Deeds, 1688-1865

Beginning is 1688 land conveyances have been recorded at the Chester County Recorder of Deeds Office. While it was in the interest of both parties to record their contracts, many deeds and mortgages in 18th and early 19th century were not recorded. It was also not uncommon for Chester County residents to record their land conveyances in Philadelphia.

* The dates provided above represent recording dates. During the 18th and 19th century it was not uncommon for deeds to be recorded years, if not decades after the original transaction took place. 

Common Instruments Recorded

The most common instruments recorded are:

• Deeds - Contract in which one party conveys land to another.
• Mortgages - A conditional conveyance of land, designed as a security for the payment of money to another. (Recorded in separate Mortgage Books after 1773.) 
• Lease/Release - A feudal form of land conveyance.
• Grants - A grant of land from the proprietary government to another. Most grants for Chester County land are recorded at the Pennsylvania State Archives.
• Patents - A deed that completed the transfer of land from the proprietary government to another. Most patents for Chester County land are recorded at the Pennsylvania State Archives.
• Sheriff's Deeds - Contract in which the sheriff, as a result of a court order, conveys land to another. (See also Sheriffs' Deeds Index.)
• Release - The relinquishment of a right or interest in a property to another. Typically the heirs of the original property owner.

Explanation of terms and categories: Grantor/Grantee Misc: Adm - Administrator of an estate. Assn - Assignee, individual acting on behalf of another to settle debts Dec'd - This individual is deceased. His/her heirs, executors/administrators are involved in this contract. et. al. - "And others" More than one grantor/grantee exists for this instrument. Exr - Executor of an estate. Trus - Trustee of an individual or organization. Guardian - Individual appointed to act on behalf of minors

The Chester County Archives only has deeds filed in Chester County before 1918. For access to all Chester County deeds filed after 1918, you will need to contact the Recorder of Deeds Office. For access to our scanned images of pre-1918 deeds, please send us an email ([email protected]) with the specific reference information found in the indexes (book and page number). While we charge a nominal fee for access to our scanned images, there are a few free alternatives. All of these alternatives methods fall beyond our mission and responsibility, so all questions should be directed to the appropriate organization/department. 

Instructions to access Chester County deeds with a free Family Search account: You can access most pre-1918 deed books and deed indexes by creating a free Family Search account. This option is valuable because researchers can access deed indexes through 1918 (our online indexes end at 1865). 

Accessing Chester County deeds through Recorder of Deeds Office: This option is useful because researchers can access all Chester County deeds from 1688 through the present. While viewing these images is free, downloading fees apply.