Abstract: From the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China, there exist many and extensive documents concerning property inheritance among the folk contracts discovered in the Qingshuijiang River Basin,Tianzhu County. Effects of the patriarchal clan can be found in the forms and the contents of these documents. Family-dividing property documents are the major departents of inheritance of property, these reserved and shared property became the substance ties between Individual family and the patriarchal clan. The inheritance right of property was given to male descendants, and female descendants are generally not in the line of succession. The influences the patriarchal clan were showed in the distribution ceremony, distribution plan and the dispute?resolution, which revealed the positive meaning of the patriarchal clan in maintaining the family continuity and social stability.

Key words: Tianzhu County, Family-dividing property documents, Patriarchal Clan, Property inheritance