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Images of cash books, daybooks, ledgers, journals, receipt book, vouchers, payroll requisitions, and related types of records kept by the Wardens of the Port of Philadelphia. more Information provided varies with type of record but generally documents revenue received and expenditures made by the Wardens in the course of carrying out their duties. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. 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 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

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

Images of the earliest surviving records of the Commonwealth including William Penn's charter from King Charles II, the earliest frames of government for the province, the more deeds by which Pennsylvania lands were purchased from the American Indian tribes, copies of all of the state constitutions and Pennsylvania's copy of the federal constitution. less

Record of charges incurred for running a road from the back settlements toward the Ohio River for the King's use in pursuance to the application from more General Edward Braddock. The purpose of the road was to launch a military expedition against the French occupation of the Ohio River Valley. Information provided is name of person receiving payment, name of person for whom the payment was received and amount of payment. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. 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

Indian trade accounts kept by Treasurer John Reynolds for the Commissioners of Indian Trade. Information provided in the cash summary tables is date of entry, location more of trade, and amount. Information provided on individual trader accounts is date of entry, name of trader or merchant, amount on interest, and amount to Province of Pennsylvania. Trader and merchant names include Isaac Norris, Mary Coates, Margaret Coates, William Allen, John Reynalds, Mildred Roberts, Joseph Richardson, William Fisher, Thomas Willing, Joshua Howell, Rachel Pemberton, Mary Sorrell. Benedict Dorsey, Captain Nathaniel Donnell, Robert Suckniss, George Emlen, Charles Harrison, George Allen, Mary Taggart, Thomas Lawrence, Thomas Keinton, James Crampton, Josiah Davenport, Beulah Paschal, Elizabeth Paschal, Richard Wistar, Nathaniel Holland, David Franks, Sarah Hasell, Thomasina Hasell, John Benson, Joseph Fox, Joseph Galloway, James Irvine, Hannah Growden, Thomas Willing, Margarett Hyatt, Jonathan Willis, Joseph Besse, Benjamin Wallace, Ann Ohill, Henry Harrison, Mary Richardson, Elizabeth Griffitts, Thomas Clifford, Amos Strettelt, Frances West, John Bartlett, Robert Burchan, Abel Jenney, Willing and Morris, Edward Pennington, Elizabeth Warner, Anna Warner, Hannah Allen, Barbara Gheer, Benjamin Levy, Robert and Amos Strettelt, John Langdale, Joseph Brown, James Kenney, John Carson, Thomas Child, James Irvine, George Ross, Mildred Roberts, William Parr, Thomas Smaltman, Charles Williams, Henry Martin, Israel Pemberton, Colonel James Bird, Edward Creston, and Croston Sarr. Images are grouped by fort or town and arranged thereunder chronologically by date of entry. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. 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

Printed copies of executive correspondence, petitions, and Orders of Council relating specifically to the Province and the Crown. Information generally given is date of correspondence, names more of correspondents and background on colonial relations and Crown policies. Images are arranged chronologically by date of correspondence. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. less

Images of declarations made before the governor or deputy governor in pursuance to "an Act made in September et octavo William III Regis Entitled An Act more for Preventing Frauds and Regulating Abuses in the Plantation Trade." Information provided is date of declaration, name and signature of the person making the declaration, name of vessel, name of ship master, type of vessel, tonnage of vessel, where and when vessel was constructed, name of current owner, and declaration that "no foreigner directly or indirectly hath any share or part of interest therein." less

Correspondence, petitions, reports, election returns, Governors' messages, ships' lists, appointments, warrants, passports and related records relating to the local affairs of government within the Province. Included more are about twenty muster rolls and military returns relating to the French and Indian War providing such types of information as name and rank of soldier, the military unit or station to which attached and the name of the officer under whom he served. Occasionally, the soldier's date and place of enlistment, age, and brief physical description may also be found. Images are arranged chronologically by date of correspondence. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. less

Correspondence either addressed to or received from James Logan, George Dakeyne, Richard Peters and Joseph Shippen concerning such matters as land grants and routine matters concerning more the Provincial Council. Information provided varies with the subject of the correspondence. Images are arranged chronologically by date of correspondence. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. 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

Record of fees paid for licenses granted to Indian traders (1744-1746), peddlers (1743-1752), and taverns (1746-1752, 1759-1761), lists of marriages for the periods 1742-1752 and 1759-1763 more and a record book of accounts kept with Richard Peters. Information provided is name of person receiving license, date fee was paid and amount of fee remitted. For tavern licenses the location of the tavern is also given. The location of the business is also sometimes given for peddler's licenses. For marriage licenses the information provided is date fee was received, amount of fee, name of the groom, and occasionally name of the bride. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. less

Indian trading licenses granted to Indian traders by John Penn. Information provided is date license was granted, name of trader, place of residence, any restrictions imposed more and period for which granted. Included are licenses granted to Robert Levers, Alexander Lowery (missing), John Armsby, John Cameron, John Gibson, John Jennings, Caleb Graydon, Joseph Simons, James Milligan, Devereaux Smith, John Prentice, John Fraser, Samuel Hunter, John Hart, John Baynton, Samuel Wharton, George Morgan, John Boggs, Daniel Elliont, Martin McDaniel, George Gibson, John Davies, Joseph Spear, John Hart, William Murray, John Pancake, and Richard Butler. Images are arranged chronologically by date of license. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. 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

Minutes of the proceedings of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania covering the period from March 10, 1682/3 to December 9, 1775. Information provided is date of more meeting, names of those present, a description of the business transacted, and transcripts of important correspondence received or sent. Images are arranged chronologically by date of meeting except for Volume C. In this volume, minutes for the period from April 26, 1693 to December 18, 1700 will be found in various places. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. All volumes except R,S,T and U are indexed internally. less

Miscellaneous correspondence, agreements, proclamations, land grants, deeds, receipts, memoranda, depositions, assignments, warrants, surveys, returns of survey, patents, wills, minutes, ledgers, lists and reports. Information provided varies more with type of document. Subjects touched upon include the agreement between the English and the Dutch at New York in 1664, Quit Rent Act of 1705/6, the Pennsylvania-Maryland boundary dispute, the Militia Bill, Indian treaties, the French and Indian War, and Connecticut claims. Roll 3546 depicts the record book of the Collector of Provincial Excise Tax Arthur Patterson for Lancaster County for the years 1747 and 1748. This excise tax was collected on wine, rum, brandy and other spirits under the provisions of an Act passed on May 26, 1744. Information provided is date excise was collected, amount collected, and name of person from whom collected and also contains notations regarding cider payments made in 1766 and 1767. Images are arranged chronologically by date of document. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. 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

Naturalization lists created under the provisions of the Act of Parliament passed in the 13th year of the reign of his Royal Majesty King George the more Second entitled "Act for Naturalizing such Foreign Protestants, and Others Therein Mentioned, as are Settled or Shall Settle in any of His Majesty's Colonies in America." The records commence at the session of the Supreme Court held at Philadelphia for the Province of Pennsylvania presided over by Jeremiah Langhorne, Thomas Graeme, and Thomas Griffits on September 25-27, 1740 O.S. Under the provisions of this Act, foreigners seeking to be naturalized must have resided in the colonies for at least seven years, been absent from the colonies no more than two months at a time during those seven years, and produce certificates of taking the sacrament of the Lord's Supper in a Protestant or Reformed congregation located within the Province within the preceding three months. Each applicant was then required to take the prescribed oaths and repeat the declaration prescribed in the Act. Information provided is names of judges presiding, name of person naturalized, place of his residence, and date he took the sacrament. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. less

These records document the duties that were paid on slaves to the City of Philadelphia. Information provided within these records includes the name of the owner(s) more and the collector; the amount of duty paid; and the date of the contract. Sometimes the name of the slave is listed. These records were originally recorded by an agent of the British crown until the State of Pennsylvania assumed this responsibility. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of three volumes of bond cancellation books which contain records of canceled bonds for vessels calling at the port of Philadelphia. The cancellation dates range more between October 1774 through April 1775. Entries in these volumes include the name of the vessel, the master's name, its port of destination, the penal sum of the bond, the species of the bond, by whom it was purchased, the date of purchase, and the date of cancellation. Images are arranged chronologically by date on which bond was issued. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images for three volumes of records for bonds which were issued between July 6, 1774 and April 5, 1775 for vessels calling at the port of more Philadelphia. Entries include the vessel's name, the master's name, the destination of the ship, the species and penal sum of the bond, the date of the bond, and by whom it was given. Images are arranged chronologically by date on which was bond was issued. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Certificates issued by physicians granting permission to vessels to enter the port of Philadelphia. Information generally provided is date of certificate, name of the physician, name more of vessel, type of vessel, name of master, whether permission was granted and a description of any symptoms of contagious diseases observed by the physician. Images are arranged chronologically by date of certificate. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. less

Surety bonds provided for officers elected or appointed to such civilian offices as recorder of deeds, prothonotary, clerk of the peace or clerk of the orphan's more court for Bedford, Bucks, Chester, Delaware Bay, Lancaster, Delaware, Northampton, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Westmoreland and York Counties. Information provided is date of bond, name of officer, office for which bonded, name of person to whom bonded, and amount of bond. Images are grouped alphabetically by county. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. 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 kept by Charles Brockden who served as the Registrar for Deputy Governor William Keith's Court of Chancery. Sir William Keith served as Deputy Governor more of the Province from May 31, 1717 to June 22, 1726. Information provided are names of members of the court, dates they were appointed, date the entry was made, names of individuals involved in cases, and actions taken by the court. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. less

Account book kept by Provincial Agent Richard Partridge of expenses incurred in conducting provincial business. Information provided is date of entry, nature of expenditure, and amount more of expenditure. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. less

Account books, bills of debt, records of fees paid, receipts, and debit-credit lists. One of the account books was kept by Provincial Secretary Richard Peters for more state provincial accounts and the other is a record of the accounts of the Lancaster County Commissioners and Tax Assessors for services rendered relating to the provincial tax for the period 1760-1770. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. 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

Images of certificates of ship masters certifying the name of the ship master, ownership of the vessel, and certifying that no foreigners have any share in more the property of the vessel. Also present are bonds to the king by the ship master and merchant attesting to the same. Information provided on the certificates is name of the ship master, type of vessel, name of vessel, where anchored, ship burthen in tons, number of any guns mounted on the vessel, number of crew members, number of crew members who were His Majesty's subjects, where the vessel was bound and also the next port after that to which bound, name of naval officer by whom surveyed, and date of certificate. The bonds to the king give the date of the bond, name of the shipmaster, name of the vessel, name of merchant providing bond, amount of the bond, and date of the bond. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of official records of the arrival of foreign passengers at the port of Philadelphia that were required to be kept by captains of ships importing more strangers into the province beginning in 1727. Originally, the captains were intended by the Provincial Council to record the names, occupations, and places of residence of all such passengers. Most of the so-called A Lists, however, give the names of adult male passengers only, though twenty-five captains also recorded the names of women, and children. Three captains gave the names of both men and women while omitting children and sixty-four captains also provided the ages of passengers, though this information was not required. The B Lists consist of the signatures required of the passengers to the oath of allegiance to the British Crown and a declaration of fidelity to the proprietor of the province. These were supposed to include the names of all adult male passengers but actually contain only the names of adult male passengers who were well enough on the day of the signing to appear at the courthouse. After 1739, the Clerk of Council signed the names of absent passengers. The C Lists contain the signatures of passengers who signed the Declaration of Fidelity and Abjuration that was required by the Act of May 10, 1729. This Act required all male passengers who were at least sixteen years of age to, within forty-eight hours after their arrival, take both an oath of allegiance that acknowledged the supremacy of the King and an oath of abjuration of the authority of the Pope. The abjuration declared impious and heretical that wicked Doctrine and Position that Princes Excommunicated or deprived by the Pope, or any Authority of the See of Rome, may be deposed or murthered (sic) by their Subjects . . . (and) that no Foreign Prince, Person, Prelate, State or Potentate hath, or ought to have, any Power, Jurisdiction, Superiority, Preeminence or Authority, Ecclesiastical or Spiritual, within the Realm of Great Britain or Dominions thereunto belonging. less

Waste book kept by Philadelphia merchants Nathaniel Puckle and Thomas Murray of goods sold and received by Nathaniel Puckle on vessels entering the port of Philadelphia. more Information generally given is name of merchant, description of merchandise, and cost of purchase. Also present is a copy of the Last Will and Testament of Nathaniel Puckle originally dated July 8, 1708 as recopied on March 2, 1721. Images are arranged chronologically by date of entry. These records were created under an early government structure of Pennsylvania. 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