Ottoman 1913 Land Deed Field in Adana İncirlik Title Armenian Family
Ottoman Field Title Deed from Adana - Yüreğir Nahiyesi, İncirlik Village (1913)
Description
This Ottoman title deed is dated 19 Muharrem 1332 (18 December 1913) and pertains to an agricultural field located in Adana Province, Yüreğir Nahiyesi, İncirlik Village. The document records the property type (cinsi) as tarla (field) and provides a detailed cadastral description consistent with late Ottoman land registration practices.
The field’s boundaries are defined by neighboring heirs and properties, reflecting changes in ownership over time. The size of the land is recorded using both old (atik) and new (cedid) Ottoman measurement systems, indicating a substantial agricultural holding. The assessed value (kıymet) is listed as 9,125 kuruş, a notably high amount for the period, suggesting that the land was both extensive and valuable.
The sahib-i evveli (initial ownership) section lists Ottoman citizens from the Kazran or Kantaran Mahallesi (reading uncertain), identifying Çolakyan Sarkis oğlu Parsih Ağa’s daughters: Mariyam, Ohanna, and Tanya (the last name partially uncertain due to handwriting). The reason for giving the tittle deed explains that the siblings mutually agreed to divide the inherited property from their father and, by unanimous consent, relinquished this specific field to their sister Mariyam.
Accordingly, the tapu sahibi (title holder) is recorded as Mariyam Hatun, daughter of Çolakyan Sarkis oğlu Parsih (Parseğ) Ağa, an Ottoman citizen. The document bears official seals, stamps, and signatures, confirming its legal validity. As a family inheritance settlement involving an Armenian family in the Adana region, this title deed is a significant and collectible example illustrating land ownership, inheritance practices, and the multi-ethnic social fabric of the late Ottoman countryside.
Key Features
• Type: Ottoman field title deed
• Date: 19 Muharrem 1332 (18 December 1913)
• Location: Adana, Yüreğir Nahiyesi, İncirlik Village
• Property Type (Cinsi): Agricultural field (tarla)
• Boundaries (Hudud): East bordered by Ohan’s heirs; west bordered by Çolak oğlu Sarkis and currently Çolak oğlu Parsih’s heirs; north formerly Sadık and currently Çolak oğlu’s heirs; south formerly Mustafa and currently Çolak oğlu Parsih’s heirs
• Property Size (Mikdar): 67 dönüm 2 evlek (atik); 24 dönüm 15 evlek 93 arşun (cedid)
• Initial Owners (Sahib-i Evveli): Mariyam, Ohanna, and Tanya (reading uncertain), daughters of Çolakyan Sarkis oğlu Parsih Ağa (Ottoman citizens)
• Transfer Reason: Amicable division of inherited property among siblings
• Title Holder (Tapu Sahibi): Mariyam Hatun, daughter of Çolakyan Sarkis oğlu Parsih (Parseğ) Ağa
• Assessed Value (Kıymet): 9,125 kuruş
• Community Context: Armenian family land ownership in early 20th-century Adana
• Physical Features: Official seals, revenue stamps, and signatures
• Collectible Significance: Documents inheritance-based land transfer and valuable agricultural property in late Ottoman Anatolia