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 In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.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."
Series 2, Black History Records, contains the Mayor's Register of Coloured Persons or Negro Entry Book, a census of free persons of color living in Lancaster city; a biographical account of Rev. James William Charles Pennington; and items related to early twentieth century Black History in Lancaster County. The collection also contains letters from anti-slavery societies, papers related to abolitionist activity, a letter regarding the American Colonization Society, and a manumission paper from the state of Virginia.
Black History Collection (MG0240) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/2b3d42c6-a313-4ebc-966f-516114048136
Conestoga Elks Lodge Records (MG0760)
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Black History Collection (MG0240), Series 2, 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 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.
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, Series 2
Classification
MG0240
Description Level
Series
Custodial History
Processed prior to 1997 and updated from 2007-present. Added to database on 17 January 2022.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
Top pin of badge has word, "Philadelphia." Red, white, and blue ribbon in middle with gold text: "225th / Anniversary / Founders Week / Oct. 4-10-1908." Bottom piece is a cross with picture of a frontiersman in center. Back of cross has Lord's Prayer inscribed in center.
Lancaster County Historical Society member badge. Red ribbon printed in silver "Lancaster County Historical Society" "Organized 1886 incorporated 1901." Enameled section at top reads "member." In middle of ribbon is circular medallion with red rose.
* Duplicate ribbon: 2023.001.080; Cor. Sec. ribbon, 2023.001.081.
Lancaster County Historical Society member badge. Red ribbon printed in silver "Lancaster County Historical Society" "Organized 1886 incorporated 1901." Enameled section at top reads "member." In middle of ribbon is circular medallion with red rose. Made by Whitehead & Hoag Company, New Jersey.
* Duplicate ribbon: 2001.007; Cor. Sec. ribbon, 2023.001.081.
Date Range
Circa 1902
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Cabinet
Cabinet 2
Storage Shelf
Shelf 2
Storage Container
Box 0525
Object Name
Badge, Membership
Length (in)
6.25
Width (in)
2.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2023-09-25
Condition Notes
Ribbon fraying at bottom edges of right and left sides.
Lancaster County Historical Society corresponding secretary badge
Description
Lancaster County Historical Society member badge. Red ribbon printed in silver "Lancaster County Historical Society" "Organized 1886 incorporated 1901." Enameled section at top reads "Cor. Secretary." In middle of ribbon is circular medallion with red rose. Made by Whitehead & Hoag Company, New Jersey.
* Other society ribbons: 2001.007 & 2023.001.080; .
Date Range
Circa 1902
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Cabinet
Cabinet 2
Storage Shelf
Shelf 2
Storage Container
Box 0525
Object Name
Badge, Membership
Length (cm)
13.97
Length (ft)
0.4583333333
Length (in)
5.5
Width (in)
2.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2023-09-25
Condition Notes
Lower edge/fringe is turned under and hemmed to back with running stitch.
Bearing assembly. Tag reads "The Star Ball Retainer Co." and accompanying information from the donor found in the object file.
Use in a 1913 district court case: Hess-Bright Mfg. vs Fichtel & Sachs. This ball bearing was "defendents' exhibit brought to the U.S. by Ernst Sachs in 1904." Owned by Jack L. Straub.
Creamware sugar bowl has apple shaped body with a flaring foot ring and rim. Both lid and bowl are decorated by hand with wide bands of blue and thin rings of red. Sides of bowl have blue flower alternating with smaller leaf sprigs. Lid has low dome topped with a knob resembling a pepperment life saver. Three leaf sprigs spaced around the knob on dome.
Paper sticker on bottom has pencil inscription: "no./ ace/ no".
Reportedly used by donor's great-great-grandmother, Sally, wife of Andrew Ellicott.
A 3 1/2" long section of rim is broken off. One broken piece saved in bowl. Extremely strong brown stain covers most of bowl except for several patches. Same stains sprinkled around bottom of lid. Glazing imperfections such as on top of lid. A 1 3/4" long hairline crack extends up side from base. Dark soil adhering to bottom of foot ring. Bowl has some wear around shoulder.
Tiny box with fitted lid, light cardboard covered in glossy white paper. Printed on lid top in blue is: "LOUIS WEBER & SON / GOLDSMITHS & SILVERSMITHS / 15-17 NO. QUEEN ST. / LANCASTER, PENNA." Above this is a shield with spread eagle and a banner underneath with "ESTABLISHED 19??".
Louis Weber was in the jewelry business on N. Queen St. since the 19th century. It was at 165 N. Queen that his son George R. Weber apparently took over the business and took on a new name -- Louis Weber & Son. This was the listing in the 1905-06 City Directory. By the next year in the 1907-08 Directory, the business was relocated to 15-17 N. Queen Street, the address printed on the box lid.