Land grants and leases (registers) 1792-1865

• Record series in the index: NRS 13837 which indexes the first six volumes of NRS 13836
• Entries in the index: 5600+

The registers contain a record of all land grants made (both free and by purchase) down to 1843, from which date separate registers of land purchases and town purchases were kept. From 1843 onwards the registers contain records of grants made in virtue of promises of grants made prior to 1831 and of land granted for churches, schools, and other public purposes, or when land was surrendered and re-granted for some reason.

Volumes [7/444-451] include grants and leases made at Norfolk Island and Van Diemen's Land prior to 1816. Most entries relate to land grants in the County of Cumberland.

In general the registers from 1792 to 1843 contain the following information in respect of each grant: the number of the grant (within each volume), the register and page number of the entry in the register of grants in the Colonial Secretary's Office, the name of the grantee, the number of acres, whether a grant or lease, the name of the district in which the land was situated*, the name of the Governor by whom the land was granted, the date when the grant was made, and the names of the witnesses to the execution of the deed and "Remarks" (usually special conditions as to cultivation and reservation of roads, timber, etc.). Often a description of the land is included.

Please note: the land district does not always equate with the town of that name for example the land district of Bathurst in the County of Cumberland is, 'One of the original districts of the county of Cumberland, N.S.W.; bounded on the S. by Prospect Hill and Melville districts, on the N.W. sides by the South Creek to the bridge, and on the N.E. side by the Windsor and Toongabbee roads.' (from A Geographical Dictionary or Gazetteer of the Australian Colonies by William Henry Wells, 1848). Researchers should always check the Register entry.

Accessing the records

Copies of the records can be viewed in the reading room on Reels 2560, 2561 and 2846. The reels are also available in the Archives Resources Kit. A copy of the original index [7/443] is also available on microfilm Reel 2560.

Compiled by University students during work placement.

Related (external) content

• Land and Property Information area conversion chart