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 In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.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."
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.
McGuigin, Agness. Mother of McGuigin, Ruthanna, age 10.
Johnson, Christmas. African American. Father of Johnson, Jane, age 5.
Clark, Tom. African American. Father of Clark, Abner, age 5; Clark, John, age 8.
Oldham, James. Father of Oldham, Harriet, age 5; Oldham, John, age 7.
Brown, Samuel. Father of Brown, Thomas, age 6; Gray, Willimina, age 9.
Swagars, Widow. Mother of Swagers, Jacob, age 10.
Scotton, Joel. Father of Scotton, John, age 7; Scotton, Minerva, age 6; Scotton, William, age 9.
Dailey, John. Father of Dailey, James, age 9; Dailey, Mary, age 11.
Miller, John. African American. Father of Miller, Addilene, age 7; Miller, Charlotta, age 9.
Leek, Elizabeth. Mother of Johnson, David, age 10; Richardson, Stephen, age 5; Richardson, William, age 6.
Lewis, Mary. Mother of Lewis, Andrew, age 7; Lewis, James, age 10.
Evans, Joel. Father of Evans, Thomas, age 8.
Cooper, Alexander. Father of Cooper, James, age 5; Cooper, Pamela, age 6; Cooper, Rebecca, age 9.
Keys, John. Father of Keys, John, age 6; Keys, Margaret, age 8.
Crothers, John. Father of Crothers, Alphies, age 5; Crothers, Eliza, age 6; Crothers, John W., age 9; Crothers, Richard H., age 7; Crothers, William, age 11.
Carrell, Joseph. Father of Carrell, Elizabeth, age 6; Carrell, James, age 11; Carrell, William, age 9.
Norriss, Levi. Father of Norriss, Daniel, age 9; Norriss, Eliner, age 11; Norriss, Sarah, age 7.
Maxwell, George. African American. Father of Maxwell, Amos, age 6; Maxwell, Margaret, age 9.
Long, Mary. Mother of Long, Abner, age 8; Long, Kersey, age 11.
Ross, Isabele. Mother of Ross, Reason, age 11.
Drake, William. Father of Drake, John M., age 5; Drake, Mariam C., age 9; Drake, William B., age 7.
Armstrong, Edward. African American. Father of Armstrong, Francis, age 7; Armstrong, Jacob, age 10.
Peters, Abram. Father of Peters, Robert, age 8; Peters, William, age 10.
McCullough, Rebecca, age 7; McCullough, Reubin, age 6.
Milburn, James. Father of Millburn, Abram, age 8; Milburn, Ann, age 9.
Towson, Isaac. Father of Towson, Ephrim, age 7; Towson, Joseph, age 8.
McCullough, John. Father of McCullough, Margaret, age 9; McCullough, Rebecca, age 7; McCullough, Reubin, age 6.
Renolds, Job. Father of Renolds, Lydia, age 6; Renolds, Phebe, age 9.
Hess, Jonas. Father of Hess, Elias, age 6.
Pyle, John. Father of Pyle, Rebecca, age 7; Pyle, Sarah, age 9.
1 item. 1 piece.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at research 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.
