This collection contains papers and local government records related to Black history in Lancaster County, including an index to Lancaster County's register of enslaved persons, Mayor's Register of Coloured Persons or Negro Entry Book, and a biographical account of Rev. James William Charles Pennington. There are official records for enslaved persons and their children in Lancaster County, as well as freemen within Lancaster City. The collection also contains a manumission paper from the state of Virginia, a certificate for free persons of color, and letters from anit-slavery societies.
System of Arrangement
Series 1 consists of the "Slave Registers," official county records registering enslaved women and their children after 1780.
Series 2 contains the "Mayor's Register of Coloured Persons," a manumission paper, correspondence, and other records.
1 box, 33 folders, 128 items, 1,178 pages to scan, .5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0240
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Black History Collection (MG0240) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/2b3d42c6-a313-4ebc-966f-516114048136
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Black History Collection (MG0240), Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL. Date accessed (day, month, year).
LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As a historical resource, this collection reflects the racial prejudices and actions of the era. In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment--contact research@lancasterhistory.org prior to visit. Restricted access for the Mayor's Register of Coloured Persons found in Series 2, Folder 2: Use transcript in Folder 3 or microfilm.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-240
Classification
MG0240
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
The collection was formerly called "The Slave Records of Lancaster County Collection." Name changed to "African American Records Collection" and arrangement changed on 13 June 2007. Name changed again in 2022 to "Black History Collection."
"Half Gal / Product of / The Garden County / of the U.S.A. / Lancaster / Ransing Daisy Brand / Products / E. A. Ransing Sons / Lancaster, PA"
-This was a vinegar jug. the firm started out at present site of Eastern Market Building, c. 1900. Later moved to Water and Hazel St. where they operated to 1929.
another Ransing jug once existed in collection as 1976.8 donated by Joseph E. McKinney
medallion for marksmanship(?). Gold circle with two gold rifles intersecting in X behind blue and yellow target in medal's center. Reads: "Penna. State Champion / 1924 / Class B" awarded to John E. Schroll
Portrait of young gentleman. Fairly faded out. Water marks/stains, one around right eye of man (viewer's left) in decorative bronze-colored frame with glass narrow gold-colored braid around edge. All with a red velvet rectangle. On the red velvet lining of the lid/cover: "Addis (?) s Lancaster Gallery/ NE Corner of Centre Square & N. Queen St." Black container has decorative motifs on front and back.
Tiny box with fitted lid, light cardboard covered in glossy white paper. Printed on lid top in blue is: "LOUIS WEBER & SON / GOLDSMITHS & SILVERSMITHS / 15-17 NO. QUEEN ST. / LANCASTER, PENNA." Above this is a shield with spread eagle and a banner underneath with "ESTABLISHED 19??".
Louis Weber was in the jewelry business on N. Queen St. since the 19th century. It was at 165 N. Queen that his son George R. Weber apparently took over the business and took on a new name -- Louis Weber & Son. This was the listing in the 1905-06 City Directory. By the next year in the 1907-08 Directory, the business was relocated to 15-17 N. Queen Street, the address printed on the box lid.
Liberty Bell pendant medallion with Independence Hall on the back. Outline of bell has contoured image of Liberty Bell with inscription, crack and clapper. Inscription at top reads "OF LEV XXV&X PROCLAIM / IN PHILDA. BY ORDER OF TH--" and below this is "PASS AND STOW / PHILADA. / MDCCLIII."
Back is flat with a raised image of Independence Hall. Extended tab at top has hole with two linked wire rings for hanging.
Sterling silver souvenir spoon of Wheatland, the Home of President James Buchanan. Bowl of spoon is an image of Wheatland and marked "PRESIDENT BUCHANAN'S HOME / LANCASTER, PA." Back of spoon is marked "STERLING." Patriotic symbols on back and front of spoon handle. Three letter vertical script monogram on back "ALR."
Year Range From
1900
Year Range To
1925
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
North Wall
Storage Cabinet
Unit 05
Storage Drawer
Drawer 14
Object Name
Spoon, Souvenir
Object ID
2023.013.001
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Sepia-toned circular photo of head of Woodrow Wilson,framed in metal button with red, white and blue ribbons attached to the back- folds above and flat ribbons below.
