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: Jacob Baer, Benjamin B. Bear, Isaac Evans, Jacob Hawk, Frederick Hoffman, John Davis, John Ream, David Ringwalt, John Seachrist, Jacob Brubaker, John G. Brenner, Jacob Sener.
Bond: Jacob Baer, John Davis.
Receipt to keep a tavern.
3 items, 3 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Signers of petition: John Davis, Abraham Brubaker, John S. Wissler, Christian Saner, [H. L. Frintz], John G. Brenner, Emanuel Hall, Uriah Goodman, Jacob Baer, Henry Baker, Daniel Brenner, Joseph B. Mumma, Benjamin B. Bear.
Bond: Adam S. Dietrich, John Davis.
Receipt to keep a tavern.
3 items, 3 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Signers of petition: Henry Mayers, Jacob Sener, Michael Seitz, Jacob Mauk, William K. Martin, Andrew Brubaker, [signature in German], [signature in German], John Ream, John Dunkel, John Mann, Jacob Brubaker.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
The Mayor's Court was established at the incorporation of the City of Lancaster in 1818, and was composed of the mayor, recorder, and aldermen with powers and jurisdiction analogous to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace, Oyer and Terminer, and Jail Delivery. It was abolished on 6 February 1849.
System of Arrangement
Organized by court term.
Arranged with general materials first, then constables reports, tavern licenses, un-numbered cases, and numbered cases.
Signers of Petition: William Myers, Frederick Hoffman, George Brown, H. B. Bear, John Eshleman, Michael Seitz, John H. L. Landis, Christian Kauffman, Jacob Hershey, Edward L. Howard, Christian Riddle, Ezekiel Williams, Henry Getz, Benjamin Bear, Henry Baer.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.