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.
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.
Signers of petition: Thomas Grosh, Jacob Rohrer, Peter B. Rohrer, Conrad Garber, Benjamin Workman, Jacob Gamber, John Huber, Peter Graybill Jr., David Grube, John S. Hostetter, John B. Bossler, Henry Landis.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Located on the Lancaster & Manheim road five miles from Lancaster.
Formerly occupied by Frederick Zimmerman and later by Mr. Sponehauer.
Petition granted.
January term.
Signers of Petition: Peter Maurer, Jacob Stibgen, John Sharp, Christian Brubaker, John Brubaker, [signature in German], John Frank, [signature in German], Daniel Balmer, Jacob Metzger, Henry Sponhauer, William [Warner], Jacob Rohrer, Lightner Sharp, Abraham Stibgen, Martin Mayers, David Mayer, John Capp, Benjamin Johnsen, John Johnsen.
1 Item, 1 Piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Located about 3 miles from Lancaster on the Port Deposit and Peach Bottom road.
Lately occupied by Mr. Wise & later Mr. Kline.
Petition not granted.
April term.
Signers of Petition: Christian Forrer, Martin Forrer, [signature in German], Samuel Rohrer, Henry Strohm, Jacob Rohrer, [signature in German], Benjamin Mylin, George Meck, [signature in German], Henry Klinton, John Rohrer, William Haines, Benjamin Bare, Martin Meylin, Jacob [Shultz], John Mylin, Jacob [Dintnary], [signature in German], Jacob Fell, [signature in German], John Getz, Martin Miller, Jacob Grider, Christ Snavely, George Rotroff, Leonard Eichholtz, Martin Light, Robert Elliot, Martin Herr, Jacob [H. ].
1 Item, 1 Piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
