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.
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.
Lancaster County Archives has Habeas Corpus dockets:
1799-1978, ten volumes, record of writs of Habeas Corpus written.
1895-1983, 43 boxes, original petitions.
Notes
LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As a historical resource, this document 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 In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.
Additional Notes
Person of color.
Suspicion of being a runaway servant.
Petitioner: Read, Thomas M.
Filed against: Eberman, Philip. His occupation: jailor.
Affidavit.
Habeas corpus, includes answer and decision.
2 items, 2 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment-contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
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Credit
Courtesy of Lancaster County Archives and LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Case Number
127.000
Classification
RG 01-00 2313
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
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: Adam Keller, William Lenix, John Miller, William McBride, Jacob Heistand, James Laird, [signature in German], John S. Sterrett, Miller Traim, Samuel R. Bockius, Jacob Stolar, James B. Ferree, Jacob Rohrer, Thomas J. Patterson, A. Hackman, Jacob Wallick, Jacob Hollinger, Christian Leib.
Second Sheet: John Miller, James B. Ferree, Thomas J. Patterson, John S. Sterrett, Abraham Eshleman, Jacob Wallich, Samuel R. Bockius, Christian Leib, Abraham Hertzler, [signature in German], Jacob Nissley, [signature in German], David Boyce, John Nissly, Jacob Hershy.
2 items, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Signers of petition: Peter C. Eckert, Christian Beam, John Miller, Peter Beam, Jonathan B. Rutter, John V. Hurst, Jacob Leaman, Daniel M. [Kililips], Jacob Kreider, Jacob B. Landis, Moses Eaby, Isaac Bair.
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 Miller, John Seldomridge, Richard Rutter, Jacob K. Eckert, Harmany A. Smith, John Doyle, Jordan Steen, George Seldomridge, Henry Espensched, David Stirling, Joseph Shnavely, Mahlon Ruth.
Receipt to keep a tavern.
3 items, 3 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
