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.
This album may have belonged to the family of John Lorentz or his son John Lorentz, Jr. The names of Susan Lorentz and Christie Lorentz are written on the inside back cover and C. Lawrence is embossed on the front cover. Also, "Presented to Kate Christmas 1864 JSL" is written on the inside front cover. Album contains carte de visites and tintypes. Most are unidentified.