Hat brush with 2.5" natural bristles (likely horse hair), set into a the round head of a long turned lacquered walnut handle. Shaped handle has a swell near end opposite bristles, with a finial-like tip of two small bead shapes. Hole drilled near end for hanging cord, missing. Stamped near mid-point of handle is maker's name, "CLINTON'S", a Philadelphia brushmaker.
Considerable wear to wooden handle, esp. the round head holding bristles which is marred with chips, splintering, dents and finish loss. Smaller dents along handle, with loss of almost half of bulbous finial. Bristles also worn with discoloration.
One of a set of three toiletry tools with mother-of-pearl handles and steel shanks. This glove button hook has a round, tapering shank with a hook at the end. The handle widens and flattens out to a rounded terminal.
One of a set of three toiletry tools with mother-of-pearl handles and steel shanks. This tool has a round swell going to a very thin end with tiny hook. It is perhaps a corset hook. The handle widens and flattens out to a rounded terminal.
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.