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.
Lancaster County Archives has Habeas Corpus dockets:
1799-1978, ten volumes, record of writs of Habeas Corpus written.
1895-1983, 43 boxes, original petitions.
Notes
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 In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.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
Person of color.
Petitioner: Thompson, John.
Filed against: Ehler, John. Occupation: sheriff and jailor.
Petition, includes warrant of commitment.
Commitment paper.
Habeas corpus, includes answer and decision.
3 items, 2 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment - please contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
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 publication fee.
Credit
Courtesy of Lancaster County Archives and LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Case Number
397.000
Classification
RG 01-00 2313
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
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
Return of prisoners or jail calendar.
London, African-American.
Charles Gallagher.
Henry Hastings.
George, African-American.
John McColgin.
Conrad Nicholas.
John Messer.
Peirce McDonnal.
John Funck.
George Monzeto.
Robert Douglas.
Bill, African-American.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference 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.
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
Prisons.
List of vagrants, dissolute and suspicious persons 1827--1828.
Lightner, Nathaniel. Mayor of Lancaster.
Warter, Peter
Newlet, Adam
White, Joseph
McPhann, William
Norris, Michael
Morris, Samuel
Barre, Isaac
Green, Barney
Anthony, Will
Richey, William
Baile, Jonathan
Baile, Rebecca
Gibbons, Thomas
Bower, Philip
Hutcheson, James
Ebrison, Abraham
M'Lany, John
Walker, Thomas
McDonald, Charles
Bile, Henry
Meyer, Anthony
Claman, James
Brown, Jacob
O'Donald, Nancy
Stasa, John
Sam. African American.
Bolias, Henry
Rancour, John
Isenberger, Gabriel
German, Peter
Porter, Matthew
McLaney, John
Stempney, Peter
Star, Job
McCarn, John
Dresmond, William
King, John
Forter, WIlliam
Meloy, Techele
Foust, Catharine
Dorsh, Betsy
Thompson, James
Fergeson, Matthew
Wills, John
Basley, John
McKitrick, Patrick
Jackson, George
Lewis, Henry
Logan, James
Sheffield, Thomas
Sarting, Richard
Stephens, Elias
Wady, Nancy
Fury, Edward
Brad, Fanny
Jones, Isaac
Clare, Richard
Loehrance, Mary
Cromwell, John
Wood, Peter
Sharp, Thomas\
Sharp, Maria
Standerford, Thomas
Davis, Alexander
Sydney, Mary
Dorsh, Elizabeth
Burns, Elizabeth
Steigerwalt, Michael
Kenny, Barton
Steward, Mary
Biddle, Benjamin
Slaughter, John
Foust, Jacob
Rinehart, Mary
Miller, Mary
Weedle, Adam
Fips, Samuel
Snyder, Mary
Fist, Catharine
Watt, Jane
Albright, George
Thomas, WIlliam
Neal, David
Casabar, Joseph
Noble, Catharine
Cowhick, Fanny
Cowhick, Dennis
Campbell, Alexander
West, James
Cadron, Peter
Campbell, Jefferson
Lynch, Hannah
Johnson, Samuel
Lochraine, James
Casey, Charles
Gittinger, Abraham
Ward, Michael
Clair, Richard
Lawrence, Joseph
Kelly, Timothy
Adams, Charlotte
Davis, Sanford
Cambell, David
Remick, Harriet
Jacobs, Benjamin
Butt, Matty
Basler, Joseph
Musketnuss, Susan
Dettel, Mary
Johnstonson, Henry
Whipper, Sarah
Sharp, Henry
Branum, Artheur
Curran, John
Green, Abner
Hetz, Philip
Steward, William
Thompson, Margaret
Moyers, Joseph
Jefferies, Mary
Whipper, Sally
Meeler, Jacob
Chaney, William
Roof, Fanny
Cacky, Mary
Gibbons, Sophia
Richardson, Betsy
Hickman, Sally
Will, John
Lambert, Peter
Frankford, Sally
Tripple, Catharine
Brown, Mary
Bush, John
Casgrove, John
1 item. 1 piece.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at research desk. Photocopy made by staff member.
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
Enslaved person listed, a man named London.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment-contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
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.
Credit
Courtesy of Lancaster County Archives and LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Classification
RG-03-00-0133
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
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
Enslaved person listed.
1 item, 2 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment-contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
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.
Credit
Courtesy of Lancaster County Archives and LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Classification
RG-03-00-0133
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
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
African-American.
Servant of either John Buyers or Jacob Madill.
Recognizance, charged with stealing from John Passmore, Innkeeper.
Recognizance against Samuel Woods, African-American from Salisbury Twp. for larceny
Information of John Passmore.
Examination of Tom, marked as Bob, servant of Jacob Madill.
Additonal names: Isaac Smith, Robert Buyers, John McCall, Jacob Enochs, Thomas Gillespy, Daniel Becker, Robert Warran, Rowland Brush.
6 items, 6 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
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
Prison calendar.
2 items, 2 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
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
African-American.
Also: James Harkless, pilot from Middletown; Tobias.
Recognizance, suspicion of assault and battery on John Swenk, with intent to kill and rob.
Recognizance, suspicion of robbing John Erisman.
Depositions and examinations of Glasgow Paines, Henry Kann, Christina Kann, Isaac Dunbar, William Shepler, John Hurdow, Daniel Erisman, John Longenecker, John Sharer, John Swenk.
14 items, 14 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Record of applications for peddlers' licenses showing date of application, name of applicant, type of license, and dates granted and lifted. Many applications for soldiers' licenses; these are peddlers' licenses issued to honorably discharged veterans. Handwritten.
System of Arrangement
Organized by year, then alphabetically by surname.
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
Petition.
3rd Regiment, Company G, Pennsylvania Volunteers, U.S. Colored Troops.
Civil War.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
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
Return of prisoners.
Note: Samuel Doyle held on suspicion of murdering Native Americans.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Record of applications for peddlers' licenses showing date of application, name of applicant, type of license, and dates granted and lifted. Many applications for soldiers' licenses; these are peddlers' licenses issued to honorably discharged veterans. Handwritten.
System of Arrangement
Organized by year, then alphabetically by surname.
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
Petition.
3rd Regiment, Company G, U S Colored Volunteers.
Civil War.
Person of color.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Record of applications for peddlers' licenses showing date of application, name of applicant, type of license, and dates granted and lifted. Many applications for soldiers' licenses; these are peddlers' licenses issued to honorably discharged veterans. Handwritten.
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
Petition.
3rd Regiment, Company G, U. S. Colored Volunteers.
Civil War.
Person of color.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
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
Return of prisoners.
James Hagerty, Michael Don, John O'Neel, Thomas Warton, Daniel Daugherty, William Kennedy, John Traxell, James Daugherty, Bob (mulatto), Susanna (mulatto), William McFann, James McGee.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference 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.
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.
Record of applications for peddlers' licenses showing date of application, name of applicant, type of license, and dates granted and lifted. Many applications for soldiers' licenses; these are peddlers' licenses issued to honorably discharged veterans. Handwritten.
System of Arrangement
Organized by year, then alphabetically by surname.
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
Person of color.
Petition.
25st Regiment, Company R, U. S. Colored Volunteers.
Civil War.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
