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A record of money paid by Pennsylvania to various men in the Commonwealth's military units for their service to the state, or purchases they made on more behalf of their respective military units. The purpose of these records was to provide the US government with a detailed account of the money which was owed to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the services of its militia. These records also provide the names of the payees, and the date which Pennsylvania reimbursed them for their services and/or purchases. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Accounts, 1781, A record of orders given to State Treasurer, David Rittenhouse, to pay a given amount to a person named. Listed are the amounts to more be paid, reason for payment, payees name and place of residence. Each order is signed and dated by the person giving the order (usually President Joseph Reed or Vice President William Moore.) Also included are receipts, signed by the person receiving the amount, attesting that they were paid, and specifying the date, sum of money handed out and who it was paid by. Accounts of Public Buildings and Grounds, A record of payment, ordered by the President or Vice President of the Supreme Executive Council, to various craftsmen and tradesmen for their supplies, labor, or skills used to build, repair or renovate state buildings or grounds. These projects included work on buildings, laying floors, bridge repair, building a library and courthouse, collecting wood for firewood, repairs made to clocks and ringing town bells. A ledger of accounts paid to carpenters for their work, materials, help in demolition, etc., is also present. Noted are the persons name, date of work, amount paid and a general description of the job accomplished. Accounts of the Commissioners Appointed to Settle the Connecticut-Pennsylvania Claims, A record of payment by the Supreme Executive Council to the Commissioners who worked to settle the Connecticut-Pennsylvania dispute. Payment was made to compensate agents and solicitors (lawyers) for expenses incurred traveling between states, temporary residency, daily expenses, and the procurement of documents to help with the case. Also noted are receipts given in payment for the above mentioned services. Receipts are dated, signed by payee (David Rittenhouse), list amount received and contain the recipients signature verifying that payment was made. Depreciation Pay Interest Reports of the Comptroller General, A record of orders identifying persons entitled to interest due on depreciation certificates of pay. Each order names the recipient, date interest was due, the soldiers rank and company, the principle amount of the certificate and the amount of interest. Also included are lists of men who qualified for depreciation pay, amount of principle and lists of men who actually applied for it. These lists also record the name of office issuing the qualifiers, the date and the signature of parties involved. Report of the Auditors of Accounts of the Depreciation Pay of the Pennsylvania Line, A record of M. Nicholsons audit of the depreciation pay given citizens and soldiers in keeping with the General Assemblys Act of 1781. Included is an explanation of who received payment, what was paid, where payment was received and why it was given. Nicholsons report also includes a list of persons overpaid in this distribution, place of residence and amount paid. less

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 a collection of loose copies of receipts and reports written out and filed by the Committee of Safety from February 11, 1775-July 31, 1776 more and undated. Information provided on the receipts include the name of the recipient or payee, date of transaction, amount, reason for payment and signature verifying that payment was made. Also contained within this collection are reports for the Province of Pennsylvania, where the Continental Congress reported its expenditures. On these reports, information can be found about the payee or recipient, the place money was dispensed to, the purpose of the payment and the amount paid. less

Images of a collection of the receipts of the Council of Safety from July 20, 1776 - April 16, 1777. The loose receipts in this collection more contain specific information which includes the date of transaction, persons involved, the reason for the transaction and the amount of money or specific description of items exchanged. Information contained in these receipts include orders from officers for men, supplies, rations or meals, guns and ammunition, money paid to soldiers or private citizens for goods or services, inventory lists of stores and Stewards stores aboard the ship Montgomery, lists of settled accounts, reimbursement for women in private homes that gave soldiers meals, money paid to clean, mend, appraise, buy and sell guns, a gunlock factory account, money given to provide for families of militiamen, and reports by citizens of damages done to their homes when enemy military troops were quartered in their private homes during their absence. In cases where the military is mentioned, the receipt lists the purpose of the transaction as well as the name of the company, commanding officer and occasionally where that particular group of men were marching. less

Images of receipts of the Second Council of Safety from October 14, 1777 through December 9, 1777. Each receipt contains the name of the person giving more or receiving payment, the purpose of the transaction, the date of transaction and an authorizing signature. The receipts are primarily for the appropriation of food for horses for military officers and regiments, work done by civilians for the province, money given to the council for various debts owed, and payment of expenses for express riders. less

Images of a record of the receipts of the Board of War from March 14, 1777, through September 24, 1777. The receipts document money given out. more Each receipt lists the name, date, amount and reason for the transaction. Also included is the location of the Board of War, in the Pennsylvania War office in Philadelphia, and a signature of a member of the board, sometimes even stating the persons position. Also included is correspondence of a private citizen requesting a settlement of accounts with the War Board. less

Images of records dealing primarily with the business of the Committee which was the removal of supplies and goods from the city (primarily Philadelphia and surrounding more areas) before enemy troops entered Pennsylvania. Found within the record are signed receipts saying that the Committee had complied with the order from Congress to remove goods and supplies, and one receipt specifically mentioning that one person did not receive compensation but followed through with the order. Each of these receipts are dated, signed, and give names of parties involved, and descriptions of what was handed over or delivered to the Committee. 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

These images are the index for the Continental Ledgers, 1775-1785 which are also digitized. Information includes the names of sundry persons and the ranks which some more of them held in the state militia or county government. Accounts relating to the estates of various deceased individuals are also listed. Page numbers corresponding to the ledgers are listed to the right of each name. Images are grouped alphabetically by the first letter of the surname of the account holder. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This volume contains a list of the people, county governments, militia units, and state agencies for which the Comptroller General held accounts. Account numbers are listed more to the right of each name. The listing includes account numbers 1 through 4432. Images are grouped alphabetically by the first letter of the surname of the account holder. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. 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 a record of applications submitted to the Supreme Executive Council by persons requesting permission to pass through enemy lines. The type of information recorded more differs with each document. Most applications are dated with the petitioners name and reason for request to cross into enemy territory listed. On some occasions, more information is provided such as the individuals entire name, names of other party members also making the trip, place of birth and age as well as particulars about children or the death of a spouse or family member. Pre-printed forms are also included, signed by members of the Supreme Executive Council, granting the pass, the amount paid for the pass, persons receiving the pass, the date pass was granted, and the stipulations of the pass which often involved never returning to the state, or being required to apply for a reentry pass. less

Images of appointments and commissions issued for civil officers. Information given is name of appointee, name of Governor or commission making the appointment, the position to more which appointed, date of appointment, and the term of the appointment. Microfilm covers the period through 1944. For names of applicants who applied for positions for the period 1775-1790 see "Guide to the Microfilm of the Records of Pennsylvania's Revolutionary Governments, 1775-1790," by Roland M. Baumann. Related records will be found in the following series in Record Group 27, Records of Pennsylvania's Revolutionary Governments: Appointment Book, 1777-1790 series 27.19; Appointments File, Military, 1775-1790 series 27.20; and Appointments File, Political, 1775-1790 series 27.21. For more related and duplicate records, see also, Commission Books, 1775-1842 series 26.46. See internal links below. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of a record of the appointments arranged in meetings, recorded in the minutes of the Supreme Executive Council. This record includes appointments of men to more various positions in the state and local governments. Listings mention the person's name and date of appointment underneath the general title of office. Office appointments are listed for trustees, pilots, surveyors, commissions, trustees, inspectors, surgeon generals, justices of the peace, coroners, sheriffs, clerks, prothonotaries, justices, judges, paymasters, officers, physicians, notaries public. Also included are appointments made for the following state organizations, Supreme Executive Council, Pennsylvania Militia, Board of War, Navy Board, Court of Admiralty of the State, Land Office of Pennsylvania, Board of Property and for the dispute between Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Appointments are organized by individual county. Listings of appointments are mentioned for Philadelphia City and County, Bucks County, Lancaster County, York County, Cumberland County, Bedford County, Northumberland County, Westmoreland County, Washington County, Fayette County, Franklin County, Montgomery County, Dauphin County, Luzerne County, Huntingdon County, Allegheny County, Mifflin County, and Delaware. Empty ledger pages exist for the counties of Lycoming, Somerset and Greene. Also included in this record is a directory of Supreme Executive Council members, arranged alphabetically by appointees surname, Commissioners appointed to appropriate land from the Indians, lists of members of the Supreme Executive Council and a list of the names of counties in Pennsylvania. less

Images of gubernatorial appointments and commissions. Information usually provided is name of appointee, name of Governor or Commission making the appointment, the title of the position more to which applicant was appointed, the date of appointment, term of the appointment, Gubernatorial certificate signed by the Governor and Secretary of the Commonwealth, and Senate confirmation letter. Correspondence was generally sent on behalf of applicants and may sometimes provide more detailed information about an applicant. The microfilm covers the period through 1808. For names of applicants who applied for positions during the period 1775-1790 see "Guide to the Microfilm of the Records of Pennsylvania's Revolutionary Governments, 1775-1790," by Roland M. Bauman. Related records are in the following series of Records Group 27, Records of Pennsylvania's Revolutionary Governments: Appointment Book, 1777-1790 series 27.19; Appointments File, Military, 1775-1790 series 27.20; and Appointments File, Political, 1775-1790 series 27.21. Also see, MG-001, Appointments and Commissions Collection. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of a record of petitions filed by persons seeking a military commission. Among the data which may be found are the petitioners name, residence, rank, more and the position sought. Information concerning the individuals experience or past military service is also frequently included. less

Images of a record of political appointments and documents pertaining to the process of appointing individuals to political positions. It contains letters addressed to the Council more stating a position has been created or vacated and needs to be filled, letters suggesting qualified candidates, and letters of recommendation and character by references supporting a candidate. Letters state the date of the petition, the petitioner and senders name (if it was sent as a reference), place of origin of the letter, the petitioners experience, and vouchers for the petitioners character. Also found are signed, sealed contracts signed by members of council spelling out to the people appointed the exact nature of the position. Provided is information concerning the position filled, a description of what the position will entail, mention of salary, date of appointment and signatures of Council members. less

Images of a record of attendance of members of the Supreme Executive Council in 1777. Contained within are charts listing the name of the member, and more columns for the dates of each month. A lower case, script p denotes present members. 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 a record that contains bonds and petitions filed with the President of the Supreme Executive Council by debtors, creditors, and the Commissions of the more Bankrupt. Data found on the documents differ with each case, but usually the bankrupt persons name, occupation, and amount of debt appears. Specifics concerning the claims of creditors are occasionally noted and the amount of bond submitted is recorded. 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

Images of rough notes of minutes from the meetings of the Supreme Executive Council. Entries document events of the meetings, order of the day, mention of more business put before the Council. Items pertaining to the business of the Council are also included within the volumes, letters, petitions, payment of funds for various people and groups, reports by Council Committees, orders for money, mentions of court cases, resolutions of the General Assembly, motions of the Supreme Executive Council and applications for military appointments. less

Images of a record of the contracts for men commissioned as privateers to capture British ships and cargos for the Continental Congress. Each contract is preprinted more with appropriate information filled in. This kind of information includes, date of contract, names of the privateer commissioned, name of the commander of the vessel, type of vessel, name of vessel, name of the owner of the vessel and from where he originated, what kind of guns the vessel carried, number of crew members and the penalty charge to the privateer if the contract were broken. Also contained with this record are a few handwritten applications by persons wishing to be commissioned by the Continental Congress as privateers, followed by their printed contract. 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

Recordings of transactions made at the Pennsylvania State Store, usually on a daily basis. Information provided includes the date, types and quantities of the goods involved more in the transaction, the amount of money involved and the type of payment. Images are arranged chronologically by date of transaction. This collection is part of Treasury Department which was part of the Constitution of 1776. less

This collection contains collection of commissary accounts organized by individual commissioners for clothing, magazine and military stores, and issues. Images are arranged in chronological order and more thereunder by individual commissary. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This collection begins with a list of general purchases made by the army which shows the supplies purchased, their quantity, the purchaser, the merchant, the county more where the transaction occurred, and the battalion or military unit. After this listing of general purchases, the rest of the files are arranged by county and show supplies and quantity purchased, the price, the vendor, the Commissioner of Purchases for each county, and detailed receipts. The counties documented are Bedford, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Lancaster, Northampton, Northumberland, Philadelphia City, Westmoreland, and York. Images are arranged alphabetically by county. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782.  less

This collection contains a minute book, arranged chronologically by date of entry, describing the daily activities of the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia that ran from more July 15, 1776, until September 26, 1776. Among the actions described are those of the Bill of Rights Committee, the Council of Safety, the manufacturing of paper money bills, and actions taken to prevent counterfeiting. Information provided concerns the raising of troops for frontier defense. Important references are found to Benjamin Franklin, John Wilkinson, Jacob Morgan, and David Rittenhouse. Transcripts of the resolutions and discussions of the various members of the convention are present. The minute book ends with the adjournment of the convention on August 30, 1776. less

This collection contains a ledger of monetary transactions conducted by the state. The ledger contains a record of how some of the 500,000 pounds approved by more the General Assembly on April 7, 1781 was spent. It also includes a record of military fines collected, an account of taxes paid by the counties, income from marriage licenses sold, an account of sales of forfeited estates, a record of state money paid for new continental money, and the balance contained in the treasury in its various accounts. Images are arranged chronologically according to the dates money was received or disbursed. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This collection contains a record of monetary transactions kept on a daily basis. Although the entries are dated from 1775-1783, the actual book was probably compiled more in the late 1780s or early 1790s for auditing purposes. Information provided includes a description of each transaction, the amounts involved, the page number of the corresponding entry in the Continental Journal, and often the date of the transaction. Images are arranged by date of transaction. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This collection contains a record of State monetary transactions kept on a daily basis. Although the payments recorded date from 1775-1785, the journals themselves were probably more created in the late 1780s or early 1790s for auditing purposes. Types of transactions recorded include tax payments, fines, revenue, government expenses, and transactions of county officials. Information given includes a description of each transaction, the amounts involved, reference page number for the Continental Ledgers, and often the date of the transaction. Images are arranged by date of transaction. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

A record relating to the payment and settlement of public money kept for the purpose of auditing, liquidating and adjusting Commonwealth accounts. Types of transactions recorded more include tax payments, fines, government expenses, and transactions of county officials. Information given includes a list of people and their rank in the militia or position in the county or state government, the amount of money spent by the persons listed, what items were purchased, from whom these items were purchased, and the date of transaction. An account of moneys received by these individuals and from whom they were received is also contained within these volumes. The page numbers in the far left column of each page refer to the Continental Journals (also digitized). Images are grouped alphabetically by the first letter of the surname of the account holder. In addition, an index to this listing can be found in the Alphabetical Index to Continental Ledgers Nos. 1 and 2 (also digitized). This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. 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

The journals, arranged chronologically by date of entry, contain daily minutes of the proceedings of the Council of Censors as transmitted to Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia more from 1783 through 1784. The proceedings extend for three volumes and include information on discussions regarding voting rules and regulations, tax lists, resolutions of the committee, and other legislative and executive activities. less

Images of certified returns for election of candidates to federal, state, and local offices. Information given is date of election, name of each candidate, the total more number of votes each polled, office to which elected, and signatures of county officers who certified the results. less

This collection contains account records of payments authorized by the Comptroller General's office for services rendered by such county officers as sheriffs, prothonotaries, and clerks of more court or by orders of the county court of quarter sessions or other courts. Among these are lists of fines and forfeitures imposed upon defendants in the court of quarter sessions for the peace in the county or other county courts. Information generally provided in the account prerecord is the date the payment was authorized by the county commissioners, amount of payment, name and office held by person receiving payment, signatures of the commissioners authorizing payment, signature of the State Treasurer, and date payment was recorded in the Register General's Office. The lists of the fines and forfeitures incurred generally give the name of the county sheriff, names of the persons fined, nature of the offense, when offense occurred, amount of fine, and remarks. Also found are account papers for payment of expenses incurred for transporting election return results. Images are arranged alphabetically by county and thereunder by surname of county officer. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

A record of county tax accounts. Information about each county includes detailed quotas of taxes owed by each county, listing of effective supplies and the amount more of taxes paid in each county. Also documented within the county records are the names of various taxpayers, the amount of land they held and the taxes paid upon it, the date taxes were received and the amount still owed. Records document carriage, land, funding, excise, and supply taxes paid by each county. Images are arranged alphabetically by county. Counties are indexed within a separate ledger with page numbers, corresponding to a larger account book, listed to right of each county. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This collection series contains account sheets filed with the Comptroller General, which record fees received by the Court of Admiralty in Philadelphia. Included in these records more are the names of ships, their port of origin, and the names of their commanders. The reasons for the fees imposed, the amount of the fees, and the date which they were collected are also listed. Each account sheet is arranged chronologically by the date which fees were collected. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

A day book kept by General Benedict Arnold for expenditures incurred during several of his campaigns. Entries provide the names of officers who spent money, to more whom money was given, and the amount of money spent. Most persons who received or spent money were officers under Arnold's command. Money spent for supply and repair is also accounted for various ships. Note: Pages one, two, five and six of the day book are missing. Images are arranged chronologically by year of expenditure. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. 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

This series contains information about the following Delaware River fortifications: Fort Mifflin, Billingsport and Redbank, and Mud Island. Information about each fortification includes an account of more wages paid to laborers, the names of the laborers, and the dates on which the labor was performed. The receipt books of payments to laborers are arranged chronologically by the date of payment. Also included in this series are detailed receipts for goods bought to supply of the fortifications. Images are arranged by specific fortification, although not alphabetically. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Contained within the accounts files are dated Depreciation Interest Certificates, 1782-1787, which normally list the name and rank of the soldier, the military organization to which more he was attached, and the amount of the interest. A published account of this record appears in Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, Volume IV. Images are grouped by military unit, and thereunder arranged alphabetically by surname of soldier. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. 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 certificates, lists of voters, precepts, returns, warrants and writs concerning elections held and results of elections held throughout Pennsylvania from 1776-1790. All papers are more signed and dated, bearing official seals and containing strict instruction as to the proper methods of carrying out procedure. The documents are a representation of the process of elections in this period, who authorized the elections, who was given power to run elections, and how votes were tallied and results relayed to state government. Types of documents present in this record include, lists of voters in each county from separate polling places throughout the county, certificates certifying that returns submitted to state government were originals, who the pool of voters was comprised of and which office was in question, precepts sent from an official of the county to authorize and command an election of a named vacated office, announce candidates and set the date and time of election, indentures that were agreements of men to assist judges and officers in general elections and to bear witness to the legal election of named candidates, writs of mandated direction from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to county officials to announce the resignation of an office, a commandment and authorization for elections to elect a new official (details to be decided by county officials according to official government), orders for returns of person(s) chosen and elected to go to the President of the Supreme Executive Council, petitions sent by county members to the Council to remove incompetent office holders and replace them, warrants from County officials ordering elections to be held at an agreed time, place and date, giving authority to a particular official to issue public notice of the election and to be the governing authority, and charts of election results giving data in statistical format or written out. 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 collection of the correspondence of and to the Committee of Safety, which also includes the petitions sent by various civilians and soldiers. This more information covers a period from July 7, 1775-July 24, 1776 and undated. Types of documents found in this collection include letters sent to or from various members of the Committee, letters to the Council from various suppliers of boats, food and munitions, resolutions or extracts of minutes from Committee of Safety meetings, orders for civilians to appear before the Committee, lists and appointments of officers, lists of men taken prisoner and enemy prisoners of war, a copy of Congressional minutes directly affecting the Committee of Safety in Pennsylvania, oaths not to bear arms against the United States, oaths and pledges to deliver supplies, plans and drawings for stopping and obstructing enemy navigation on the Delaware River Channel and a list of articles for armed boats. Petitions to the Committee were usually posed by private citizens, and always signed by at least one petitioner. These petitions dealt with issues such as reimbursement for supplies used or services done, pleas for higher wages, money and supplies to families in need, and requests for discharges or leave due to illness. less

Executive correspondence of the Supreme Executive Council and petitions presented to Council. Most of the documents are dated, and mention of the recipient and sender, origin more of letter or petition and occasionally the particular title or office of the recipient or sender, and the business of the correspondence. This series includes correspondence between members of the Supreme Executive Council as well as correspondence between members of Council and the Second Council of Safety, Continental Board of War, commanders of the Continental Army, the State Navy Board, and Continental Congress. Petitions reached the Council from various people around the state in various positions, tradesmen involved in providing supplies or services to the armies, soldiers away from home seeking protection of their property and families, and women on the homefront in need of aid, protection or supplies. Information found in this record includes but is not limited to, lists of British soldiers captured by capitulation, examinations of prisoners or witnesses in cases before the Council, returns and receipts of supplies and money exchanged, lists of men seeking commissions, extracts or requests for copies of minutes of meetings for Supreme Executive Council, General Assembly or Congress, resolutions of the Council, General Assembly or Congress, warrants made for arrest or seizure of goods, court martial sentences handed down by the Council, and prisoners of war, and proclamations made by the President of Council or the Council. Also of interest are a few letters or petitions in French, untranslated, to the Council members. less

Images of a record of the correspondence of the short-lived Provincial Convention, from July 24, 1776 through September 28, 1776. Though its primary purpose was to more draft and adopt a new state constitution in Philadelphia, it also dealt with governmental issues in its extra-legal status. Found in this record are extracted minutes from meetings, resolves concerning troops raised, letters and petitions concerning soldiers pay in which the Convention referred them to the Council of Safety, letters from the Convention asking troops to defend the Pennsylvania frontier and a petition from Delaware and Upper Smithfield Townships asking the Convention for aid in fighting an Indian War. less

Images of correspondence of the executive body of the Council of Safety from July 25, 1776- March 14, 1777 and undated. Information appearing in these papers more includes letters and petitions to the Council pertaining to the purchase, sale and delivery of provisions, munitions, transportation, and pay of soldiers, civilians working for the province, the recruitment of men to serve as soldiers, depositions of civilians and soldiers, warrants of search, orders of appearance before the Council of Safety or court, extracts from Council minutes and resolutions made within meetings, civilian testimonies, pay schedules of soldiers, orders to be paid, lists of prisoners, battalion procedures, names of fords on Schuylkill River, letters specially sent to General George Washington, John Hancock and other known Continental officers, and resolutions passed and defensive measures discussed at the time General Howes Army invaded Pennsylvania. less

Images of executive correspondence to and from the Second Council of Safety from October 17, 1777 through December 4, 1777. File contains letters from the Council more to military leaders such as William Bradford and George Washington, as well as active revolutionary figures like Robert Morris, and the Board of War. Also included is a summons to appear before the council, a warrant to impress wagons, an order for an arrest, and orders to county commissioners to collect blankets and supplies. less

Images of executive correspondence of the governors of Pennsylvania maintained by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Subject matter is wide ranging and covers all aspects of more official gubernatorial activity. In addition to the loose documents, the correspondence covering 1861-1866 includes the Curtin Letterbooks, two volumes of gubernatorial correspondence, both incoming and outgoing, focusing on military matters. Correspondents include Simon Cameron, Edwin Stanton, and Abraham Lincoln. An unpublished descriptive inventory and index for the Curtin Letterbooks are available in the Pennsylvania State Archives Search Room. 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

A record of persons whose estates were seized because of their allegiance to the British crown during the Revolutionary War, and for other sundry reasons. Data more provided by this series about each forfeited estate includes date of seizure by the state, name of the owner, and appraisal of the goods on the estate. Names of purchasers of seized goods and the prices they paid at auction are listed, as well as the date of sale. Additionally, the series contains records from the justices of the peace and the supreme court for fees imposed for administering the oath of allegiance, and court orders for payment of funds to sundry persons from the various forfeited estates. Names of the agents of forfeiture for each county are also included along with their receipts for expenditures, and the amount of money they delivered to the treasury from the seized estates. Images are grouped according to volumes: General accounts, alphabetically by county, and alphabetically by the surname of person whose land was forfeit. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. 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

Committee record book for the first session of the Tenth General Assembly. Information provided is name of committee, committee number, names of those serving on the more committee, and a brief description of the business assigned to the committee. Images are arranged numerically by committee number. This collection is part of the General Assembly which holds the legislative power in Pennsylvania. less

Minute books of the sessions of the original unicameral General Assembly. Information provided is date of session, description of bills introduced and voted upon, motions made, more names of those members voting yea and nay, and appointments made. Images are arranged chronologically by date of date of session. This collection is part of the General Assembly which holds the legislative power in Pennsylvania. less

Petitions submitted to the first unicameral General Assembly by citizens of the Commonwealth. Many of these are requests for monetary compensation for voluntary military service along more Pennsylvania's frontiers and grants of local authority to call out a militia to protect the frontier. Others concern the proper treatment and feeding of sailors and prisoners of war, moving of courts to more convenient locations, and revising election laws. Some petitions concern cutting holes in dams on the Conewago Creek to allow salmon to ascend the stream. Information generally provided includes names of petitioners, their counties of residence, date petition was submitted, and a more or less detailed description of the circumstances resulting in the petition. Images are arranged more or less chronologically by year submitted. This collection is part of the General Assembly which holds the legislative power in Pennsylvania. less

This series includes letters, reports, notes, drafts of letters and accounts, and copies of taxation acts dating from 1776-1809. The majority of the correspondence comes from more county tax collectors, other county or militia officers, and state officers asking for the reimbursement of outstanding bills or explaining why their accounts are late or out of order. Also included is correspondence from the U.S. Congress, the Commonwealth Assembly, and the Council of Censors. These letters include requests for payments to various officials, bills for services provided by laborers, and requests for account books to be audited. Extracts from minutes of the Pennsylvania Assembly, Congress, and Council of Censors regarding expenditures, receipts, and orders of payment affecting the Comptroller General are also included. Miscellaneous letters from taxpayers regarding their inability to pay and questioning the rate at which they were taxed, as well as letters from soldier's widows who never received their husbands pay are also contained within this series. The General Correspondence has a rather complex arrangement. For the most part, it is arranged chronologically by the month, day and year letters were written. If there is no date for when they were written, letters are filed by the month, day and year they were received by the Comptroller General. Records that do not note the day they were written or received are filed at the end of the month and year they are dated. If only the year the record was written or received is known, it is filed after December 31 for that year. Copies of records are filed by the date they were copied. If there is no copy date, they are filed under the date of they were received. Correspondence lacking dates entirely is filed under "no date" [n.d.]. If the correspondence was addressed to a Comptroller General, they are filed at the end of his term(s) of office. Undated records without addresses are filed in the back of carton 15. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

These letters, receipts and notices were sent or received by members of the Board of War. Most information pertains to the functions of the Board, receipts more of payment of soldiers salary, summons of officers from home to service, summons to appear before the Board, plots and plans of the British, additional members appointed to the Board, extracts from Whig Society Meeting minutes, petitions to the Board, and recommendations to the Board. 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

Images of an account of vessels arrived kept by Captain Nathaniel Falconer, Health Officer of the Port of Philadelphia. Information provided is date of arrival, description more of vessel, name of vessel, name of commander, name of port from which last sailed, record of vessels visited and fee collected, and the number of passengers and servants on each vessel. 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 this volume give the names of account holders in Ledger AA. Page numbers on which their account information is given in Ledger AA is more listed to the right of each name. Images are grouped alphabetically by first letter of surname of account holder. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This collection contains a handwritten ledger (labeled "Miscellaneous - 1784" on the cover) concerning the trade goods handed over to Indians at Fort Stanwix and other more posts during the period 1784-1785 in return for lands in Pennsylvania. The pages of this volume are not themselves numbered, but numbers have been assigned for identification purposes to all pages except the covers. There appear originally to have been 92 pages, and 70 of these pages (the majority unwritten upon) remain intact. The 20 written pages in the volume include an inventory of the goods and articles delivered to the Six Nations at Fort Stanwix by Griffith Evans in October, 1784; and an inventory of articles delivered to the Wyandot and Delaware Indian nations at Fort McIntosh by Evans in January, 1785. Included also are financial accounts of Samuel John Atlee, William Maclay and Francis Johnston, who were Indian Commissioners for Pennsylvania; Griffith Evans, Secretary to the Indian Commissioners; and one James O'Hara, who was involved in the delivery of Indian goods. The evidence indicates that this account book was once among the records in the State Treasurer's office but later, for reasons unknown, passed out of State custody. Thus, it was presented to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in 1970 by the Historical Society of York County. Images are arranged in the order found in the volume. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This collection contains an inventory of goods delivered to various Indian nations in the Commonwealth, as well as promissory notes to these nations for the purchase more of land from them. The financial records of the Indian Commissioners for Pennsylvania are also included in this series. These records contain accounts, bills, and receipts of money spent on goods for the Commissioners; and a general record of expenses incurred by the Commissioners during their tenure. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This series includes account ledgers and receipt books of supplies bought for the various internal improvements. The names of the commissioners presiding over the building projects more are given as well as the names of some suppliers, the quantity of goods bought, and the amount paid. Pay schedules for workers are sometimes included and show the name of the laborer, occupation, and rate of pay. Specific accounts for improvement of the Philadelphia Courthouse to accommodate Congress, the building of the President's mansion, and the costs for moving the seat of the Commonwealth's government from Philadelphia to Lancaster are also included in this series. River survey accounts for improvements include the Delaware, Juniata, Lehigh, Schuylkill, and Susquehanna. General survey accounts of eastern and western waterways are also in the volumes containing accounts for the construction of roads, information is listed alphabetically according to the town of the road's origination. These account books provide the name of the county where the road is being built, its cost, and sometimes the laborers involved in construction. Images are grouped according to specific construction project and thereunder chronologically by the year in which the improvement was made. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of records relating to the construction of bridges, canals, river improvements, roads and turnpikes, public buildings and their grounds. Records cover the following date spans more for each category, bridge companies, 1790-1902, canal and navigation companies, 1792-1873, river improvement papers, 1790-1871, public buildings and grounds, 1790-1897, and road and turnpike records, 1790-1902. Among the earliest records is A General Statement of the Contracts for Opening and Improving Roads and Clearing River, 1797 and appropriation records for internal improvements funded by the Commonwealth, 1790-1814. Buildings documented by the records include Congress Hall (1790-1801), the Presidents House (1791-1802), and the State House (1790-1816). The microfilm covers the period through 1816. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

This collection contains a record relating to the payment and settlement of public money kept for the purpose of auditing, liquidating and adjusting Commonwealth accounts. Although more the entries are dated from 1775-1790, the actual books were probably compiled between 1790 and 1792 for auditing purposes. Entries relate to expenses, revenue, taxes, fines and transactions of county officials. Information provided includes a description of each transaction, the amounts involved, the page numbers of the corresponding entries in Ledgers A-AA (also digitized). Images are grouped by year that transactions occurred. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. 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

A record relating to the payment and settlement of public money, kept for the purpose of auditing, liquidating and adjusting Commonwealth accounts. Although the ledgers record more transactions dating form 1775-1788, they were most likely created between 1790 and 1792 to aid in auditing. Types of accounts represented include general expenditures and revenues, taxes, fines, and transactions of county officials. Information given for each transaction includes name of account, amount paid or received, page number of the corresponding entry in RG4/26- Journals AAA, 1775-1790, also digitized, and what is probably the number of a related warrant which no longer exists. Images are grouped by year that transactions occurred. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This series contains auditors accounts for the various state departments. Information in these files includes tax lists, receipts, vouchers, and accounts of money owed Pennsylvania by more the federal government. Other notable items are an indentured servant contract and detailed records of judicial fees. Also included in this series are letter books and cash books regarding specific accounts which the auditors were attempting to settle. Depreciation interest books contain records of certificates issued to soldiers. The names, ranks, and regiments of the soldiers can be found therein. Other related files in this series include accounts of the Barrackmaster of Philadelphia, the Superintendent of the Salt Works in Dover, New Jersey, the General Assembly departmental accounts, accounts of the Secretary of the Supreme Executive Council, audits of public accounts, and state taxes cash book. Included in these volumes might be accounts collected and owed within the commonwealth, detailed accounts of expenditures, ledgers containing payment records to various individuals, and account vouchers and receipts. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of outgoing letters of the Comptroller General. Information in the letters might relate to matters regarding the settlement of accounts, collection of taxes and financial more matters of the state, reports to the General Assembly, duties on slaves, Pennsylvania's quota of the national debt, salaries of government officials, and state debt. Correspondence about such matters was sent to private citizens and government and military officials on the local, state, and national level. Notable government officials and bodies to whom correspondence was sent include the Supreme Executive Council, federal treasury officers, county tax collectors, the General Assembly, and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of letter books and rough copies of executive correspondence sent either by the Governor or his Secretary. Information given is date of correspondence, name of more person to whom addressed, and the body of the text of the letter. less

Both sets of letters usually show the addressees name and destination of the letter as well as the date of the letter, the sender and the more origin of the letter. Outgoing Correspondence, November 25, 1782-March 25, 1789, A record of outgoing correspondence of the members of the Supreme Executive Council. Letters pertain to issues including American soldiers imprisoned on British prison ships unable to be traded and petitioning for aid from the Council, sick and wounded soldiers on hospital ships, rations to soldiers in arms, the dissolution of the Continental Army, the question of benefits for veteran soldiers, mutinous soldiers, Pennsylvania Militia recruiting instructions and oaths, men appearing as witnesses for the state of Pennsylvania in the land dispute between Connecticut and Pennsylvania, confirmation of the Virginia/Pennsylvania boundary line following their land dispute, the decision to survey and lay out lots of land and boundary lines to prevent further boundary disputes, the counties of Westmoreland and Washington wishing to become an independent state, slaves of Pennsylvania citizens, delivery of goods to New York, making peace with Indian Nations, and the treatment of Indians and reactionary measures against Indian attacks on the frontier settlements. Incoming Correspondence, November 4, 1782-October 6, 1787, A record of incoming correspondence to members of the Supreme Executive Council. Letters within this record pertain to issues including furnishing soldiers with medicine and supplies, illegal intercourse and traffic on the Delaware River (Dobbs Ferry), matters concerning recruitment of soldiers, bounties for enlistment, petition for passes through enemy territory, paper money circulated and printed by the Continental Congress and by act of the General Assembly, dealings with Comptroller General in regards to depreciation pay, forfeited estates, debt due by the state of Pennsylvania, forwarding documents on behalf of the state of Pennsylvania to agents on the case with Connecticut, issues and reports from the proceedings of the Wyoming Controversy, concerns of state agencies, the U.S. Congress, or other members of the council, requests for lists of banished persons from each state by Congress, collection of taxes within the State of Pennsylvania, dealing with lawbreakers offenses, escapes, issues of race and pleas, sale of lots, account of moneys taken in or paid out, claims to unpatented lands, and surveyors entries. less

A listing of the names of treasurers, tax collectors, lieutenants, and sub-lieutenants of various counties, and the counties which they served. Although it is unknown when more this volume was compiled, the dates of accounts include the years 1777-1789. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

An Alphabetical List of Those Who Received Money of the State and For Whom No Account was Raised, Taken from the Books of J. (John) N. more (Nicholson), Late Comptroller. This alphabetical ledger contains a list of names of payees. Various numbers are listed in the right column of the page across from each person's name. No explanation for these numbers is given. Images are grouped alphabetically by surname of payee. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Entries usually give the name and residence of the married couple, the date and amount of bond paid, and the name of any co-bonder.

Images of a personal record of decisions, business transactions and activities of the Council of Safety. The dates of entries fall between the period of January more 1, 1776-February 22, 1777. Entries are sometimes written like checklists but they also may contain copied notes from meetings (such as those in the minutes), charts and letters. Information found includes details on acquisitioned supplies and munitions, the building process of barracks and boats, accounts paid by Council, lists of prisoners of war, charts of officers commissioned by the Council and lists of applications for officers, a small sketch of a building with columns, oaths sworn by people making and delivering services to the Council attesting work was done to Councils specifications and was of good quality, oaths swearing honesty when making and delivering powder and oaths of allegiance and secrecy not to disclose information, communicate with the enemy or take up arms against the United States in the war. less

Images of a record of the memoranda written by members of the Supreme Executive Council from February 23, 1780-October 13, 1787. Entries include information regarding memos more of letters written, military enlistment for state militia received from various counties, commissions for officers, wages of Council members, extracted copies of laws or minutes to be sent to various people and counties, forfeited estates, prothonotaries and treasurers of different counties, and provisions. Various copies of letters include addressees name, residence and the reason the letter was written. less

Images of returns of Bucks County Associates and Non-Associates, A record of associates and non-associates in boroughs in Bucks County. Listed are men in various counties more and days absent from company. Men are distinguished as associated or non-associated with the military. A date is occasionally included. General Returns of the Militia (Continental Line), Returns for the Pennsylvania Militia. Data provided by these records includes the date of the return of a given regiment, details including where men were from in the state, numbers and names of commanders, commissioned officers, staff and non-commissioned men in the regiment, numbers confirming how many men were present for duty, sick, on furlough or special assignment, and mention of where a given regiment would be in the field. Militia Returns (1777-1790), A record of militia returns for counties in Pennsylvania sent to the Supreme Executive Council so that commissions could be made out and statistics recorded accordingly. Information included in these records include election results for elected company officers (captains and lieutenants) which specifically mention the date of election, the officer elected and the names of the judges of the election. Ranked field officers are identified and details to their rank and county of origin provided. Men called to serve in the militia are listed with mention to the name of the company, captain commanding the company, and men included in its ranks. less

A record of fines paid by militiamen. Typical information that might be entered includes the name, rank and regiment of the militia member; the fines extracted; more and the name of the officer in charge. Images are arranged by battalion or company, and thereunder chronologically. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Statements filed by Pennsylvania residents to demonstrate that they or their kin should be exempt from fines being imposed for not serving militia duty. The data more appearing differs from document to document. While some statements only list the person's name, residence and reasons for seeking an exemption, others indicate the individual's age, occupation and parents' names. Images are grouped by county. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

These images are grouped into the following subseries: Certificate Counterparts, 1784-1792; Certificate Books, 1784-1792; Distribution Vouchers, 1784-1785; Distribution Ledgers, 1784-1785; Interest Paid Receipt Books, 1785-1792; Pay more Rolls, 1781; Registers, 1784-1785. Certificate Couterparts are the stub receipts for interest bearing certificates issued to soldiers in lieu of money. The corresponding redeemed certificates can be found in the Certificate Books. Distribution Vouchers include requests for payment certificates and receipts for certificates received as well as requests for payment by some militiamen. Interest Paid Receipt Books list the interest paid to militiamen on loan certificates. The pay certificate names and numbers listed in the book correspond to the Certificate Counterparts and Certificate Books. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of rough copies of the minutes of the Council of Safety. The volume contains edited notes and corrections not in official minutes. Entries span the more period from October 17, 1777 through December 4, 1777, though they do not contain all of the entries made in the official recorded minutes. less

Images of a daily record of the meetings of the Committee of Safety from July 3, 1775 - July 22, 1776. Entries list the date, location more of meetings and names of the members present. Business discussed in meetings included orders of payment for salaries or reimbursement, orders concerning the construction, procurement, delivery, or importation of arms, ammunition and supplies, construction of barracks and boats, enlistment of Continental Soldiers, appointment of Continental officers, board members or committees, issues of pay, rules and regulations concerning enlisted men and officers, and resolves of the Continental Congress and Convention directly affecting the Committee of Safety. Notable members of the Committee included Benjamin Franklin and Robert Morris. less

Images of a record of the meetings of the Second Council of Safety, established and working as a temporary governmental authority during the British invasion of more eastern Pennsylvania in 1777. All meetings were held in Lancaster, Pennsylvania from October 17, 1777 through December 4, 1777. The purpose for the creation and work of the Second Council of Safety is clearly stated in an introductory general proclamation. Business discussed in meetings included warnings by the council to the general public against direct dealings with or aid to enemy troops currently in Pennsylvania, dealings with citizens recanting their allegiance to the United States in the presence of invading and occupying troops, the appropriation of personal goods from citizens to prevent them from falling into enemy hands, appointment of local citizens to be County Commissioners to further proportions of the military to be called out and to furnish military provisions, levying moneys advanced for substitutes, what to do with men who would neither join or send a substitute into the army, punishment for citizens who disobeyed Council Orders of non-fraternization with the enemy, settlement of prices for liquors and goods, permission given to commissioners to seize munitions, goods and food provisions from those who had aided the enemy or refused to take an oath of allegiance, appointment of Commissioners to carry out the afore mentioned orders, consideration of the issue of an Indian incursion into Westmoreland County, defense of frontiers, arrests of civilians dealing with the enemy, mention of hope of Spain and France helping in the American independence movement, raising of companies of men for militias, commissioners gathering arms, blankets and clothing, and lastly, the formal extinguishing of the Councils power when it was no longer needed. less

Images of a record of the meetings of the Board of War. The Board of War took direct orders from the Supreme Executive Council and had more full authority and power to perform all things necessary related to the war in process. Each entry mentions the date, lists the names of members present, an occasional location of the meeting, and resolves or orders accomplished in each meeting. Information found in this record concerns many of the decisions of the Board of War. Specifically, one can find many entries for money paid for service or materials rendered or given to the Board and orders from Council defining the Boards purpose and powers. less

Images of a record of the rough copies of the minutes of the Supreme Executive Council. The rough copies differ little from their final copies. One more can see that portions of text in these rough copies have been struck. As with the final copies of the minutes, each entry lists the day of the week, date and location of meeting. Only these rough copies contain the details as to the time of day a meeting was held, morning or evening, as well as the note that a meeting was adjourned until the next specified time and place. less

Images of record books containing minutes of the meetings of the Wardens of the Port of Philadelphia. Information provided is date and place of meeting, names more of those present, and a description of the business transacted. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of minutes for the Council of Safety from July 24, 1776 through March 13, 1777. Each entry lists the date of the meeting and the more names of members present. The Committee dealt with both military and civil matters in an attempt to keep order during a time of upheaval. Information appearing concerning military matters includes orders for supplies, munitions, accommodation and transportation for enlisted men, matters of pay, cases of military courts martial, discharges, desertion, prisoners of war and jails, appointment of officers, formation of regiments, and the raising of local militia and Continental Army regiments from Pennsylvania. Information also appears showing the Councils concern for and on civil matters including goods bought from ships and resold to civilians at extravagant prices, disputes over Continental currency and the negotiation of the prices for goods and services, resolutions in response to the threat of enemy armies in Pennsylvania and general mobilization for war, and matters of public disturbance which included rioting and loitering. less

Images of a record of meetings of the Navy Board. Information found within this record pertains to the Navy Boards responsibility to care for the vessels more of war, armed boats, ships and fire rafts, to defend on water, to follow up on an enemy attack and to repel the enemy, to control stores of the state to make this possible as well as to keep and defend fortifications on Fort Island, to examine the Delaware River channel and to sink ships of the enemy. Minutes mention date and locations of meetings, and issues debated and resolved by the Board in meetings, such as payment of wages or reimbursement for service and materials, resolves made concerning boats and fire rafts used in defense of rivers, petitions brought before the Board and care provided for injured men. less

Images of a daily record of the minutes of the meetings of the Supreme Executive Council from March 4, 1777 through December 20, 1790. Each entry more records the date, day of the week and occasionally the location of the meeting. The members present at each meeting are also recorded, with an occasional mention of the office a particular member might hold. The minutes contain a record of business brought before, mentioned, discussed and resolved within council meetings. Information found within the pages of each volume pertain to the general daily business the Council had to deal with in order execute the laws of the state, letters sent or received by the Council, mention of proclamations made by Council, petitions brought before Council by officers or their families as well as ordinary citizens, money, supplies or munitions allocated by a decision by Council, returns of elected county officials or officers in the army, arrangement and commissions for Pennsylvania regiments in service to the Continental Army, appointments to political office, warrants to arrest prisoners or impress supplies, enemy movements or perceived threats due to circumstances of the enemy in the State, and various reports made in Council by members or commissioners specially appointed for committees or projects. less

Images of a loose collection of the draft copies of the minutes and other papers concerning the business of the Committee of Safety from August 2,1775-July more 3, 1776 and undated. Besides providing the first drafts of the minutes and editorial changes, the series also includes papers and items not present in the final copies of the minutes. Each of the drafts of the minutes are similar to the format used in the final version, listing the date and location of each meeting and the members present. These papers seem to be edited with large sections of text marked through. Contained within the minutes are smaller documents, notes to or written by Committee members, certificates, drafts of proposed motions, letters and letter drafts, and some oaths of allegiance. Also present are copies of appointments to government positions, papers and information concerning sub-committees of the Committee, and a broadside issued by the Continental Congress from April 3, 1776, announcing the resolution on the registration of ships in colonial harbors and seas. less

Images of a loose collection of the rough copies of the minutes of the Council of Safety from July 1776 through August 1776, with some undated more entries. Besides showing the first drafts and editing done to the original minutes, the record also includes items that are excluded from the final version copied into the minute books. These items include a rough transcript of a man giving evidence to the Council pertaining to a case they were working on, written announcements from the Council of Safety directed to members of the Pennsylvania State Militia and others, and lists of items taken from enemy forces. 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

Images are organized into the following subseries: Abstracts of Continental Certificates, 1791-1797; Assumed Debt, 1791-1793; Certificates for Horses and Provisions, 1780; Day Books, 1789-1810l; General Accounts, more 1789-1809, n.d.; U.S. Accounts, 1775-1791; and U.S. Account Ledgers, 1775-1788. Abstracts of Continental Certificates (1791-1797) provide a listing of loan certificates issued by Pennsylvania for a loan to the United States, the amount of the certificates, interest earned, and the serial number of each certificate. A list of warrants, redeemable and expected, is also included. In the Assumed Debt (1791-1793) records, there are loan certificates and corresponding stub booklets. Information on the certificates includes the value of the certificate, the owner and the date of purchase, and the cancellation seal. A ledger is also included which provides a listing of the certificates in rising numerical order, the amount of each certificate, the date on which interest would commence, and the rate of depreciation. Certificates for Horses and Provisions, 1780. Information about horses and provisions certificates include a book containing lists of certificates for horses and provisions granted to various men. Data in each entry includes the name of the issuer, the name of the grantee, the date of issue, and the county of residence. There is also an account of when the certificates were redeemed for reimbursement by the state, how much was paid and to whom. The corresponding certificates this information can also be found and are filed according to county. Day Books, 1789 - 1810. Arranged chronologically by date of transaction, these books are a bi-monthly record of accounts kept on a daily basis for the purpose of auditing, liquidating and adjusting Commonwealth accounts. Types of accounts include salaries, expenses, taxes, revenue and transactions of government officials. Entries give a description of each transaction, followed by the amount involved. General Accounts, 1789-1809, n.d. The General Accounts section of this series includes such information as lists of goods seized by the British, their estimated value, and who filed the claim; various accounts of state officials and military officers. Other important accounts are: the Settlement of the Proprietaries, William Turnball's account, and accounts of the seizure of British goods. Other information contained in this section of the series includes vouchers and receipts for purchase of arms, provisions, food, and supplies for the state militia; and documents relating to the forfeiture and escheat of estates. U.S. Accounts, 1775 - 1791. In the records relating to the United States Account, information includes vouchers, receipts, and account books involving the militia during the Revolution and the Whiskey Rebellion and the money owed to Pennsylvania or individual commanders for service to the United States. Records in these volumes vary greatly and information can include detailed accounts of expenditures giving names of laborers and merchants, receipts for goods purchased for military units, and day books. The numbered certificates will match with the United States Account Ledgers. United States Account Ledgers (1775-1788) include much of the same information in the United States Account, and is arranged in ascending order according to account number. This information might include names and ranks of officers paid, reasons for payment; names and wages of laborers paid and where the work was performed; names and titles of various county officials and the reason for payments; and reimbursement to men for goods and possessions lost in the Western Expedition. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Miscellaneous ledgers documenting various accounts and taxes. Data provided about each transaction includes name of account, the date of the transaction, to or from whom cash more was paid, and the dollar amount involved. The portion on taxes lists the transaction number, the township name, the deficiencies, the type of tax, and the state money commissions. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. Images represent one ledger from 1778-1791. This collection is part of Treasury Department which was part of the Constitution of 1776. 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

This collection contains formal mortgage indentures signed prior to 1790, handled by the Board of Trustees of the General Loan Office. Information provided includes detailed terms more for each mortgage loan, names of all parties involved in the account, date the mortgage was signed, and an annual payment record. They are arranged chronologically by date of entry and indexed internally, alphabetically by surname. This collection is part of the General Loan Office which was established in 1723 to supervise the issuance of bills of credit secured by mortgages on real estate. less

This collection contains collection of documents concerning land valuations, mortgages, and estates. Each county folder holds a small variety of documents and includes both formal and more informal land appraisals, deeds to specific residential and commercial estates, and personal receipts for paid mortgages. Images are grouped alphabetically by county name. This collection is part of the General Loan Office which was established in 1723 to supervise the issuance of bills of credit secured by mortgages on real estate. less

Images are organized into the following subseries: Addition of Principal and Interest Unpaid on Cancelled Certificates, 1784-1795; Amount of Principal and Interest Unpaid on Cancelled Certificates, more 1777-1790; Calculations of Principal and Interest on Cancelled Certificates, 1777-1788; Cancelled Certificate Registers, 1777-1790; Certificate Books, 1786-1788; Certificate Exchange Proposals, 1789-1793; Certificate Registers, 1786-1788; Differences in New Loan Certificates, 1776-1788; Interest Certificate Counterparts, 1786-1788; Interest Paid Receipt Books, 1786-1792; Principal and Interest Paid on Cancelled Certificates to January 1, 1791, 1777-1791. Images of the New Loan Accounts which were established in March 1786 by act of the General Assembly. Addition of Principal and Interest on Cancelled Certificates (1784-1795) contains a record of interest and principal unpaid on these cancelled certificates. Information is grouped according to certificate books A through D and the amount unpaid is listed according to page number of certificate registers. Calculations of Principal and Interest on Cancelled Certificates (1777-1788) contains similar information as is in Addition of Principal and Interest on Cancelled Certificates. Cancelled Certificate Registers (1777-1790) contain the certificate number, the payee, the principal amount, and the date which interest commenced for all cancelled New Loan Certificates. Certificate Books (1786-1788) are 11 volumes of New Loan Certificates arranged in ascending numerical order of certificate number. The certificates contain the following information: the owner's name, the amount, the interest rate, the date of issue of the original certificate, the date of redemption. Many of the original certificates were issued before March 1786 when the General Assembly passed an act establishing these certificates. Certificate Exchange Proposals (1789-1793) are petitions to exchange New Loan Certificates for Continental Certificates. Information on each proposal includes the names of the person who wished to exchange certificates, the name of whom the certificate was issued, the number of the certificate, the principal of the certificate, the date which interest commenced, and the year's interest paid. Most proposals consists of numerous New Loan Certificates originally owned by various people but which are being exchanged by an unrelated person. Certificate Registers (1786-1788) contain a listing of some certificates issued by the Comptroller General. Entries in these registers correspond to the Differences in New Loan Certificates, as do the amount of principle and interest paid. Interest Certificate Counterparts (1786-1788) are for certificates 2 through 19,171. Included on each counterpart is the certificate number, the payee, the period for the interest received, and the amount of interest. Interest Paid Receipt Books (1786-1792) are records of interest paid on certificates for the stated years. Entries are made chronologically according to the date paid, and include the principal of the certificate, the certificate number, the original owner of the certificate, the person receiving the interest, the total amount of interest being paid at that time, and the amount of time the interest was for. Principal and Interest Paid on Canceled Certificates to January 1, 1791 contains account books relating to canceled certificates. Information in each entry includes the date the certificate was issued, the principal amount, and the amount of interest. Also included in these volumes are records relating to depreciation certificates accounts, and miscellaneous accounts involving the New Loan Certificates. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

A record of Oaths of Allegiance to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, renouncing allegiance to the British Crown or her armies. Included within this record are lists more of men who took the Oath of Allegiance, listed in order by date. Also included are individual oaths, personally written or in a pre-printed form, signed, witnessed and sealed. The record also contains large charts of people who had taken the Oath of Allegiance. These charts provide information on the name of allegiance takers, their age, occupation, place of nativity, place of residence, and the names of their parents. less

A detailed listing of clothing articles, food, and miscellaneous items delivered to Pennsylvania regiments during the Revolution. Typical information in these registers might include the name more of the officer who received the supplies, the cost of the purchases, and the money owed to vendors after an initial deposit. Also provided in this series are the names of various military officers, their personal account certificates, and the names of merchants who supplied the officer's uniforms. The military units documented in this series are the 1st through 10th Regiments, the Artillery Regiment, and the Light Dragoons. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. 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

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

In these volumes, only the names of the officers and militiamen are given who enlisted in the Philadelphia city militia. They are listed according to the more company in which they served and the class in which they ranked. Images are arranged in numerical order according to battalion, with the Artillery battalion being listed first. The battalions are subdivided into companies. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This volume is a roll book of men who enlisted with the Philadelphia city Lieutenants office during the Revolutionary War. Information provided by each entry in more this volume includes the men's names, their private or public substitute (if any), and remarks pertaining to the man's service such as whether he served his tour or deserted, when he was paid, whether he was killed or if he was excused on appeal. Images are arranged in numerical order by battalion and thereunder by company. In each company, men are listed according to the class in which they ranked. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of certificates signed by John Pierce who was Paymaster General and Commissioner of Accounts for the United States Continental Army. Certificates were issued to the more men of the Pennsylvania line in lieu of cash. The certificates bore 6 percent interest and have an official date of July 1, 1784. This series is organized into the following subseries: Pay Roll Books, Voucher Indexes, Ownership Certificates, and an Account of Certificate Loaned to the United States. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782 and abolished in 1809. The full title for this series is: ‘Pierce's Certificate Accounts,...Pay Roll Books Voucher Indexes Ownership Certificates and an Account of Certificates Loaned to the United States, circa 1784-1793’. 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

Collection of receipts of duties collected by the Tonnage Office and moneys paid to the State Treasury. Account records of tonnage duties collected are also included. more Entries might include the date of transaction, the names of persons involved, and the reasons for the transaction. The names of ships and the ships' captains, the amount of the duty and the date collected are also included. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Records of the account between the Collector's office and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Each report is a general summary of the annual transactions between the two. more Images are arranged chronologically by fiscal year of account. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. 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

Manifests of various ships which delivered goods to the port of Philadelphia. Entries include the names of the exporters, the importers, the quantity of goods shipped, more and their value. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Accounts and vouchers for drawbacks (duties refunded) as assessed by the Collector's office. Entries might include the following: the name of the merchant receiving the drawback, more and the amount of and the reason for the drawback. If the reason for the drawback was damaged cargo, the estimates and the extent of the damage are also given. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Collection of pages from an expenditure account book from the Collector's office. Also included are receipts which correspond with these account records. Information provided might include more the item purchased, the price, from whom it was purchased, and the date of purchase. 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

Images from a volume of various items relating to the port of Philadelphia including an insurance policy for the cargo ship Alliance, cargo certificates, an account more of Philadelphia merchant John Steinmetz, a citizenship voucher for John Wharton, Jr., and bills of landing. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images from two volumes containing the names of those persons whose bonds were due to the Custom House. Entries show the amount of the bond and more the date which the bond was due. Images are grouped alphabetically by first letter of surname of bond holder and thereunder chronologically by date the bonds were due. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This collection documents transactions between the Marine Hospital and the Health Office. Entries include ship's names, date of entry into port, the number of sick passengers, more the amount paid to the hospital, and the port of origin. Also included are the accounts and receipts for expenditures of the hospital which contain such information as date of purchase and the name of the merchant, goods and supplies bought, and the names of laborers. There are also reports of the committee overseeing the Health Office. Additionally, accounts for 1794-1798 divide the Health Office into its various departments and list expenditures of these departments. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Accounts of the Wardens in charge of the port of Philadelphia including balance sheets detailing expenditures. The balance sheets were from officials under the wardens and more were used when the warden balanced accounts with the Comptroller General. Entries on these balance sheets might include a brief description of work performed, the names of laborers, amount paid, and the date on which work was performed. On some balance sheets, cash voucher numbers are given. Corresponding receipts and vouchers are also included in this series. The names of those who were Wardens of the port are provided. Additionally, there are several folders relating to the maintenance of lighthouses around the port and the state sloop Delaware. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

A record of goods exported from the port of Philadelphia and of drawbacks (duties refunded). The Register lists each vessel's name and type; the names of more the master, exporter and importer; the dates of arrival and clearance; the port of origin and destination; the type of cargo exported; the value of the goods imported; and the amount of drawback. Images are arranged chronologically by export date. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Recorded at the port of Philadelphia, an entry usually gives the name of the vessel's master, the port of origin, the value of the goods imported, more the name of the importer, and the duty paid. A brief description of the cargo also appears in most cases. Images are arranged chronologically by import date. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

These images from volumes contain a registry of tonnage duties on vessels which entered the port of Philadelphia. Entries provide the date on which each ship more entered port, the vessel's name, the captain's name, the tonnage of the ship, and the duty paid. Tonnage Office ceased, August 17, 1789. Images are arranged chronologically by date on which vessels entered port. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Receipts, cargo manifests, duty statements, and drawbacks are contained in this series. These records provide such information as the name of the ship, the value of more the cargo, the captain's name, the amount of the duty, and the ship's port of origin. The signatures of the captain and the collector of duties can usually be found on most of the documents. Some images contain written depositions signed by the collector and the importer swearing that the cargo the merchant received was what he had ordered. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images from this volume are accounts of impost duties owed by various persons and the corresponding penalty fees. Entries show the name of the person who more owed the duty, the amount of the duty, and the penalty. The reports in this series are extracts taken from the Custom House in 1788. Additionally, this series shows the amount of duties owed by the naval office in the years 1783 and 1787-1788. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images from this volume contain several vouchers for the registry of ships in the port of Philadelphia. Information on these vouchers includes the date of registration, more the owner of the ship, the master, the weight of the ship, and the year in which the ship was built or captured from the British. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. 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 a record of the proceedings of the Pennsylvania Indian Commissions from February 23, 1784 through January 23, 1785, and the business of the commissioners more elected to work on issues concerning Indian nations and citizens of the United States. Entries are dated with the location of each meeting, Philadelphia, occasionally mentioned, and contain information pertinent to the planning of a treaty with the Indian nations of Pennsylvania, the people involved, the aims of the treaty and the policy agreed upon. less

Images of a record of the items and payment requested, received and distributed by the Council of Safety from December 31, 1776 - March 17, 1777. more Each entry gives the date, name of the requisitioners and items ordered or received. Detailed entries list requisitions and deliveries of supplies, munitions, coffins, blankets and shoes, rations drawn for soldiers and some citizens, payment for jobs, private homes used for sick soldiers, and orders for money to sick soldiers, widows and the wives of soldiers. less

Images of a record of the receipts of the Committee of Safety. Entries are neatly written in two ledger books with the date of receipt written more at the top right hand corner of the page. Each entry states the name of the payee, amount paid, the reason the money was owed and a second signature (seemingly the person who collected the amount.) The amounts are also recorded and totaled together at the bottom of the page. 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

Four volumes of registers documenting the expenditures of the Supreme Executive Council. These registers were maintained in order to keep balance accounts with the Comptroller General. more Entries in these registers show the names of those directly employed by the Council or under their supervision, a brief description of work they performed, and the amount paid to them. Each expenditure was approved by order of the council. Typical reasons for expenditures include land surveys, salaries for councilors, government officials and clerks, and purchase of supplies. Images are arranged is chronologically by date of expenditure. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of a record of the written authority granted private persons, by the Supreme Executive Council, to fit out an armed ship to plunder the goods more of the British. Each page is set up in a chart, listing information in columns. Entries date from July 31, 1778- August 12, 1782, and some pages are incorrectly dated. Listed is information pertaining to dates of commission, name of person receiving the commission, number of carriage guns, swivels and tons on ship, number of men on ship, what commander the commissioned man was under and on what vessel he was assigned. By November 1780, columns were added dealing with the description of the captain or master, the commissioned man and a description of the lieutenant or mate. less

Information provided is name of pilot, place of residence, date bonded, and the name, occupation and place of residence of the person who stood as security more on behalf of the pilot. Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Registers of vessels arriving and clearing the port of Philadelphia. Information provided is date of arrival or clearance, name of vessel, from whence or to where more bound, name of owner or consignor, name of pilot on the inward leg, name of pilot on the outward leg, draught of water and signature of the captain. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

This volume contains reports of all the general accounts held by the Comptroller General from the commencement of the Revolution until October 1782. The purpose was more to inform the General Assembly of the moneys in the Treasury at the beginning of the Revolution, the revenues and expenditures between then and 1782, and the current balance. Also in this report are county tax accounts from 1781 to October 1782 and their debts due to the state. Entries in this volume contain the name of the account holder, a brief description of the account, and the balance. Images are grouped chronologically according to the years which each treasurer held office and thereunder by each individual account. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

A record of orders (working contracts) granted to sundry individuals for work to be done on the Assembly meeting room. Typical information included might be the more name of the person receiving the order, a brief description of the work to be done, and the amount he was to be paid. Also included in these volumes is an account of money paid to the Assemblymen, their names and positions in the Assembly, the number of days they attended Assembly meetings, the mileage traveled by each Assemblyman, and the reimbursement they received for travel. Additional information in the volumes includes the accounts of the paymasters for the county militias, accounts of taxes collected in various counties, and a record of recruiting officers' accounts for each county and who the various officers were in those counties. Images are arranged chronologically by date of monetary transaction. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images in this collection include the name of the individual, the lot number, and the number of acres drawn. The rank of the soldier is sporadically more supplied as well. Images are arranged alphabetically by surname of soldier. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of entries record the name, rank and corps of the soldier and the number of acres drawn. Remarks concerning whether the person was killed in more action or was a foreign officer are often included. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of receipts, accounts, returns, payrolls and muster rolls for associators in Bedford, Berks, Bucks, Cumberland, Lancaster, Northampton, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Westmoreland, and York counties. While the more accounts and returns usually only list the soldier's name, rank and military unit, the pay and muster rolls may also record the associator's residence, commanding officer, and dates of entering and leaving the service. Images are grouped by county and thereunder arranged chronologically. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Pay and muster rolls that may show the name, rank, regiment, company and pay rate of each soldier; the name of his commanding officer; and the more dates and locations of the musters. At times the dates that a soldier enlisted, deserted or was discharged are also noted. In a few instances enlistment papers are included. Images are grouped by regiment and thereunder arranged alphabetically by surname of soldier. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of militia receipts, returns, operations documents, and lists of white males between ages eighteen and fifty-three for Allegheny, Bedford, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, more Fayette, Franklin, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Luzerne, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Washington, Westmoreland, and York counties. The information entered varies with each type of document. Returns of absentees are dated, and normally list the name and company (or battalion) of the soldier, the officer to whom he was attached, the number of days that he mustered, and the number of days that he was absent. In addition, some operation accounts also mention the dates that the militia members were ordered into and released from service. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of militia receipts, returns, operations documents, and lists of white males between ages eighteen and fifty-three for Allegheny, Bedford, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, more Fayette, Franklin, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Luzerne, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Washington, Westmoreland and York counties. The information entered varies with each type of document. Return of absentees are dated, and normally list the name and company (or battalion) of the soldier, the officer to whom he was attached, the number of days that he was mustered, and the number of days that he was absent. In addition, some operation accounts also mention the dates that the militia members were ordered into and released from service. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of muster and pay rolls that usually give the name, rank, station and pay rate of the sailor; the time of his service; and the more dates of his entry, discharge or desertion. The age of the individual is periodically recorded as well. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of records that pertain to various militia men or their widows petitioning for pensions from the Commonwealth. Generally, the service men petitioning for pensions had more been injured during the war and were thus incapable of working. Many times, the court petitions give descriptions of the injuries and the battle at which they occurred. Widows of militia men generally filed petitions in Orphan's Court in order to obtain pensions for support of their children. However, most widows were only awarded either one half or one quarter of their deceased husband's salaries. Also contained in this collection are some receipts for payments of these pensions. Additionally, there is correspondence between the House of Employment" and the Comptroller General regarding various state pensions who were invalids at the House. The collection of images if from 5 volumes of pensions for disabled soldiers and pensions to widows and children of soldiers killed in the Revolution. Most of these volumes are also indexed. Some volumes contain records of warrants issued to recipients. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. 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

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

A record relating to the payment and settlement of public money, kept by Comptroller General John Nicholson for the purpose of auditing, liquidating and adjusting Commonwealth more accounts. Although the entries are dated from 1775-1790, the actual books were probably compiled in the late 1780s or early 1790s for auditing purposes. Information provided includes a description of each transaction, the amounts involved, the page numbers of the corresponding entries in the RG04/55- Specie Ledger, 1775-1790 and  RG04/54- Specie Journals, 1775-1790, both of which are digitized, and often the date of the transaction. Images are arranged chronologically by date of transaction. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

A record of state monetary transactions kept on a daily basis relating to the payment and settlement of public money, kept by Comptroller General John Nicholson more for the purpose of auditing, liquidating and adjusting Commonwealth accounts. Although the transactions recorded date from 1775-1785, the journals themselves were probably created in the late 1790's. Information given includes a description of each transaction, amounts received or paid, page number for the corresponding entry in RG 4/10- Continental Journals, 1775-1785, also digitized, and often the date of the transaction. Images are arranged chronologically by date of transaction. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782.  less

A record relating to the payment and settlement of public money, kept by Comptroller General John Nicholson for the purpose of auditing, liquidating and adjusting Commonwealth more accounts. Entries relate to the payment of taxes, receipt of revenue, government expenses, and transactions of county officials and committees. Information provided includes account name, amounts paid and received. The folio numbers appearing at the far left of each entry to RG 4/54- Specie Journals, 1775-1790, also digitized. Images are arranged chronologically by date of transaction. At the beginning of the volume the entries are grouped alphabetically in an index according to account holder and the page number where their information can be found is located to the right of each name. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This volume gives the balance of the accounts of the names listed. Page numbers on the left correspond to the account's location in RG 4/55- Specie more Ledger, 1775-1790, also digitized. Images are grouped alphabetically by account holder. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

"A record of accounts for the following state departments: the Council of Censors, the General Assembly, the Master of the Rolls, the Adjutant General, the Comptroller more General, the Receiver General, the Register General, the State Treasurer, the Surveyor General, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Land Office, and the Secretary of the Supreme Executive Council. Included in this series are accounts of expenditures of the various commonwealth departments, as well as cash vouchers, and receipts. These accounts detail the day to day function of each department. Recorded expenses might include: translating laws into German and distributing copies of bills and government reports; the daily pay and mileage pay of members of the General Assembly; expenditures by the Master of the Rolls relating to elections and the enrolling of acts passed by the Assembly; fees charged by the Secretary of the Commonwealth for such things as marriage licenses, certificates of bankruptcy, use of the great seal, pardons and other certificates; expenses of the Secretary of the Supreme Executive Council for government payroll; and collection of revenue for licenses, petitions and passes. Many of the receipts and vouchers relate to expenditures for writing supplies, paper, and printing copies. For these tasks and similar ones, the names of men employed and contracted merchants are listed. Also included in this series is a volume from the Secretary of the Supreme Executive Council which provides a detailed list of all fees received in the secretary's office between 1783 and 1790. Images are grouped by department and thereunder according to year the record was kept. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782." less

A detailed report by Comptroller General John Nicholson of the finances of the commonwealth. It contains a description of the accounts between Pennsylvania and the United more States, the debt due by the Commonwealth to individuals, and the revenues of the Commonwealth. Information within these descriptions might include sources of revenue, timetables for payments to the United States, and various problems which had arisen while balancing the accounts of the state. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Monthly state treasurer's reports which include records of expenditures and receipts, however there are some accounts pertaining to the value of stock certificates of the United more States held by various people, and bills of credit for specific years. Information provided about each transaction includes the name of the person(s) involved, the register number and the treasury number. Receipt records include the reason why money was paid into the treasury. In some cases, explanations for expenditure are also found in the reports. Images are arranged chronologically by date of transaction. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This series contains several lengthy public account statements. The monetary value in these records is based upon Bills of Credit which were issued during the following more periods: June 1780, April 1781, March 1785, and April 1785. Information can be found in these records about the expenses of the civil list, inland navigation accounts, pension expenditures, grants to the Penn family, Indian expenses, militia expenses, the state lottery, and various taxes. A record of bills of credit which were burnt by a committee of the treasury after being withdrawn from circulation is also included. Likewise, information concerning loan accounts, stock accounts, marriage and tavern licenses, and account of the wardens of the port is also provided by these statements. Images are unarranged. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of record books of surveys of damaged cargoes. Information provided in the earliest volume is date of survey, name and type of vessel, name of more captain, and an inventory of damaged cargo giving the package or container number, mark stamped on the container, and type of container. Commencing with the second volume in 1786, a standardized form is employed giving date of survey, name of commander, name of vessel, port from whence last sailed, and the result of the examination of the cargo giving a description of the nature of any damage found. less

Images of record books revealing names of pilots and dates of bonds for the first, second and third rate pilots, accounts of anchors and cables received more by the wardens, and daily attendance record of the Wardens of the Port. Information provided in the attendance record is the name of the warden, dates of attendance, and amount he was paid. less

Images of registers of vessels recorded in the tonnage office for payment of tonnage duty. Information provided is date of entry, name of vessel, name of more commander, name of port from whence or to where bound, name of person by whom owned, number of tons, duty per ton, and amount paid. 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

Identified indexes include indices for Day Books, New Loan Accounts, and Revolutionary War transactions. Other indexes which are not labeled give names and page number, certificate more numbers, and sometimes the occupation of the particular individual. The following are descriptions for the two loose volumes in this series: Accounts A: Identified on the cover as "Accounts A," this volume contains an undated alphabetical index of individuals and subjects. Entries indicate the name of the person(s) or subject, followed by two numbers. One set of numbers directly follows the name and ranges from 1 to 6716. Each entry is also referenced by a number ranging from 1 to 1479 and proceeded by the abbreviation "No." In addition to names of individuals, the index contains references to subjects such as: Commissioners and Assessors, the Council of Safety, Commissioners for Exploring Rivers, Civil Officers, Decrees Relating to Forfeited Estates, Delinquent Returns, Fees Received, the Hospital of Pennsylvania, Appraisal of Horses, the House of Employment, the Invalids Corps, Judges of the Supreme Court, Loan Office Accounts, Legislator's Report, Miscellaneous Papers, Northumberland and Westmoreland County Militia, Orders for Orphans Court, Prothonotaries' Receipts, Traveling Expenses of Judges, Trustees of Province Island, Vouchers for Certificates, Wardens of the Port of Philadelphia, Writs of Attachment, and Wyoming Disturbances. The name "Geo. Bryon" is written in script inside the back cover. A-Z, 1780-1809: Alphabetical index to an unidentified volume indicating names of individuals, counties, or subjects and their corresponding page number. Dated entries range from 1780-1809. Subjects appear to be mainly financial, with entries including topics such as taxes, bonds, appropriations, accounts, funds, expenses, fines, licenses, bills, funded and unfunded debts, continental money, certificates, contingent expenses of various offices, general revenues and accounts, specie accounts, state money accounts, U.S. Stock, and Pennsylvania Bank Stock, with several references to the Loan Office. Entries associated with individual counties consist of accounts of sheriffs, treasurers, and prothonotaries dealing with court fines, exempt fines, taxes, and licenses. References to Land Records include accounts of new and old purchases, certificates, grants, and various lots. Entries associated with the Militia relate to officers of the Pennsylvania Line, ordnance for militia, militia fines, pensions, arrears in clothing, brigade inspectors, frontier defense, and depreciation pay. There are also references to the Pennsylvania Hospital, Pennsylvania claimants' accounts of expenses, road appropriations, canal funds, French Emigrants, and marriage and tavern licenses. Images are arranged numerically by folio number. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This collection includes the stubs from lottery vouchers given by the United States for the numbers 26,669 through 26,9959 inclusive. No other information is given, and more it is unclear what information might be found on the corresponding vouchers. Images are arranged numerically by lottery stub number. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This series contains several warrant registers which list information about warrants that the state issued in lieu of money which it may have owed to government more officials or other persons. Information in entries includes the warrant number, the warrant holder's county of residence, the position he held (if any), the date of issue, when it was redeemed for its cash value, and the amount of redemption. An index is also included in this series which refers to warrants on the Treasury dated May 1782 through July 1782. The index is for a Day Book and Books A, B, C, and D which are not included in this series. Images are grouped chronologically by date of issue and thereunder numerically by warrant number. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

This series contains warrants which were issued by the Comptroller General in lieu of money owed to various persons by the state. Information on each warrant more includes the date of issue, the amount, the name of the person receiving the warrant, and a brief description of work performed by that person. Images are grouped chronologically by month in which warrant was issued. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

Images of two index volumes documenting the names mentioned in Waste Books, 1776-1792, which is also digitized. In one volume, the folio number of where the more person's account information is listed in the Waste Books is given to the right of each name. The other volume contains both the folio number and the statement number to the right of each name. The dates in the title statement are based on the dates for the Waste Books which they index. Images are grouped alphabetically according to first letter of surname of persons listed in the Waste Books and thereunder according to each Waste Book. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. less

A record of state monetary transactions relating to the payment and settlement of public money, kept for the purpose of auditing, liquidating and adjusting Commonwealth accounts. more Although the receipts and payments recorded date from 1776-1792, the books themselves were probably compiled at later times (Vol.A - 1782-1788, Vol.AA - 1788, and Vol.AAA - 1788-1792) for auditing purposes. Entries relate to expenses, revenue, taxes, fines and transactions of individual county officials. Information provided includes a description of each transaction, and the amount involved. The Waste Book Indexes are also digitized. Images are arranged chronologically by date of transaction. This collection is part of the Office of the Comptroller General which was created in 1782. 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