This collection contains Thomas Baker's three surveying books which document land and property ownership in southern Lancaster County, primarily Colerain Township from 1856-1902. Octorara Creek, Kirkwood, Christiana and Upper Oxford Twp. are among the place names.
Admin/Biographical History
Thomas Baker traces his ancestry back to Sir Richard Baker (1568), born in the county of Kent, England. In 1685, seven generations before Thomas Baker was born, Joseph Baker immigrated to Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Born in Chatham, Chester County to Lewis and Diana Baker, Thomas was well-educated; a teacher until 1840, when he commenced the study of surveying. Land surveying is the location of points on, above and below the surface of the earth and the relation of those points to a common reference system. Employed at Jonathon Goss, at Unionville Academy in Chester, he surveyed over 650 farms in Lancaster County's Colerain Township. He married in 1855; his family adhering to his Quaker faith. The Biographical Annals in Lancaster, published in 1903, describes Baker as "…a man esteemed by his neighbors for his many good qualities and excellent character, and in disposition he is a man of warm heart and kindly feeling."
Series 1, Register of enslaved women and their children who were born after 1780, is a compilation of papers filed by holders of enslaved persons that show date; name and place of residence of slaveholder; name of mother (usually an enslaved person) and child; date of birth; sex of child; age when the child will be freed; official seal and signatures; and date when filed.
17 folders, 89 items, 648 pages to scan, .25 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0240_Ser01
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Copies of MG0240, Series 1, Folders 1-9 are also on microfilm in the Research Center Library (Drawer 3, sec. 2, #206) and bound (326 R294p Oversized)
Black History Collection (MG0240) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/2b3d42c6-a313-4ebc-966f-516114048136
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Black History Collection (MG0240), Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL. Date accessed (day, month, year).
LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As a historical resource, these items reflect 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.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment--contact research@lancasterhistory.org prior to visit. Restricted access for the Mayor's Register of Coloured Persons found in Series 2, Folder 2: Use transcript in Folder 3 or microfilm.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish. There is no fee for publication of items in MG0240_Ser01.
Credit
Courtesy of Lancaster County Archives and LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-240, Series 1
Classification
MG0240
Description Level
Series
Custodial History
Processed prior to 1997 and updated from 2007-present. Added to database on 10 January 2022.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
This collection contains papers and local government records related to Black history in Lancaster County, including an index to Lancaster County's register of enslaved persons, Mayor's Register of Coloured Persons or Negro Entry Book, and a biographical account of Rev. James William Charles Pennington. There are official records for enslaved persons and their children in Lancaster County, as well as freemen within Lancaster City. The collection also contains a manumission paper from the state of Virginia, a certificate for free persons of color, and letters from anit-slavery societies.
System of Arrangement
Series 1 consists of the "Slave Registers," official county records registering enslaved women and their children after 1780.
Series 2 contains the "Mayor's Register of Coloured Persons," a manumission paper, correspondence, and other records.
1 box, 33 folders, 128 items, 1,178 pages to scan, .5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0240
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Black History Collection (MG0240) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/2b3d42c6-a313-4ebc-966f-516114048136
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Black History Collection (MG0240), Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL. Date accessed (day, month, year).
LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As a historical resource, this collection 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.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment--contact research@lancasterhistory.org prior to visit. Restricted access for the Mayor's Register of Coloured Persons found in Series 2, Folder 2: Use transcript in Folder 3 or microfilm.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-240
Classification
MG0240
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
The collection was formerly called "The Slave Records of Lancaster County Collection." Name changed to "African American Records Collection" and arrangement changed on 13 June 2007. Name changed again in 2022 to "Black History Collection."
Note. Plans to Jail by John Evans & Son 1885. Copyright 1886-Year I was born 1885. MRE. Grandfather. Son. Inside (?) John. Who moved to Chicago and became a noted Architect. Presented to LCHS 11/16/84 by Melvern Evans Jr.
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please make an appointment by contacting the Research Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this collection must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by BW, Fall 2010. Add to database 1 October 2023.
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. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
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. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
Bolton, William. Father of Bolton, Harriet, age 8.
Bowers, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Bowers, Isabella Eliza, age 11; Bowers, Mary Ann, age 11.
Bowers, Christian. Father of Bowers, Mary Matilda, age 10.
Bucher, Charles. Father of Bucher, Mary Ann, age 8; Bucher, Usilla, age 6.
Caffry, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Caffry, James, age 7.
Caffry, William. Father of Caffry, John, age 11.
Church, John. Father of Church, William, age 10.
Clark, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Clark, Catharine, age 8.
Clark, John. Father of Clark, Samuel. age 7.
Clark, Thomas. Father of Clark, Joseph, age 7.
Cowen, David. Father of Cowen, Sarah, age 11; Cowen, Margaret, age 9.
Dalby, John. Father of Dalby, Jacob, age 7; Dalby, Lydia, age 9.
Doyle, Rosetta. Mother of Doyle, Caroline, age 7.
Dunlap, Enoch. Father of Dunlap, Andrew, age 6.
Evans, Nathan. Father of Evans, Caroline, age 9; Evans, John, age 11.
Evans, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Evans, David, age 7; Evans, John, age 10.
Fielty, James. Father of Fielty, Catharine, age 8; Fielty, Patrick, age 11.
Fiester, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Fiester, James, age 10.
Fiester, Rudolph. Father of Fiester, Catharine, age 8; Fiester, Rudolph, age 6.
Galagher, James. Age 10.
Gault, William. Father of Gault, James B., age 11; Gault, William, age 10.
Gilbert, Benjamin. Father of Gilbert, Benjamin, age 7; Gilbert, Rebecca, age 8.
Goodman, Samuel. Father of Goodman, George, age 11; Goodman, Nancy, age 9.
Green, Benjamin. African American. Father of Green, Mary, age 8; Green, Nancy, age 10.
Griffith, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Griffith, George, age 7; Griffith, Isaac, age 9.
Harrington, Samuel. Father of Harrington, Rebecca, age 8.
Holliday, William. Father of Holliday, Jane, age 9; Holliday, John, age 10.
Iler, John. Father of Iler, Davis, age 10; Iler, George, age 8.
Irwin, James. Father of Irwin, Christian, age 8; Irwin, George, age 6.Irwin, Robert. Father of Irwin, John, age 10; Irwin, William, age 7.
Johnson, Jane. Orphan. Age 7.
Keller, Benjamin. Father of Keller, Samuel, age 8; Keller, Sarah, age 9.
Landis, Margaret. Mother of Landis, Jane E., age 7.
Lawry, Jacob. Father of Lawry, Barbara, age 8; Lawry, Mary, age 6.
Lemmon, Archibald. Father of Lemmon, Jacob, age 11.
Linecum, Peter. Father of Linecum, Catharine, age 9; Linecum, Elias, age 7; Linecum, Peter Longnecker, Jacob. Father of Longenecker, Henry, age 11; Longnecker, Joseph, age 7.
Lynch, Joseph. Father of Lynch, Alexander, age 11; Lynch, Ann, age 10.
Martin, John. Father of Martin, Joseph, age 10.
Mayberry, William. Father of Mayberry, Jane, age 7.
McCormic, Nathan. Father of McCormic, Thomas, age 11; McCormic, Margaret, age 9.
McNelly , Michael. Father of McNelly, James, age 10; McNelly, Jacob, age 8.
Miller, Catharine. Mother of Miller, Philip, age 10.
Miller, Peter. Father of Miller, Hugh, age 9; Miller, James, age 11.
Moore, Moses. Father of Moore, Hiram, age 9; Moore, James, age 8.
Morris, Stacy. Father of Morris, Joseph, age 8; Morris, Ruth Ann, age 11.
Murphy, John. Father of Murphy, Jane, age 10; Murphy, Washington, age 8.
Murray, Thomas. Father of Murray, Livina, age 8; Murray, Mary, age 6.
Noker, _____ Mrs. Widow. African American. Mother of Noker, Martha, age 10; Noker, Mary, age 10.
Platt, Henry. Father of Platt, Richard, age 9.
Russel, David. Father of Russel, Ann , age 11; Russel, Maria, age 9.
Shaw, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Shaw, Jane, age 11.
Shaw, _____ Mrs. Mother of Shaw, Johanna, age 7.
Showalter, Daniel. Father of Showalter, Amos , age 7; Showalter, Rueben, age 10.
Simons, Charles. Father of Simons, James, age 11, Simons, Margaret, age 7.
Smith, Stephen. African American. Father of Smith, Elizabeth, age 8; Smith, Harriett, age 10.
Spece, William. Father of Spece, Maria, age 8.
Spots, John. Father of Spots, Catharine, age 10; Spots, Ellin, age 8.
Stewart, Benjamin. Father of Stewart, Samuel L., age 7.
Stewart, John. Father of Stewart, James, age 8; Stewart, Margaret, age 6.
Strammel, Elisha. Father of Strammel, John, age 7.
Taylor, Elizabeth. Mother of Sargason, Edmund, age 9.
Thorn, Charles. Father of Thorn, Barraba, age 7; Thorn, Charlotte, age 8.
Todd, Enos. father of Todd, John, age 9; Todd, Sally Ann, age 8.
Townley, Elizabeth. Mother of Olds, Rosetta. age 10.
Trouger. Susana. Mother of Trouger, Sarah, age 6.
Walton, Henry. Father of Walton, Isaac, age 11; Walton, Richard, age 10.
Walton, William. Father of Walton, Juliann, age 9;Walton, Isaac, age 7.
Weaver, Daniel. Father of Weaver, Jacob, age 10; Weaver, John, age 8.
Wood, James. Father of Wood, Edward, age 8; Wood, Mary Ann, age 10.
Worthington, Mary. Mother of Worthington, Margaret, age 11.
Zell, Peter. Father of Zell, Adam, age 10.
Zell, Houston. Father of Zell, Sally, age 6; Johnson, Jane, age [not given].
Zell, Catharine. Mother of Hays, Oliver H., age 11.
Zell, Susanna. Mother of Clemson, Davis, age 11.
1 item. 1 piece.
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. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
