This collection contains the diaries of Gilbert and Edith Bushong.
The first diaries in this collection (Folder #1), written by Gilbert Bushong who is 14 years old, are dated from 3m 17 1850 - 5m 29 1852 and April 20, 1853. The topics covered are the everyday events of family life and farming activities. He also writes about school life, and butchering hogs, and trips to visit family and friends.
The second part of this collection (Folder #2-5) was written by Edith Paxson Bushong and dates from December 31, 1858 - April 5, 1862, after Gilbert presents her with a new diary journal on his return from a trip to Lancaster. Edith writes mostly about the welfare of her family and friends, including news of marriages, births, illnesses, and deaths.
She also writes about life on the farm, her housework routine, and news of the Civil War, including the battle at Gettysburg.
Admin/Biographical History
Gilbert Bushong was the son of Henry Bushong and Esther Valentine. He was born on 2 December 1836 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and died on 10 December 1911 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer in Eden Twp., Lancaster County. Gilbert was a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) and an abolitionist who helped, with family members Henry and Jacob Bushong, to run the Underground Railroad for runaway slaves during the Civil War at Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania.
Edith D. Kinsey Paxson was born on 14 January 1836 and died 2 December 1914 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. She was the second daughter of Elwood H. Paxson and Elizabeth Moore White. She married Gilbert Bushong on 20 December 1855. The Bushongs owned a farm along what is now Valley Road, Route 372, on the eastern side of Eden Twp. and received their mail at May Post Office. They are buried together at Sadsbury Meeting Cemetery in Chester County.
Children of Gilbert and Edith Bushong:
1. Dr. Charles Henry Bushong (1 October 1856-20 December 1903). He was married twice, to sisters who were twins, Anna W. Keene and Nora E. Keene. One died and he married the other.
2. Frances E. Bushong (18 May 1858-16 November 1861).
3. Marion E. Bushong (20 March 1860-March 1937). She married Sanders M. Collins on 20 December 1884. Their children were Edith Bushong Collins (1886-1966) and Wallace Collins (b. 1899). Edith never married. She kept house for her father and was a school teacher. Wallace married Marion Chandler.
4. Marvin E. Bushong (7 June 1878-27 October 1936). He married Lydia Rakestraw on 10 September 1903. Their children were Henry Rakestraw Bushong (b. 28 July 1904) and Gertrude (b. 4 August 1909). At 21, Marvin was appointed a Justice of the Peace of Eden Twp. and in 1908 was elected Clerk of Quarter Sessions at Lancaster County. Later, he was associated with the Pennsylvania Water and Power Company, and in 1933 was vice-president of the Safe Harbor Water Power Corp.
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.
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
Constables pay.
Dellet, Adam. Constable.
Ramsey, William. Constable.
Hambright, John. Constable.
Persons brought before alderman by John Hambright.
Moore, James.
Louisa. African American.
Brown, Debby. African American.
Nicolet. African American.
Masters, John. African American.
McCooty, Elizabeth.
Thirteen persons of color whose names were not recorded.
Pinkerton, John.
Eichholtz, George.
Smith, Sophia. African American.
Folk, Magdalene.
East, Ephraim.
Eck, William.
Witnesses pay.
Commonwealth vs. Shertz, Jacob.
Meredith, Ann. Witness.
Commonwealth vs. Michael Kitch.
Rathton, Jacob.
Commonwealth vs. Joseph Aaron and Sally Aaron.
Tunison, Francis.
Shiver, John.
Commonwealth vs. John Jones.
Parker, Joseph.
Bates, Austin.
Gilmore, Isaac.
Commonwealth vs. Robert Robinson and Elizabeth Robinson.
McManus, Dennis.
Quinn, Roger.
Brown, John.
Collins, Barbara.
Commonwealth vs. Jane Colter.
Boas, Jacob.
Corchuran, Christian.
Barnet, Joseph.
Wolf, John.
Major, Jesse.
Grey, John.
Hinkle, Jonathan.
Commonwealth vs. Hanna. African American.
Dellet, Adam.
Commonwealth vs. Christian Kelles.
Steiblen, Elizabeth. Signed her name Elizabetha Staeublin.
Commonwealth vs. Mary Ann Berg.
Quinn, Deborah.
Drisky, Stephen.
Cowhawk, David.
McManus, Ann.
18 items, 18 pieces
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.
Commissioners' order for payment to witnesses, justices and court clerks
Admin/Biographical History
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.
Bowman, Benjamin Esq. Justice. Comm. v. Shirk, Jacob; fornication and bastardy. Herbet, Peter; assault & battery with intent to kill.
Commonwealth v. McGuiness, Juliana. Alias Hopkins, Juliana; larceny. Witnesses: Heckrote, Henry. Kauffman, John. Carrol, Jane.
Reitzel, John Esq. Justice. Commonwealth v. Reily Lydia;
larceny. Commonwealth v. Corman, Henry; surety of the peace; complaint of McDonald, Ann. Commonwealth v. Corman, Henry; surety of the peace; complaint of Amstead, Barbara. Commonwealth v. Adams, [Thomas] T.G.; forgery. Commonwealth v. Robertson, Job; assault and battery. Comm. v. Macks, Nicholas; assault and battery. Comm. v. Marke, N. ; surety of the peace. Lemon, Alexander; larceny. Vanhorn, Robert; fornication and bastardy.
Brown, David Esq. payment to Lloyd, Thomas, clerk. Comm. v. Findlay, Sarah. Comm. v. Thompson, John; larceny on complaint of Hoffer, Joseph. Comm. v. Thompson, John; larceny on complaint of Guy, John. Comm. v. Johnston, Robert; assault and battery on complaint of Haughey, D. Comm. v.ODonnald, Roger and ODonnald, Dominick; house of ill fame on complaint of Haughey, D. Comm. v. Haughey, Dominick; assault and battery. Comm. v. Leek, Margaret, Johnson, Robert; keeping a disorderly house. Comm. v. Davis, Henry. Comm. v. Johnson, Robert, African Amerrican; assault and battery.
Comm. v. Johnson, Robert; assault and battery on complaint of Haughey, Dominick. Witnesses: Haughey, Dominick. Dolot, Mary. Linn, William. Sweeney, James. McGlachlin, Bernard. Pleston, Stephen.
Comm. v. Wimble, Joseph; larceny. Witnesse: Heckrotte, Henry. Wade, Joseph.
Comm. v. Pyle, John; assault and battery. Witnesses: Brown, Benjamin. Brown, [Elizabeth]. Brown, Benjamin Jr. Snodgrass, William. Brown, Ann. Furniss, Gardner. Whebster, Joseph. Hutton, Isaac. Hutton, William. Hains, Jeremiah B.
Comm. v. Wan, Daniel; assault and battery. Witnesses: Withers, George. Reese, William. Steele, William. McClune, George. Russel, William.
Comm. v. Pile, John; assault and battery. Boyd, Samuel Esq. Justice.
Comm. v. Kirk, WIlliam; counterfeiting. Martin, Peter; Witness.
Comm. v. McClure, Barbara; malicious mischief. Heinzelman, John J. [also spelled Henselman].
Spear, Robert, Justice in the following cases: Comm. v. McCall, George; fornication and lewdness. Comm. v. McCall, George; assault and battery. omm. v. McCall, George; larceny. Comm. v. Baker, Maryan; fornication and lewdness.
Comm. v. McKittrick, John; fornication. Witness: Wengert, Jacob. Signed over to Mathiot, Joseph J.
Comm. v. Poke, Robert; assault and battery. Witnesses: Dick, Margret. McKinney, Eave. Fox, Fanny.
Comm. v. Brown, John. Lechler, WiIlliam. Deputy sheriff.
Comm. v. Davis, Henry; manslaughter. Albright, Henry served subpeona.
Boyd, James; Constable. Comm. v. Davis, Henry; manslaughter. Comm. v. Thompson, John; larceny. Comm. v. Thompson, John; larceny. O Donald, Roger, O Donald, Dominick; nuisance and disorderly house.
Wimble, Joseph; larceny. Witnesses: Russel, Elijah. Brown, Mary Ann.
Comm. v. Adams, James. Assault and battery. Witnesses: Schminky, John. Briceland, James. Briceland, Mary. Newcomer, Mary. Peters, Abraham.
Comm. v. Wise, Catherine. Arson. Witness: Ebeman, Mathias.
Comm. v. Duncan, Melvy. Assault and battery with intent to kill. Witnesses: Ruth, Abraham. Ruth, Fanny. Adam, Frederick. Fryberger, Jacob.
Comm. v. Smith, Louis. Assault and battery. Witnesses: Barr, Joseph. Markly, John Esq. Reese, William. Withers, George.
Comm. v. Smith, Louis. Surety of the peace. Withers, George.
Comm. v. Lewis, John. Charge brought by Wither, Isaac. Witness: Platt, James. Comm. v. Lewis, John. Charge brought by Puhly, Charles. Witness: Platt, James.
Boyd, James. Constable in the following cases: Comm. v. Findly, Sarah. Keeping a disorderly house. Comm. v. Johnston, Robert. African American. Assault and battery. Comm. v. Johnston, Robert and Leek, Margret. Keeping a disorderly house. Comm. v. Johnston, Robert, assault and battery.
Comm. v. McKellegan, John. Manslaughter. Witnesses: Shafer, Martin. Miller, Benjamin. Deffenderfer, George. Snyder, John. Luther, John Dr. Heister, William Esq.
Comm. v. Brown, John. Larceny. Witness: Herr, John.
1 item. 49 pieces.
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.
Payments to witnesses. [This large item has been divided into two main parts: witnesses in diverse cases and witnesses in the John Lechler murder trial.]
WITNESSES IN DIVERSE CASES
[All are "Commonwealth v." ]
January 1816 Session, Court of Oyer and Terminer
Merrill, [illegible]. Counterfieting.
Ogilby, Joseph. Witness.
November 1817 Session, Court of Oyer and Terminer.
