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Monthly record books of admissions and discharges to the Eastern State Penitentiary. For admissions the information provided is admission date, inmate number, race, age at admission, more gender, physical and mental health, habits, marital status, smallpox vaccination status, hereditary diseases in the family, number of convictions, length of sentence, amount of time spent in county jail, place of birth, and occupation. Discharge information is name of inmate, inmate number, date discharged, race, age when discharged, gender, physical and mental health at time of discharge, health during imprisonment, length of time served, and remarks. Images are arranged chronologically by month. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Admission and discharge books for Western State Penitentiary. Information provided in admission books is name of inmate, date of admission, admission number, race, age, gender, physical more and mental health, habits, marital status, vaccinations, hereditary diseases in the family, number of convictions, length of sentence, time in county, state where born, and occupation. Information provided discharge books is name of inmate, date admitted, discharge number, race, age, gender, physical health at time of admission, mental health at time of admission, health during imprisonment, length of incarceration, whether paroled and type of discharge. Images are arranged numerically by admission or discharge number. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Images of lists of attorneys granted permission to practice in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. In order to practice at this level, attorneys were required to more have a sponsor. Information given includes names of attorney and sponsor, and date of admission. From 1903 on, either the county of residence or the place of admission of the attorney are also noted. At the end of the first volume (1742-1902) is a "List of attorneys of the Supreme Court of the Province of Pennsylvania admitted at various times previous to the Revolution," which is noted as having been copied from "Sheriff's Deed Book B," and which shows the names of the attorneys, and their dates of admission. For related records, see link below. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Please visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of a record of appellate cases in the Supreme Court, Western District. Cases deal with issues under the Court's mandatory and discretionary jurisdiction. Cases falling more within the Court's mandatory jurisdiction dealt with capital punishment, questions of constitutionality, finance and revenue, elections, and others. Cases falling within the Court's discretionary jurisdiction included cases where two intermediate courts had opposing decisions or cases that posed open questions of law, among others. Entries for each case list: the plaintiff (appellant) and defendant (appellee); the names of the attorneys appearing for the parties; the county and the lower courts from which the appellate cases arose; a chronological listing of the documents filed and proceedings held in the case; and the Court's subsequent decision or orders. Justices delivering the opinions are often noted, and from 1795 to 1836, the name of the prothonotary recording the case is entered. During the period 1894-1919, many of the dockets contain statistical summaries concerning the number and types of cases processed, and from 1930 to 1965, penciled notations are found that refer to the published cases and opinions of the Supreme Court in the Pennsylvania State Reports. A reference number that indicates when the case was recorded as having been argued in the Court Minute Books appears from 1935 onwards. Docket sheets dating after 2000 were printed from an electronic database and may contain a report date postdating the docket date. Dockets postdating 2000 may also be found online through the Administrative Offices of the Pennsylvania Courts' website. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of records of cases brought before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in the Eastern District. An Appearance Docket generally documents the initial proceedings of a more case, while actions taken months or years later after the appearance docket entry was completed, are listed in a continuance docket. Different types of dockets are found for different periods. From 1740 through September of 1795, the volumes may be either Appearance or Continuance Dockets, or combinations of both. From December of 1795 until 1829, there are generally both types of dockets for each term. From December of 1830 through 1837, however, only Continuance Dockets are found, while from 1838 on, all volumes are in the form of Appearance Dockets. Information provided by docket entries may include court term and case number; names of parties and their attorneys; names of county and lower courts from which the appellate case arose; a chronological listing of documents filed and proceedings held; and the court's decision on subsequent orders. For a more in-depth study of particular cases see the (RG-033-A-13) Appearance Papers, 1858-1879. less

Images of dockets of appeals petitioned to the Supreme Court, Eastern District. Information given for each case includes the dates of returnable papers; arguments and opinions; more the decision rendered; the names of the plaintiff(s), defendant(s), and their respective attorneys; and the corresponding case number. For eighteenth and nineteenth century dockets, the date that an original writ was issued by the Supreme Court, and whether it was a summons, capias or writ of error, is also noted. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Please visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

These are images of basic appearance dockets for the Supreme Court, marking the date that the original writ was issued by the Supreme Court and whether more it was a Summons, Capias or Writ of Error. Information provided by docket entries may include court term and case number; names of parties and their attorneys; county and lower courts from which the appellate case arose; a chronological listing of documents filed and proceedings held; and the courts' decision on subsequent orders. less

Correspondence relating to legal opinions rendered by the Attorney General and the impact on administration of the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Information provided is date of more correspondence or document, names of correspondence, description of cases leading to opinions, opinion rendered, and questions and resolutions arising from the opinion on operations at facility. Images are arranged chronologically by date of record. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

The documents within this series were extracted from their original series files in 1925 due to their unique historical value. They contain valuable autographs of national more or state figures, including such notables as William Penn, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Henry Knox, James Madison, Henry Clay, Dr. Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Jared Ingersoll, General Peter Muhlenberg, William Bingham, Gouvernoeur Morris, James Wilson, General Anthony Wayne, and Gilbert Stuart. Some of the documents contained in this series fill major gaps in the original series and include a land grant of 1683, inventory sheets of real estate for attained citizens, papers relating to various court cases, depositions of Benjamin Franklin and Henry Clay, rules of court, petitions, affidavits, and recognizances. Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide variety of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by current standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections, but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

Bertillon books for inmates incarcerated at the Western State Penitentiary.  Information provided is inmate number, name of inmate, length and width of head, length of left more middle finger, length of left foot, length of left forearm, height, width of trunk, length of outstretched arms, length of right ear, and length of left little finger.  (While working with offenders detained in Paris’s Palais de Justice in 1882, Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914) used statistical methods to devise a system of bodily measurement intended to identify criminal characteristics.  Bertillon’s methods involved photographing each subject looking directly at the camera and in profile with the camera centered on the right ear.  The subject’s height, length of one foot, arm, and index finger were also recorded.  By the 1890s, Bertillon also recognized that fingerprints provided a means for unique identification of individuals.  Though many scientists, including Francis Galton, criticized on statistical grounds Bertillon’s system of measuring the hands, head, torso, face and limbs as a method of identifying criminal characteristics, the records generated nonetheless proved useful for identifying and keeping track of specific individuals convicted of crimes.) Images are arranged chronologically by inmate number. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Journal containing minutes of the proceedings and reports of the Board of Commissioners selected by the Select and Common Councils of the City of Pittsburgh in more pursuance of the Act of the General Assembly to erect the Western State Penitentiary and reports of the Inspectors of the Penitentiary, the Warden, and the Prison Physician, May 20, 1818-May 20, 1835. Information provided is date of meeting, names of those present, and a description of the discussion, text of resolutions passed, and other business transacted. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Images of various documents filed with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, including petitions, transcripts, maps of streets and land tracts, copies of opinions, affidavits, wills, charges more of the court, and the Orphan's Court Rules for Northampton County in 1842. Of interest may be a writ of error from the United States Supreme Court authorized by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney in the 1860 case of The Pennsylvania Railroad Company v. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and papers concerning the case of Charles Fatman v. Armstrong County, Pennsylvania (1862). Also included is a series previously titled Reports, 1814-1885, which contains reports of Auditors, Examiners and Masters. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Please visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of case files for cases brought before the Court of Admiralty in Philadelphia. Included in the files are descriptions of the proceedings, copies of the more record, lists of evidence, depositions, true bills (of indictment), subpoenas, and account records of the ships in question. Information provided typically includes date of session, names of parties and ships involved, descriptions of the courtroom proceedings and case background, and the outcome of the case. Of interest may be the case of George Gibbs vs. the Brigantine "Two Friends." Gibbs' ship, the brigantine "Susanna," was seized as a prize of war by the Dutch ship "Two Friends," and included in the file are both Dutch and English copies of documents used as evidence. Also of interest may be the case of the brigantine "Betsey", which was appealed to the Pennsylvania High Court of Errors and Appeals and tried in 1795 by the Vice Admiralty Court of Bermuda. Other cases include those of the brig "Patty," the ship "L'Empreur," the ship "Elizabeth," "Shaw vs. the ship "Lethe," James Montgomery vs. James Wharton, the Commonwealth vs. Caspar Israelow, and Anderson et. al. vs. Forbes (Commander of the ship "Dolphin"). Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of cases heard and adjudged in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania against citizens accused of high treason. The cases involve claims made against the real more and personal estates of the accused. Information given includes names of plaintiff, defendant, claimant, witnesses, and attorneys; amount of claim or debt; and date defendant acquired debt or property. Defendants include Oswald Eve, Joseph Galloway, and others. This type of legal action grew out of Chapter 784 of an Act of Assembly passes March 6, 1778, entitled "An Act for the Attainder of Divers Traitors if They Render Not Themselves by a Certain Day, and for Vesting Their Estates in this Commonwealth, and for more Effectually Discovering the Same and for Ascertaining and Satisfying the Lawful Debts and Claims Thereupon." A supplement was passed March 29, 1779, as Chapter 832. Other chapters relating to divesting forfeited estates include Chapters 818, 829, and 854. less

Images of a record of individual case files that may contain diverse documents about persons seeking pardons from the President of the Supreme Executive Council, the more Governor, or the Board of Pardons. Types of documents found in a case file may include summary sheets, letters, petitions, court transcripts, newspaper notices, copies of death warrants, pardon proclamations or respites. The information found in the file varies with each dossier and the time period. While one case file may merely provide a persons name and reason for being imprisoned, another may also list the incarcerated individuals occupation and particulars about his or her life and family. In a few instances, photographs of the persons are included. Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide variety of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by current standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections, but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

Images of primarily petitions for clemency addressed to the President of the Supreme Executive Council, the Governor, or the Board of Pardons and pardon proclamations issued more by the Governor, but also remissions of forfeitures, extracts of pardons and remissions, copies of death warrants, court transcripts, newspaper notices, and related trial records. Information found varies with each dossier and time period. While for some cases only the name of the person seeking clemency, a description of the nature of the offense, and the sentence or fine imposed is provided, others may give the persons occupation and particulars about his or her personal life and family. Information given in the pardon proclamations is the name of the person pardoned, the name of the court where convicted, a description of the crime, the name of the presiding judge, sentence imposed, name of the institution where incarcerated, the grounds upon which a pardon was sought, the names of those who supported the petition, and the date the pardon was granted. In a few instances, photographs of the prisoners are also present. Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide variety of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by current standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections, but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

Records of commitment of prisoners to the Eastern State Penitentiary. Information provided is commitment number, name of person committed, county and court in which tried, crime more of which convicted, sentence imposed, citation of indictment, and signature of the clerk of court. Images are arranged numerically by commitment number. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Recommendations sent to the Governor by the Board of Pardons for granting commutation or parole.  A commutation is the changing of a penalty to a more lesser punishment by the pardoning power while a parole is a conditional release of a prisoner having an indeterminate or unexpired sentence.  Information provided is date of recommendation, name of inmate recommended for commutation or parole, the text of the opinion of the Parole Board recommending commutation or parole and the commutation or parole number. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. The first volume indexed internally, alphabetically by surname of inmate and the other two volumes by institution. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which provides legal representation and advice for the Commonwealth. less

Record books of commutations granted to inmates incarcerated at the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information given is date of reception, prisoner number, name of prisoner, age, race, more place of birth, number of convictions, location of court in which sentenced, nature of crime for which convicted, date and length of sentence, amount of time expired, date of expiration by commutation, and remarks. Images are arranged chronologically by date of reception. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Record books of commutations granted to inmates incarcerated at Western State Penitentiary.  Information provided is prisoner number, name of inmate, dates transferred to or returned from more Rockview where applicable, date sentenced, length of sentence, sentence expiration date by commutation, date returned for any violation and sentence imposed for such violation, date of any re-parole, and date of final discharge. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Conduct ledgers which recorded points earned by inmates incarcerated at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Information provided is ledger number, name of inmate, age, crime for more which sentenced, date sentenced, date received, county where sentenced, date of which conduct report entry, sequentially assigned conduct report number, maximum marks reported, number of marks to earn consecution, losses or gains, dates of promotions or reductions, and dates of parole and discharge. less

Images of dockets that list subsequent actions taken and papers filed in a case after the initial entry in another docket. Information given includes names of more plaintiff and defendant; original court term; and nature of the actions. Disclaimer: Not all records in this series are digitized. Please visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide variety of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by current standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections, but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

Record book containing transcripts of contracts between various private vendors and the Board of Property Inspectors for the Western State Penitentiary. Information provided is date of more contract, name of vendor, a description of the service or product to be supplied, and the amount to be paid. Images are arranged chronologically by date of contract. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Affidavits signed by inmates received at Eastern State Penitentiary acknowledging the property in their possession at the time of admission.  Information provided is affidavit number, name more of inmate, date received, crime and county of conviction, description of any property in his possession, and signature of the warden. Also included are documents found within affidavit book (1839-1850), including bills of goods sold to the Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP); a list of promissory notes owed to the prison fund as reported by treasurer John Bacon; Court of Quarter Session documents outlining crimes and punishments for men being committed to ESP; extracts from Report of the Chief of the Detective Police and the minutes of the Board of Inspectors, as well as several letters. Correspondence includes a letter from night watchmen to ESP Board of Inspectors requesting a pay increase and a letter from Governor Curtin's personal secretary requesting information on a prisoner's behavior and health in relation to an application of pardon on his behalf. Images are arranged chronologically by date signed by inmate. Miscellaneous documents unarranged. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Convict description and receiving dockets for Western State Penitentiary. Information provided is sequential number assigned for the year, inmate number, name of inmate, race, county where more sentenced, crime for which sentenced, date sentenced, date sentence commenced, calculated maximum and minimum sentence imposed, and such remarks as whether inmate was on detainer, parole violator, transferred, or returned from escape. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Convict docket for Western State Penitentiary.  Information provided is name of convict, crime of which convicted, sentence, date convict sentenced, name of prosecutor, date admitted, brief more physical description of inmate, date discharged, and how discharged. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. Indexed internally, alphabetically by surname of convict. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Images of reports of inquisitions conducted by a County Coroner and a twelve man panel who had viewed a body attesting to the cause of death. more These inquests determined the need for criminal prosecutions, and were used as the basis for conviction at the grand jury inquest if needed. Information provided includes name of decedent; date and cause of death; date of inquest; and county in which it took place. Causes of death listed include criminal acts (assault, murder); medical problems (poison, drinking water, apoplexy, flu, burns, fits, palsey, opium overdoses, and suffocation); and accidents (drowning, being hit by falling trees and logs, sleepwalking out a window, falling from buildings, horses, ladders, and chairs, or into wells, and being run over by wagons or horses, or both). Other causes listed are suicide, natural causes, and "upon the visitation of God." Places where inquests were conducted include Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Delaware, Northampton, and Northumberland Counties, and Philadelphia. Other documents sometimes included with the inquisitions are Sheriff's Inquests and Grand Jury Inquests for Oyer and Terminer in Bucks County, death verifications, and witness depositions. Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide variety of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by current standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections, but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

Daily inmate population statistical reports for Western State Penitentiary.  Information provided is date of report, number of inmates in the old prison, number of inmates in more the new prison, number of prisoners received and released, number of prisoners and vacant cells in each block, and the number of night battery men and patients and night nurses in the hospital.  Also given is number of inmates employed in weaving, clothing, brush, broom, steward, construction, electric, hospital, shoes and tailor, Dept. #17, yard, home, battery, north block, and south block occupations, the number excused by the warden, the number excused by the resident physician and the total number employed. Images are arranged chronologically by date of report. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Record book of the Board of Pardons for capital cases. Information provided is name of inmate, inmate number, county, date warrant issued, date of execution, date more certificate of execution filed and remarks that general provide dates of applications to Pardon Board, issuance of new warrants, and commutations. Images are arranged chronologically by date of death warrant. Indexed internally, alphabetically by surname of inmate. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which provides legal representation and advice for the Commonwealth. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection have been digitized. Please visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of death warrants signed by the Governor. Information given is condemned prisoners name, nature of the crime, location of trial, and execution date. In most more cases the name of the official charged with carrying out the sentence is also recorded, and occasionally clemency petitions and trial transcripts are found. Also present are lists of the names of convicted persons and correspondence acknowledging receipt of death warrants. Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide variety of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by current standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections, but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

Images of dockets containing oaths, sworn before the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, affirming an alien's intention to become a more naturalized citizen, and renouncing all allegiance to any foreign government. Data provided by the Declarations of Intention in the bulk of the series, September 24, 1832-September 24, 1906, includes name, native country, age, former monarch and signature of the alien; date of appearance; whether the alien resided in the county or city of Philadelphia; and the signature of the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court. The entries appear as standardized printed forms, with blanks into which the information was handwritten. The first volume, July 18, 1819-August 11, 1832, differs from the others, both in types of entries as well as types of information presented. It is only here that separate oaths of Allegiance appear, mixed in amongst the Declarations. In this volume, a Declaration of Intention consisted of swearing one's intent to merely settle and reside in Pennsylvania while still owing allegiance to one's former monarch. It was the separate Oath of Allegiance that actually renounced all foreign allegiances and conveyed the intent to seek United States citizenship. Sometimes both a Declaration and an Oath appear, one after the other, for the same person. In other instances, only one or the other appears. In these latter cases, it would seem that the aliens either filed the missing statement with a different court, or perhaps never followed through with the whole procedure. Data provided by the Declarations of Intention in volume 1 includes name of alien, country of birth, age, monarch to which his allegiance was owed, date of immigration, at which port arrived, city or county of residence, intended place of settlement, and signature of the Prothonotary. Names and birthplaces of immigrating family members may also be shown. Data provided by the Oaths of Allegiance about persons declaring their intention to seek citizenship includes only name, native county and signature of alien; name and country of former monarch now being renounced; and names of the Superior Court or Nisi Prius Justice and Prothonotary before whom the person appeared. less

This collection contains Board of Pardons reviews of criminal cases, except impeachment, to determine whether clemency should be recommended to the Governor for his or her more approval or disapproval. While the United States' Constitution grants the President of the United States the power to grant pardons, in Pennsylvania the pardoning power is shared between the Board of Pardons and the Governor. The Board of Pardons consists of five members including the Lieutenant Governor who serves as chairman, the Attorney General, and three members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. This collection contains applications made to, and proclamations issued by, the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons. Grouped into applications and proclamations and then arranged chronologically by date of action. The applications volumes provide brief narrative case histories and recommendations for pardons or commutations and whether the pardons or commutations were granted. Volume 1 covering the period 1874-1877 provides reasons why the Pardon Board made its recommendations while for the period 1882-1930 records of commutation actions are included. The last volume covering the period 1931-1934 contains mostly commutation records with only a few pardon actions. The proclamation volumes provide the Board's recommendations and reasons for its judgments. less

Descriptive book of inmates incarcerated at Western State Penitentiary.  Information provided is name of inmate, county where sentenced, date sentenced, length of sentence, crime for which more convicted, how often previously convicted, height, physical build, complexion, hair and eye color, age, occupation, place of birth distinguishing marks, date received, and date discharged. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. Indexed internally, alphabetically by surname of convict. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Convict registration book for prisoners received at the Western State Penitentiary. Information provided is registration number, name of inmate and any alias used, age, place of more birth, whether bound, occupation, complexion, eye and hair color, height, number of convictions, residence of parents, whether can read or write, whether temperate, marital status, whether a property owner, crime of which convicted, sentence imposed, county and court where tried, date sentenced, and occasional remarks on condition of clothing at time of reception. Images are arranged numerically by registration number. Indexed internally, alphabetically by surname of inmate. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Descriptive registers of inmates incarcerated at the Eastern State Penitentiary. Information provided is name of inmate, crime for which convicted, sentence imposed, date sentenced, name of more court in which tried, name of prosecutor, date admitted, date and reason discharged, and a physical description of the inmate including place of birth, age, occupation, race, hair color and type, height, color of eyes, and distinguishing characteristics. Images are arranged numerically by registration number. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Discharge books for the Eastern State Penitentiary. Information provided is inmate number, name of inmate, age at discharge, race, gender, crime for which sentenced, county where more sentenced, date sentenced, length of sentence imposed, date discharged, how discharged, length of time served, occupation while in prison, education received while in prison, weight when received and when discharged, amount earned by inmate in overwork, amount paid on discharge, and place of intended residence. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Descriptive discharge dockets for inmates released from the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided name of prisoner, prisoner number, weight, age at time of discharge, gender, crime more of which convicted, sentence imposed, date of sentencing, date of discharge, method of discharge, duration incarcerated, occupation practiced, education received while incarcerated, intended place of residence after release, and amount of money received upon discharge.  From 1892, the name of the county responsible for sending the inmate to the penitentiary is given and also occasionally the date the prisoner may have been returned to custody.  Sometimes noted is the amount of property owned by the inmate and the inmate’s weight at time received and when discharged. Images are arranged chronologically by date of discharge. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Images of case files for divorce cases brought before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in the Eastern District. Documents filed may include petitions (libels) for divorce, more subpoenas for divorce, interrogatories, depositions, and decrees for divorce. In the divorce process, the original petition was made to the Supreme Court, accusing either the wife or husband of a particular marriage offense, and asking the Court to force his or her appearance before the justices. The Court would then issue a warrant for the appearance of the libellee, and questions would be drawn and statements taken for the libellant and libellee. The Court would then render its decision. Information provided by these papers includes names of the couple; date married; court term and case number; and reason for divorce. less

Images of a record of cases brought before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in the Middle District. Information provided about each case may include names of more parties; a brief description of the case; an explanation regarding its origin; by what means it reached the Supreme Court (by writ of error, certiorari or appeal); where the case was filed; and amounts of court costs incurred. After 1810, the final decision of the court is also noted. The dockets also contain entries giving the location of the court for various sessions, and the names of the justices who presided; as well as notations of adjournment motions, rules adopted concerning payment made to the Court, and other court actions. less

Images of a record of equity in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Docket entries were generally begun one or two terms before the case was actually more brought before the court. Entries provide such information as names of defendant, plaintiff, attorneys and witnesses involved and a listing of dates and types of documents filed or rules and judgments rendered. Some of these cases are indexed in RG/033/A/42- Ejectment Index, 1857-1874. less

On September 29, 1787 "An Act to Declare and Regulate Escheats" became law. According to it, the law established a process by which the Commonwealth would more incorporate the real and personal property of persons who died intestate or without heirs. For the execution of this, the Supreme Council commissioned an Escheator-General; specifically John Nicholson (also Comptroller-General), Clement Biddle, and William Irwin. A deputy was appointed for each county. Deputies mentioned include Thomas Sergeant (Bucks), Isaac Darlington (Chester), Robert Porter (Montgomery) and Collinson Reed (Berks). These officers held an inquisition and rendered a decision concerning the escheated property. Inquisitors were warranted by the county sheriff and testimony of witnesses was taken. If the escheators court found no claim or will the property was turned over to the state. Otherwise, claimants were to appear at the next session of the Supreme Court. This process was changed by act of Assembly on April 2, 1821 when the auditor general assumed duties of the escheator general and the Courts of Common Pleas replaced the Supreme Court. Images of documents included in this series are: Inquisition Returns, Warrants, Claims on Estates, Testimony, Jury Lists, Estate Inventories, and Certificates of Marriage. Also within this series are commissions for the deputy escheators and for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth from the governor. For further information see records of the Department of the Auditor General and records from the Office of the Comptroller General. less

Images of records of Supreme Court cases in which the execution of the Court's judgment was carried out to enforce payment of debts. Information provided by more the dockets includes names of plaintiff, defendant, and their attorneys; suit and court costs; and the nature of the judgment and of the action of the court to recover costs. less

Images of a record of estates forfeited by citizens of various counties of Pennsylvania because of their allegiance to the British crown during the Revolutionary War. more Records specify the date of receipt, letter, order or notice, the area of land in question, and the county in which it was contained. Records also usually show the name and residence of the attainted individual and occasionally his occupation. Also mentioned is the detailed descriptions or drawings of boundaries of the property, an inventory of the property seized (with the date), and a record of the estates disbursement. In cases of land sales, there is a record of who bought and sold the land, agents involved and appointment of land appraisers to deal with estates forfeited by men under verdict of the Council. Also included are petitions by citizens who were unjustly accused of treason and like offenses or in danger of losing their land to the state, and letters and drawings from agents of confiscated estates reporting forfeited lands that were resurveyed. less

Correspondence relating to routine operations, investigations and related matters concerning the routine daily administration of the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Information provided is date and subject more of correspondence, name of correspondents. Images are grouped chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Images of records of criminal cases heard and adjudged in Allegheny, Bedford, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montgomery, Northampton, more Northumberland, Philadelphia, Washington, Westmoreland, and York Counties. Information provided includes dates of sessions; names of defendant, witnesses, judges, sheriff, grand jurors and petite jurors involved; nature of crime committed (ranging from misdemeanors to high treason, and including crimes related to Blacks); the verdict; and the sentence. The prosecution may have been either the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or the United States ("Republica"). less

This docket contains images of two separate sections, one being a record of rules, resolves and orders of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and the other, more a record of divorce cases brought before that court. The section entitled "General Motions" (1750-1837) documents the administrative workings of the Supreme Court by listing decisions made concerning general procedures, as well as specific cases. Topics include dealing with writs of habeas corpus and certiorari; pleas by general issue; new trials in arrest of judgment; admission of attorneys; the exchange of pleas and responses; filing times for affidavits; acts of assembly pertaining to the court; the setting or court dates for the Supreme, Circuit and Nisi Prius Courts; and the deaths and appointments of Chief Justices, Associate Justices, Prothonotaries, Criers, Commissioners of Bail and Tipstaffs. Of particular interest is a libel case brought against Eleazer Oswald, publisher of "The Independent Gazetteer or the Chronicle of Freedom" (1782). The "Divorce Docket" (1800-1805) contains copies of original petitions for divorce, as well as of the Court's judgments. Information provided includes names of husband and wife; reason for filing the divorce petition (abandonment, adultery, cruelty, previous unended marriage, etc.); names of referees; and the nature of the final judgment. less

An index of prisoners admitted to the Western State Penitentiary. Although the exact dates of the index are not known, it appears to cover inmates from more the mid-1930s to the early 1950s. The information provided is the name of each inmate, the assigned inmate number, and any additional notes, such as new inmate numbers assigned. Images are arranged alphabetically by surname of the inmate. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Images of a partial, external index to the 11 volume series RG/033/A/35- Declaration of Intention Dockets, 1819-1870, 1873-1875, 1881-1906. Volumes 2-10, and part of 11/12 of more that series are indexed by this book (volume 1 has an internal index of its own, while the entries in volume 11/12 after December 2, 1901 appear to be unindexed). Information provided for each name includes volume and page number references to where the individual's Declaration can be found. less

Images of an index to RG-033-A-75 - Naturalization Papers, 1794-1819, 1821-1868, filed with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in the Eastern District. Information provided by entries more in Volume 1 of the index (1794-1824) includes name of alien, date of admission as a citizen, and occasionally the filing date of the declaration of intention. Volume 2 (1842-1868) shows names of aliens and numbers of their petitions for naturalization, although all of these petitions were not necessarily accepted. less

Register of inmate transfers from the Western State Penitentiary to other prisons. The information provided includes the inmate name and number, the county of residence, the more date of transfer, the transfer destination of the inmate, and any additional remarks. Images are grouped chronologically by date of inmate transfer, and thereunder arranged numerically by inmate number. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

The full title of this series is: Reports and Testimony in Relation to Investigations Made by a Subcommittee of the State Board of Charities and the more Board of Trustees, 1890-1896, 1935 and it contains reports, correspondence, and transcripts of testimony taken in investigations conducted by the subcommittee if the State Board of Charities and the Board of trustees into the treatment of prisoners and escape attempts at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Information provided varies with type of document but generally includes date of document, names of inmates and persons giving testimony before the subcommittee, and descriptions of conditions in the facility. Images are arranged chronologically by date of document. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Daily Journals kept by the Superintendent detailing both routine activities and out of the ordinary events at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Also present are photographs more of inmates, newspaper articles, and notices of escapes that are inserted between or pasted onto the pages. Images are grouped chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Images of twelve volumes of indices containing the following information for each judgment: case title, court term when judgment was rendered, page number, and sometimes additional more information on the settlement. less

This collection, arranged chronologically, contains Baldric purchase reports for clan supplies, as well as bills, checks, and receipts for food and uniforms. Details of members' financial more accounts also provided, as well as scratch paper used for accounting purposes. Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide range of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by today’s standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

This collection, arranged chronologically, contains official documents, such as Imperial Kligrapp appointments, applications for reinstatement of former Klansmen, as well as appeals for admission, are provided more in this series. Numerous handwritten general interest letters from the public are also included. Official decrees for those Klansmen who had been banished are given, as well as obituaries for prominent members of the KKK. A large portion of the correspondence concerns the Grand Dragon, Samuel G. Stouch, and his letters concerning the establishment of Klan contacts in neighboring states. Kligrapp quarterly reports and requests for the establishment of Klan chapters are also given. Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide range of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by today’s standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

This collection contains series grouped by subject and then chronologically, of various papers, election returns, rosters, publications, and applications detailing Klan operations. The rosters and election more returns were sent to the headquarters in Philadelphia, listing new Klan personnel and elected leaders. Each quarterly roster (present for the years 1933-1938) details the number of new members received, those suspended or deceased, the total number of members, losses and/or gains, as well as the province number, Klan number, and official Klan name and address. Election returns, or 'Report of Officers Elect,' provide names, numbers, location of Klan, date of klonklave and location of klavern in question. The names of the various officer positions up for election included: Exalted Cyclops, Klaliff, Klokard, Kludd, Kligrapp, Klabee, Klad, Klarogo, Klexter, Nighthawk, Klikann Chief, and Klokan numbers 1 and 2. Among the various papers are counter signs giving code and password cyphers once a Klan met necessary requirements and all memberships were paid up. National and Imperial countersigns were given and consisted primarily of state names. All were signed by Stouch, the Imperial authority of the KKK in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The bottom half of the counter sign sheet consisted of a pledge of undertaking the proper instructions for guarding the passwords. The enlistment papers, 1924-1926, provide information relative to new Klan recruits. Data such as the company, troop number, rank, serial number, name, address (street, city, county), enlistment period, age, height, weight, complexion, eye color, hair color, distinguishing marks, marital status, military service, education, qualifications, character, occupation, enlistment date, and signature of the recruit is provided. Enlistment papers are only available for the following counties: Adams, Allegheny, Beaver, Carbon, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Northumberland, Venango, Washington, and Westmoreland. An information file regarding the acquisition of the KKK records is present, attributing the 'find' to Private R. Roth, Pennsylvania State Police 4th Squadron Intelligence, on 3 June 1940. Mailing lists, 1924-1938, give province number, county seat, population, square mileage, name, street address, city, and county. There is a list for the Women of Unity Klan #17, New Jersey. Official Bulletins, 1936-1937, declare provincial tax reports, Imperial Klonvocations, lunch committees, presidential elections, Halloween parties, and Ham and Egg suppers. Publications which belonged to Samuel Stouch are present, including Facts in Review, published by the German Library of Information in NYC (which listed daily news broadcasts from Berlin) and a book written by fifty-four leading American writers, We Hold These Truths, which provides statements on anti-Semitism and contains lists of anti-Semitic publishers, organizations, and individuals in America. Quarterly reports list all members in good standing, the number of members naturalized, those reinstated and transferred, those died, banished, or suspended. Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide range of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by today’s standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

This collection, arranged chronologically, contains reports listing Kleagle robes ordered, address, date, location of Klan, quantity of Klansman's and Terror's robes and helmets ordered, as well more as those for the Exalted Cyclops robe and helmet sets. The name, number, and hat size for each Klansman is also stated. Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide range of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by today’s standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

Letter book of correspondence sent by the Board of Inspectors of the Western State Penitentiary to the Governor's office. Information provided is date of correspondence, names more of correspondents, and transcript of the subject of the correspondence. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Letter press books of correspondence by General Superintendent of the middle District Penitentiary.  Information provided is date of correspondence, names of correspondents, and the body of more the correspondence that reveals details of routine activities of the commissioners and administration. Images are arranged as they were entered in each volume. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Letters sent to and mailed from prisoners incarcerated at Eastern State Penitentiary (also known as Cherry Hill Prison). Correspondents are usually friends and family members. Topics more include parole, family and financial concerns, illnesses, and daily activities. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Record books of medical statistics kept on the inmate population by resident physicians at the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided is name of inmate, date of more reception, inmate number, race, gender, general physical health, general condition of mental health, description of habits, vaccines received, hereditary diseases in the family, number of convictions, place of birth, occupation, and remarks. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Minute Books of the Board of Inspectors and Board of Trustees of the Western State Penitentiary. Information provided is dates of meetings or inspections, names of more those present, and description of the observations made or business transacted. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Minutes of the meetings of the Board of Inspectors and Board of Trustees of the Eastern State Penitentiary.  From 1927 these volumes also include entries relating more to Graterford. Information provided is basic operating policies, administrative and fiscal decisions rendered by the Boards, correspondence with the Warden, treasurer reports, statements of receipts and expenditure, and prison population tabulations. Images are arranged chronologically by date of meeting. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection have been digitized. Please visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of minutes of cases heard by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in the Lancaster District. Information provided includes names of plaintiff, defendant, attorneys and jurors more involved; date of court session; and an account of the proceedings. less

Images of minutes of cases heard by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the Court of Nisi Prius in the Eastern District. Information provided includes: justices more present or absent; date of session with respective times of convention, recess, and adjournment; and details of cases submitted, cases discontinued, quashed appeals, judgments on non-pros entered; cases remanded to a lower court; judgments and opinions filed, cases argued, and cases continued from previous sessions. Details provided for each case include: names of the plaintiff(s), defendant(s), representing attorneys and jurors; charges and/or complaints against the defendant; justices who did not participate in the case; whether a dissenting or concurring opinion filed; party responsible for costs associated with the appeal; and whether the appeal was affirmed or reversed. Some entries are marked as to whether or not the case continues, or as to whether it was heard in the Supreme Court, or in Nisi Prius. Other items of interest, such as induction ceremonies, memorial services, admissions to the bar, and portrait presentations, are also noted. Minutes dating from 1952-1981 are from the Supreme Court, Eastern District only. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Please visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of minutes of cases heard by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in the Middle District. Information provided includes names of plaintiff, defendant, attorneys and jurors more involved; date of court session; and an account of the proceedings. less

Minute books of the Board of Inspectors and the Trustees when acting as a parole board at Western State Penitentiary. Information provided is name of inmate more reviewed for parole, date of parole hearing, description of hearing, and decision rendered. Images are arranged chronologically by date of meeting. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Minutes of the monthly meetings of the Western State Penitentiary Board of Trustees. The minutes are not verbatim, but rather are merely summaries of the proceedings. more Each set of minutes gives the names of the board members present. Matters discussed at each meeting include recommendations made to the governor to parole certain inmates. Other topics discussed are parole violators and delinquents, requisitions, personnel matters, and funding and construction issues for the Western State Penitentiary and Rockview Prison. At the start of each meeting the previous month's minutes were reviewed and approved. The signature of the secretary officially marks the end of each meeting's minutes. Images are arranged chronologically by date of meeting. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Images of minutes of Court of Admiralty sessions held in Philadelphia for both the United States and the State of Pennsylvania. Information provided by the minutes more generally includes date and location of court session; times of meeting and adjournment; names of justices and jurors present; and particulars of cases brought before the court, such as names of parties, nature of case, and judgment rendered. less

Miscellaneous descriptive books for inmates incarcerated at Eastern State Penitentiary. Information provided is name of inmate, crime for which convicted, sentence imposed, date sentenced, name of more court in which tried, name of prosecutor, date admitted, date and reason discharged, and a physical description of the inmate including place of birth, age, occupation, race, hair color and type, height, color of eyes, and distinguishing characteristics. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

These records were originally presented to the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania after the basement of the State House in Philadelphia was cleared out in 1895. These more records were then compiled and deposited by the Genealogical Society with the Pennsylvania State Archives. This is a series of volumes that contains a wide variety of miscellaneous Supreme Court records. Some types of records include Court Minutes; Coroner's Inquisitions; Proceedings in Cases; Lists of Marriage, Public Housekeepers, and Tavern Licenses issued. Volume 45 contains the "Pa. Sunday Court Records," which contain records of Fines and Forfeits, Tavern Licenses, Return of Public Housekeepers Recommended and Marriage Licenses. Some pre-Revolutionary records exist and identify George III as the reigning monarch. Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide variety of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by current standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections, but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

Records of various types of cases brought before the Superior or Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania. Information provided by the entries includes names of plaintiff and defendant, more type of case, proceedings and dates thereof, nature of the judgment, and the locations of related case papers. Of interest may be the written addresses in memoriam of Chief Justices Henry Greer and James P. Sterrett, as well as the address given for the presentation of portraits of the Justices. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Please visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of a record of persons petitioning the Supreme Court for naturalization. Although the declarations of intent date from as early as September 12, 1812, to more as late as November 2, 1867, and the dates of naturalization cover the period September 12, 1818, to November 27, 1856 and the majority of the listings are from 1830 to 1855. Entries list the name and nationality of the petitioner; the name of the voucher; the date of declaration; and the date naturalized. less

Images of two types of documents are contained in the file: petitions of naturalization and declarations of intention. The naturalization petitions generally contain the name, country more or city of origin, previous sovereign, and length of residence in the United States of the alien; the names of any vouchers; and the date and place where the person's declaration of intention was filed. As a rule, those declarations of intention that were submitted in Allegheny County give only the immigrant's name and country of origin, the name of the sovereign who was being renounced, and the date and place where the declaration was being made. Declarations made in other western counties, however, sometimes also record the birth date and birthplace of the petitioner. While most of the documents date from 1840-1856, there are a few petitions from 1831, 1862 and 1867. less

This collection contains applications made to, and proclamations issued by, the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons. Grouped into applications and proclamations and then arranged chronologically by date more of action. The applications volumes provide brief narrative case histories and recommendations for pardons or commutations and whether the pardons or commutations were granted. Volume 1 covering the period 1874-1877 provides reasons why the Pardon Board made its recommendations while for the period 1882-1930 records of commutation actions are included. The last volume covering the period 1931-1934 contains mostly commutation records with only a few pardon actions. The proclamation volumes provide the Board's recommendations and reasons for its judgments. less

Images of commencing "proclamations" written by the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth stating the names of those people accused of high treason. Those accused were more either discharged, outlawed or tried. If outlawed or successfully tried, their property was then appropriated by the Commonwealth. Types of documents filed include lists of persons who surrendered, or who were discharged, outlawed, or attainted of a capital crime; claims and decrees against forfeited estates; newspaper advertisements for the accused; recognizances; and an alphabetical listing of those suspected of high treason and capital crimes. (The actual court actions for claims against forfeited estates can be found in RG 033-A-29 Claims Papers Relating Primarily to Forfeited Estates, 1778-1791). less

Images of pardons granted to persons convicted of crimes. Information generally provided is a brief case history, date of pardon, and the amount and date of more remission of any fine. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Records of paroles and respites granted by the Governor under the provisions of the Act of 1909 and subsequent acts and of paroles revoked. Information provided more is name of warden, name of penitentiary, name of inmate paroled or respited, crime for which sentenced, penalty imposed, date parole or respite was issued, period of respite in capital cases, and reason for a revocation of parole. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. Indexed internally, alphabetically by name of inmate. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which provides legal representation and advice for the Commonwealth. less

Date of discharge book for paroled inmates at the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided is age, race, gender, county, crime for which convicted, minimum and maximum more sentence, number of convictions, fine, date received, date discharged, date sentenced, date minimum sentence expired, date maximum sentence expired, any dates returned from parole and comments. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Statistical record book of inmates paroled from Western State Penitentiary. Information provided is parole number, register number, race, violations, recommitments, deaths, other prisons in which incarcerated, more whether discharged, whether pardoned, and whether in the army or other institutions.  Also given is a breakdown of the inmate population by native or foreign born. Images are arranged numerically by parole number. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Perpetuation of testimony refers to the transcribing of that testimony so that it can be read as evidence in a court. Images of the entries in more this volume were transcribed by the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court and document proceedings of equity in the form of complainants' declarations, calls of appearance by the court, and interrogatories of witnesses. The cases represented deal mainly with land titles and conveyances and information provided about them includes names of parties involved, and dates and locations of title transfers. The nature of the decision, however, is not revealed. less

Physician record books of prisoners incarcerated at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Information provided is name of prisoner, prisoner number, age, race, date of examination, date more of birth, nationality and occupation of father, nationality of mother, whether most resembles father or mother, general health, general appearance, date of vaccination, diseases and accidents suffered, history of past nervous or mental disorder, appetite, any problems with sleep, and problems with the bowels or urine, any evidence of hernia, general temperament, any drug habits or tobacco habits, pulse, condition of heart, condition of lungs, condition of thorax, condition of muscles, condition of eyes, condition of ears, mental condition, general remarks, and signature of physician. less

Index of prisoners confined at the Western State Penitentiary.Information provided is name of inmate and the sequentially assigned inmate number. Images are grouped chronologically by volume more and arranged thereunder alphabetically by surname of inmate. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Indexes to the inmate population of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Information provided is name of inmate, folio number or inmate number, and address or remarks. more Images are arranged alphabetically by surname of inmate. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Images of writs issued to the Sheriff of Philadelphia by Court of Admiralty Justices ordering him to bring before the Court all prisoners in his jail more accused of piracy or other crimes committed on the high seas. The precepts were issued either from the Court of Admiralty of Pennsylvania, or by the Court of Admiralty of the United States, and provide such information as names of the Sheriff and two Justices, signatures of the Justices, and the date the court session began. Also included in the files are lists of grand and traverse jurors, a list of Justices for the Court of Admiralty of the United States, and a copy of an ordinance by Congress providing for the establishment of Courts of Admiralty by the authority of Article IX of the Constitution. less

Images of discharge descriptive dockets of inmates discharged from the Western State Penitentiary. Information provided is inmate registration number, name of inmate, county where convicted, age more when discharged, race, gender, crime for which convicted, date sentenced, length of sentence, date discharged, how discharged, whether detained for costs for misconduct, number of days allowed under commutation law, time served in prison, number of times punished, occupation in prison, education received in prison, weight when discharged, amount earned during imprisonment, place of intended residence, condition of mental and physical health and number of days sick during incarceration. less

Register of inmates sentenced to the Western State Penitentiary. Each entry provides the inmate number, inmate name, date of sentence, date of discharge, date received at more the prison, county of residence, color, grade, occupation, and nature of the crime. Notes, such as if the prisoner was paroled, transferred to another prison, or died in prison, are also present. Images are grouped chronologically by date of inmate sentencing, and thereunder arranged numerically by inmate number. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Record book of inmates paroled and discharged from the Western State Penitentiary. Information provided is inmate number, name of inmate, date sentenced, calculated times for minimum more and maximum sentence, dates for expiration of the calculated minimum and maximum sentences, date released, date returned for any parole violation, maximum sentence imposed for any parole violation, date of final discharge. Images are arranged numerically by inmate number. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Record books of prisoners received at the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Information provided is prisoner number, name of prisoner, any alias employed by inmate, date more convicted, date sentenced, date received, age, race, place of birth, number of convictions, county and court in which convicted, crime for which convicted, date of death where applicable, date of parole, date of escape where applicable, date of return where applicable, date of re-parole where applicable, date of discharge and any remarks. less

Descriptive books for prisoners received at Eastern State Penitentiary. Information provided is inmate number, name of inmate, date received, age, race, gender, county, crime for which more convicted, minimum and maximum sentence, number of convictions, fine, date received, date sentenced, date minimum sentence expired, and date maximum sentence expired. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

A recognizance is an obligation of record, which a party enters into before some court of record or magistrate, with a condition to perform some particular more act. Failing to do so, the party (recognizor) is obliged to pay a specific sum to the court or to the other party involved in the case. The object of a recognizance is generally to secure the presence of a defendant to perform or suffer the judgment of the court. Images of recognizance papers filed include writs of error, writs returned to the court, writs for appearance, writs sur certiorari, writs for peace and good behavior, and writs for bail. Information provided includes name of plaintiff, name and residence of defendant, amount of recognizance, and duties required. Other documents are also found, such as distringas to nisi prius, exceptions to bail, orders of the court, and bonds. Of interest may be the final folder, which documents a United States Circuit Court (Third District) case, as well as one from within the Commonwealth involving a conspiracy charge. less

Record book of the Board of Pardons for capital cases. Information provided is name of inmate, inmate number, county, date warrant issued, date of execution, date more certificate of execution filed and remarks that general provide dates of applications to Pardon Board, issuance of new warrants, and commutations. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. Indexed internally, alphabetically by name of inmate. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which provides legal representation and advice for the Commonwealth. less

Record book of county and federal inmates paroled and discharged from Western State Penitentiary. Information provided is reception number, name of inmate, date sentenced, length of more sentence, crime for which sentenced, date discharged, and number of days served. Images are grouped alphabetically by county and a listing of federal prisoners and arranged thereunder chronologically by date of entry. Indexed internally, alphabetically by surname of inmate. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Record book of maximum sentences imposed upon inmates at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Information provided is prisoner number, name of prisoner, date sentenced, maximum sentence, more crime of which convicted, date upon which expiration of maximum sentence fell, and date released. less

Record of men paroled from the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Information provided is registration number, name of inmate, place of residence, where employed, name and address more of employer, date paroled, dates of monthly reports, and date absolutely released. less

Minute Books of the Board of Inspectors and Board of Trustees of the Western State Penitentiary. Information provided is dates of meetings or inspections, names of more those present, and description of the observations made or business transacted. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Record of special punishments imposed upon inmates incarcerated at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Information provided is date of entry, inmate number, name of inmate, description more of the infraction by inmate that resulted in the special punishment, date and hour received or released from solitary confinement, number of strokes administered and by whom, and any remarks. less

Weekly newspaper published by the inmates of the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Information provided is date of publication, names of inmates involved in various activities, more and descriptions of noteworthy events and activities. less

Visitor registers for the Eastern State Penitentiary. Information provided is date of visit, name of visitor and their place of residence. Images are arranged chronologically by more date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Images of petitions for veterans' pensions submitted to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. According to the Statutes at Large for 1785, these petitions were normally filed more in the local county Orphans' Court. By law, the Court required substantial proof of the disability. At least one commanding officer and the surgeon who was affiliated with the soldier had to file depositions with the court affirming the soldier's service record and attesting to the wound. Once the Orphans' Court decided upon the case, it was sent to the Comptroller-General for permanent recording. The Assembly required the court to revise their proceedings every year. The entire process was revised in 1787 when, by an act of the assembly, the Supreme Court became the overseeing authority, and was given authority to review any pension case necessary in its regular sessions, or on circuit in the counties. By law, applications for pensions were only allowed within three years of the two acts. Thus, a veteran or widow could only file a claim from 1785 through 1790. Information provided by the applications may include name, rank and regiment of soldier; residence; occupation; and age. The depositions normally show name of commanding officer; the battle fought in; and the type of wound received. Other documents sometimes included are commission and enlistment papers. Related information may be found in the Orphans' Court Dockets for the respective counties. See also the following related State Archives series, and the online name index to the Revolutionary War pensioners documented therein): RG-2, Records of the Auditor General RG 002-RAMS-53 Military Pension Accounts and Related Papers, circa 1789-1883 (2 boxes, 9 volumes), RG 002-RAMS-60 Revolutionary War Pension File, 1809-1893 (4 boxes); RG-4, Records of the Comptroller General RG 004-52 Revolutionary War Pension Files And Related Accounts, 1785-1809 (8 boxes, 5 volumes); RG-7, Records of the General Assembly RG 007-B-11 House File, 1790-1903 (66 boxes, 1 carton); RG-28, Records of the Treasury Department RG 028-A-82 Revolutionary War Pension List Book, 1834-1838. (1 volume). less

Record of inmates incarcerated at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon who attended school. Information provided is surname of inmate, date left school and whether left school more for work, parole or discharge. In the front of the volume is a list of the names of parole violators. Images are arranged numerically by assigned number. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Record of school examination questions on history, grammar, arithmetic, physiology, spelling, and civil government that were used by instructors who taught in the school at the more Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Also present is a printed copy of the Terman Group Test of Mental Ability for Grades 7 to 12 prepared by Lewis M. Terman of Stanford University. Images are arranged sequentially by curriculum structure. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Record of offenses committed by prisoners while at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Information provided is date of offense, prisoner number, surname of prisoner, name of more person by whom reported, description of offense, and description of any punishment imposed. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, notices, photographs, and related materials concerning the Eastern State Penitentiary. Images are arranged chronologically by date of item. This collection is part more of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Images of transcriptions of land property conveyances, originally taken in execution upon an estate or in a suit by virtue of a writ of fieri facias more and sold at public auction by writ of venditioni expinas. Information provided includes names of plaintiff, defendant, grantee, and the Sheriff involved; date of deed poll; property location, size, boundaries and names of neighbors; and date grant was received. less

This collection contains records of persons employed as State troopers by the Commonwealth. Entries list the person's name, identification number, age, birthplace, race, height, hair and more eye colors, and occupation previous to enlistment. less

The collection, arranged chronologically by start of strike date, includes records contained in individual reports include police endorsements of special duties assigned to troops to investigate more labor unrest, patrol reports from picket areas, telegrams from the superintendent to local sheriffs, and various radiograms. Strike reports were filed for the following labor occupations: coal, milk, clothes, silk, clay products, teachers, textiles, glass, sewer pipes, lumber, hosiery, steel, refractories, chocolate, ship building, leather, rubber, electric products, trucks, turnpike employees, iron, aircraft manufacture, shoes, wallpaper, buses, and highway construction workers. Individual details of those troopers involved in the surveillance of industrial disturbances are given, as well as passes issued to companies in order that some workers might work despite a strike or disturbance. There are also general orders issued by the superintendent pointing out that before the state police could be sent to an area of unrest, the governor must be notified that it is beyond the local sheriff's control. Labor disturbance reports from substations in the strike region form a large part of the reports. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Please visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

This collection, grouped by troop and arranged thereafter chronologically, contains semiannual reports for Troops A, B, C, and D as issued to the superintendent of the more PA State Police residing in Harrisburg by troop commanders. Topics included in the reports are: arms and equipment status, arrests (by county and amount of fines imposed), barrack and stable conditions, details furnished for special public occasions, disposition of cases previously reported as pending, fines collected by other state departments, horses (condition of, number lost/gained, recapitulations, those reported sick), motor transportation, patrols and mileage, recommendations, record of important events, requests for assistance, schools, stolen property, substations, and overall troop conditions (number reported sick, summary court martials, number resigned, and number of men gained/lost. less

Record books containing raw statistical data on inmates incarcerated at the Eastern State Penitentiary. Information provided is inmate number, name of inmate, age category, race, gender, more marital status, whether widowed or divorced, whether habitual or occasional drinker, number of convictions, whether could read or write, whether kept bound, and any former inmate number. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Time books for sentences of inmates at Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided is, inmate number, crime for which convicted, sentence imposed, date sentenced, number of years more and months served, and number of convictions. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Time ledger for length of sentences of inmates paroled at Western State Penitentiary. Information provided is inmate number, minimum time to expiration of sentence, and occasionally more the date paroled. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Register of visitors to Western State Penitentiary. Information provided is date of visit, name of visitor, from whence visitor arrived, and destination of the visitor. Images more are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Daily journals kept by the wardens of the Eastern State Penitentiary. Information provided is daily account of activities in the facility including reception and discharge of more prisoners. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

Journals kept by the warden of daily activities at the New Eastern State Penitentiary at Graterford. Information provided is date of entry, name of warden or more acting warden, name of deputy warden, number of inmates received, number of inmates transferred, number of inmates discharged, number of misconducts reported, and a description of any noteworthy events that occurred in the facility on that date. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Daily journals kept by the warden of the Western State Penitentiary containing descriptions of all activities and transactions in the prison. Images are arranged chronologically by more date of entry. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth. less

A warrant of attorney is more specific than a letter or power of attorney, in that it is addressed to one or more attorneys authorizing them more to appear in any court or in some specified court on behalf of a client to confess judgment in an action of debt, and contains a stipulation not to bring any writ of error or file a bill in equity. The defendant confessing judgment may also enter this warrant without an attorney by filing it with the Prothonotary. The Warrant of Attorney Dockets contain images of records of those cases in which such a warrant was entered and judgment confessed. Information provided includes names of plaintiff, defendant, and warranted attorney(s); amount of debt; notations of other papers filed; and date of confession of judgment. Some dockets contain actual warrants. less

The petitions were originally made to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, requesting that he issue a writ of habeas corpus which would then allow more the petitioner to appear before the court to inquire into the legality of his confinement. Information provided by the petitions and their accompanying writs includes names of petitioner (detainee), reason for detention (including robbery, desertion, going AWOL, and not re-enlisting after being paid to do so), filing date, and action taken by the court. Other documents filed include manumissions, paper books, memoranda, processes, enlistment papers, and witness lists. Individuals named may include those in charge of jails and workhouses, military commanders of the Revolution, and a Vice Council of France. Most of the cases represented relate either to military affairs or slave holdings. Of special interest are documents from the state of Rhode Island. A related series (RG-033-A-119) Writs of Habeas Corpus for Black Slaves and Indentured Servants, 1784-1787. Many of the writs provide such information as name of slave, place of residence, name of master, type of crime, and sometimes particulars concerning the slave's familial relationships, occupation, and purchase. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Please visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide variety of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by current standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections, but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

This series was separated out from (RG-033-A-118) Writs of Habeas Corpus and Petitions, 1771-1863. The documents were filed with the Supreme Court, Eastern District, and contain more diverse data that vary with each writ. Many of the writs provide the slave's name, place of residency and name of master. In some instances familial relationships are depicted and particulars are entered about where the slave worked and when he or she was purchased. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Please visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide variety of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by current standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections, but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less