Ottoman 1909 Şehzade Yusuf Izzeddin Prince Land Deed Field in Yozgat Sorgun Title Armenia Armenian Farm Papazian

Ottoman Tapu (Deed) – Agricultural Land in Danışmend Çiftliği, Sorgun, Yozgat (1909)

Description:
This remarkable Ottoman land deed from Danışmend Çiftliği, Sorgun, Yozgat, dated 15 Nisan 1319 AH (28 April 1909 CE), documents a large agricultural plot in the area known as Çiftlik-i Ermeni (Armenian Farm). The land, registered as plot no. 3, measured an impressive 200 dönüm atik. Of the seven shares, one belonged to Ruben Papazyan, an Armenian Ottoman citizen, a rare testament to the Armenian presence in Yozgat during the late Ottoman period.

The most striking feature of this document is that Ruben Papazyan sold his share for 250 kuruş to Şehzade-İ Civan Baht Devletlü Necabetlü Yusuf İzzeddin Efendi Hazretleri, the eldest son of Sultan Abdülaziz and heir to the Ottoman throne upon Sultan Mehmed V’s accession in 1909. Prince Yusuf Izzeddin, who became a field marshal in the imperial army by 1910, met a mysterious death in 1916 officially ruled a suicide, though contemporary accounts suggest possible political intrigue.

Beyond its historical narrative, this deed  preserved on thick, watermarked Ottoman paper with original stamps and seals represents a unique convergence of local landownership, minority history, and imperial lineage.

Key Features:

• Date: 15 Nisan 1319 AH (28 April 1909 CE)

• Location: Danışmend Çiftliği, Sorgun, Yozgat (Çiftlik-i Ermeni, plot no. 3)

• Type: Agricultural land

• Size: 200 dönüm atik

• Boundaries (Hudud): East: Mahmar? Dere; West: Mezarlık Dere; North: Üç Tepe; South: Top Kaya & road

• Owners: Ruben Papazyan (1/7 share), sold to Şehzade Yusuf İzzeddin

• Sale Price: 250 kuruş

• Paper: Thick, watermarked Ottoman paper

• Language: Ottoman Turkish

• Condition: Original stamps and seals preserved

• Cultural Significance: Valuable evidence of Armenian presence in Yozgat and a direct link to an Ottoman crown prince