Contracts and deeds of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nanking
This historical lease agreement, dated 1 January 1928 (first day of the first month in the seventeenth year of the Republic of China), documents the rental of an urban dwelling house by Chow Tunkwu from the Catholic Church. The document specifies an annual rent of three dollars and fifty cents in si...
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| description | This historical lease agreement, dated 1 January 1928 (first day of the first month in the seventeenth year of the Republic of China), documents the rental of an urban dwelling house by Chow Tunkwu from the Catholic Church. The document specifies an annual rent of three dollars and fifty cents in silver coinage, payable monthly, with a five-dollar deposit paid in advance. The landlord assumes responsibility for all repairs, including structural damage, roof leaks, and cleaning. Termination provisions require one month’s notice from the tenant and at least one day’s notice from the landlord in the event of re-letting. The agreement is formalised through signatures and seals, including those of the lessee, Chow Tunkwu, and a witness, Li Tseng (name partially damaged). The text is accompanied by multiple official and institutional stamps, including a 'Rent Tax' stamp (租稅), a contract designation (约), and a revenue stamp denoting one cent (壹分), indicating fiscal registration. A watermark and central seal bearing the Latin motto "LUX IN TENEBRIS LUCET" and the name "CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY", alongside the values "VERITAS" and "BONITAS", suggest institutional involvement by a Catholic educational or ecclesiastical body, potentially linked to a university. This primary source offers valuable insight into early Republican-era urban tenancy practices, property management, and the role of religious institutions in housing and legal administration in China during the late 1920s. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-02T10:42:50Z |
| format | Manuscripts |
| fulltext | [transcription]
{{PAGE:1}}
[Page 1] [Texto Principal] 立租约字人周敦五今租到 天主堂市房壹间當日言明每年行 租大洋[UNCLEAR: 叁]元五角當付押租大洋 五元行按月支取墻壁崩塌 掃房拾漏均归房東修理後 如東房客自行退租一月 後如不辞房東應行租一天不讓 均係言明両無異議立此租约 存此凭 租约人 周敦五 押 憑中人 李增[DAMAGED] 中華民國十七年元月初一日 [Carimbos] [No topo, à direita] Carimbo circular, a vermelho, com os caracteres: 租稅 [No topo, à direita, abaixo do carimbo circular] Caractere manuscrito: 约 [No topo, à direita, abaixo do caractere "约"] Carimbo decorativo retangular com contorno vermelho, representando flores vermelhas com folhagem. [No centro] Marca d'água circular, esbatida. Contém um brasão com uma cruz e estrelas, rodeado por uma grinalda de louros. Texto em arco visível na parte superior: [ILLEGIBLE] CATHOLIC UNIV[ILLEGIBLE].
{{PAGE:2}}
**[Carimbos] ou [Selos]** [No topo, à direita] Carimbo retangular, preto e castanho, com o texto "中華民國印花稅票" e "壹分". [No topo, à direita] Carimbo circular, vermelho, com o caractere "租" e o número "46". [À direita] Imagem impressa retangular com moldura vermelha de um edifício tradicional chinês. Ao lado, verticalmente, os caracteres "樓豐萬". [No centro] Selo circular grande, esmaecido, de emblema universitário com um escudo, uma cruz e ramos de oliveira. Texto em latim visível: "CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY" na parte superior e "LUX IN TENEBRIS LUCET" na parte inferior. No escudo, as palavras "VERITAS" e "BONITAS" são parcialmente visíveis.
[translation]
{{PAGE:1}}
--- TRANSLATION ---
[Page 1] [Main Text]
This indenture is made by Chow Tunkwu, who has this day rented from the Catholic Church one urban dwelling house. It was mutually agreed that the annual rent shall be three dollars and fifty cents in silver coinage, with a deposit of five dollars paid in advance. Rent is to be collected monthly. The landlord shall be responsible for all repairs, including structural damage to walls, sweeping, and roof leaks. Should the tenant vacate the premises voluntarily, he must give one month’s notice. Conversely, should the landlord wish to re-let the property, he must provide at least one day’s notice. These terms have been fully agreed upon without dispute. This lease agreement is hereby drawn up as legal evidence.
Lessee:
Chow Tunkwu
[Seal]
Witness:
Li Tseng[Damaged]
Dated the first day of the first month in the seventeenth year of the Republic of China (1 January 1928)
[Stamps]
[Top right-hand corner] Circular red stamp bearing the characters: 租稅 (‘Rent Tax’)
[Below the circular stamp, top right-hand corner] Handwritten character: 约 (‘Contract’)
[Beneath the character “约”] Rectangular ornamental red-bordered stamp depicting red flowers with green foliage.
[Centre of page] Faint circular watermark featuring a coat of arms containing a cross and stars, encircled by a laurel wreath. Legible arched text along the upper portion: [ILLEGIBLE] CATHOLIC UNIV[ILLEGIBLE].
{{PAGE:2}}
--- TRANSLATION ---
**[Stamps or Seals]**
[Top right] Rectangular black and brown stamp bearing the Chinese characters "中華民國印花稅票" and "壹分" (One Cent).
[Top right] Red circular stamp containing the character "租" (Rent) and the number "46".
[Right side] Rectangular printed image with a red border depicting a traditional Chinese building. Adjacent to it, vertically inscribed, are the characters "樓豐萬".
[Centre] Large faded circular seal featuring a university emblem comprising a shield, a cross, and olive branches. Latin inscription visible: "CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY" along the upper rim and "LUX IN TENEBRIS LUCET" along the lower rim. On the shield, the words "VERITAS" and "BONITAS" are partially legible. |
| fulltext_transcription | {{PAGE:1}}
[Page 1] [Texto Principal] 立租约字人周敦五今租到 天主堂市房壹间當日言明每年行 租大洋[UNCLEAR: 叁]元五角當付押租大洋 五元行按月支取墻壁崩塌 掃房拾漏均归房東修理後 如東房客自行退租一月 後如不辞房東應行租一天不讓 均係言明両無異議立此租约 存此凭 租约人 周敦五 押 憑中人 李增[DAMAGED] 中華民國十七年元月初一日 [Carimbos] [No topo, à direita] Carimbo circular, a vermelho, com os caracteres: 租稅 [No topo, à direita, abaixo do carimbo circular] Caractere manuscrito: 约 [No topo, à direita, abaixo do caractere "约"] Carimbo decorativo retangular com contorno vermelho, representando flores vermelhas com folhagem. [No centro] Marca d'água circular, esbatida. Contém um brasão com uma cruz e estrelas, rodeado por uma grinalda de louros. Texto em arco visível na parte superior: [ILLEGIBLE] CATHOLIC UNIV[ILLEGIBLE].
{{PAGE:2}}
**[Carimbos] ou [Selos]** [No topo, à direita] Carimbo retangular, preto e castanho, com o texto "中華民國印花稅票" e "壹分". [No topo, à direita] Carimbo circular, vermelho, com o caractere "租" e o número "46". [À direita] Imagem impressa retangular com moldura vermelha de um edifício tradicional chinês. Ao lado, verticalmente, os caracteres "樓豐萬". [No centro] Selo circular grande, esmaecido, de emblema universitário com um escudo, uma cruz e ramos de oliveira. Texto em latim visível: "CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY" na parte superior e "LUX IN TENEBRIS LUCET" na parte inferior. No escudo, as palavras "VERITAS" e "BONITAS" são parcialmente visíveis. |
| fulltext_translation | {{PAGE:1}}
--- TRANSLATION ---
[Page 1] [Main Text]
This indenture is made by Chow Tunkwu, who has this day rented from the Catholic Church one urban dwelling house. It was mutually agreed that the annual rent shall be three dollars and fifty cents in silver coinage, with a deposit of five dollars paid in advance. Rent is to be collected monthly. The landlord shall be responsible for all repairs, including structural damage to walls, sweeping, and roof leaks. Should the tenant vacate the premises voluntarily, he must give one month’s notice. Conversely, should the landlord wish to re-let the property, he must provide at least one day’s notice. These terms have been fully agreed upon without dispute. This lease agreement is hereby drawn up as legal evidence.
Lessee:
Chow Tunkwu
[Seal]
Witness:
Li Tseng[Damaged]
Dated the first day of the first month in the seventeenth year of the Republic of China (1 January 1928)
[Stamps]
[Top right-hand corner] Circular red stamp bearing the characters: 租稅 (‘Rent Tax’)
[Below the circular stamp, top right-hand corner] Handwritten character: 约 (‘Contract’)
[Beneath the character “约”] Rectangular ornamental red-bordered stamp depicting red flowers with green foliage.
[Centre of page] Faint circular watermark featuring a coat of arms containing a cross and stars, encircled by a laurel wreath. Legible arched text along the upper portion: [ILLEGIBLE] CATHOLIC UNIV[ILLEGIBLE].
{{PAGE:2}}
--- TRANSLATION ---
**[Stamps or Seals]**
[Top right] Rectangular black and brown stamp bearing the Chinese characters "中華民國印花稅票" and "壹分" (One Cent).
[Top right] Red circular stamp containing the character "租" (Rent) and the number "46".
[Right side] Rectangular printed image with a red border depicting a traditional Chinese building. Adjacent to it, vertically inscribed, are the characters "樓豐萬".
[Centre] Large faded circular seal featuring a university emblem comprising a shield, a cross, and olive branches. Latin inscription visible: "CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY" along the upper rim and "LUX IN TENEBRIS LUCET" along the lower rim. On the shield, the words "VERITAS" and "BONITAS" are partially legible. |
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| last_indexed | 2026-09-24T07:28:05Z |
| latest_content_date | 2026-09-24T07:28:05Z |
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| spelling | Contracts and deeds of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nanking This historical lease agreement, dated 1 January 1928 (first day of the first month in the seventeenth year of the Republic of China), documents the rental of an urban dwelling house by Chow Tunkwu from the Catholic Church. The document specifies an annual rent of three dollars and fifty cents in silver coinage, payable monthly, with a five-dollar deposit paid in advance. The landlord assumes responsibility for all repairs, including structural damage, roof leaks, and cleaning. Termination provisions require one month’s notice from the tenant and at least one day’s notice from the landlord in the event of re-letting. The agreement is formalised through signatures and seals, including those of the lessee, Chow Tunkwu, and a witness, Li Tseng (name partially damaged). The text is accompanied by multiple official and institutional stamps, including a 'Rent Tax' stamp (租稅), a contract designation (约), and a revenue stamp denoting one cent (壹分), indicating fiscal registration. A watermark and central seal bearing the Latin motto "LUX IN TENEBRIS LUCET" and the name "CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY", alongside the values "VERITAS" and "BONITAS", suggest institutional involvement by a Catholic educational or ecclesiastical body, potentially linked to a university. This primary source offers valuable insight into early Republican-era urban tenancy practices, property management, and the role of religious institutions in housing and legal administration in China during the late 1920s. Manuscripts Academic Historical Lease Annual Rent Three Dollars Fifty Cents Catholic Church landlord Catholic University affiliation Chow Tunkwu lessee Cleaning Duty Allocation Five Dollar Advance Deposit Landlord Repair Obligations Latin motto Lux In Tenebris Lucet Monthly Rent Installments Official Institutional Stamps One Fen Revenue Stamp Religious Institution Property Republic of China lease agreement Republican era legal document Roof Leak Maintenance Silver Coinage Payment Structural Damage Responsibility Termination Notice Clause Tseng witness name Urban Dwelling Rental Veritas and Bonitas values Watermark Central Seal {{PAGE:1}} [Page 1] [Texto Principal] 立租约字人周敦五今租到 天主堂市房壹间當日言明每年行 租大洋[UNCLEAR: 叁]元五角當付押租大洋 五元行按月支取墻壁崩塌 掃房拾漏均归房東修理後 如東房客自行退租一月 後如不辞房東應行租一天不讓 均係言明両無異議立此租约 存此凭 租约人 周敦五 押 憑中人 李增[DAMAGED] 中華民國十七年元月初一日 [Carimbos] [No topo, à direita] Carimbo circular, a vermelho, com os caracteres: 租稅 [No topo, à direita, abaixo do carimbo circular] Caractere manuscrito: 约 [No topo, à direita, abaixo do caractere "约"] Carimbo decorativo retangular com contorno vermelho, representando flores vermelhas com folhagem. [No centro] Marca d'água circular, esbatida. Contém um brasão com uma cruz e estrelas, rodeado por uma grinalda de louros. Texto em arco visível na parte superior: [ILLEGIBLE] CATHOLIC UNIV[ILLEGIBLE]. {{PAGE:2}} **[Carimbos] ou [Selos]** [No topo, à direita] Carimbo retangular, preto e castanho, com o texto "中華民國印花稅票" e "壹分". [No topo, à direita] Carimbo circular, vermelho, com o caractere "租" e o número "46". [À direita] Imagem impressa retangular com moldura vermelha de um edifício tradicional chinês. Ao lado, verticalmente, os caracteres "樓豐萬". [No centro] Selo circular grande, esmaecido, de emblema universitário com um escudo, uma cruz e ramos de oliveira. Texto em latim visível: "CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY" na parte superior e "LUX IN TENEBRIS LUCET" na parte inferior. No escudo, as palavras "VERITAS" e "BONITAS" são parcialmente visíveis. {{PAGE:1}} --- TRANSLATION --- [Page 1] [Main Text] This indenture is made by Chow Tunkwu, who has this day rented from the Catholic Church one urban dwelling house. It was mutually agreed that the annual rent shall be three dollars and fifty cents in silver coinage, with a deposit of five dollars paid in advance. Rent is to be collected monthly. The landlord shall be responsible for all repairs, including structural damage to walls, sweeping, and roof leaks. Should the tenant vacate the premises voluntarily, he must give one month’s notice. Conversely, should the landlord wish to re-let the property, he must provide at least one day’s notice. These terms have been fully agreed upon without dispute. This lease agreement is hereby drawn up as legal evidence. Lessee: Chow Tunkwu [Seal] Witness: Li Tseng[Damaged] Dated the first day of the first month in the seventeenth year of the Republic of China (1 January 1928) [Stamps] [Top right-hand corner] Circular red stamp bearing the characters: 租稅 (‘Rent Tax’) [Below the circular stamp, top right-hand corner] Handwritten character: 约 (‘Contract’) [Beneath the character “约”] Rectangular ornamental red-bordered stamp depicting red flowers with green foliage. [Centre of page] Faint circular watermark featuring a coat of arms containing a cross and stars, encircled by a laurel wreath. Legible arched text along the upper portion: [ILLEGIBLE] CATHOLIC UNIV[ILLEGIBLE]. {{PAGE:2}} --- TRANSLATION --- **[Stamps or Seals]** [Top right] Rectangular black and brown stamp bearing the Chinese characters "中華民國印花稅票" and "壹分" (One Cent). [Top right] Red circular stamp containing the character "租" (Rent) and the number "46". [Right side] Rectangular printed image with a red border depicting a traditional Chinese building. Adjacent to it, vertically inscribed, are the characters "樓豐萬". [Centre] Large faded circular seal featuring a university emblem comprising a shield, a cross, and olive branches. Latin inscription visible: "CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY" along the upper rim and "LUX IN TENEBRIS LUCET" along the lower rim. On the shield, the words "VERITAS" and "BONITAS" are partially legible. |
| spellingShingle | Contracts and deeds of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nanking Academic Historical Lease Annual Rent Three Dollars Fifty Cents Catholic Church landlord Catholic University affiliation Chow Tunkwu lessee Cleaning Duty Allocation Five Dollar Advance Deposit Landlord Repair Obligations Latin motto Lux In Tenebris Lucet Monthly Rent Installments Official Institutional Stamps One Fen Revenue Stamp Religious Institution Property Republic of China lease agreement Republican era legal document Roof Leak Maintenance Silver Coinage Payment Structural Damage Responsibility Termination Notice Clause Tseng witness name Urban Dwelling Rental Veritas and Bonitas values Watermark Central Seal |
| title | Contracts and deeds of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nanking |
| title_autocomplete | Contracts and deeds of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nanking |
| title_full | Contracts and deeds of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nanking |
| title_fullStr | Contracts and deeds of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nanking |
| title_full_unstemmed | Contracts and deeds of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nanking |
| title_short | Contracts and deeds of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nanking |
| title_sort | contracts and deeds of the roman catholic archdiocese of nanking |
| topic | Academic Historical Lease Annual Rent Three Dollars Fifty Cents Catholic Church landlord Catholic University affiliation Chow Tunkwu lessee Cleaning Duty Allocation Five Dollar Advance Deposit Landlord Repair Obligations Latin motto Lux In Tenebris Lucet Monthly Rent Installments Official Institutional Stamps One Fen Revenue Stamp Religious Institution Property Republic of China lease agreement Republican era legal document Roof Leak Maintenance Silver Coinage Payment Structural Damage Responsibility Termination Notice Clause Tseng witness name Urban Dwelling Rental Veritas and Bonitas values Watermark Central Seal |
| topic_autocomplete | Academic Historical Lease Annual Rent Three Dollars Fifty Cents Catholic Church landlord Catholic University affiliation Chow Tunkwu lessee Cleaning Duty Allocation Five Dollar Advance Deposit Landlord Repair Obligations Latin motto Lux In Tenebris Lucet Monthly Rent Installments Official Institutional Stamps One Fen Revenue Stamp Religious Institution Property Republic of China lease agreement Republican era legal document Roof Leak Maintenance Silver Coinage Payment Structural Damage Responsibility Termination Notice Clause Tseng witness name Urban Dwelling Rental Veritas and Bonitas values Watermark Central Seal |
| topic_facet | Academic Historical Lease Annual Rent Three Dollars Fifty Cents Catholic Church landlord Catholic University affiliation Chow Tunkwu lessee Cleaning Duty Allocation Five Dollar Advance Deposit Landlord Repair Obligations Latin motto Lux In Tenebris Lucet Monthly Rent Installments Official Institutional Stamps One Fen Revenue Stamp Religious Institution Property Republic of China lease agreement Republican era legal document Roof Leak Maintenance Silver Coinage Payment Structural Damage Responsibility Termination Notice Clause Tseng witness name Urban Dwelling Rental Veritas and Bonitas values Watermark Central Seal |
| url | https://macau-legacy.usj.edu.mo/docs/H6YKIYFA/viewer_H6YKIYFA.html |
| zotero_collection_key | LNU3WPEA PAAL2UHW ZJMXNJXH |