The Jacob Smith Collection consists of the daybooks and papers of Jacob and Abraham Smith. The daybooks contain notes on workers' attendance, assignments, pay, mill equipment, and names of people with whom Abraham boarded. There is also a court order appointing six men to study the feasibility of a road from Jacob Smith's mill to Manor's skating rink.
Admin/Biographical History
The original grist and sawmill was built by Jacob Smith in 1774 on Pequea Creek, about eight miles from Lancaster. The stone mill was built by Jacob Smith circa 1800. The mill remained the property of Mr. Smith and his heirs until 1846, when it was purchased by Abraham Mylin. Mylin built an addition and put in another water wheel. Subsequent owners were Benjamin Harnish in 1857, Jacob B. Good in 1868, and Thomas Baumgardner in 1870. Mr. Baumgardner repaired the mill and put in new machinery. Later owners were Jacob Herr, Henry Hess, Edwin Diffenderfer, Enos Harnish, Sumner Brown, Clayton Hilton, and H. F. Eshleman.
Ellis, Franklin and Samuel Evans. 1883. History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia: Everts & Peck. p. 1011.
Papers filed for construction and repair of bridges. The types of petitions presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions include: petitions for bridge construction and repair, petitions for inspections, and petitions for bridge funds. Other types of items include: specifications, proposals, and contracts for bridge construction and repair; bridge blueprints and plans; correspondence; bills for materials; and bridge condition reports. Many papers show date; court term and case number; names of petitioners, viewers, inspectors, and contractors; costs and fees; location of bridge; and name or number of bridge. The order and report of viewers documents are of particular interest as they usually include a copy of the original petition; the order and names of viewers to inspect the site; the public announcement for the viewers meeting; the report and recommendation of viewers, often with a drawing of the site and surrounding area; and the court decision.
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Papers filed for construction and repair of bridges. The types of petitions presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions include: petitions for bridge construction and repair, petitions for inspections, and petitions for bridge funds. Other types of items include: specifications, proposals, and contracts for bridge construction and repair; bridge blueprints and plans; correspondence; bills for materials; and bridge condition reports. Many papers show date; court term and case number; names of petitioners, viewers, inspectors, and contractors; costs and fees; location of bridge; and name or number of bridge. The order and report of viewers documents are of particular interest as they usually include a copy of the original petition; the order and names of viewers to inspect the site; the public announcement for the viewers meeting; the report and recommendation of viewers, often with a drawing of the site and surrounding area; and the court decision.
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Papers filed for construction and repair of bridges. The types of petitions presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions include: petitions for bridge construction and repair, petitions for inspections, and petitions for bridge funds. Other types of items include: specifications, proposals, and contracts for bridge construction and repair; bridge blueprints and plans; correspondence; bills for materials; and bridge condition reports. Many papers show date; court term and case number; names of petitioners, viewers, inspectors, and contractors; costs and fees; location of bridge; and name or number of bridge. The order and report of viewers documents are of particular interest as they usually include a copy of the original petition; the order and names of viewers to inspect the site; the public announcement for the viewers meeting; the report and recommendation of viewers, often with a drawing of the site and surrounding area; and the court decision.
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Papers filed for construction and repair of bridges. The types of petitions presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions include: petitions for bridge construction and repair, petitions for inspections, and petitions for bridge funds. Other types of items include: specifications, proposals, and contracts for bridge construction and repair; bridge blueprints and plans; correspondence; bills for materials; and bridge condition reports. Many papers show date; court term and case number; names of petitioners, viewers, inspectors, and contractors; costs and fees; location of bridge; and name or number of bridge. The order and report of viewers documents are of particular interest as they usually include a copy of the original petition; the order and names of viewers to inspect the site; the public announcement for the viewers meeting; the report and recommendation of viewers, often with a drawing of the site and surrounding area; and the court decision.
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Located near the Pequea Creek on the Newport Road.
Lately occupied by Doctor Bigelow.
Petition granted.
April term.
Signers of Petition: [signature in German], John Brison, Jacob [Hess], Edward Kelly, George Wike, [signature in German], [signature in German], John J. Ressler.
1 Item, 1 Piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Located on road leading from Lancaster to Manheim.
Formerly occupied by Mr. Franck.
Petition granted.
April term.
Signers of Petition: David Mayer, Jacob Myer Jr., John Kauffman, Christian Brubaker, [signature in German], [signature in German], W. B. Ross, Joseph Hartman, Adam Guiesinger, George Guiesinger, Isaac Ringwalt, John Graff, Matthias Brooke, John Witmer, David Rohrer, Emanuel Gibble, David Stamm, Abraham Landis, Jacob Rathfon, Philip Mosher, George Biegler, Christian Stoner.
1 Item, 1 Piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Lately owned by Mr. Ober and Mr. Kline and lately occupied by Michael Burkholder.
Petition granted.
April term.
Signers of Petition: Charles Montelius, Adam Diller, [signature in German], John Weahler, [unknown signature], [signature in German], Philip [Texter], John Conrad, Peter Ruth, Benjamin Ober, John Mathiot, E. Schaeffer, John Landis, Henry Hibshman, Daniel Shissler, [signature in German], [signature in German], [signature in German], [signature in German], William Fisher, [signature in German].
1 Item, 1 Piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
