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."
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 In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.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
Jail fees and expenses for prisoners
A stranger. [Name not recorded.]
Allen, Timothy. African American.
Alves, Samuel. African American.
Austen, James.
Barber, Robert. Jailor.
Barge, George.
Benter, John.
Biddle, Benjamin. Vagrant.
Black, Ephraim. African American.
Bloomlen, Charles. Vagrant.
Boon, John.
Bryan, George.
Bullman, James. African American.
Butler, Henry.
Cannon, John.
Carns, Robert.
Carns, Robert. Vagrant.
Carter, Charles. African American.
Charles, Jacob.
Charles, Joseph.
Christy, John. African American.
Coe, Martha.
Conner, Samuel.
Cose, James. African American.
Deel, Conrad.
Dellarn, Orange. African American.
Dobler, Joseph. Vagrant.
Dorsh, Frederick. Vagrant.
Dribenstodt, Frederick.
Edward. African American.
Eichholtz, George. Vagrant.
Ellinger, David.
Fowler, Peter. Vagrant.
Frances, Fanny.
Fritz, John Jr.
Fulk, Mary. Vagrant.
Fulk, Mary.
Gallaher, Michael.
Gossick, Joseph. Vagrant.
Grant, Sampson. African American.
Gray, John. African American. Vagrant.
Green, Charles. African American.
Greer, Charles. African American. Vagrant.
Green, George.
Grubb, Frances. African American. Vagrant.
Hall, George. Vagrant.
Hamelton, William.
Hildebrand, John.
Howard, Elizabeth. African American. Vagrant.
Hunter, Sarah.
Hutcheson, James.
Hyden, George.
Jackson, John.
Johnson, Abraham. African American.
Johnson, Thomas.
Jones, John.
Kauffman, Adam. Vagrant.
Kean, James.
Keiler, John. Vagrant.
Kitch, Michael.
Kuntz, Michael.
Laferdy, Louisa.
Leek, Margaret.
Levan, Alexander. African American. Vagrant.
Levan, Maria.
Levey, Ann. African American. Vagrant.
Lewis, Caleb. African American.
Lindy, Sarah. African American. Vagrant.
Lynch, Hannah.
Lynch, Hannah. Vagrant.
Manhollen, William. Vagrant.
Maria. African American.
Martin, Joseph. African American. Vagrant.
McCoole, Elizabeth.
McGiven, Patrick.
McGrann, Patrick.
McLaughlen, Jesse. Vagrant.
Mclellen, Mary.
McLene, Benjamin. African American. Vagrant.
Miller, George.
Milworth, Samuel.
Mooney, William.
Nagle, Frederick.
Radocher, John.
Parker, Joseph. African American.
Parker, Joseph. African American. Vagrant.
Peterman, Jacob.
Prutzman, John.
Rhinehart, Michael.
Robinson, Robert. Vagrant.
Robinson, Ann. Vagrant.
Rosanna.
Seipe, Frederick. Vagrant.
Swann, Saul. African American.
Smith, John.
Smith, Sophia. African American.
Stains, Thomas. African American.
Stewart, George.
Stoaks, Daniel.
Stout, Daniel. African American.
Thomas, John Jr.
Vandike, Jacob. African American.
Wade, Samuel.
Walker, Joseph.
Walker, William.
Ward, Michael. African American.
Williams, Ann.
Williams, John.
Williams, Mary. African American. Vagrant.
Williams, Peter.
Williams, William. Vagrant.
Wilson, James. African American. Vagrant.
Wilson, Thomas. African American.
Yarletts, Mary.
Yarletts, Mary.
Yarlettz, Mary. Vagrant.
Youst, James. African American. Vagrant.
Payments.
Trissler, Emmanuel. For repairing a fire bucket.
Charles, Joseph. For firewood.
Charles, Jacob. For firewood.
Haneth, William. For repairing a lock.
Powel, Edward. For repairing a fireplace.
Feasig, William. For repairing a pair of shoes.
Johnson, Benjamin. For sweeping chimneys.
Bryan, George. For one bucket.
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.
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.
