Ottoman 1898 Land Deed Field in Merzifon Nureni Title Armenian Family Armenia

Ottoman Land Deed (Tapu) from Merzifon (Amasya) – Sale of Vakıf Land to Armenian Buyers (1898)

Description:

This is an original Ottoman Turkish land deed (tapu) documenting a field property located in Nureni village of Merzifon (Amasya), in an area recorded as “Çorak.” The document is dated 19 Cemaziyel Evvel 1316 (5 October 1898) and is written in Ottoman Turkish using Arabic script. The property is registered as part of a vakıf holding, specifically noted as “Evkafdan mazbut Çelebi Sultan Vakfı müstegallâtından,” indicating that it belonged to a controlled religious endowment.

Nureni village itself carries deep historical significance. Its former name “Nor Ani,” meaning “New Ani” in Armenian, reflects its origins as a settlement founded by Armenian migrants who relocated from the famous medieval city of Ani near Kars during the turmoil of the 14th-century Timur invasions. The village remained an Armenian settlement until the late Ottoman period, making this document particularly important within the broader context of Armenian history and heritage in Anatolia.

The deed records a transfer (ferağ) of the property from Ferit oğlu Mehmed, an Ottoman subject, to Armenian buyers identified as Kasparyan Bogos and Kirkor, sons of Kazar, residents of Cami-i Atik neighborhood. The sale price is recorded as 700 kuruş. The boundary descriptions include neighboring landholders such as Köse oğlu, Hacı Ali, Faiz Bey, and İmam oğlu, reflecting a mixed local population.

This document is especially compelling as it vividly illustrates everyday life in Merzifon during the late Ottoman period, highlighting the coexistence and economic interactions between Muslim and Armenian communities. The fact that a Muslim owner sold vakıf-related land usage rights to Armenian individuals underscores the integrated social and commercial structures of the time. For collectors, this is not just a property record but a powerful historical artifact that speaks directly to Armenian presence, settlement continuity, and economic activity in Anatolia. Its strong connection to Armenian local history, combined with its official nature, makes it a highly desirable and evocative piece for collectors of Ottoman and Armenian heritage materials.

The document bears official seals and handwritten entries, enhancing its authenticity and historical value.

Key Features:

• Type: Ottoman land deed (tapu)

• Location: Merzifon (Amasya), Nureni Village (modern Aktarla)

• Area: Çorak

• Property Type: Field (vakıf land – Çelebi Sultan Vakfı)

• Ownership Type: Vakıf (Evkafdan mazbut müstegallât)

• Boundaries: East: Köse oğlu – West: Hacı Ali – North: Faiz Bey – South: İmam oğlu

• Original Owner: Ferit oğlu Mehmed

• Buyers: Kasparyan Bogos and Kirkor, sons of Kazar (Armenian)

• Transaction Type: Sale (ferağ)

• Price: 700 kuruş

• Date: 19 Cemaziyel Evvel 1316 (5 October 1898)

• Language: Ottoman Turkish (Arabic script)

• Features: Official seals and handwritten entries

• Historical Significance: Strong evidence of Armenian settlement continuity and Muslim–Armenian economic relations in Merzifon; highly significant for Armenian history collectors

• Condition: Please review images for overall condition and age-related wear