A writ of habeas corpus is a procedure for obtaining a judicial determination of the legality of an individual's custody. This collection includes petitions for writs of habeas corpus and the writs themselves, showing the names of petitioners, persons to be brought to court, nature of dispute or alleged crime, dates of writs and accompanying documents, names of judges, and names of persons that the writs are filed against. Petitioners include indentured servants, Freedom Seekers, free persons of color, convicted prisoners, those awaiting trial, relatives of prisoners, parties in child custody disputes, and relatives of army recruits and draftees.
Signers of petition: Benjamin Miller, Moses Brinton, John Douglas, James Clemson, Thomas Douglas, Jon Douglas, Nathaniel Lightner, George Wright, John Hartt, Patrick Carigan, Jacob Downer, John Parks, Abraham Beare, John Whithill, Joseph Steer, William Hamilton, Johne Cooper, Jacob Lamon, Heneney Winger, Charles McClung, William Creighton, and 4 other names.
1 Item, 6 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
List of signers: John Johnson, Thomas Montgomery, George McCullugh, John Scot, Thomas Grubb, Samuel Scott, George Clengar, Joseph Frezar, Nethanell Brown, John Cahter, James Montgommory, Richard Stedman, Abraham Whiteshoe, James Ramsay, Samuel McConnell, Samuel Polk, Alexander Caldwell, Andrew McIntyer, William Stuart, John Lortes, William Porter, William Moore, Robert McCorkoll, Andrew Wankier, Danell McFarling, William McTier, Robert Reed, William Ritihey, James McSparon and 1 other name.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Signers of petition (residents of Jonestown, Bethel Twp. and Hanover Twp.): Abraham Latcha, Daniel Bradly, Daniel Stoner, Richard Faweis, Jacob Meily, Jacob Shrevely, James Stewart, James Stewart Jr., William Young Sr., William Young Jr., Thomas Foster, and three others.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Located on the great road from Lancaster to Reading.
Signers of petition: William Smith Jr., Josiah Brown, W. Wheeler, James Wright, Thomas Norris, John Thomson, John Willson, Martin Bowman, Thomas Rutter, William McClean, Jacob Shwartznelder, John Nortone, Philip Duck Jr., Peter Snyder, and five others.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Signers of petition: Thomas Smith, John Anderson, Dorington Wilson, William Aulls, John Ramsey, Jacob Reigart, William Nelson, Hugh Patton, Christopher Reigart, John Howell, Hugh Cunningham, and five others.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Signers of petition: Frederick Seeger, Peter Baker, James McConnall, William McCausland, Anthony Hinkle, Adam Diller, Jacob Stone, Henry Skiles, and two others.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
