MICROFILM The Subcommittee has in its possession a complete microfilm copy of all the records of the US. District Court for the Canal Zone through 1955. The staff has examined the microfilm records in detail and finds a variety of warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, and other conveyance instruments vesting title to real property in the Zone in the United States of America as grantee. In some instances, it appears that the United States (or an agent of the United States, such as the Isthmian Land Commission, the Panama Railroad Company, or the Panama Canal Company) may have paid several times over for the same tract of land in order to insure good title. The records clearly show that a concentrated effort to extinguish all private land titles (or claims of title) and vest in the United States a fee simple interest in all real estate in the Canal Zone occurred in the years immediately after 1912 when President Woodrow Wilson, acting under specific authority of the Panama Canal Act of 1912, ordered the acquisition by the United States of fee title to all lands in the Zone.20 SAMPLE DEEDS In accordance with the order of the Chairman, hereafter follows a representative sample of types of instruments of conveyance by which the United States, as grantee, purchased its proprietary land rights in the Isthmus of Panama. 20 Execuive Order of the President of the United States dated December 5, 1912. INSTRUMENT No. 18 Know all men by these presents That I, Maria Concepcion Sosa, resident of Panama, Republic of Panama, for and in consideration of the sum of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) lawful money of the United States, (with interest on same of 6% from 8th August, 1908, until date payment is tendered by the Isthmian Canal Commission) to me in hand paid by the Isthmian Canal Commission, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, sold, received, and forever released and quit-claimed, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, remise, and forever release and quit-claim to the said Isthmian Canal Commission the seventeen (17) hectares of the estate known as "Gavilan y Gavilancito" and appropriated by the Joint Commission, appointed under the provisions of Articles VI and XV of the Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of Panama, Mr. Edwin Denby, Chairman, together with all rights, claims, household interests and demands of whatever nature, thereto appertaining: To have and to hold the above described lands of the "Gavilan y Gavilancito" assets, together with all rights, claims, leasehold interests, and demands of whatever nature, thereto appertaining, unto the said Isthmian Canal Commission, their successors, administrators, and assigns forever, and I, Maria Concepcion Sosa, do vouch myself to be the true and lawful owner of the above seventeen (17) hectares of the "Gavilan y "Gavilancito" estate, and to have in myself full power, good right and lawful authority to dispose of the said land and all interests thereto appertaining in the manner as aforesaid, and I do hereby for myself, my heirs, administrators, executors and assigns, covenant and agree to warrant and defend the said lands and leasehold interests thereunto appertaining unto the said Isthmian Canal Commission, their successors, administrators and assigns, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons whatsoever. In witness whereof, I Maria Concepcion Sosa, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 21st day of August 1908. Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of: (Signed) MARIA C. SOSA. Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, Maria Concepcion Sosa. whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument in writing and acknowledged the same to be her voluntary act and deed; and I certify that the said instrument in writing was read and fully explained to the said Maria Concepcion Sosa at the time of acknowledgment. In testimony thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal, this 21st day of August, 1908. (Signed) WALTER EMERY, Clerk of the Circuit Court for the 1st Judicial Circuit, C.Z. Filed for record, August 21st, 1908, at 3 o'clock P. M. (Signed) WALTER EMERY, Registrar. INSTRUMENT No. 23 Know all men by these presents, That I, Jose Gabriel Duque, a resident of Panama, Republic of Panama, for and in consideration of the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) lawful money of the United States (with interest on same of 6% from 6th August, 1908, until date payment is tendered by the Isthmian Canal Commission, to me in hand paid by the Isthmian Canal Commission, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, sold. remised, and forever releeased and quit-claimed, bey these presents do grant, bargain, sell, remise, and forever release and quit-claim to the said Isthmian Canal Commission the one (1) hectare of the estate known as "San Lazaro," and appropriated by the Joint Commission, appointed under the provisions of the Articles VI and XV of the Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of Panama, Mr. Edwin Denby, Chairman, together with all the rights. claims, leasehold interests and demands of whatever nature, etc. appertaining: To have and to hold the above described lands of the "San Lazaro" estate. together with all rights, claims, leasehold interests and demands of whatever nature, thereto appertaining, unto the said Isthmian Canal Commission, their successors, administrators, and assigns forever, and I, Jose Gabriel Duque, do vouch myself to be the true and lawful owner of the above one (1) hectare of the "San Lazaro" estate, and to have in myself full power, good right and lawful authority to dispose of the said land and all interests thereto appertaining in the manner as aforesaid, and I do hereby for myself, my heirs, administrators, executors and assigns, covenant and agree to warrant and defend the said lands and leasehold interests thereunto appertaining unto the said Isthmian Canal Commission, their successors, administrators and assigns, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons whatsoever. In witness whereof, I, Jose Gabriel Duque, have hereunto set my hand and seal this 15th day of September, 1908. (Signed) J. GABRIEL DUQUE. Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, Mr. Jose Gabriel Duque, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument in writing and acknowledged the same to be his voluntary act and deed; and I certify that the said instrument in writing was read and fully explained to the said Jose Gabriel Duque at the time of acknowledgement. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal this 15th day of September, 1908. (Signed) WALTER EMERY, Clerk of Circuit Court for the 1st Filed for record, Sept. 15, at 3:16. INSTRUMENT No. 16 DEED OF SALE CRISTOBAL, C. Z., September 17, 1907. This is to certify that I, Manuela Pimienta, have this day sold to the Panama Railroad Company, or at the Rail Road Company's election, to the Isthmian Canal Commission, my house, No. 74, in the village on the Correoso Island at Gatun, Canal Zone (on the left bank of the Chagres River) for the sum of One Hundred and Forty Dollars (140.00) U.S. Gold; also the lot on which said house stands, which lot measures 30 meters by 8 meters, or a total of 240 square meters. for the sum of Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) U.S. Gold (which is the equivalent of the price, vis: $960 Colombian Silver, for which I purchased said lot from Gen. B. Correoso on May 19, 1891, at the rate of exchange (60% premium) ruling at that time) and also, that I have received these amounts, or say a total of Seven Hundred and Forty Dollars ($740.00) U.S. Gold, this day from the Cashier of the Panama Railroad Company and I hereby agree to deliver up possession of said house and lot to the Panama Rail Road Company for the Isthmian Canal Commission, from today, I hereby waiving all further claims in connection with said house and lot. This is also to certify that I have this day delivered to the Panama Railroad Company my title deed from Gen. Correoso of May 19, 1891, for the purchase of said lot from him, jointly by myself and my husband, Jose Mulet, who died over 14 years ago, leaving me in full possession of the lot, the house on which I had acquired on March 12, 1888, by purchase, for the sum of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) Colombian Currency, from said Jose Mulet, the title deed for which I have today surrendered to the Panama Rail Road Company. I further declare that I have given notice to the occupants of the above mentioned house to vacate same at once, or, at latest, within fifteen (15) days from this date, so that, after the expiration of this period the Panama Rail Road Company or Isthmian Canal Commission can proceed with the removal of the demolition of said house. Witness: (Sgd.) JOSE F. GUTIERRES. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANAL ZONE, THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Before me, Nelson R. Johnson, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Third Judicial Circuit, Canal Zone, personally appeared the above named Manuela Pimienta, known to be the person, and acknowledged that she executed the foregoing instrument of her own free will and accord. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature and the seal of the said court this 17th day of September, A.D. 1907. (Sgd) NELSON R. JOHNSON, [SEAL] Canal Zone. Fee $.40 Paid. Filed for record December 10, 1907 at 9:30 A/M NELSON R. JOHNSON. INSTRUMENT No. 115 Know all men by these present, That I, Rafael Bargas, for and in consideration of the sum of One Dollar ($1.00), lawful money of the United States to me in hand, paid by the Panama Railroad Company, receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, sold, remised, and forever released and quit-claimed, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, remise, and forever release and quitclaim to the United States of America any and all my right, title, and interest whatsoever in and to the following described property acquired by lease or purchase from Genl. Correose or others to-wit: That piece or parcel of land House on Lot 37 D-(99) situated in the old village of Gatun described and designated on the Panama Railroad Company's map of said old village of Gatun as Lot 37 D-(99). To have and to hold the above designated and described property together with all rights, claims lease-hold interest and demands of whatsoever nature appertaining thereto unto the said United States of America, its successors, or assigns forever; I do hereby for myself, my heirs, administrators, executors, and assigns, covenant and agree to warrant and defend the said property unto the United States of America, its successors, or assigns against the lawful claims and demands of all persons whomsoever and I do hereby likewise release and surrender any and all claims for actual or consequential damages to the said estate which may have heretofore been caused or claimed by reason of the action of the Isthmain Canal Commission, the Panama Railroad Company, or any of their agents, servants, or employees. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Rafael Bargas have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 12th day of January, 1909. (Sgd.) RAFAEL BARGAS. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of: (Sgd.) A. C. GREENWOOD. (Sgd.) R. H. WARDLAW. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANAL ZONE, THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Personally appeared before me this 12th day of January 1909, the abovenamed Rafael Bargas to me known to be the person therein mentioned, and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed. 1 Her mark. |