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.
Declarations and pleadings in the most usual actions brought in the several courts of King's-Bench and Common-Pleas at Westminster ... : also (incidently) shewing the forms of proceedings as well in the Petty-Bag Office in Chancery, as in corporation courts, &c
