• Legal Status (Nevi): Full private ownership (sarf-ı mülk)

• Boundaries (Hudud): Right and left sides bordered by the deed holder’s property; rear bordered by the house of Miktad Bey’s son; frontage facing the caravanserai (han)

• Property Size (Mikdar): 25 dönüm-i atik, 14 arşun, 36 kirah, 41 parmak-ı cedid

• Previous Owner: Hacı Agop Koçinyan (Ottoman citizen)

• Transfer Reason: Issued following the death of the original owner

• New Owner: Verçin (Verjin), daughter of Hacı Agop Koçinyan

• Assessed Value (Kıymet): 125 kuruş

• Community Context: Armenian family inheritance in late 19th-century Kayseri

• Physical Features: Official seals; thick paper with Ottoman-script watermark

• Collectible Significance: Documents partial inheritance and Armenian property rights in Ottoman urban life