Pennsylvania State Archives
350 North Street
Harrisburg , PA 17120-0090
(717) 783-3281

The Pennsylvania State Archives is open Tuesday-Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; and Saturday 9:00 to 12:00 am and 1:00 to 4:00 pm, excluding State holidays. Only microfilmed records are available on Saturdays.

Overview:

The Pennsylvania State Archives was created in 1903 as the Division of Public Records in the State Library. It was combined in 1945 with the State Museum and the Pennsylvania Historical Commission to form the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). Though primarily known as the official custodian of the permanently valuable records (referred to as Record Groups) of state government and its political subdivisions, the Archives is also a repository for manuscripts related to individuals and families, businesses, and organizations that have statewide historical significance, as well as some collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Included among the holdings of the Pennsylvania State Archives are more than 195 million pages of documents and manuscripts; twenty thousand reels of microfilm containing some twenty-two million images of county deeds, wills, mortgages, estate papers, and assessment books.

I. Archives Records Information Access System (ARIAS)

The State Archives has been adding many of its documents in special areas of interest into a publicly accessible web site called ARIAS. Of interest to scholars researching the early American economy before the Civil War, Series 13.50 may be of particular interest:

Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File -

Arranged alphabetically by surname of soldier. The abstract card file contains transcriptions of data extracted from original records in the custody of the State Archives concerning Revolutionary War service in the Pennsylvania Militia, Pennsylvania Line, and the Navy. Note that duty after November 1783 is not considered Revolutionary War service. Information provided is name and rank of soldier, whether active or inactive duty, county of residence, battalion in which served, and record from which information was extracted. Also noted are whether soldier was delinquent and fined or whether militia fines were abat

The entry "Active Duty" indicates that the soldier saw active duty in either the Pennsylvania Militia or the Pennsylvania Line while "Inactive Duty" indicates that the soldier did not necessarily see active duty. Associators were volunteers who comprised the Military Association, a civilian reserve designed to repel any invasion of Pennsylvania until the collapse of the Association in the winter of 1776-1777. The Pennsylvania Militia was organized under an Act of the Assembly of March 17, 1777 that required compulsory enrollment by constables of all able-bodied white males between the ages of 18 and 53 to repel invaders. The "Flying Camps" were special battalions of Pennsylvania Line troops recruited from the Pennsylvania Associators. Rangers were soldiers who served long periods of enlistment to protect the frontier against Indian incursions. Entries for Depreciation Pay Certificates apply to soldiers who served 1777-1780 when the currency was depreciating and were paid in Continental Bills of Credit that quickly lost value. To compensate for such depreciation, each soldier of the Pennsylvania Line who remained in service in 1781 was awarded a substantial sum in Depreciation Pay Certificates which were both interest bearing and negotiable. In addition, at the end of the war arrears and allowances due were met by issuing to each soldier still in service a number of interest-bearing final settlements called Pierce's Certificates (named after the paymaster who dispensed them).

Some cards show a certificate number that relates to the Militia Loan of 1784-1785. This loan was established to pay individuals for services and goods provided during the Revolutionary War that had not been reimbursed at that time. Note that not all certificate numbers give additional information.

In addition, there is helpful information for the same period of the Revolutionary War in the following web-accessible files:

Militia Officers Index Cards, 1775-1800 - {series #13.36}

Index card file of the names of Pennsylvania militia officers who served during the American Revolution, in Indian campaigns in northwestern Pennsylvania, and in quelling the Whiskey Rebellion. The cards are arranged alphabetically by surname of officer. Information provided is name, county, rank, company or battalion, dates of service, township, and occasionally district within township. In rare cases, other pertinent information is provided such as place of burial, wounds received, names of children, names of any expeditions or campaigns, name of person whom they succeeded, and date discharged.

II. Manuscript Collections, in the State Archives "Record Groups" that are of interest to researchers of the early American economy:

RG-2, Records of the DEPARTMENT OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL

The Office of the Auditor General was created in 1809 to replace and assume many of the duties of the offices of the Comptroller General and the Register General. These offices had been originally created to liquidate claims against the state for services performed during the Revolutionary War, and to assist in the final settlement of public accounts. Similarly, the Office of the Escheator General was abolished in 1821, and its duties relative to the estates of individuals dying intestate without heirs or kindred were added to those of the Auditor General.

The Auditor General was made an elective office in 1850 and became a constitutional office with the adoption of the Constitution of 1874. The Fiscal Code of 1929 transferred the function of collecting taxes from the Department of the Auditor General to the newly created Department of Revenue. Under the Code the Department became for the first time a true auditing agency.

As the chief auditor of the state's fiscal affairs, the Auditor General is responsible for insuring that the Commonwealth receives all moneys to which it is entitled and that public money is spent legally and properly. The Auditor General adjusts claims against the Commonwealth, examines tax settlements made by the Revenue Department, and oversees the examination of practically every financial transaction involving the state.

General Administrative and Financial Records

• Accounts Put in Suit, 1811-1829. (1 volume){#2.1}
• Accounts Settled, 1812-1886. (22 volumes){#2.2}
• Annual Reports, 1854-1875. (7 volumes){#2.3}
• Balance Books, 1809-1863. (6 volumes){#2.4}
• Bridge Company Accounts, 1809-1859. (1 box){#2.5}
• Canal and Navigation Company Accounts, 1818-1852, 1872. (9 folders){#2.6}
• Circulars and Tax Laws Sent to Corporations, 1855-1866. (1 volume){#2.7}
• Commonwealth Stock Share Certificates, 1812-1880. (8 volumes){#2.8}
• Day Books, 1809-1879. (35 volumes){#2.9}
• Debtor Bond and Summons Forms, [before 1776]. (1 volume){#2.83}
• Departmental Contingent Expense Record, 1865-1870. (1 volume){#2.10}
• General Accounts, 1809-1908, 1915, 1924-1928. (32 cartons){#2.12}
• General Correspondence, 1809-1908. (48 boxes){#2.13}
• Geological Survey Accounts, 1837-1840, 1851-1857, 1875. (1 box){#2.14}
• Index to A. D. Cash and B. Brown's Accounts Current, Old Philadelphia , 1835. (1 volume) {#2.84}
• Index to Certificates, 1866-1867. (1 volume){#2.15}
• Index to Churches and Beneficial Societies, transcribed 1831. (1 volume){#2.16}
• Indexes to Ledgers, [ca. 1781] & undated. (4 volumes) {#2.85}
• Journal, 1826-1830. (1 volume){#2.18}
• Ledgers, 1808-1878. (16 volumes){#2.19}
• Legislative Newspaper Subscription Account Book, 1847-1850. (1 volume){#2.20}
• Letter Book of the Register General and Auditor General, 1802-1810. (1 volume){#2.21}
• Letter Books and Indexes, 1810-1866, 1894-1897. (23 volumes){#2.22}
• Letter Register, 1878-1879. (1 volume){#2.23}
• Oaths and Bonds, 1895-1935. (2 folders){#2.25}
• Partial Index (H-J), undated. (1 volume) {#2.87}
• Payment Books, 1809-1897. (6 volumes){#2.26}
• Port of Philadelphia Accounts, 1809-1868. (1 box){#2.27}
• Public Buildings and Grounds Accounts, 1809-1873. (5 boxes){#2.28}
• Receipt and Expenditure Books, 1812-1814, 1821-1822, 1828-1839, 1855-1857. (10 volumes){#2.29}
• Record of Fees Received by Notaries Public, 1858-1861. (1 volume){#2.30}
• Register of Bank Notes (Issued Under the Act of May 31, 1860), 1860-1898. (1 volume){#2.31}
• Returns of Operators of Collieries, Oil Wells, Ore Banks, and Quarries, 1871. (3 boxes){#2.32}
• River Improvement Accounts, 1810-1835. (4 boxes){#2.33}
• Road and Turnpike Accounts, 1809-1840, 1872. (5 boxes){#2.34}
• Salary Ledger, 1809-1824. (1 volume){#2.35}
• State Loan Books, 1826-1882. (14 volumes){#2.36}
• State Loan Holders Books, 1852-1899. (33 volumes){#2.37}
• Stub Books, 1841-1873. (1 box){#2.38}
• Treasurer's Reports, 1809-1813, 1817-1819. (3 boxes){#2.39}
• Unidentified Index, undated. (1 volume){#2.88}
• Warrant Books, 1807-1828, 1851-1879. (19 volumes){#2.40}
• Warrants, 1809-1874. (78 cartons){#2.41}
• Records Relating to Military Service
• Annual Report of the Board of Military Claims, [ca. 1863-1864]. (1folder){#2.42}
• Board of Military Claims Claim Lists, 1863-1864, 1866. (1 folder){#2.43}
• Board of Military Claims History Relating to the Thomas A. Scott Regiment, 1896. (1 folder){#2.44}
• Board of Military Claims Minute Book, 1864-1869. (1 volume){#2.45}
• Board of Military Claims Record of Claims Presented, 1862-1863. (1 volume) {#2.46}
• Civil War Service and Pension Accounts, 1861-1873. (2 volumes, 3 folders) {#2.47}
• Claims for Land Damages Submitted to Common Pleas Court, 1862-1871. (2 folders){#2.48}
• Index to Old Soldiers' Applications and Admissions on the Pension Books by the Board, 1826. (1 volume) {#2.86}
• Index to Register of Military Claims, [ca. 1863-1905]. (1 volume){#2.49}
• Index to Revolutionary Documents, undated (1 volume){#2.17}
• Mexican War Accounts and Related Papers, 1846-1880. (12 boxes){#2.50}
• Military Claims File: Claims Settled, 1862-1905. (38 cartons){#2.51}
• Military Claims File: Claims not Settled, [ca. 1862-1905]. (4 cartons){#2.52}
• Military Pension Accounts and Related Papers, [ca. 1789-1883]. (2 boxes, 9 volumes){#2.53}
• Militia Accounts, 1809-1864. (53 cartons){#2.54}
• Militia Enrollment Lists and Related Records for Philadelphia City and County, 1870-1872. (6 boxes){#2.55}
• Power of Attorney Papers and Receipts Relating to Military Claims, [ca. 1863-1879]. (1 volume){#2.56}
• Register of Deficient Claims, 1862-1865. (1 volume){#2.57}
• Register of Military Claims (Submitted Under Act of April 16, 1862), 1863-1905. (1 volume){#2.58}
• Register of Recruits, lst and 2nd Regiments, Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1847-1848. (1 volume){#2.59}
• Revolutionary War Pension File, 1809-1893. (4 boxes){#2.60}
• War of 1812 Index of Soldiers, undated. (5 volumes){#2.61}
• War of 1812 Militia Accounts, 1812-1827. (14 boxes){#2.62}
• War of 1812 Militia Accounts: Final Settlement with the United States, 1812-1838. (2 boxes){#2.63}
• War of 1812 Partial List of Pensioners, [ca. 1868]. (1 folder){#2.64}
• War of 1812 Pension File, 1866-1896 (bulk 1866-1879). (57 boxes, 26 folders){#2.65}
• War of 1812 Pension Receipts for Philadelphia City and County, 1871-1876. (11 folders){#2.66}

Records Relating to State and County Offices

• Auctioneers' Accounts, 1809-1839, 1860-1874. (4 boxes){#2.78}
• County Officers' Accounts, 1809-1907. (78 boxes){#2.79}
• County Treasurer Certificates and Sureties, 1814-1839, 1863. (3 boxes){#2.80}
• Justice of the Peace and Alderman Audit Card File, [ca. 1930-1974]. (4 cartons){#2.81}
• State Departmental Accounts, 1809-1880, 1895. (9 boxes){#2.82}

RG-4, Records of the OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL

The Office of the Comptroller General was created in 1782 to audit, liquidate and adjust Commonwealth accounts. After settlement, all public accounts were submitted to the Supreme Executive Council for approval. If satisfied, the Council drew warrants upon the State Treasurer for their payment. In 1785 appeals were allowed to the Supreme Court from the settlement of accounts by the Comptroller General after the settlement had been transmitted to the Supreme Executive Council.

In 1789 the Comptroller General was required to submit for inspection and examination all accounts to be adjusted to the newly created Register General's Office and to take his advice and assistance in settling these accounts. The following year the duties of the two offices were reversed in that all accounts, except those specifically assigned for examination by the State Treasurer, were to be examined and adjusted by the Register General and then submitted to the Comptroller General for his advice and approval. Under specific legislation passed in 1791 all responsibilities not inconsistent with the Constitution of 1790 for the final settlement of accounts, previously assigned to the Supreme Executive Council, were transferred to the Governor. Changes were also made in 1791 in the procedures for adjusting accounts so that the Comptroller General and Register General had to submit accounts to the Governor for final approval where they differed in opinion. Where they agreed, only the balance due on each account had to be certified to the Governor. Though further modifications in the methods of adjusting and settling accounts were made, it was not until 1809 that the Office of the Comptroller General was abolished and its duties transferred to the Auditor General and State Treasurer.

• Account of the United States to the State of Pennsylvania , [ca. 1775-1788]. (1 folder) {#4.1}
• Alphabetical (Old) Index to Continental Ledgers Nos. 1 & 2, 1775-1785. (1 volume) {#4.2}
• Alphabetical List of Accounts, undated. (1 volume) {#4.3}
• 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. (Nicholson), Late Comptroller, [ca. 1790]. (1 volume) {#4.4}
• Boundary Survey Accounts, 1782-1810. (2 boxes) {#4.5}
• Commissary Account, 1775-1792. (2 boxes) {#4.6}
• Commissioners of Purchases Accounts, 1780-1783. (6 boxes) {#4.7
• Continental and State Money Account Book, 1783-1784. (1 volume) {#4.8}
• Continental Day Book and Waste Book, 1775-1783. (1 volume) {#4.9}
• Continental Journals, 1775-1785. (2 volumes) {#4.10}
• Continental Ledgers, [ca. 1775-1785]. (2 volumes) {#4.11}
• County Officers' Accounts, 1782-1809. (17 boxes) {#4.12}
• County Tax Accounts, 1781-1808. (12 boxes) {#4.13}
• Court of Admiralty Accounts, 1779-1786. (1 folder) {#4.14}
• Day Book of General Benedict Arnold, 1777-1779. (1 volume) {#4.15}
• Delaware River Fortification Accounts, 1775-1798. (1 box) {#4.16}
• Depreciation Certificate Accounts, 1781-1792. (16 boxes, 9 volumes) {#4.17}
• Forfeited Estate Accounts, 1777-1809. (3 boxes) {#4.19}
• Funded and Unfunded Debt Accounts, 1790-1809. (3 boxes) {#4.20}
• General Correspondence, 1776-1809. (15 boxes) {#4.21}
• Index to Ledger AA, 1777-1788. (1 volume) {#4.22}
• Indexes to Ledgers, 1775-[ca.1889]. (1 volume) {#4.18}
• Indian Commissioners' Account Book, 1784-1785. (1 volume) {#4.94}
• Indian Commissioners' Accounts, 1784-1792. (1 box) {#4.23}
• Internal Improvements File, Consisting of Accounts and Papers Relating to Canal and Navigation Companies, Roads and Turnpikes, River Improvements, Public Buildings, and Bridge Companies, 1777-1809. (3 boxes){#4.24}
• Journals, 1799-1808. (2 volumes) {#4.25}
• Journals A-AAA, 1775-1790. (3 volumes) {#4.26}
• Ledgers A-AA, 1775-1788. (2 volumes) {#4.27}
• Letter Books and Indexes, 1782-1786, 1788-1803. (6 volumes) {#4.28}
• Letter Book, Accounts, and Related Records of the Auditors of Accounts for the State, 1777-1784. (4 boxes) {#4.29}
• List of Printed Accounts in the Comptroller General's Office, undated. (1 volume) {#4.30}
• Memoranda of Account Book, 1791. (1 volume) {#4.31}
• Memoranda Book, 1791. (1 volume) {#4.32}
• Memoranda Book of Old Accounts Not to Be Found in the New Alphabet, undated. (1 volume) {#4.33}
• Militia Absentee Return Record for Philadelphia City, 1777-1791. (4 volumes, 2 boxes) {#4.34}
• Militia Exemption Books, 1801-1813. (1 box) {#4.35}
• Militia Fine Exoneration Records, 1777-1793. (5 boxes) {#4.36}
• Militia Loan Accounts, 1781-1792. (12 volumes, 11 boxes) {#4.37}
• Miscellaneous Accounts, Including Records of Transactions Involving the Commonwealth and the United States, 1782-1809. (28 boxes, 3 volumes) {#4.38}
• New Loan Accounts, 1776-1795. (17 volumes, 16 boxes) {#4.39}
• Officers' Claim Book for Arrears in Clothing, 1778-1791. (1 volume) {#4.40}
• Officers' Clothing Account Book, 1791. (1 volume) {#4.41}
• Philadelphia City General Muster Roll Book, 1784. (1 volume) {#4.42}
• Philadelphia City Lieutenant's Office General Return Book of Militia Called into Actual Service, 1777-1782. (1 volume) {#4.43}
• Pierce's Certificate Accounts, Consisting of Pay Roll Books, Voucher Indexes, Ownership Certificates, and an Account of Certificates Loaned to the United States, Signed by John Pierce and Relating to the Issuance of Interest Bearing Certificates to the Pennsylvania Line, [ca. 1784-1793]. (3 volumes, 1 box) {#4.44}
• Register of Accounts Received from the Register General, 1790-1792. (1 volume) {#4.45}
• Register of Executive Accounts, 1784-1791. (4 volumes) {#4.46}
• Report Book of the State Treasurer, 1783. (1 volume) {#4.47}
• Report Books of the Committee of the Assembly on the State of the Public Accounts, 1778-1780. (2 volumes) {#4.48}
• Return Book of Officers and Soldiers to Whom Patents Were Not Issued, undated. (1 volume) {#4.49}
• Return Book of the Pennsylvania Line Entitled to Donation Lands, undated. (1 volume) {#4.50}
• Revolutionary War Associators, Line, Militia, and Navy Accounts, and Miscellaneous Records Relating to Military Service, 1775-1809. (99 boxes) {#4.51}
• Revolutionary War Pension Files And Related Accounts, 1785-1809. (8 boxes, 5 volumes) {#4.52}
• Specie Day Book and Waste Books, 1775-1790. (2 volumes) {#4.53}
• Specie Journals, 1775-1790. (2 volumes) {#4.54}
• Specie Ledger, 1775-1790. (1 volume) {#4.55}
• Specie Ledger's Balance Books, 1775-1790. (2 volumes) {#4.56}
• State Departmental Accounts, 1782-1809. (13 boxes) {#4.57}
• A State of the Finances of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by John Nicholson, 1787. (1 volume) {#4.58}
• State Treasurer's Reports, 1790-1798, 1800-1809. (4 boxes) {#4.59}
• Statement of Public Accounts Book, 1790-1791. (1 folder) {#4.60}
• Tax and Exoneration Lists, 1762-1794. (47 boxes) {#4.61}
• Tryal Balance Book, undated. (1 volume) {#4.62}
• Unidentified Indexes, undated. (1 box, 2 volumes) {#4.63}
• United States Lottery Stub Book, 1776. (1 volume) {#4.64}
• Warrant Books, 1791-1808. (6 volumes) {#4.65}
• Warrant Counterpart Records, 1792-1799, 1806-1808. (6 boxes) {#4.66}
• Warrant Registers and Index, 1782-1807. (8 volumes) {#4.67}
• Warrants, 1778-1809. (16 cartons) {#4.68}
• Waste Book Indexes, 1776-1792. (2 volumes) {#4.69}
• Waste Books, 1776-1792. (3 volumes) {#4.70}
• Western Expedition (Whiskey Rebellion) Accounts, 1794-1804. (2 boxes) {#4.71}

Port of Philadelphia Records

• Abstracts of Duties and Drawbacks, 1784-1789. (1 folder) {#4.72}
• Account of Duties and Drawbacks, 1783. (1 folder) {#4.73}
• Accounts and Certificates of the Collector of Head Money, 1791-1808. (1 folder) {#4.74}
• Accounts and Receipts of the Tonnage Office, 1783-1789. (1 folder) {#4.75}
• Accounts Current of the Collector's Office, 1784-1789. (1 folder) {#4.76}
• Bonds and Papers Relating to Duties on Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1720-1788. (1 folder) {#4.77}
• Cargo Manifests, Inventories, and Bills of Lading, 1733-1833. (1 folder) {#4.78}
• Coasting Permits, 1796, 1806. (1 folder) {#4.79}
• Drawbacks and Vouchers Paid by the Collector of Duties, 1784-1789. (1 folder) {#4.80}
• Expenditures and Receipts of the Collector's Office, 1784-1789. (1 folder) {#4.81}
• Lists of Bonds, 1774-1775. (3 volumes) {#4.82}
• Lists of Bonds Cancelled, 1774-1775. (3 volumes) {#4.83}
• Miscellaneous Records, 1782-1834. (1 folder) {#4.84}
• Record Books of Bonds Due the Custom House, 1785-1788. (2 volumes) {#4.85}
• Records of the Health Office, 1783-1798. (6 folders) {#4.86}
• Records of the Wardens of the Port, 1776-1809. (2 boxes) {#4.87}
• Register of Drawbacks on Goods Exported, 1785-1786. (1 volume) {#4.88}
• Registers of Tonnage Duties, 1775-1776, 1784-1789. (10 volumes) {#4.89}
• Registers of Duties Paid on Imported Goods, 1781-1787. (6 volumes) {#4.90}
• Registry Statements of Cargo Contents, Duties Paid, and Drawbacks, 1782-1785, 1788. (7 folders) {#4.91}
• Reports of Imposts Due, 1783-1788. (1 folder) {#4.92}
• Vessel Registry Vouchers, 1781-1782. (1 folder) {#4.93}

RG-5, Records of the CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS AND THE COUNCIL OF CENSORS

Four constitutional conventions have been held since the first convention wrote the Constitution of 1776. These succeeding conventions, convened in 1789, 1837, 1872 and 1967, were held in response to demands for sweeping changes to the existing constitution. Procedures for the convening of constitutional conventions have varied since they were established by the legislatures which issued the convention call. The 1776 and 1789 conventions were held without any prior approval by the general electorate.

The 1776 Provincial Convention was held as a result of a calling by a conference of extra-legal Committees of Correspondence. The Constitution which it produced provided for an elected body known as the Council of Censors to serve as a check on the executive and legislative branches. The Council was to be elected every seven years, and was to convene for a period of one year. The Council was given the authority to censure public officials, order impeachments, recommend the repeal of legislation, and if necessary, call for a convention to amend the Constitution. This machinery for constitutional revision was ignored in 1789 when the General Assembly called for a constitutional convention. All provisions for the Council of Censors were omitted from the Constitution of 1790.

Constitutional Convention of 1776

Minute Book, 1776. (1 volume) {#5.1}

Council of Censors, 1783-1784

Journals, 1783-1784. (1 box, 1 microfilm roll) {#5.2}

Constitutional Convention of 1837-1838

• Accounts, 1837-1839. (2 folders) {#5.3}
• Committee Minute Books, 1837-1838. (2 volumes) {#5.4} Journal, 1837-1838. (8 boxes) {#5.5}

RG-7, Records of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Legislative power is vested in a General Assembly, which consists of a House of Representatives and a Senate. The General Assembly has the authority to enact laws, appropriate funds and levy taxes. Additional powers of the legislature include the proposal of constitutional amendments, the impeachment of public officials, investigatory authority, and the confirmation of certain executive appointments. The first State General Assembly was a unicameral body established under the Constitution of 1776. It was given vast powers which enabled it to dominate the other two branches of state government. This imbalance was corrected with the adoption of subsequent constitutions, beginning with the Constitution of 1790, which created a bicameral assembly and a popularly elected governor. For additional materials relating to Legislative Service Agencies, see the Records of the Legislative Reference Bureau (RG-36).

Some of the collections of interest for studying the early American economy include the following. See the Archives' website for more detailed information about collections going beyond the Civil War.

General Assembly

• Committee Book, 1785. (1 volume) {#7.1}
• Minute Books, 1779-1781, 1783-1784, 1788. (4 volumes) {#7.2}
• Petitions and Miscellaneous Records, 1776-1790. (3 boxes) {#7.3}

House of Representatives

• Committee Books, 1790-1819. (5 volumes) {#7.5}
• House File, 1790-1903. (66 boxes, 1 carton) {#7.11}
• Journals, 1791-1810, 1959-1962, 1969-1978. (21 cartons, 57 boxes) {#7.12}
• Minute Books, 1797-1798, 1813-1814, 1821-1822, 1856. (31 volumes) {#7.14}
• Roll Book, 1811-1813. (1 volume) {#7.25}
• Septennial Census Returns, 1779-1863. (13 boxes, 2 bundles) {#7.26}

House of Representatives and Senate

• Committee Hearing Transcripts, Testimony and Reports Received from the State Library, 1820-1980. (369 volumes) {#7.30}

RG-8, Records of the GENERAL LOAN OFFICE AND STATE TREASURER

The General Loan Office was first established in 1723 to supervise the issuance of bills of credit secured by mortgages on real estate. Additional issues of paper money were periodically authorized by the Provincial and Revolutionary governments. However, the issuance of new bills of credit by the state governments was forbidden by the United States Constitution. In 1790 the powers of the Trustees of the Loan Office were transferred to the State Treasurer. Another Loan Office was created in 1793, but it was abolished the following year. In 1805 the General Assembly approved legislation which declared all outstanding paper money irredeemable if not presented to the State Treasurer before January of the following year. For related background material on the General Loan Office see also Benjamin Franklin's First Government Printing: The Pennsylvania General Loan Office Mortgage Register of 1729, and Subsequent Franklin Mortgage Registers and Bonds by Keith Arbour in Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, Vol. 89, Pt. 5, 1999.

• Cash Books, 1786-1795. (2 volumes) {#8.1}
• Day Books, 1787-1803. (3 volumes) {#8.2}
• Index to Loan Office Papers, undated. (1 volume) {#8.3}
• Journals, 1774-1819. (2 volumes) {#8.4}
• Ledgers, 1774-1819. (3 volumes) {#8.5}
• Miscellaneous Accounts and Related Papers, 1773-1819. (1 box) {#8.6}
• Mortgage Books, 1774-1788. (4 volumes) {#8.7}
• Mortgages and Related Valuations, 1773-1793. (5 boxes) {#8.8}
• Record of Mortgagors, Land Mortgaged, and Cash Received, 1785-1787. (1 volume) {#8.9}
• Statement Book of Balances Due on Mortgages, 1804. (1 volume) {#8.10}
• Waste Books Recording Money Lent and Received, 1774-1819. (2 volumes) {#8.11}

RG-15, Records of the DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

The Department of Justice represented the government in litigation involving the Commonwealth and was responsible for providing legal advice to the Governor and all departments, boards and commissions. The head of the Department and chief law enforcement officer of the state was the Attorney General, whose appointment was first mentioned in the Constitution of 1776. Prior to 1923 the Department of Justice was known as the Attorney-General's Department. Included in the Department of Justice were the Board of Pardons, first established in 1874, and the Bureau of Correction, which was created in 1953 to administer the state correctional institutions formerly maintained by the Department of Welfare. The Attorney General became an elected officer in accordance with a constitutional amendment approved in 1978. The first elected Attorney General assumed office in 1981, and the functions of the Department of Justice were transferred to the Office of the Attorney General, and to the Governor's Office Bureau of Corrections, which later became a Department in its own right. The Commonwealth was one of the first political entities to abolish the use of corporal punishment for crime and to replace it with a system of rehabilitation through incarceration.

Eastern State Penitentiary

• Prison Construction Records
  • Annual Report of the Commissioners for the Erection of a State Penitentiary, 1828. (1 volume) {#15.31}
  • Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for the Erection of a State Penitentiary, Including Rough Copies, 1821-1833. (3 boxes) {#15.32}
  • Records Relating To The Construction Of The Eastern State Penitentiary Including Land Acquisition Papers, Correspondence, Time and Payroll Records and Accounts, 1821-1839, 1845. (1 box, 5 volumes, 4 folders) {#15.33}
• Prison Administration Records
  • Annual and Special Reports, 1829-1908, 1920-1943. (42 volumes) {#15.34}
  • Bill Book, 1853-1857. (1 volume) {#15.35}
  • Board of Inspectors Remission of Cost Reports, 1842. (1 folder) {#15.36}
  • County Accounts, 1831-1867, 1869-1870, 1885-1892. (9 folders, 1 volume) {#15.37}
  • Index to the Acts of Assembly Relating to the Eastern State Penitentiary, undated. (1 volume). {#15.41}
  • Journal Relating to the Third Block, 1855-1869. (1 volume) {#15.42}
  • Minute Books of the Board of Inspectors and Board of Trustees of the Eastern State Penitentiary, 1829-1953. (16 volumes) {#15.44}
  • Receipt Books, 1830-1863. (4 volumes) {#15.45}
  • Registers of Visitors, 1829-1854. (3 volumes) {#15.46}
  • Warden's Daily Journals, 1829-1961. (23 volumes) {#15.50}
• Prison Population Records
  • Admission and Discharge Books, 1844-1888. (3 volumes) {#15.51}
  • Commitment Papers, 1841, 1861-1904. (7 boxes) {#15.53}
  • Convict Affidavit Books, 1835-1839, 1850-1856. (2 volumes) {#15.55}
  • Convict Reception Registers, 1842-1929. (93 volumes) {#15.56}
  • Descriptive Registers, 1829-1903. (5 volumes) {#15.57}
  • Discharge Books, 1830-1858. (2 volumes) {#15.59}
  • Miscellaneous Descriptive Books, 1829-1842. (3 volumes) {#15.62}
  • Statistical Books, 1835-1852, 1871-1909, 1911-1913, 1915. (7 volumes) {#15.67}

Western State Penitentiary

• Prison Administration And Construction Records
  • Contract Book, 1837-1856. (1 volume) {#15.106}
  • Journal Containing Minutes and Reports of the Board of Commissioners to Erect the Western State Penitentiary, 1818-1835. (1 volume) {#15.108}
  • Letter Book, 1837-1859. (1 volume) {#15.109}
  • Minute Books of the Board of Inspectors and Board of Trustees, 1826-1931. (13 volumes) {#15.110}
  • Report Books, 1837-1952. (30 volumes) {#15.115}
  • Visitors' Register, 1848-1860. (1 volume) {#15.118}
  • Warden's Daily Journals, 1869-1875. (3 volumes) {#15.119}
• Prison Population Records
  • Convict Docket, 1826-1859. (1 volume) {#15.124}
  • Descriptive Books, 1826-1873. (4 volumes) {#15.127}
  • Descriptive Register, 1826-1876. (1 volume) {#15.129}
  • Population Indexes, [ca. 1826-1960]. (5 volumes) {#15.133}
  • Record of County and Federal Prisoners, 1857-1870, (1 volume) {#15.135}

RG-17, Records of the LAND OFFICE

The origins of the Proprietary Land Office may be traced to 1682 when William Penn appointed Thomas Holme Surveyor General. Under a constantly evolving set of procedures and relationships, the Surveyor General cooperated with the Secretary of Proprietary Affairs, a Master of Rolls, a Receiver General, and Commissioners of Property in conducting the sale of Pennsylvania lands. Acting collectively, the various officers who comprised the Land Office were responsible for accepting applications, issuing warrants, surveying tracts, verifying returns of survey and granting patents for tracts of land in Pennsylvania. By 1699 the Land Office was operating from Samuel Carpenter's Philadelphia residence, sometimes called the Slate Roof House, where William Penn and Secretary of Proprietary Affairs James Logan then resided. The Land Office was moved to Clark's Hall when Deputy Governor John Evans arrived in Philadelphia in 1704. When William Penn's heirs, Thomas and John Penn, acted as Commissioners of Property from 1733-1741 they conducted Land Office business from their home. Upon their return to England, the Penn brothers abolished the positions of Commissioners of Property and delegated responsibility for signing warrants and patents to the Deputy Governor. The Secretary of Provincial Affairs began conducting land office business from rooms in the west wing of the new State House, the present day Independence Hall, during the early 1740s.

After the outbreak of the Revolutionary War the proprietary Land Office ceased to function. The Divesting Act of 1779 transferred ownership of most of the remaining 22 million acres of proprietary lands to the Commonwealth. In 1781 the Revolutionary Era State Assembly created a new State Land Office consisting of a Secretary, a Receiver General, and a Surveyor General who were assigned the records and responsibilities of their proprietary predecessors of the same titles. A Board of Property, similar to Commissioners of Property under the Penn government, was also created in 1782 to hear and determine cases of disputes arising from the transaction of Land Office business. The Board initially consisted of either the president or vice-president of the Supreme Executive Council, an additional member of the Council, and the appointed officers of the Land Office.

In 1809, the offices of Receiver General and Master of Rolls were abolished and the responsibilities of collecting purchase money and enrolling state laws were assigned to the Secretary of the Land Office and the Secretary of the Commonwealth respectively. In that year, the patent books and land-title papers of the Master of Rolls were transferred to the Secretary of the Land Office. In 1843, the functions of the Secretary of the Land Office were inherited by the Surveyor General. The Constitution of 1873 transferred the duties of the Surveyor General and the Land Office to the Secretary of Internal Affairs. The Land Office Bureau, or as it was later designated, the Bureau of Land Records, remained in the Department of Internal Affairs until 1968, when it was assigned to the Department of Community Affairs. In 1981, the Bureau of Land Records and its functions were transferred to the Historical and Museum Commission where it became the Division of Land Records in 1986. In 1989 the Division of Land Records was merged into the Division of Archives and Manuscripts within the Bureau of Archives and History and no longer existed as an independent entity. In the year 2000, the patenting functions of the Land Office were placed into the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The Division of Archives and Manuscripts in the Bureau of Archives and History of the Historical and Museum Commission remains the depository of original titles and conveyances and the custodian of deeds and instruments relating to real estate owned by the Commonwealth.

The Land Office was also custodian of the records of the Pennsylvania Board of Canal Commissioners which was authorized in 1826 to construct and operate a state canal system. In 1857 and 1858 the waterways and adjunct railroads of the Pennsylvania Canal were sold by the Commonwealth. When the Board of Canal Commissioners was abolished in 1859 its records were transferred first to the Department of Auditor General, and then in 1885 to the Department of Internal Affairs. With the transfer of the Land Office to the Historical and Museum Commission in 1981, these records came to reside with the other Land Office records in the Division of Archives and Manuscripts.

For each series title, the Land Office microfilm (LO) roll number is given where applicable as well as the page number (PLR) on which the records are described in Donna Munger's Pennsylvania Land Records, A History and Guide for Research. In order to avoid confusion among patrons using this published finding aid, to the extent practical series titles have been made to conform to titles appearing in Donna Munger's guide. This WEB finding aid contains numerous additions, revisions and corrections to Donna Munger's guide and in cases of conflicting information this WEB finding aid should be regarded as the more accurate. The series titles for the records of the Land Office are here arranged by functional groupings that reflect the evolving procedures used for granting land in Pennsylvania during the last three centuries. Occasionally, more than one record series will be found bound within a single volume and these are therefore listed as separate series. Records relating to special programs such as islands, Connecticut and Virginia Claims, Donation and Depreciation lands, Nicholson lands and the graduated land program are grouped into their respective categories together with a historical explanation of the special circumstances involved. Correspondence, minute books, ledgers, journals, and daybooks that represent routine daily or monthly operations of commissions, boards, or offices continue to be grouped together under the offices by which they were created and are accompanied by a history of the respective commission, board, or office.

I. Records of Pre-Penn Settlement

· Patents by Royal Governors of New York, 1667-1682. (1 volume){#17.1

· Patents by Royal Governors of New York, 1667-1682. (1 volume, Binding 26){#17.2}

· New Castle County Survey Notes, 1673-1679. (1 volume) {#17.3}

· Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex Surveys, 1675-1735. (1 volume) {#17.4}
 
II. Deeds of Lease and Release

· Leases and Releases, 1684-1706. (4 volumes, Bindings 78, 29, 80, 81) {#17.5}

· General Index to Leases and Releases, undated. (1 volume, Binding 77) {#17.6}
 
III. Warrant Applications

A. Loose Warrant Applications

· Applications for Warrants, 1734-1952 (70 cartons) {#17.7

· Application Lists, 1742-1774. (2 folders) {#17.8}

· Warrant Applications, 1742-1865 (1 carton) {#17.9}

· Applications, 1755-1866. (1 carton, 1 box) {#17.10}

· Warrant Applications, A-Z, [ca. 1760s]. (1 box) {#17.11}

· Applications for Warrants, New Purchase, 1769. (2 cartons) {#17.12}

· Miscellaneous Applications for Warrants, 1784-1834. (2 cartons) {#17.13}

· Pre-emption Applications, 1785. (6 folders) {#17.14}

· Warrant Application Lists, 1785-1865. (25 folders) {#17.15}

· Applications for Warrants, 1792-1866. (1 box) {#17.16}

· Applications for Riverbed Warrants, 1803, 1848-1865. (20 folders) {#17.17}

Transcript Books, 1732-1774

· Applications, 1732-1733. (1 volume, Binding 123) {#17.24}

· Applications, 1741-1746. (1 volume, Binding 121) {#17.25}

· Applications, 1755-1756. (1 volume, Binding 125) {#17.26}

· Special Applications, 1760-1765. (1 volume, Binding 166) {#17.27}

· Applications, 1762-1766. (1 volume, Binding 126, 127, 128) {#17.28}

· Applications, March 26 to December 11, 1767. (1 volume, Binding 122) {#17.29}

· Applications for Warrant, 1768-1771. (1 volume, Binding 124) {#17.30}

· Applications for Survey for Last Purchase, Nos. 1-3849, 1769-1773. (1 volume, Binding 113) {#17.31}

Warrant Application Registers

· East Side Applications Received, 1765-1766. (1 volume, Binding 105) {#17.32}

· East Side Applications, 1765-1766. (1 volume, Binding 107) {#17.33}

· East Side of Susquehanna Application Book, 1765-1769. (1 volume, Binding 63) {#17.34}

· East Side Applications, 1765-1769. (1 volume) {#17.35}

· Application Books, East Side, 1765-1769. (2 volumes, Bindings 108, 109) {#17.36}

· East Side Applications Register, 1765-1769. (2 volumes) {#17.37}

· West Side Applications Register, 1766-1769. (1 volume) {#17.38}

· West Side Applications, 1766-1769. (1 volume, Binding 64) {#17.39}

· West Side Applications, 1766-1769. (1 volume) {#17.40}

· West Side Application Book, 1767-1769. (1 volume, Binding 110) {#17.41}

· New Purchase, 1769. (1 volume) {#17.42}

· New Purchase Register, 1769. (1 volume) {#17.43}

· New Purchase Applications, Nos. 1-3683, 1769. (1 volume) {#17.44}

· Applicants, 1784-1785 (1 volume, Binding 99) {#17.45}

· Record of Land Applicants, 1784-1786. (3 volumes, Bindings 100, 101, 102) {#17.46}

· Applications, 1794. (1 volume) {#17.47}

Warrant Application Indexes

· Alphabetical Index, 1 to 3267 East Side Applications, 1765-1765. (1 volume, Binding 131) {#17.49}

· Index to East Side Applications, 1765-1769. (1 volume, Binding 106) {#17.50}

· Index to New Purchase Applications, 1769. (1 volume, Binding 111) {#17.51}

IV. Warrants

A. Loose Original Warrants

· Original Warrants, [1682-present] (218 cartons, 3 boxes) {#17.53}

· Miscellaneous Warrant Copies and Related Papers, 1701-1776 (10 folders) {#17.54}

· Warrants: York County. Springettsbury Manor, [ca. 1738-1813] {#17.55}

· Warrants: John Baynton and Samuel Wharton, 1762-1838 (5 folders) {#17.56}

· Original Warrants: Depreciation Lands, 1785-1819 (1 carton, 1 box) {#17.57}

· Original Warrants: Northumberland Lottery, 1785 (1 carton) {#17.58}

· Original Warrants: Last Purchase, 1785-1817 (10 cartons) {#17.59}

· Deputy Counterparts Warrants, 1788-1793. (3 cartons) {#17.60}

· Warrants Written But Not Issued, 1793-1794. (4 cartons) {#17.61}

· Warrants Signed But Not Pursued, 1793-1794. (1 carton) {#17.62}

B. Warrant Book No. 3, 1682-1684. (1 volume, Book 15) {#17.63}

· Warrants, 1682-1684. (1 volume, Book 16) {#17.64}

· Proprietary Warrants, 1682-1686. (2 volumes, Books 26, 41) {#17.65}

· Warrant Book, 1685-1691. (1 volume, Books 14) {#17.66}

· Warrant Book, 1700-1715. (1 volume, Book 117) {#17.67}

· Proprietary and Commissioner Warrants, 1700-1715. (2 volumes, Books 36, 37) {#17.68}

· Warrant Book, 1715-1741. (1 volume, Book 118) {#17.69}

· Warrants of Property, 1714-1735. (1 volume, Book 28) {#17.70}

· Warrant Register, 1716-1739. (1 volume, Book 22) {#17.71}

· Fragments of Warrant Book, 1A-1B, 1729-1741. (1 volume) {#17.72}

· Warrants, 1682-1684. (1 volume, Book 16) {#17.73}

· Transcripts of Old Rights Warrants Issued 1682-1732, 1759. (11 volumes) {#17.74}

· Transcripts of New Warrants, 1733-1759. (12 volumes) {#17.75}

· Warrant Books, 1775-1776, 1781-1814, 1827-1848, 1863-1888. (16 volumes) {#17.76}

C. Warrant and Old Rights Registers

· Old Rights Index for Bucks and Chester Counties, 1682-1740. (1 volume) {#17.78}

· Philadelphia Old Rights, 1682-1745. (1 volume) {#17.79}

· Warrants for City Lots Book, 1682-1761. (1 volume, Binding 115) {#17.80}

· Warrant Book, 1682-1761. (1 volume, Binding 116) {#17.81}

· Warrant Register Book, 1682-1762. (1 volume, Binding 114) {#17.82}

· Original Purchases Register, 1687-1762. (1 volume) {#17.83}

· Warrant Register, 1719, 1737, 1741-1744. (1 volume) {#17.84}

· Warrant Book No. 27, 1733-1734. (1 volume, Binding 6f) {#17.85}

· Warrant Book, 1733-1737. (1 volume, Binding 6e) {#17.86}

· Warrant Register, 1733-1738. (1 volume, Binding 51) {#17.87}

· Warrant Registers With Green Covers, 1733-1957. (21 volumes) {#17.88}

· Warrant Registers With White Covers, 1733-1957. (10 volumes) {#17.89}

· Register of Old and New Rights for Bucks, Chester, Philadelphia, Lancaster Counties, 1734-1759. (2 volumes, Binding 138, 139) {#17.90}

· Fragments of Warrant Register 1A-1B, 1739-1741. (1 volume) {#17.91}

· Warrant Register, 1741-1744. (1 volume, Binding 119) {#17.92}

· Warrant Book No. 9, 1741-1748. (1 volume, Binding 13) {#17.93}

· Warrant Register, 1741-1752. (1 volume, Binding 57) {#17.94}

· Warrant Book No. 18, 1745-1746. (1 volume, Binding 12) {#17.95}

· Warrant Book, 1747-1748. (1 volume, Binding 6c) {#17.96}

· Warrant Register for Bucks, Chester, Philadelphia, Lancaster and York Counties, 1748-1752. (1 volume, Binding 143) {#17.97}

· Warrant Book for Cumberland, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Northampton and York Counties, 1749-1760. (1 volume) {#17.98}

· Warrant Books 20, 21, 22, and unnumbered, 1750-1757. (4 volumes, Bindings 8, 9, 10, 11) {#17.99}

· Warrant Register, 1752-1759. (1 volume, Binding 54) {#17.100}

· Warrant Books, 1775-76, 1781-1814, 1827-1848, 1863-1888. (16 volumes) {#17.101}

· Incomplete Warrant Register for Bedford, Blair, Centre, Clinton, and Huntingdon Counties, [ca. 1776-1871]. (1 volume) {#17.102}

· Incomplete Warrant Register for Armstrong, Elk, Indiana, Montour, Snyder, Washington and Westmoreland Counties, [ca, 1785-1866] (1 volume) {#17.103}

· Last Purchase Alphabetical Warrant Register, 1785-1821. (1 volume, Binding 164) {#17.104}

· Last Purchase Warrant Register, 1785-1821. (1 volume) {#17.105}

· Warrant Books for Bedford, Greene, Luzerne, Tioga, Lycoming, Northampton, and Somerset Counties, 1792-1816. (2 volumes, Binding 146, 147) {#17.106}

· List of Land Applicants, March 15, 1794, (1 volume, Binding 103) {# 17.107}

· Warrant Register 14 for Franklin, Fulton, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, and Union Counties, undated. (1 volume) {#17.108}

· Baynton and Wharton Warrant Register, undated. (1 volume) {#17.109}

D. Warrant Indexes

· Proprietary Rights Index, 1683-1808 & undated. (2 volumes) {#17.110}

· Warrant Book Indexes, 1700-1741, 1793-1795, & undated. (15 volumes) {#17.111}

V. Surveys

A. Original Surveys

· Original (Loose) Surveys, 1662-present. (152 cartons, 1 box) {#17.112}

· Proprietary Manor Surveys, 1717-1776. (34 folders) {#17.113}

B. Copied Surveys

· Copied Surveys, 1682-1912. (477 volumes) {#17.114}

D. Maps

· Land Office Map Collection, 1680-ongoing, & undated. (3,783 maps) {#17.522}

VI. Returns of Survey

A. Loose Returns of Survey

· Returns of Survey (Loose), 1678-1870. (103 cartons and 1 box) {#17.117}

· Drafts of Surveys [ca. 1734-1792, undated]. (5 folders) {#17.118}

· Returns for the Re-Survey of Callowhill, 1744-1746. (2 folders) {#17.119}

· Miscellaneous Returns of Survey, 1756-1809. (6 folders) {#17.120}

B. Copied Returns of Survey

· Returns of Philadelphia City Lots, No. 2, 1681-1684. (1 volume, Binding 93) {#17.121}

· Returns of Surveys, A-1, 1684-1693. (1 volume, Binding 68) {#17.122}

· Recorded Surveys, No. 32, 1684-1693. (1 volume, Binding 6d) {#17.123}

· Register of Surveys, 1684-1700, 1716-1724. (1 volume, Binding 7) {#17.124}

· Returns for Bucks, Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Lancaster and Philadelphia Counties, 1684-1759. (3 volumes, Bindings 32, 33, 53) {#17.125}

· Philadelphia County and City Returns and Bucks County Returns, 1684-1759. (3 microfilm rolls) {#17.126}

· Returns for Bucks and Philadelphia Counties, 1719-1738. (1 volume, Binding 149) {#17.127}

· Copies of the Surveyor General's Returns, 1700-1736. (1 volume, Binding 18) {#17.128}

· Returns of Survey, 1733-1744. (1 volume) {#17.129}

· Returns for Lancaster County, 1733-1759. (3 volumes, Binding 33, 45, 48){#17.130}

· Returns for Berks County, A to Z, 1733-1759. (1 volume, Binding 53) {#17.131}

· Returns for York County, A to Z, 1733-1759. (1 volume, Binding 29) {#17.132}

· Returns for Cumberland County, A to Z, 1733-1759. (1 volume, Binding 53) {#17.133}

· Returns for Northampton County, A to Z, 1733-1759. (1 volume, Binding 29) {#17.134}

· Returns for Berks, Bucks, Cumberland, Chester, Lancaster, Northampton, and York Counties, 1734-1760. (1 volume, Binding 27) {#17.135}

· Surveyor General's Returns of Survey, No. 5, 1736-1740. (1 volume, Binding 75) {#17.136}

· Record of Returns of Surveys, 1740-1747. (1 volume, Binding 76) {#17.137}

· Returns of Survey, 1748-1753. (1 volume, Binding 19) {#17.138}

· Returns of Survey, 1753-1759. (1 volume) {#17.139}

VII. Patents

A. Loose Patents and Papers Related to Patents

· Miscellaneous Patents and Canceled Patents, 1700-1942. (6 cartons) {#17.140}

· Applications for Patents Refused, 1786-1924 (1 box) {#17.528}

B. Patent Transcript Books

· Patent Books, A and AA Series, 1684-1781. (31 volumes, Bindings A1-A20, AA1-AA9, and AA12-AA16) {#17.142}

· Commission Books, 1733-1809. (6 volumes) {#17.143}

· Patent Books, P Series with Index, 1781-1809. (65 volumes) {#17.144

· Patent Books, H Series, 1809-present. (80 volumes) {#17.145}

C. Patent Registers

· Warrant Book, 1684-1691. (1 volume, Binding 14) {#17.146}

· Patent Index, A and AA Series, 1684-1781. (1 volume) {#17.147}

· Patent Register, 1701-1728. (1 volume) {#17.148}

· Warrant and Patent Registers, 1700-1728. (1 volume, Binding 22) {#17.149}

· Patent Book, 1732-1741. (1 volume, Binding 6) {#17.150}

· Patent Books, 1733-1753. (3 volumes, Bindings 2, 3, 60){#17.151}

· Indexes to Patent Books, 1768-1775, 1796-1797, 1837-1839, & undated. (8 volumes) {#17.152}

· Patent Register, 1781-1786. (2 volumes, Bindings 129, 148) {#17.153}

· Patent Index, P Series, 1781-1809. (4 volumes) {#17.154}

· Patent Index, H Series, 1809-present. (5 volumes) {#17.155}

· Patent Register, 1873-1933. (1 volume) {#17.156}

· Patent Book, Lancaster County, [ca. 1734-1789]. (1 volume) {#17.157}

VIII. Records of Island Programs

· Islands Applications, 1757-1793, 1912. (95 folders) {#17.159}

· Applications for Islands, 1791-1811. (1 volume, Binding 163) {#17.160}

· Islands in the Susquehanna, 1793-1812. (1 volume) {#17.161}

· Orders for Islands, 1793-1901. (4 cartons) {#17.162}

· Islands in the Susquehanna River, 1797-1906. (1 volume) {#17.163}

· Islands in the Rivers Delaware, Ohio, Allegheny, Schuylkill, Etc., 1798-1903. (1 volume) {#17.164}

 

IX. Records of Donation Lands in the Purchase of 1784

· Pennsylvania Line Entitled to Donation Land, [ca. 1780-1794]. {#17.165}

· Donation Lands Granted to the Pennsylvania Line, [ca. 1780-1830]. (1 volume) {#17.166}

· Muster Rolls (Actually Lists of Unpaid Militia Fines for Absent Soldiers), 1782-1834. (2 folders) {#17.167}

· Donation Claimant Papers and Miscellaneous Patents, [ca. 1785-1810]. (4 cartons) {#17.168}

· Donation Land Patents, [ca. 1785-1810]. (23 folders) {#17.169}

· Register of Donation Land Patenting Fees, 1786-1796. (1 volume) {#17.170}

· Lists of Donation Land Lots Lying in New York, 1791-1796. (1 volume, Binding 135) {#17.171}

· Donation Land Book, 1791-1808. (1 volume) {#17.172}

· Claimants for Donation Lands [ca. 1792-1799]. {#17.173}

· Donation Land Register, [ca. 1794]. (1 volume, Binding 34) {#17.174}

· Transmittals of Patents for Donation Lands, 1803-1809. (1 folder) {#17.175}

· Lists of Donation Lands for the Pennsylvania Line, 1813 {#17.176}

· Applications for Donation Lands Lots, 1813-1868. (3 folders) {#17.177}

X. Records of Depreciation Land Program

· Journal for Depreciation Lands and Philadelphia and Beaver Town Lots,1783-1796. (1 volume) {#17.179

· Depreciation Land Drafts, 1785-1789. (15 folders) {#17.180}

· Depreciation Certificates Canceled, No. 1, undated. (1 volume, Binding 137) {#17.181}

· Depreciation Land Ledger, undated. (1 volume) {#17.182}

· Depreciation Ticket Book, undated. (1 volume) {#17.183}

· Depreciation Land Register, undated. (1 volume) {#17.185}

XI. Records of Connecticut Claims

· Letters of Evidence of Hanover, Newport, Wilkes Barre, Kingston, [ca. 1779-1799]. (1 volume, Binding 57) {#17.186}

· Connecticut Settlement File of the Supreme Executive Council, 1782-1819. (1 carton, 1 box) {#17.187}

· Deeds of Release and Related Records for Connecticut Claims, 1787-1801. (1 box) {#17.188}

· Minutes of Evidence Respecting Titles of Connecticut Claimants, [ca. 1787-1807]. (3 volumes, Bindings 71, 72, 73) {#17.189}

· Book of Fifteen Townships (Connecticut Claimants), [ca. 1793-1807]. (1 volume, Binding 61) {#17.190}

· Alphabetical List of Returns for Seventeen Townships, [ca, 1799]. (1 folder) {#17.191}

· Schedule of Returns of Survey, [ca. 1799]. (1 folder) {#17.192}

· Abstracts of Releases of Connecticut Claims, 1799-1801. (1 folder) {#17.193}

· Docket and List of Applicants in Certified Townships, 1799-1803. (1 folder) {#17.194}

· Miscellaneous Drafts of Surveys for Connecticut Claims, 1799-1819. (1 folder) {#17.195

· Luzerne County Release Books,1799-1822. (2 volumes. Bindings 1 and 2) {#17.196}

· Seventeen Townships: Re-Survey Papers, [ca. 1799-1810, 1825]. (450 folders) {#17.197}

· Names of Releasors to John and Richard Penn By Their Attorney Edmond Physick [ca. 1800]. (2 volumes, Bindings A and B) {#17.198}

· Abstracts of Deeds of Application for Connecticut Claims, [ca. 1800]. (1 box) {#17.199}

· Letters of Pennsylvania Claimants, 1800-1804. (2 volumes, Bindings 59 and 62) {#17.200}

· Commissioners' Letters, 1801-1802. (1 folder) {#17.201}

· Luzerne Certified Townships, [ca. 1804-1810]. (18 folders) {#17.202}

· Journal of Commissioners, 1810 (1 volume, Binding 23) {#17.203}

· Seventeen Certified Townships: Surveys and Certifications, [ca. 1800-1830s, 1895-1912]. (12 volumes) {#17.204

· Certified Townships: Luzerne County, undated. (1 volume) {#17.205}

· Lists of Warrantees of Connecticut Claims, undated. (1 folder) {#17.207}

· Classification and Valuation for the Seventeen Townships, undated. (2 volumes, Bindings 60 and 70) {#17.208}

XII. Records of Virginia Claims

· Virginia Entries, 1779-1780. (2 volumes) (series #17.209)

· Returns for Virginia Claimants, 1779-1920. (1 folder) {#17.210}

· Lists of Virginia Lands Returned as Delinquent and Sold, 1816-1820. (1 folder) {#17.211}

XIII. Records Relating to Vacant Land Law of 1792

· Title Papers (Including Pre-Patent Deed Polls under 1811 Law), 1695-1836. (6 cartons) · Population Land Company Prevention Certificates, [ca. 1792-1798]. (1 carton)

· Proof of Settlement Certificates, [ca. 1792-1865]. (4 cartons) {#17.214}

· Certificates of Exoneration, 1795-1856 & undated. (1 carton) {#17.215}

· Holland Land Company Prevention Certificates, 1798. (1 carton, 1 box) {#17.216}

XIV. Records of Nicholson Lands

· John Nicholson Office Expense and Depreciation Accounts, 1762-1786. (1 folder) {#17.217}

· Articles of Impeachment, 1792. (1 folder) {#17.218}

· John Nicholson Donation Lands Warrant Book, 1792-1794. (1 volume) {#17.219}

· John Nicholson Correspondence, 1792-1797. (3 folders) {#17.220}

· Nicholson Promissory Payment Book, 1793-1794. (1 folder) {#17.221}

· Deed Polls for Nicholson Lands, 1793-1795. (2 folders) {#17.222}

· John Nicholson Papers, 1795-1856. (2 cartons) {#17.223}

· Nicholson Lands: Commissioners' Returns of Sale, 1797-[ca. 1845]. (1 volume) {#17.224}

· Bonds to the Treasurer of the Commonwealth, 1808-1842. (1 folder) {#17.225}

· Minute Book of the Special Board Appointed by Act of April 11, 1825, 1831-1837. (1 volume) {#17.226}

· Joseph B. Anthony Investigative Report on Nicholson Case, 1839. (1 folder) {#17.227}

· Minutes of the Board of Commissioners Constituted Under Act of April 16, 1840, 1840-1843. (1 volume) {#17.228}

· Deed Book for Nicholson Lands [Sold Under Act of 1840], 1840-1843. (1 volume) {#17.229}

· Minute Book of Nicholson's Court, 1841-1843. (1 volume) {#17.230}

· Printed List of Warrantee Names of the Nicholson Court, [ca. 1792-1841]. (5 volumes) {#17.231}

· Correspondence of Nicholson Land Commissioners, 1842. (1 box) {#17.232}

· Agreements, 1842-1843 (1 folder) {#17.233}

· Docket Book of Suits in Court, undated. (1 folder) {#17. 234}
 
XVI. Records of Town Lots

A. Philadelphia Lots

· Original Surveys for Philadelphia City Lots and Proprietary Tracts, 1678-1800. (21 volumes) {#17.237}

· Lotts of the 4 Streets, Philadelphia City Lots, 1682. (1 item) {#17.238}

· Philadelphia City Lots, 1682-1781. (5 folders) {#17.239}

· Philadelphia City Lots, No. 31, 1683-1740. (1 volume, Binding 65) {#17.240}

· Miscellaneous Survey Papers for Philadelphia Lots, 1746-1828, undated. (18 folders) {#17.241

· Regulations for Philadelphia Lots. 1727-1765. (1 folder) {#17.242}

· Philadelphia Dock Records, 1728-1790. (1 box) {#17.243}

· Benjamin Eastburn's Plan of Philadelphia, [ca. 1737-1741]. (1 item) {#17.244}

· Plans of Philadelphia Lots Sold at Auction, 1781-1782. (1 box) {#17.245}

· List of Sales of Philadelphia Lots, 1781-1788. (1 volume) {#17.246}

· Philadelphia City Lots: Miscellaneous Papers and Returns of Survey, 1781-1797. (1 box) {#17.247}

· Journal of Depreciation Lands, Philadelphia and Beaver Town Lots, November 21, 1783-March 3, 1796. (1 volume) {#17.248}

· Directions of Reference in the City Draft of Philadelphia Lotts, 1698, undated. (1 folder and 1 volume, Binding 61) {#17.249}

B. Proprietary Towns

· Proprietary Town Plans and Surveys, [ca. 1762-1767]. (16 folders)

· Proprietary Town Papers, [ca. 1762-1776 & undated] (9 folders) {#17.251

· A Ground Plan of Reading in the 1750s: First Purchasers Lots as Shown by Land Office Records, undated. (1 item) {#17.252}

C. Commonwealth Towns

· Sunbury, Franklin, Warren and Beaver Town Lots and Franklin, Warren and Waterford Reserve Tracts, 1772-1776, 1794-1857. (1 volume) {#17.253}

· Day Book of Sales by Auction, 1785-1809. (1 volume) {#17.254}

· Journal of Depreciation Lands, and Philadelphia and Beaver Town Lots, November 21, 1785-March 3, 1896. (1 volume) {#17.255}

· Ledger Depreciation Lands and Philadelphia and Beaver Lots, 1785-1897. (1 volume) {#17.256}

· Miscellaneous Records Relating to Town and Out Lots, [ca. 1787-1864]. (2 cartons) {#17.257}

· Allegheny Town and Out Lots, 1788-1797, 1806. (1 volume) {#17.258}

· In and Out Lots on the Reserved Tract Opposite Pittsburgh, 1791. (1 volume) {#17.259}

· Beaver Town Lots, 1793, 1805, 1814, 1834, 1848. (1 volume) {#17.260}

· Miscellaneous Records Relating to Erie Lots, 1796-1808. (2 folders) {#17.261}

· Erie Lots, Reserve Tracts and Water Lots, 1796-1815. (1 volume) {#17.262}

· Erie, Franklin, Warren and Waterford Town and Out Lots, 1797-1809. (1 volume) {#17.263}

· Books of Entries of Patents Issued For In and Out Lots: Erie, Warren, Waterford and Franklin, 1800-1803. (2 volumes) {#17.264}

· Erie Lots, 1801-1810. (1 volume) {#17.265}

· Journals for Erie, Franklin, Warren and Waterford Lots, 1801-1920. (7 volumes) {#17.266}

· Ledgers for Erie, Franklin, Warren and Waterford Lots, 1801-1923. (4 volumes) {#17.267}
 
XVII. Rent Rolls

· Rent Rolls, 1683-1776. (22 volumes in 2 boxes) {#17.269}

· Philadelphia Rent Roll, 1689. (1 volume) {#17.270}

· Extract of a Rent Roll for Ye City of Philadelphia, [ca. 1703]. (1 volume) {#17.271}

· Quit Rent Rolls, 1703-1744. (22 volumes) {#17.272}

· Steel's Rent Roll for Philadelphia, 1731. (1 volume, Binding 66) {#17.273}

· James Logan's Rent Roll Extracts, 1748. (1 folder) {#17.274}
 
XVIII. Deeds

A. Original Deeds

· Miscellaneous Deeds, 1694-1782. (4 cartons) {#17.275}

· Unrecorded Deeds, [ca. 1700-1800]. {#17.276}

· Copies of Recorded Deeds, 1714-1794 (3 folders) {#17.277}

· Miscellaneous Deed Polls, 1789-1832. (4 folders) {#17.278}

· Commonwealth Deeds, 1816-present. (74 cartons) {#17.279}

B. Deed Books

· Release Book B, No. 3, [ca. 1704-1706] (1 volume){#17.282}

· Book of Deeds Recorded, [ca. 1821-1904]. (1 volume) {#17.283}

· Deed Books for State Institutions, 1822-1917. (3 volumes) {#17.284}
 
XIX. Records of the Secretary of the Land Office

· An Account of the Land in Pennsylvania Granted by William Penn . . . to Several Purchasers Within the Kingdom of England, 1681. (1 item) {#17.295

· An Account of the Land in Pennsylvania Granted by William Penn . . . to Several Purchasers Within the Kingdom of England, 1682. (1 item) {#17.296}

· Proprietary Papers, [ca. 1682-1788]. (3 boxes) {#17.297}

· List of First Purchasers,1682-1684. (6 pages) {#17.298}

· Hughes's List #1,1682-1759 (1 volume){#17.299}

· Hughes's List #2, 1682-1759. (1 volume) {#17.300}

· Minutes of the Provincial Council, 1683, 1692 and1712. (1 folder) {#17.301}

· Warrants Peter Grovendike, 1684. (1 volume, Binding 152){#17.302}

· General Correspondence, 1687-1853. (60 boxes) {#17.303}

· Miscellaneous Records 1689-1699, 1759. (1 volume, Binding 39) {#18.304}

· London Company Papers, 1689, 1783. (1 folder) {#17.305}

· Abstract of Lists of Warrants for the Province and Counties, 1706-1741,1756. (1 volume){#17.306}

· James Logan's Correspondence, 1712-1715 & undated. (1 folder) {#17.308}

· James Logan's Account Papers, 1712-1733. (3 folders) {#17.309

· Provincial Road Records, 1712-1773. (2 folders) {#17.311}

· Mortgages, Indentures and Releases, 1716-1873. (1 folder) {#17.312

· Leases, 1722-1734. (2 folders) {#17.313}

· Indentures to William Penn's Heirs, 1732-1760. (5 folders) {#17.314}

· William Allen's Papers, 1733-1753 & undated. (1 folder) {#17.315}

· Richard Peter's Charge on Lands, 1734-1741. (1 volume) {#17.316}

· Miscellaneous Land Records, 1734-1788, undated. (1 box) {#17.317}

· Miscellaneous Conveyances, Bonds, Releases, and Deed Polls [ca. 1734-1794]. (7 folders) {#17.318}

· Blunston Licenses: A Record of Licenses Granted to Sundry Persons to Settle and Take Up Land on the West Side of Susquehanna River, [ca. 1736]. (1 folder) {#17.319}

· Correspondence Relating to Conestoga Manor Land, 1737-1765. (1 folder) {#17.320}

· Records of 1761 Land Lottery, 1737-1767. (1 folder) {#17.321}

· William Peters Family Papers, 1739-1754. (1 box) {#17.322}

· Tickets Issued by Richard Peters, 1740-1756. (1 box) {#17.323}

· List of Surveys in the Rejected File,[ca.1742-1812]. (1 volume, Binding 87). {#17.324}

· Miscellaneous Tickets, 1783-1818. (1 carton) {#17.325}

· Provincial Secretary's Record of Receipts, 1750-1756. (3 folders) {#17.326}

· Warrants to Affix Great Seal to Patents, 1753-1776. (1 folder) {#17.327}

· Baynton and Wharton Papers, [ca.1757]. (1 folder) {#17.328}

· Transcripts of Markham's Papers Received and Account for the Period [ca. 1700],[ca. 1759]. (1 volume, Binding 61) {#17.329}

· Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1774-1850. (1 box) {#17.330}

· Miscellaneous Northumberland Warrants, 1775-1870. (1 folder) {#17.331}

· Transmittals of Warrants, 1781-1809. (5 boxes) {#17.332}

· Abraham Coates Estate Papers, 1782. (1 volume, Binding 142) {#17.333}

· Waste Book Containing Sales by Auction of Depreciation Lands, City Lots, Reserved Tracts, Islands, 1785-1809. (1 volume) {#17.334}

· Fee Books of the Secretary of the Land Office, 1785-1838. (2 boxes) {#17.335}

· Papers Relating to Roads and Rivers, 1791-1800. (1 carton) {#17.336}

· Register of the Lands of the Asylum Company, 1793-1795 (1 volume) {#17.337}

· Westmoreland County Conveyances, 1794-1795. (2 folders) {#17.338}

· Reports of the Secretary of the Land Office, 1800-1804. (1 folder) {#17.339}

· Secretary of the Land Office Letter Books, 1800-1811, 1838-1839 and ca. 1855 (2 volumes) {#17.340}

· Transmittals of Patents, 1803-1809. (1 folder) {#17.341}

· Mortgage Books, 1805-1834 (2 volumes) {#17.342}

· Papers Relating to the Melish Maps, 1817-1826. (2 Boxes) {#17.343}

· Unpatented Land Lists, 1820-1887. (5 boxes) {#17.344}

· Unpatented Land Tickets, 1822-1827. (3 boxes) {#17. 345)

· Indexes to Volumes in the Secretary's Office, [ca. 1837-1838 & undated] (5 volumes) {#17.346}
 
XX. Records of the Office of Receiver General

· Abstracts of Lists of Warrants, 1706-1741. (1 volume) {#17.347}

· Day Books, 1720-1779, 1781-1809. (6 cartons) {#17.348}

· Receiver General Certificates, [ca. 1744-1853 & undated]. (1 box) {#17.349}

· Receiver General Receipts, 1745-1790. (4 folders) {#17.350}

· List of Goods Sold or Cash Received, March 15-June 29, 1774. (1 volume) {#17.351

· Certificates of Indebtedness, 1780. (1 box) {#17.352}

· Miscellaneous Records of Depreciation and Nicholson Lands, 1781-1807. (9 folders) {#17.353}

· Land Warrant and Patent Receipts, 1781-1809. (8 cartons) {#17.354}

· Miscellaneous Receiver General and Treasurer Receipts, 1784-1853. (4 folders) {#17.355}

· New Loan Book of David Rittenhouse, 1783, 1787. (1 volume, Binding 130)

· Fee Book Blotters of the Receiver General, 1784-1955. (13 volumes) {#17.357}

· Certificates of Receipt of Purchase Money, 1786-1809. (5 cartons) {#17.358}

· List of Monies Received by Francis Johnston, Esq., Late Receiver General, 1790-1794. (2 volumes) {#17.359}

· Warrant Receipts for Settlement with John Penn, 1791-1792. (1 folder) {#17.360}

· Copies of Receiver General Reports, 1793. (1 folder) {#17.361}

· Receiver General Certificate Book, 1796-1805. (1 folder) {#17.362}
 
XXI. Records of the Surveyor General

· William Markham's Book, 1682-1689. (1 volume, Binding 17) {#17.363}

· Deputy Surveyors' Order Book, 1682-1693. (1 volume) {#17.364}

· General Correspondence, 1682-1873 & undated. (2 boxes) {#17.365}

· Surveyor General's Dossier, [ca. 1689-1830]. (1 carton, 1 box) {#17.366}

· Orders to Survey for Proprietors and Related Papers, [ca. 1690-1774]. (2 folders) {#17.367}

· Journals, 1701-1710, 1712-1733, 1781-1955. (46 volumes) {#17.368}

· Ledgers, 1701-1710, 1712-1732, 1781-1955. (76 volumes) {#17.369}

· Surveyor General's Copies of Warrants, 1702-1772. (1 folder) {#17.370}

· Deputy Surveyors' Duplicate Commissions and Instructions, 1713-1848. (3 cartons) {#17.371}

· List of Deputy Surveyors, 1713-1850. (2 volumes) {#17.372}

· Deputy Surveyors' Index, 1713-1850. (1 box) {#17.373}

· Miscellaneous Survey Drafts, 1720-1810. (1 carton) {#17.374}

· Disputed Land Papers, 1730-1792). (4 folders) {#17.375}

· Surveyor General Certificates, 1734-1872. (1 carton, 1 box) {#17.376}

· Miscellaneous Deputy Surveyor Records, 1735-1824. (2 folders) {#17.377}

· Orders to Survey for Use of Proprietaries, 1746. (1 volume, Binding 120) {#17.378}

· Letter Books of the Surveyor General, 1762-1764, 1810-1821. (2 volumes) {#17.379}

· Deputy and County Surveyors' Lists of Returns, 1762-1887. (9 volumes) {#17.380

· Rough Drafts of Proprietary Surveys, 1767, undated. (3 folders) {#17.381}

· Depositions, 1767-1823. (1 folder) {#17.382}

· Certificates of Acceptance of Surveys, 1770, 1774. (6 folders) {#17.383}

· Job Chillaway Papers for Wyalusing, 1772-1774. (1 folder) {#17.384}

· Purchase Vouchers, 1784-1949. (59 cartons) {#17.385}

· Surveyor General's Fee Books, 1789-1855, 1860-1870. (16 volumes) {#17.386}

· Surveyor General's Letter Book, 1790-1808. (1 volume) {#17.387}

· Deputy Surveyors' Assigned to Districts, 1791-1799. (1 volume, Binding 167) {#17.388}

· Deputy Surveyors' Account Ledger, 1799-1827. (1 volume) {#17.389}

· Petitions for Appointment of Deputy Surveyors, [ca. 1800-ca. 1831]. (2 cartons) {#17.390}

· Field Notes, [ca. 1825]. (3 folders) {#17.391}

· County Surveyors Election Returns and Oaths, 1850-[ca.1896]. (124 folders) {#17.392}

· Lists of County Surveyors, 1850-1957. (2 volumes) {#17.393}

· Records Relating to Commonwealth Boundaries, 1850-1987. (13 cartons){#17.394

· Oaths of Commissioners, 1853-1859. (1 box) {#17.395}

XXII. Records of the Board of Property

· Board of Property Petitions, 1682-1903 & undated. (4 cartons) {#17.403}

· Board of Property Papers, 1682-1957. (18 cartons, 2 folios) {#17.404}

· Minutes of the Commissioners of Property, Books C, D, E, F, G, H and I, 1685-1691. (5 volumes, Bindings 14, 20, 21, 22, 23) {#17.405}

· Caveats, 1700-1910. (7 cartons) {#17.406}

· Board of Property Depositions, 1717-1867. (5 cartons) {#17.407}

· Index to Caveat Books, 1748-1792. (2 volumes, Bindings 1 and 8) {#17.408}

· Caveat Books No. 5-18, 1769-1940. (13 volumes) {#17.409}

· Caveat Book, 1771-1784. (1 volume, Binding 4) {#17.410}

· Miscellaneous Loose Minutes and Related Papers, 1774-1838. (2 folders) {#17.411}

· Minute Books, 1782-1980. (11 volumes) {#17.412}

· Court Summons and Miscellaneous Ejectment Records, 1783-1846. (1 folder) {#17.413

· Board of Property Docket, 1808-1952. (2 volumes) {#17.414}

· Board of Property Register, 1809-1821. (1 volume) {#17.415}

XXIII. Records of the Master of Rolls

· Letters of Attorney, D-2, 1684-1691 (1 volume, Binding 4) {#17.416}

· Minute Book F No. 6, 1693-1695 (1 volume) {#17.417}

· Letters of Attorney, Bills, Bonds, Releases, D-2 (No. 4), 1697-1702 (2 volumes) {#17.418}

· Letters of Attorney, 1698-1812 (19 volumes) {#17.419}

· Commission Books, 1733-1809. (6 volumes) {#17.143}

· Index to Treason Proclamations in Commission Book No. 1, 1785 (1 volume) {#17.420}

XXV. Records of the Board of Canal Commissioners

· Accounts and Receipts of the Harrisburg and Pittsburgh Railroad Company, 1840-1842, 1845. (1 box) {#17.440

· Canal Survey Accounts, 1816-1818, 1823-1830. (1 box) {#17.441}

· Collectors' and Supervisor' Reports, 1830-1850. (5 boxes) {#17.442}

· Collector's Register of Allegheny Portage Railroad Cargo and Passengers, 1836. (1 volume) {#17.443}

· Collector's Register of Columbia and Philadelphia Railroad Cargo and Passengers, 1838. (1 volume) {#17.444}

· Composite Map of the Old Allegheny Portage Railroad, New Allegheny Portage Railroad and Pennsylvania Railroad, 1854, 1902. (1 folder) {#17.445}

· Damage Claim Records, 1826-1861. (4 boxes) {#17.446}

· Engineering Records, 1825-1852. (2 boxes) {#17.447}

· Erie Extension Canal Map, undated. (1 folder) {#17.448}

· General Correspondence, Reports, and Surveys, and Related Records, 1816-1860. (4 boxes) {#17.449}

· General File, 1823-1854. (2 boxes) {#17.450}

· Indenture for the Sale of the Schuylkill Bridge and Inclined Plane to the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, 1850. (1 folder) {#17.451}

· Map Books, 1810-1881, undated. (52 folders) {#17.452}

· Minute Books of the Board of Canal Commissioners, 1825-1859. (7 boxes) {#17.453}

· Minute Books and Minutes (Rough Copies), 1844-1858. (2 boxes) {#17.454}

· Miscellaneous Accounts, 1826-1858. (7 Boxes) {#17.455}

· Pennsylvania Canal and Railroad Valuation Book, 1827-1859. (1 volume) {#17.457}

· Pennsylvania Railroad Maps for the Western, Juniata, Eastern, Susquehanna and West Branch Divisions, undated. (3 folders) {#17.458}

· Record of Costs for the West Branch Division, Tangascootack Extension, 1836-1838. (1 volume) {#17.459}

· Record of the Amount of Repairs and Damages on the Pennsylvania Railroad, 1836-1838. (1 volume) {#17.460}

· Record of the Amount of Repairs and Damages on the Pennsylvania Canal, 1836-1838. (1 volume) {#17.461}

· Reports and Miscellaneous Records of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Canal Department, 1857, 1863, 1865-1867. (1 folder) {#17.463}

· Reports and Resolutions, 1819-1858. (2 boxes) {#17.464}

· Research and Statistical Reports, 1826-1827, 1835. (1 box) {#17.465}

· Warrants, 1826-1839. (1 box) {#17.466}

Erie Extension Canal

· Check Rolls, Work Estimates, Receipts and Miscellaneous Accounts, 1836-1844. (5 boxes) {#17.489}

· Contracts, 1836-1847. (7 volumes) {#17.490}

· Damage Claims, 1836-1847. (2 volumes) {#17.491}

· Reports and Miscellaneous Documents, 1836-1847. (2 volumes) {#17.492}

RG-21, Records of the PROPRIETARY GOVERNMENT

Under the First Frame of Government drawn up by William Penn in 1682, the Provincial Council was to consist of seventy-two popularly elected members with the Governor presiding over the body and also having three votes. The Council was to govern in the absence of the Governor, appoint judges and create courts of justice, regulate trade with the Indians, and issue municipal regulations. The Council could also call and dismiss the Assembly at will and had the exclusive right to initiate legislation. The Assembly, on the other hand, possessed the right to approve or reject bills passed by the Provincial Council and to propose amendments. The Council was also to serve as the highest court of the Province.

Numerous objections were raised to the implementation of the First Frame of Government and these were addressed in the Second Frame of Government adopted in April, 1683. Under the Second Frame, the Provincial Council consisted of three members from each county with the total membership not to exceed seventy-two or fall below eighteen. The triple vote of the Governor provided for in the First Frame was abolished but he was now given veto power. The Governor could perform no public act "except in the presence of the Council" and the Council retained control over the Assembly and legislation as had been provided for in the First Frame of Government. When William Penn returned to England in 1684, he turned the government over to the Provincial Council and its president, Thomas Lloyd. William Penn subsequently grew dissatisfied with the performance of the Council and stripped it of its executive powers when he appointed a five-man commission in December, 1686. Again dissatisfied with the new arrangement, at the suggestion of Thomas Lloyd he appointed a Deputy Governor in the person of John Blackwell in July, 1688. When Blackwell was removed two years later, the government reverted into the hands of Provincial Council President Thomas Lloyd who was appointed Deputy Governor of the Province in 1691. Benjamin Fletcher replaced Lloyd in April, 1693 after Penn lost the government of the colony and during Fletcher's tenure the Council became an appointed rather than an elected body. With the restoration of the government to William Penn in 1694, he appointed William Markham as his Deputy Governor.

Markham found himself at odds with both the Council and the Assembly and acted without the Council for an entire year. When Markham finally recalled the Council in September, 1696 it was as an appointed rather than an elected body. Markham needed money for defense which was refused by the Assembly until Markham granted greater powers to the Assembly under what came to be known as "Markham's Frame of Government." This frame took away some of the Council's powers, giving both the Council and Assembly the right to propose legislation and requiring the assent of both houses for passage. Although the Governor in Council could still call the Assembly at any time, the right of adjournment passed to the Assembly.

On October 28, 1701 William Penn's new Charter of Privileges was adopted and remained in force until the overthrow of the proprietary government in 1776. The Charter of Privileges contained no reference to the Council as a legislative body and therefore the Council was excluded by implication from the legislative process. Membership was appointive and tenure was at the Proprietor's pleasure. Consequently, it was composed of the best known and most conservative inhabitants of the Province and of devoted friends of the Proprietor. In the Governor's absence, the Council could exercise all of his powers except those relating to legislation. Advice and consent of the Council was still necessary for the Governor to act on matters of government, but this restriction was no longer in force after 1763.

All of the Provincial Council records in the custody of the State Archives were microfilmed under the sponsorship of the National Historical Publications Commission and may be located by consulting the Guide to the Microfilm of the Records of the Provincial Council, 1682-1776, in the Pennsylvania State Archives by Donald H. Kent and Martha L. Simonetti (Harrisburg: 1966). Index information cards for each document that were filmed at the time give the title and description of the item, the endorsement of the Council if any, and the place or places where the record has been published. For related types of materials on the Provincial Council see also the Logan Papers (Manuscript Group 379), Richard Peters Papers (Manuscript Group 498), Shippen Family Papers (Manuscript Group 595), Penn Manuscripts (Manuscript Group 485), Miscellaneous Collection (Manuscript 425), and Provincial Council Papers (Manuscript Group 1040) at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania located at 1300 Locust Street in Philadelphia. Rough minutes of the Provincial Council for the period May 15, 1693 to August 13, 1717 will be found in the collections of the American Philosophical Society and these were microfilmed as part of the Library of Congress and the University of North Carolina joint State Microfilm Records Project that was completed in 1950. Israel D. Rupp, writing under the pen name of "A Gentleman of the Bar," published a book entitled Early History of Western Pennsylvania in 1849 that contains an appendix relating to Indian affairs in the Provincial period. This appendix contains transcripts of instructions of the Governor and Council to the delegates attending Indian conferences, journals containing minutes of conferences, messages from the Governor and Council to the Indians, and peace treaties.

Provincial Council, 1682-1776

• Braddock Road Accounts, 1755-1756. (1 volume) {#21.1}
• Commissioners of Indian Trade Accounts, 1758-1766. (2 volumes) {#21.2}
• Crown Correspondence, 1726-1775. (1 box) {#21.3}
• Executive Correspondence, 1682-1775. (22 boxes) {#21.4}
• General Correspondence, 1700-1772. (12 folders) {#21.5}
• Governor's Accounts, including Lists of Marriage, Tavern, Peddlers Licenses and Ships' Registers, 1742-1752, 1759-1763. (4 volumes) {#21.6}
• Indian Trader Licenses, 1765-1771. (1 volume) {#21.7}
• Minutes (The Provincial Record), 1682-1775. (20 volumes) {#21.8}
• Miscellaneous Papers, 1664-1775. (2 boxes) {#21.9}
• Naturalization Lists of the Supreme Court and Courts of Nisi Prius, 1740-1773. (2 volumes, 17 folders) {#21.10}
• Port Physician's Certificates, 1741, 1753-1755. (1 folder) {#21.11}
• Provincial Officers' Sureties, 1742-1776. (12 folders) {#21.12}
• Registrar's Book of Governor Keith's Court of Chancery, 1720-1736. (1 volume) {#21.13}
• Richard Partridge Account Book, 1740-1751. (1 volume) {#21.14
• Secretary's Accounts, 1738-1774. (2 volumes, 1 folder) {#21.15}
• Waste Book of Thomas Murray, 1702-1707. (1 volume) {#21.16}

RG-24, Records of the OFFICE OF THE REGISTER GENERAL

The Office of the Register General was established in 1789 to serve as a check on the Comptroller General. Initially the Comptroller General was required to submit all public accounts before final settlement to the Register General for his advice and assistance. The duties of these two offices were reversed in 1790, when the Register General was given the responsibility for adjusting and submitting all public accounts for approval by the Comptroller General and certification by the Governor, except those specifically assigned for examination by the State Treasurer.

The position of Register General had been originally created to liquidate claims against the state for services performed during the Revolutionary War, and to assist in the final settlement of public accounts. In effect, his purpose was to streamline and keep track of the different kinds of paper currency and state debt notes (certificates) that were used by the Commonwealth as payment during and immediately after the Revolutionary War. This variety in currency, certificates, and other monetary notes had made government finances complicated and confusing. The Register General determined the amount payable to private citizens with whom the Commonwealth held an outstanding debt and settled these accounts. It is believed that this office was created to check the actions of the Comptroller General John Nicholson who was under some suspicion at the time. The position and functions of the Office of the Register General, as well as the Office of the Comptroller General, were replaced by the Auditor General in 1809 because the accounts of the Commonwealth had become simplified enough that only one individual was needed to manage its financial affairs.

Six men held the office of Register General: John Donaldson (1789 - 1794), Jonathan B. Smith (1794-1795), Samuel Bryan (1795 -1801), George Duffield (1801 - 1805), John Kean (1805-1808), and Richard M. Crain (1808-1809). It was an appointive position granted by the governor.

• Account of Certificates Redeemed in Part and Interest Thereon the 1st of April, 1806, 1799-1806. (1 volume) {#24.1}
• Accounts Current, 1785-1809. (3 volumes) {#24.2}
• Alphabetical List of Accounts, 1789-1794. (1 volume) {#24.3}
• Cancelled Depreciation Certificate Registers, undated. (2 volumes) {#24.4}
• Daybooks, 1789-1809. (27 volumes) {#24.5}
• General Correspondence, 1789-1809. (3 boxes) {#24.6}
• Indents Delivered to the Treasurer, 1793. (1 volume) {#24.7}
• Index to Folio Numbers in Journals, undated. (1 volume) {#24.8}
• Index to Payments, 1806-1809. (1 volume) {#24.9}
• Journal of Accounts Examined and Settled, 1792-1793.(1 volume){#24.10}
• Journals, 1790-1810. (6 volumes){#24.11}
• Ledgers, 1789-1815. (5 volumes){#24.12}
• Letter Books, 1789-1801. (2 volumes) {#24.13}
• Militia Certificates Received from the Receiver General, 1789-1793. (1 volume) {#24.14}
• Miscellaneous Accounts, 1789-1807. (4 folders) {#24.15}
• Record of Continental Certificates Exchanged for New Loan, 1789-1790. (1 volume)
• Record of New Loan Certificates Redeemed, undated. (1 volume) {#24.17}
• Registers of Funded Debt Certificates, 1784-1786, 1789-1793. (4 volumes) {#24.18}
• Reports of the Register General, Comptroller General and State Treasurer, 1789-1801.(2 volumes){#24.19}
• Settlement Registers, 1792-1794, 1806-1809. (2 volumes) {#24.20}
• Tavern License Recommendations, 1790-1809. (3 boxes) {#24.21}
• Warrant Books, 1789-1794. (3 volumes) {#24.22}

RG-26, Records of the DEPARTMENT OF STATE

The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. The Secretary is the keeper of the Great Seal and the initial custodian for many of the official documents of State government. Election returns, the laws and resolutions of the General Assembly, and proclamations, veto messages and other recorded acts of the Governor are all filed with the Department of State. The Department is also responsible for issuing commissions to appropriate elected and appointed officials; receiving and examining documents relating to the incorporation and regulation of corporations; the regulation of professional boxing and wrestling matches; and the administration of legislation relating to election procedures, professional licensing, and the operation of charitable organizations.

Secretary of the Commonwealth

• Attorney General's Correspondence, 1791-1894. (1 box) {#26.1}
• Basic Documents of Pennsylvania Including Proprietary Charters and Deeds, Indian Deeds, and State Constitutions, 1681-1873. (48 items) {#26.2}
• Clemency File, 1790-1873. (68 boxes) {#26.3}
• Courts Martial Proceedings, 1790-1859. (3 boxes) {#26.4}
• Criminal Code Abstract, undated. (1 volume) {#26.5}
• Death Warrants File, 1795-1873. (5 boxes) {#26.6}
• Executive Correspondence, 1790-1969. (108 boxes) {#26.8}
• Executive Minute Books, 1790-1943. (44 volumes) {#26.9}
• Executive Minute Books (Rough Copies), 1790-1943. (110 volumes)
• Index of Academies, Colleges and Female Seminaries, undated. (1 volume)
• Indian Deed Book, 1815. (1 volume)
• Internal Improvements File, 1790-1902. (20 boxes, 1 volume)
• Legislative Communications, 1790-1843. (8 volumes)
• Letter Books and Rough Copies, 1790-1861. (10 volumes)
• Lists of Persons Who Took the Oath of Allegiance, 1789-1794. (1 folder)
• Memoranda Books, 1790-1794, 1830-1833. (3 volumes) {#26.20}
• Militia Muster Rolls and Inspection Returns, 1792-1794. (1 box) {#26.21}
• Militia Letter Book, 1839-1861. (1 volume) {#26.22}
• Orders for the Discharge of Prisoners and Commutation Lists, 1870-1895. (36 boxes) {#26.24}
• Pardon Books, 1791-1877. (12 volumes) {#26.25}
• Receipt Books, 1895-1915. (1 box) {#26.26}
• Receipt and Oath Books, 1793-1799. (3 volumes) {#26.27}
• Record and Indexes of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, 1852-1854. (6 flat boxes)
• Record of Arms Contracts, 1797-1815. (1 volume) {#26.29}
• Record of Select Federal Communications, 1793-1794. (1 volume)
• Recorder of Deeds' Accounts, 1947-1964. (3 microfilm rolls) {#26.33}
• Reports of Executive Agencies, 1792-1940. (3 boxes) {#26.34}
• Ships' Lists of German Passengers, 1727-1808. (3 boxes, 1 volume)
• Township and Borough List, 1840. (1 volume) {#26.38}
• Warrant and Receipt Books, 1781-1790. (14 volumes) {#26.39}

Bureau of Commissions, Elections, and Legislation

• Appointment and Commission Books for Civil Officers, 1790-1973. (30 volumes)
• Appointments File for Civil Officers, 1790-1968. (101 boxes)
• Bond Records, 1867-1921. (1 microfilm roll) {#26.42}
• Bonds, Assignments, Contracts, Acts, Titles and Other Miscellaneous Documents From the Safe of Room 309. (2 microfilm rolls) {#26.43}
• Bonds of State and County Officers, 1790-1808. (6 boxes, 3 volumes) {#26.44
• Commission Books, 1775-1842. (2 microfilm rolls) {#26.46}
• Commission Certificates to View Plank Roads and Turnpikes, and Licences to Take Tolls, 1840-1877. (4 boxes, 1 volume) {#26.48
• County and State Appointments, 1836-1940. (5 microfilm rolls) {#26.52}
• County Election Returns for Federal, State and Local Offices, 1790-1850. (10 boxes) {#26.53}
• Engrossed Laws, 1700-1853. (526 boxes) {#26.57}
• Governor's Proclamations, 1791-1966, 1969-1978. (15 boxes, 6 cartons) {#26.61}
• Law Books, 1710-1903. (98 volumes) {#26.64}
• Military Commission Books, 1800-1944. (43 volumes) {#26.65}
• Military Commission Files, 1790-1860. (1 box) {#26.66}
• Militia Election Returns, 1790-1863. (49 boxes) {#26.67}
• Minutes, Journal, and Miscellaneous Papers Relating to Presidential Elections and the Electoral College of Pennsylvania, 1792-1889, 1928-1929. (1 box) {#26.68}
• Miscellaneous Records Relating to the Election of State Officers and Constitutional Amendments, 1796-1928. (1 box) {#26.70}
• Municipal Election Returns, 1791-1828, 1834, 1895. (1 box) {#26.71}

Corporation Bureau

• Articles of Incorporation, [ca. 1810-1979]. (28 cartons of microfilm) {#26.107}
• Charter Books, 1812-1875. (8 volumes) {#26.108}
• Corporation Indexes, [ca. 1794-1920]. ( 5 volumes) {#26.110}
• Letters Patent, 1814-1874, 1902-1927. (43 boxes) {#26.111}
• Record Book and Index of Corporations Created, [ca. 1791-1873]. (2 volumes) {#26.112}

RG-27, Records of PENNSYLVANIA'S REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENTS

The Constitution of 1776 vested limited administrative and executive powers of the government of the Commonwealth in an elected council of twelve members known as the Supreme Executive Council. The primary function of the Council was to oversee the proper execution of the laws of the State. The Council was composed of one member from Philadelphia and one from each county. A president and vice president of the Council were selected from among the twelve by joint vote of the General Assembly and the Council.

Prior to the formal organization of the Supreme Executive Council in March, 1777, executive and military powers were exercised by the Committee of Safety and the Council of Safety. The Committee of Safety was appointed by resolve of the Provincial Assembly to supervise all military activities and matters relating to the defense of the State. The Committee first met on July 3, 1775, and continued to function until July of the following year, when it was replaced by the Council of Safety. The Council was created by the State Constitutional Convention of 1776 to assume executive responsibilities until the new constitutional government could be organized.

Functioning under the revolutionary governments was the Board of War, Navy Board and a Council of Safety (Second), which had been created in 1777. The Constitution of 1790 provided for a popularly elected governor with expanded executive powers to replace the Supreme Executive Council. The entire contents of this record group were microfilmed in 1979 and the resulting 54 rolls of microfilm were accompanied by a Guide to Microfilm of Pennsylvania's Revolutionary Governments, 1775-1790 edited by Harry E. Whipkey and compiled by Roland M. Baumann. This joint project was sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Bureau of Archives and History of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The guide provides a chronological listing of each frame of each microfilm roll giving date of entry, subject heading, and the frame number. In 1980 an Index to the Guide to the Microfilm of the Records of Pennsylvania's Revolutionary Governments, 1775-1790 in the Pennsylvania State Archives compiled and edited by Roland M. Baumann and Diane Smith Wallace was also published by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Both of these finding aids are available in the microfilm reference room. Both of these guides are also available for purchase at the State Bookstore in the Keystone Building.

Committee of Safety, 1775-1776

• Accounts, 1775-1776 & undated. (8 folders) {#27.1}
• Executive Correspondence and Petitions, 1775-1776 & undated. (1 box) {#27.2}
• Minute Book, 1775-1776. (1 volume) {#27.3}
• Minutes (Rough Copy), 1775-1776 & undated. (7 folders) {#27.4}
• Receipt Books, 1775-1776 & undated. (2 volumes) {#27.5}

Provincial Convention, 1776

• Executive Correspondence, 1776. (1 folder) {#27.6}

Council of Safety, 1776-1777

• Accounts, 1776-1777, & undated. (15 folders) {#27.7}
• Executive Correspondence, 1776-1777 & undated. (3 boxes) {#27.8}
• Minute Books, 1776-1777. (2 volumes) {#27.9}
• Minutes (Rough Copy), 1776 & undated. (1 folder) {#27.10}
• Memoranda Book, 1776-1777. (1 volume) {#27.11}
• Receipt Book, 1776-1777. (1 volume) {#27.12}

Second Council of Safety, 1777

• Accounts, 1777. (2 folders) {#27.13}
• Executive Correspondence, 1777. (1 folder) {#27.14}
• Minute Book, 1777. (part of 1 volume) {#27.15}
• Minute Book (Rough Copy), 1777. (1 volume) {#27.16}

Supreme Executive Council, 1777-1790

• Applications for Passes, 1776-1788 & undated. (2 boxes) {#27.17}
• Accounts and Reports, 1777-1790. (2 boxes) {#27.18}
• Appointment Book, 1777-1790. (1 volume) {#27.19}
• Appointments File: Military, 1775-1790. (2 boxes) {#27.20}
• Appointments File: Political, 1775-1790. (5 boxes) {#27.21}
• Attendance Book, 1777. (1 volume) {#27.22}
• Bankruptcy File, 1785-1790. (2 boxes) {#27.23}
• Blotter Books, 1789-1790. (3 volumes) {#27.24}
• Clemency File, 1775-1790 & undated. (12 boxes) {#27.25}
• Election Returns, 1776-1790 & undated. (8 boxes) {#27.26}
• Engrossed Election Certificates, 1778-1787. (1 folder) {#27.27}
• Executive Correspondence and Petitions, 1777-1790 & undated. (27 boxes) {#27.28
• Forfeited Estates File, 1777-1790. (4 boxes) {#27.29}
• Letter Books, 1782-1789. (2 volumes) {#27.30
• Marriage Bonds for Philadelphia County, 1784-1786 (9 folders) {#27.31}
• Memoranda Book, 1780-1787. (1 volume) {#27.32}
• Military Returns, 1775-1790. (2 boxes) {#27.33}
• Minute Books, 1777-1790. (10 volumes) {#27.34}
• Minute Books (Rough Copies), 1777-1790. (4 boxes) {#27.35}
• Oaths of Allegiance, 1777-1790. (3 folders) {#27.36}
• Proceedings of the Pennsylvania Indian Commissioners, 1784-1785. (1 volume)
• Register of Letters of Marque, 1778-1782. (1 volume) {#27.38}
• Villefranche Map for the Defense of the Delaware River, [ca. 1778]. (1 map)
• Committee of Fifty, 1777-1779, Accounts, 1777-1779. (2 folders)

Board of War, 1777

• Accounts, 1777. (4 folders) {#27.41}
• Bonds of Marque, 1777. (1 folder) {#27.42}
• General Correspondence and Petitions, 1777. (8 folders) {#27.43}
• Minute Book, 1777. (1 volume) {#27.44}

Navy Board, 1777

• Minute Books, 1777. (1 volume, 1 folder) {#27.45}

RG-28, Records of the TREASURY DEPARTMENT

Though the Constitution of 1776 provided for a State Treasurer elected by the General Assembly, this method of selection was changed in 1874 to direct popular election. The early powers and duties of the Treasurer were largely determined by legislation enacted in 1809 and 1811 which defined the roles of the Treasurer and Auditor General relating to the payment and settlement of public money and accounts, abolished the Office of Comptroller General, and required the Treasurer to examine and revise settlements. The Treasury Department is responsible for the receipt and deposit of Commonwealth funds, the investment of certain money and the management of securities under its jurisdiction, the pre-auditing of requisitions, and the payment of State money upon proper authorization.

Office of the State Treasurer

• Abstract of Certificates of Public Debt, 1790-1792. (4 volumes) {#28.1}
• Account of Principal and Interest on Continental Certificates delivered by the Comptroller General, 1791. (1 volume) {#28.2
• Annual Settlement Accounts of the State Treasurer, 1777-1778, 1780-1785, 1787-1790. (11 volumes) {#28.3}
• Appropriation Books and Ledgers, 1791-1909. (13 volumes) {#28.4}
• Balance Books and Related Day Books, 1796-1907. (28 volumes) {#28.5}
• Bank Ledgers and Indexes, 1841-1920. (19 volumes) {#28.6}
• Bank of Pennsylvania Account Books, 1797-1819. (4 volumes) {#28.7
• Blotters, 1810-1825. (6 volumes) {#28.8}
• Calculation of Interest on Continental Certificates Delivered to the Treasury, 1776-1787. (14 volumes) {#28.11}
• Canal Day Books, 1834-1859. (3 volumes) {#28.12}
• Capital Stock Tax Ledgers, 1859-1865, 1876-1900. (8 volumes) {#28.13}
• Cash Received for Land and Land Office Fees, 1809-1916. (5 volumes) {#28.14}
• Certificates of State Loan (Issued Per Act of April 16, 1845), 1846-1853. (1 volume) {#28.15}
• Certificates of State Ownership of Stock in Turnpike, Bridge, and Navigation Companies, 1809-1833. (7 boxes) {#28.16}
• Chambersburg Loan Account Books, 1871. (2 volumes) {#28.17}
• Clothing and State Stores Journal, 1776-1777. (1 volume) {#28.18}
• Corporate Stock Tax Ledgers, 1841-1861. (2 volumes) {#28.19}
• Council of Safety Receipt Books, 1776-1777. (4 volumes) {#28.21}
• County Tax Accounts, 1775-1811, 1811-1824. (2 volumes) {#28.22}
• Coupon Books (Relating to Loans of 1852 and 1861), 1853-1873. (3 volumes) {#28.23}
• Day Books for County Officers, 1790-1898. (67 volumes) {#28.24}
• Day Book of Bonds (Part of Nicholson's Debt), 1807-1839. (1 volume) {#28.25}
• Delinquent Account Ledgers, 1857-1863. (1 volume) {#28.26}
• General Accounts, 1771-1873, 1919-1920. (10 boxes) {#28.29}
• General Correspondence, undated, 1776-1922. (4 boxes) {#28.30}
• Index to Accounts Settled, 1763-1790. (1 volume) {#28.32}
• Index to Accounts and Warrants, 1794-1810. (3 volumes) {#28.33}
• Index to Bank Ledger, undated. (1 volume) {#28.108}
• Index to Letter Book, undated. (1 volume) {#28.109}
• Index to Letter Book No. 6, undated. (1 volume) {#28.34}
• Index to Payments made on Warrants, 1809-1936. (2 volumes) {#28.35}
• Journals for County Officers, 1820-1832. (3 volumes) {#28.39}
• Judgment and Relief Notes, 1837-1851. (2 volumes) {#28.40}
• Land Warrant and Patent Receipts, 1809-1885. (34 cartons) {#28.41}
• Ledger B, Journal and Daybook, 1775-1782. (3 volumes) {#28.42}
• Ledgers and Cashbook of the Treasurer of the Province, 1775-1780. (3 volumes) {#28.43}
• Ledgers for County Officers and Related Indexes, 1789-1923. (34 volumes) {#28.44}
• Legislative Receipt Books, 1797-1800, 1845-1909. (36 volumes) {#28.46}
• Letter Books of the Comptroller General and State Treasurer, 1804-1814, 1835-1859. (4 volumes) {#28.47}
• Letter Press Book, 1904. (1 volume) {#28.48}
• List of Certificates of Debt to the Treasurer by the Comptroller General, 1784-1885. (1 volume) {#28.49}
• List of Receipts for August, 1809. (1 volume) {#28.51}
• Loan and County Payment Ledgers, 1789-1796, 1908-1909. (3 volumes) {#28.52}
• Miscellaneous Accounts Current Books, 1777-1805. (8 volumes) {#28.55}
• Miscellaneous Canal and Railroad Ledgers, 1841-1858. (5 volumes) {#28.56}
• Miscellaneous Cashbooks, 1775-1783, 1847-1859. (9 volumes) {#28.57}
• Miscellaneous Daybooks, 1806-1859. (4 volumes) {#28.58}
• Miscellaneous Interest Ledgers, 1776-1795, 1857-1861. (9 volumes) {#28.59}
• Miscellaneous Journals, 1801-1809. (2 volumes) {#28.60}
• Miscellaneous Ledgers, 1763-1883. (14 volumes) {#28.61}
• Pennsylvania Canal Account Book, 1826-1845. (1 volume) {#28.64}
• Pension Warrant Index Book, 1812-1817. (1 volume) {#28.65}
• Receipt and Expenditure Report Books, 1801-1835. (7 volumes) {#28.66}
• Receipt and Disbursement Books, 1780-1914. (21 volumes) {#28.67}
• Record of Continental Certificates Delivered by the Comptroller General, 1777-1792. (1 volume) {#28.68}
• Record of Interest and Pro Rata Dividends (Paid on Claims Entered Since November 1, 1842), 1842-1843. (1 volume) {#28.69}
• Record of Orders from the Auditors of Accounts, 1780-1782. (1 volume) {#28.70}
• Record of Payments Made to School Districts, 1853-1861, 1877-1878. (3 volumes) {#28.71}
• Record of State Debt Redeemed (as per Act of April 1794), 1794. (1 volume) {#28.73}
• Record of Tavern Licenses Recommended and Monies Received at the Treasury, 1794-1801. (1 volume) {#28.74}
• Record of the State of County Taxes, 1781-1789. (1 volume) {#28.77}
• Report Containing an Account of the Different Kinds of State Debt Redeemed, 1792. (1 volume) {#28.80}
• Reports of the Committee of the Assembly on the State of Public Accounts, 1769-1776. (1 volume) {#28.81}
• Revolutionary War Pension List Book, 1834-1838. (1 volume) {#28.82}
• Salary Ledgers, 1794-1911. (33 volumes) {#28.83}
• State Treasurer's Report, 1826. (1 volume) {#28.84}
• Stock Day Books, Ledgers, and Indexes Relating Primarily to Canal Loans, 1821-1835. (29 volumes) {#28.85}
• Stub Books, 1831-1882. (6 volumes) {#28.86}
• Tax Collector Accounts, 1785-1834. (1 volume) {#28.87}
• United States Debt and Loan Accounts, 1775-1790. (2 volumes) {#28.88}
• Warrant Books, 1780-1926. (5 volumes) {#28.89}
• Waste Books, 1781-1782. (2 volumes) {#28.90}

Board of Revenue Commissioners (Created under Act of April 29, 1844)

• Abstracts of Assessments, 1845. (5 folders) {#28.95}
• Answers to Interrogatories, 1845, 1848, 1854. (2 boxes) {#28.96}
• Certificates and Credentials, 1847-1848. (1 folder) {#28.97}
• List of Sheriff's and Orphans' Court Sales, 1845, 1854, 1857. (9 folders) {#28.98}
• Record of Board Adjudications and Valuations, 1845. (1 volume) {#28.99}
• Reports, 1848, 1860, 1863. (3 volumes) {#28.100}
• Resolutions and Proposition About County Tax Valuations, 1848. (1 folder) {#28.101}

RG-33, Records of the SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Created in 1722 by act of the Provincial Assembly, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania was initially required to hold sessions in Philadelphia, and travel on circuit for the trial of other cases. Though the Proprietary Government was eventually replaced, the Court retained its trial and appellate powers, and under the Constitution of 1776 was also assigned certain chancery responsibilities. The duties of the justices as trial judges were eliminated outside of Philadelphia when the system of circuit courts was permanently abolished in 1834. The Constitution of 1874 removed the Court's remaining specific trial responsibilities for Philadelphia County by providing for the abolition of the Court of Nisi Prius.

Appellate sessions of the Supreme Court were at one time held in several different locations, but now the Court sits only in Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. In addition to its appellate jurisdiction the Supreme Court has original, but not exclusive, jurisdiction of habeas corpus cases, mandamus or prohibition of courts of inferior jurisdiction, and quo warranto involving any officer of State-wide jurisdiction. As part of its general administrative authority under the Commonwealth's unified judicial system, the Court is responsible for establishing rules governing the practices and conduct of all State Courts.

Eastern District

• Admission of Attorneys Dockets, 1742-1935. (3 volumes) {#33.2}
• Affidavits, 1770-1806. (1 box) {#33.4}
• Affidavits of Defense, 1784-1808. (2 cartons) {#33.5}
• Agreements, 1783-1811, 1814 & undated. (24 folders) {#33.6}
• Amicable Action Papers, 1782-1809. (1 carton) {#33.9}
• Appearance and Continuance Dockets, 1740-1795. (19 volumes) {#33.11}
• Appearance Dockets, 1795-1829, 1838-1953, 1965. (111 volumes) {#33.12}
• Assignment of Error Papers, 1819-1826, 1834-1880. (6 cartons) {#33.15}
• Assignment of Judgment Papers, 1785-1786, 1790, 1795-1799 & undated. (2 folders) {#33.16}
• Assignments of Error and Praecipe Writs of Error, 1752, 1757, 1782-1801 & undated. (4 folders) {#33.17}
• Autograph File, 1683, 1767-1815. (3 boxes, 1 folder) {#33.18}
• Bail Papers, 1794-1803. (9 folders) {#33.19}
• Bail Pieces, 1751-1760, 1812 (1 folder) {#33.20}
• Bills of Cost, 1786-1826. (13 folders) {#33.21}
• Bills of Exception, 1829-1876. (12 folders) {#33.22}
• Bundles of Miscellaneous Court Papers with Index, 1790-1883. (12 cartons) {#33.23}
• Capias Papers, 1780-1820. (11 cartons) {#33.24}
• Cases Stated File, 1783-1793 & undated. (1 folder) {#33.25
• Certiorari and Habeas Corpus Papers, 1753-1775, 1777-1787. (4 cartons) {#33.26}
• Citations, 1825-1826, 1828. (1 folder) {#33.27}
• Claims Docket, 1778-1779. (1 volume) {#33.28}
• Claims Papers Relating Primarily to Forfeited Estates, 1778-1791. (2 cartons) {#33.29}
• Commissions, 1810-1817. (1 folder) {#33.30
• Common Recovery Papers, 1761-1824. (1 volume) {#33.31}
• Continuance Dockets, 1795-1837. (15 volumes) {#33.32}
• Coroners' Inquisition Papers, 1751, 1768-1796. (1 carton) {#33.33}
• Declarations, 1749-1802 & undated. (18 folders) {#33.34}
• Declaration of Intention Dockets, 1819-1870, 1873-1875, 1881-1906. (11 volumes) {#33.35}
• Debit Sans Breve Papers, 1802-1805, 1810-1812. (8 cartons) {#33.36}
• Depositions, 1781-1825. (16 folders, 1 carton) {#33.37}
• Discontinuance Papers, 1783-1799. (9 folders) {#33.38}
• Distringas Juratores Papers, 1797-1815, 1823-1825. (6 folders) {#33.39}
• Distringas Returnable Papers, 1768-1775. (1 folder) {#33.40}
• Divorce Papers, 1786-1815. (3 cartons) {#33.41}
• Ejectment Index, 1857-1874. (1 volume) {#33.42}
• Equity Dockets, 1837-1874. (4 volumes) {#33.43}
• Equity Papers, 1836-1875, 1877, 1880. (23 cartons) {#33.44}
• Escheat Papers, 1796-1822. (11 folders) {#33.45}
• Estreat of Fines Papers, and List of Tavern and Marriage Licenses Issued, 1780-1782, 1803-1827. (3 folders) {#33.46}
• Exceptions to Reports, 1784-1812, 1814. (5 folders) {#33.47}
• Execution Dockets, 1786-1873. (9 volumes) {#33.48}
• Execution Papers, 1780-1837, 1839-1875. (15 cartons) {#33.49}
• Fieri Facias Papers, 1789, 1792-1820. (2 folders) {#33.50}
• General Correspondence of the Prothonotary, 1800, 1805-1822 & undated. (1 box) {#33.51}
• General Motions and Divorce Docket, 1750-1837 (Divorces 1800-1805 only). (1 volume) {#33.52}
• Index to Declaration of Intention Dockets, 1832-1901. (1 volume) {#33.53}
• Index to Naturalization Papers, 1794-1824, 1842-1868. (2 volumes) {#33.54}
• Insolvent Debtor Papers, [ca. 1789-1805, 1812-1814]. (7 cartons) {#33.55}
• Interrogatories, [ca. 1787-1827]. (3 cartons) {#33.56}
• Journals, 1895-1898. (1 box) {#33.57}
• Judgment Dockets, 1756-1896. (12 volumes) {#33.58}
• Jury Lists, 1798-1838. (17 folders) {#33.61}
• Jurymens' Excuses, 1805-1815. (1 folder) {#33.62}
• Mandamus and Quo Warranto Proceedings, 1782-1815, 1827-1854. (5 folders) {#33.63}
• Minute Books, 1806-1816, 1819-1952. (16 boxes, 16 volumes) {#33.64}
• Minutes, 1788, 1793, 1795, 1795-1800, 1802-1804. (1 box) {#33.65}
• Miscellaneous Case Papers, 1810-1813. (3 cartons) {#33.66}
• Miscellaneous Papers, 1704-1899. (3 cartons) {#33.68}
• Miscellaneous Records of the Supreme Court of Nisi Prius, [ca. 1786-1800]. (45 volumes) {#33.69}
• Miscellaneous Supreme and Superior Court Dockets, 1743-1749, 1876-1943. (5 volumes) {#33.70}
• Motions and Rules, 1789-1829. (12 folders) {#33.73}
• Narr (Narratio) Papers, 1796-1873. (15 cartons) {#33.74}
• Naturalization Papers, 1794-1819, 1821-1868. (16 cartons) {#33.75}
• Nisi Prius Records and Postea, 1764-1775. (1 box) {#33.76}
• Northern District Dockets, 1836-1876. (2 volumes) {#33.77}
• Opinions, 1842-1949. (43 cartons) {#33.78}
• Papers in Attainder Relating to Estates Forfeited by Treason, [ca. 1778-1791]. (1 box) {#33.80}
• Papers in Partition, 1798-1837. (2 folders) {#33.81}
• Papers in Qui Tam Relating To Frederick Phyle and the Ship Preserverance, 1781-1782. (1 folder) {#33.82}
• Partition Books, 1791-1857, 1861-1883. (2 volumes) {#33.83}
• Perpetuation of Testimony Dockets, 1781-1801. (1 volume) {#33.84}
• Petitions, 1781-1815. (3 folders) {#33.85}
• Petitions for Extinguishment of Ground Rent, 1833-1859. (1 folder) {#33.86}
• Petitions to Execute Deeds, 1789-1855. (4 folders) {#33.87}
• Plea Papers, 1780-1808 & undated. (8 folders) {#33.88}
• Power of Attorney Papers, Including Papers for Revolutionary War Soldiers, 1783-1819. (4 folders) {#33.89}
• Praecipe Papers, 1836-1857. (19 cartons) {#33.90}
• Proceedings in Lunacy, 1793-1818. (2 folders) {#33.91}
• Prothonotary's Reports to the Chief Justice, 1961-1970. (1 carton) {#33.92}
• Recognizance Papers, 1754-1823. (15 folders) {#33.93}
• Record of Attorneys Admitted to Practice in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1876-1969. (3 volumes) {#33.94}
• Refunding Bonds, 1796-1828. (1 folder) {#33.95}
• Revolutionary War Soldiers' Claims and Related Papers, 1786-1789. (6 folders) {#33.98}
• Rules of Reference and Reports of Referees, 1765-1837. (2 cartons) {#33.99}
• Rules to Take Depositions, 1780-1808. (3 folders) {#33.100}
• Scire Facias Papers, 1768-1819. (8 folders) {#33.101}
• Scire Facias Sur Recognizance Papers, 1796. (1 folder) {#33.102}
• Settlement of Accounts Case Papers, 1776-1804. (1 box) {#33.103}
• Sheriff's and Coroner's Bonds and Recognizances, 1790-1791. (1 folder) {#33.104}
• Sheriff's Deed Books and Lists of Attorneys Admitted, 1796-1876 (Lists 1742-1776, 1778-1809 only). (2 boxes, 7volumes) {#33.105}
• Special and Privy Verdicts Papers, 1775 & undated. (1 folder) {#33.106}
• Suggestions and "Old" Appearance Papers, 1796-1824. (5 folders) {#33.109}
• Transcripts of Record, 1786-1820. (2 folders) {#33.110}
• Trial Lists, 1787-1794, 1798-1828. (21 folders) {#33.111}
• Trial Lists of Country Causes, 1797-1807. (8 folders) {#33.112}
• Trustee Petitions, 1825-1829. (2 folders) {#33.113}
• Verdict Papers, 1804-1812 & undated. (7 folders) {#33.114}
• Warrant of Attorney Dockets, 1795-1874. (1 box, 7 volumes) {#33.115}
• Writs of Ad Quod Domnum, 1792-1795. (1 box) {#33.116}
• Writs of Error, 1785-1804, 1828-1861, 1865-1866. (13 cartons) {#33.117}
• Writs of Habeas Corpus and Petitions, [ca. 1771-1763]. (2 cartons) {#33.118}
• Writs of Habeas Corpus for Negro Slaves, 1784-1787. (2 folders) {#33.119}
• Writs of Inquiry, 1780-1824. (7 folders) {#33.120}
• Writs of Removal, 1787-1812. (4 cartons) {#33.121}
• Writs for Valuation of City Lots, 1792-1811. (3 folders) {#33.122}

Court of Admiralty

• Minutes of the Court of Admiralty, 1780-1782, 1784-1786, 1788. (3 folders) {#33.123}
• Precepts of the Court of Admiralty, 1781-1788. (2 folders) {#33.124}
• Case Files of the Court of Admiralty, 1760-1795. (3 boxes) {#33.125}

Courts of Oyer and Terminer

Court Papers, 1757-1761, 1763, 1765-1766, 1778-1782, 1786-1787. (7 boxes)

RG-41, Records of the NAVIGATION COMMISSION FOR THE DELAWARE RIVER AND ITS NAVIGABLE TRIBUTARIES

The regulation of shipping on the Delaware River can be traced back to the passage of an act by the Provincial Assembly in 1766 which provided for the appointment of Wardens for the Port of Philadelphia. The Wardens were responsible for issuing pilots licenses and making rules and regulations governing their service. Legislation passed in 1803 provided for a Board of Wardens consisting of a Master Warden and six assistants. This act defined the powers of the Board to grant licenses to pilots, to make rules for their conduct, to decide disputes involving masters of vessels and shipowners, to direct the mooring of vessels and their loading and unloading, and to publish rules and regulations relating to these duties.

The Board of Commissioners of Navigation for the River Delaware was created in 1907 to assume those duties previously assigned to the Wardens for the Port, and the offices of the Harbor Master and Master Warden. In 1937 the Commissioners of Navigation were replaced by the Navigation Commission for the Delaware River and Its Navigable Tributaries. Originally established in the Department of Forests and Waters, Navigation Commission was transferred to the Department of Transportation in 1970 and to the Department of Commerce in 1976.

Port Of Philadelphia

• Account Book of Fines and Quarter Pilotage Received by the Collector of Tonnage, 1785-1787. (1 volume) {#41.1}
• Accounts of the Wardens of the Port, 1763-1957. (5 boxes){#41.2}
• Authorization Book for Pier Erection, 1852-1864. (1 volume){#41.4}
• Declaration Books of British Vessel Registry, 1728-1776. (12 volumes){#41.7}
• Health Officer's Account of Passenger Entries, 1789-1794. (1 volume){#41.9}
• Health Officer's Register of Passengers' Names, 1792-1794. (1 volume){#41.10}
• Letter Books, 1793-1849. (2 volumes)
• Letter Press Books, 1877-1909. (11 volumes){#41.15}
• Memoranda Books, 1811-1813, 1836-1860. (2 volumes){#41.19}
• Minute Books of the Wardens of the Port, the Board Commissioners of Navigation, and the Navigation Commission, 1766-1773, 1783-1978. (64 volumes){#41.20}
• Minute Book, Subscription Book, and Account Book of the Marine Benevolent Committee, 1809. (3 volumes){#41.22}
• Pilots' Report Books, 1793-1982. (44 volumes, 1 folder){#41.33}
• Registers of Pilots' Names and Securities, 1783-1791, 1794-1876. (6 volumes){#41.36}
• Registers of Vessel Arrivals and Clearances, 1784-1879. (11 volumes){#41.38}
• Shipping Bonds and Certificates, 1752-1775. (2 boxes){#41.42}
• Surveys of Damaged Cargoes, 1784-1790. (4 volumes){#41.44}
• Time Books of Wardens' Attendance, 1784-1802. (3 volumes){#41.45}
• Tonnage Registers, 1784-1789. (6 volumes){#41.46}