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.
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.
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: George Sheffer, George Howerter, Charles Musser, Samuel Hornberger, John Brennise, Martin Fry Jr., Daniel Hahn, John Forney, Christian Wolff, William White, Peter Shindel, Jonas Dorwart, Henry Carpenter, Jacob Slough, E. Schaeffer, William Dean, [ ] German, Joseph Uhrich, George Matter, Frederick Hambright, George Hambright, Leonard Eichholtz, Hugh Maxwell, [unknown signature], [signature in German], John Smith.
1 Item, 1 Piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Signers of petition: Cyrus Ream, B. Bucher, J. H. Rhoads, Christian Keller, George Lorah, Elias Waithnecht, Samuel F. Lied, Henry H. Shirk, Elias Weitzel, Jeremiah M. Sallada, John S. Royer, Christian Bentz, Christian Echternach, John Mishler, George Ludwig, Henry Lesher, David Blensinger.
3 items, 3 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Signers of petition: J. Hiester, D. G. Eshleman, A. S. Henderson, David Shultz, John Black, John Swartz, George Calder, Thomas E. Franklin, N. Lightner, J. Huber, W. L. Peiper, A. Herr Smith, George Mayer, [ ] Mecartney, William Frick.
3 items, 3 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
Signers of petition: E. H. Rhoads, Jeremiah M. Sallada, Elias Waitknecht, John S. Rayer, Henry Lesher, Samuel Fry, Jacob Lutz, George [Lordeu], Henry H. Shirk, David Blensinger, Christian Bentz, John Mishler.
3 items, 3 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
