Full text of "Annual report of the American Historical Association"

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

FOR

THE YEAR 1906
C

IN TWO VOLUMES

Vol. II

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1908

'7 .

SEVENTH REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ARCHIVES COMMISSION,

DECEMBER 28, 1906.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES COMMISSION.

HERMAN V. AMES, CHAIRMAN,

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
WILLIAM MACDONALD,

Brown University, Providence, It. I.
HERBERT L. OSGOOD,

Columbia University, New York, N. Y.
CHARLES M. ANDREWS,

Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pa.
EDWIN ERLE SPARKS,

University of Chicago, Chicago, 111.
ROBERT T. SWAN,

Commissioner of Public Records, State House, Boston, Mass.
DUNBAR ROWLAND,

Department of Archives and History, Jackson, Miss.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.

Page.

Report of the Commission 7

PART I.

Summary of present state of legislation of States and Territories relative
to the custody and supervision of the public records. Ky Robert T.

Swan 13

Public archives of Arkansas. By John Hugh Reynolds 23

Public archives of Connecticut. By N.. P. Mead 53

State and county archives of Delaware. By Edgar Dawson__ 129

State archives of Florida. By David Y. Thomas 149

Archives of Augusta, Ga., and of "Richmond County. By Julia A. Flisch_ 159

State archives of Ohio and of Ross County. By R. C. Stevenson 105

Local archives of Tennessee. By St. George L. Sioussat 397

PART II.

Bibliography of public archives of the thirteen original States to 1789.

By Adelaide R. Hasse__ 239

REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ARCHIVES COMMISSION.

DECEMBER 28, 1906.
To the Executive Council of the American Historical Association:

The Public Archives Commission of the American Historical Asso-
ciation submits the following report for the year 1906:

The Commission reports continued progress in the work of investi-
gating the public archives in various parts of the country. Its
investigations have been conducted, as in previous years, by its
adjunct and associate members, upon whom has fallen the burden of
this work.

The following additions have been made to the corps of workers
representing the Commission:

Connecticut. Mr. N. P. Mead, College of the City of New York,
associate member.

Georgia. Miss Julia A. Flisch, of Augusta, Ga., associate member.

Maine. Prof. Allen Johnson, Bowdoin College, Maine. In the
State of Maine the Commission has not been previously represented.

As a part of the results of the work that has been in progress
during. the past year, the seven following reports have been prepared
and are herewith submitted :

Arkansas. A report on work of State History Commission, by
Prof. J. H. Reynolds, of the State University, and secretary of the
Arkansas History Commission.

Connecticut. A report upon the local records of the counties and
towns, by Mr. N. P. Mead, of the College of the City of New York.

Delaware. A report upon the State and county archives, by Dr.
Edgar Dawson, of Princeton University, recently of Delaware.

Florida. A report on the State archives of Florida, by Prof.
David Y. Thomas, of the University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.

Georgia. A report on the archives of the city of Augusta and of
the county of Richmond, by Miss Julia A. Flisch, of Augusta.

Ohio. A report upon the State archives and the archives of Ross
County, by Prof. R. C. Stevenson, of Ohio Wesleyan University,
Delaware.

8 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Tennessee. A report upon the local archives, by Prof. St. George
L. Sioussat, University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn.

It had been expected that reports would be ready for publication
on the archives of California, Virginia, and West Virginia, but un-
foreseen circumstances have prevented their completion. Investiga-
tions are well advanced in Illinois and Missouri, and it is hoped that
the results will be ready from these States as well as from several
others a year hence. In addition to continuing the work of investiga-
tion the Commission decided upon a new undertaking, namely, the
preparation of a bibliography of the available printed archives of
the original thirteen States, including also the District of Maine
and Vermont. The bibliography, which comprises the second and
most considerable portion of the following report, at present is
limited to the colonial period and the State period down to 1789.
In June of the current year the Commission were fortunate in secur-
ing for this work the service of Miss Adelaide R. Hasse, superin-
tendent of the department of documents of the New York Public
Library. She generously placed her services and her professional
information freely at the disposal of the Commission, who take
pleasure in expressing their appreciation of her work and in making
due acknowledgment of their obligation. They desire also to
express their indebtedness to several persons for the assistance rend-
ered in examining the bibliographical lists of particular colonies
with a view to supplying omissions or suggesting corrections. Par-
ticular acknowledgments are made elsewhere in the report.

The Commission desires it understood that both they and the
compiler are fully aware of the fact that this bibliography is incom-
plete. It was believed that the usefulness of such a bibliography
warranted the Commission in publishing it in its present form rather
than withholding it for the inclusion of additional items.

At best such a list could not be final, owing to the extreme scarcity
and inaccessibility of 'many of the colonial imprints. "Publications
hitherto unknown are constantly being brought to light. In the
preparation of this bibliography it has been the object of the com-
piler to furnish a list which will not only assist students and investi-
gators of the period, but which will also indicate the strength and
weakness of the published records of a particular colony or State at
a given time. It was believed that these purposes would be best
subserved by classifying the documentary material under the head of
the several departments of government, thus, so to speak, reproducing
the political anatomy of the period and at the same time clothing it
with the available archives material in print. In carrying out this
project of providing a record of the published public archives the
purely bibliographical features have been subordinated. It is

EEPOBT OF THE ARCHIVES COMMISSION. 9

believed, however, that sufficient have been retained to serve as a
guide to the documentary material.

The work of transcribing documents in the English archives for
the Library of Congress, inaugurated in 1902, has been continued
during the past year under the direction of the subcommittee con-
sisting of Professors Andrews and Osgood. Already a considerable
body of material has been transcribed and is available in the Library
of Congress.

The record of legislation by the States on archives matters during
the year 1906 is not so notable as during the preceding year. The
most important action was that taken by the State of Iowa. A move-
ment inaugurated in 1901 for the establishment of a depository for
the public archives has been successful in securing the passage of an
act providing for the preservation of the public archives by the
State Library and Historical Department in a Hall of Public Ar-
chives located in the new State Historical and Memorial Art build-
ing. 6

The text of the act follows :

AN ACT Providing for the care, and permanent preservation of the public archives, and
making an appropriation therefor.

Be it enacted by the general assembly of the State of Iowa:

SECTION 1. That for the care and preservation of the public archives the
State library and historical department of Iowa are hereby given the custody
of all the original public documents, papers, letters, records, and other official
manuscripts of the State executive and administrative departments, offices or
officers, councils, boards, bureaus, and commissions, ten years after the date or
current use of such public documents, papers, letters, records, or other official
manuscripts: Provided, That the executive council shall have the power and
authority to order the transfer of such records, or any part thereof, at any
time prior to the expiration of the limit of ten years hereinbefore provided, or
to retain the same in the respective offices beyond such limit according as in the
judgment of the council the public interest or convenience may require.

SEC. 2. That the general State executive and administrative departments,
officers or offices, councils, boards, bureaus, and commissioners, are hereby
authorized and directed to transfer and deliver to the State library and his-
torical department such of the public archives as are designated in section one
(1) of this act, except such as in the judgment of the executive council should
be longer retained in the respective offices.

SEC. 3. That the State library and historical department is hereby authorized
and directed to receive such of the public archives and records as are desig-
nated in section one (1) of this act, and provide that .the same be properly
arranged, classified, labeled, filed, and calendared.

SEC. 4. That for the care and permanent preservation by the State library
and historical department of the public archives hereinbefore designated the
executive council is hereby authorized and directed to provide, furnish, and
equip such room or rooms in the historical memorial and art building (now in

For list of recent additions, consult the report of the Librarian of Congress for 1906,
pp. 137-139.

6 See a comprehensive article on the Public Archives, by Benj. F. Shambaugh, in the
Annals of Iowa, January, 1907, pp. 25-33.

10 AMEBTCAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

process of erection) as may be deemed necessary for the purposes of this act,
and the room or rooms thus provided for shall be known as the hall of public
archives.

SEC. 5. That for carrying out the purposes of this act there is hereby appro-
priated, out of any moneys in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated,
the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) per annum for three years, to be
expended under the direction of the board of trustees of the State library and
historical department.

The Kentucky legislature passed an act March 16, 1906, providing
for an appropriation of the sum of $5,000 annually to the Kentucky
Historical Society to defray the expenses of the publication of The
Register and for promoting the historical interests of the State, but
no express mention is made in the law of the collection and super-
vision of the archives. 6

Some of the commissions and departments established by the legis-
lation of 1905, referred to in our last report, have made good progress.
Both the Arkansas History Commission and the West Virginia
Bureau of State Archives and History have published their first
report. The commission of six members of the Delaware Division of
Public Records has organized and accomplished some preliminary
work, but their efforts have been retarded by the lack of funds. An
attempt will be made to secure a modest appropriation at the
approaching session of the legislature.

It is gratifying to be able to announce that the Department of Ar-
chives and History of the State of Alabama is soon to be provided
with a commodious fireproof office and depository. As indicated in
a previous report on Alabama, d the archives have been in a certain
sense in a state of transition, that is, they were only gradually being
assembled under the control of the department of archives and his-
tory. Owing to the lack of adequate accommodations Dr. Thomas
M. Owen, the director of the department, had been unable to do other
than exercise a general supervision over the records constructively
but not actually in his possession.

The director is now able to report the consummation of plans for
at last bringing together in one repository all of the records referred
to. Four years ago the legislature of that State provided for an
extension and enlargement of the State capitol. The capitol building
commission in planning the extension very wisely provided a fire-
proof record room about 65 by 40 feet in size, where the department
of archives and history could mass the State archives. Advice from
Doctor Owen indicates that early in 1907 his hopes will be realized.
When this is done the whole collection will be very carefully ar-

a Laws of Iowa, chapter 142, p. 104.
6 Laws of Kentucky for 1906, pp. 256-259.

" Since this report was written the legislature of 1907 has appropriated $1,000, and
also provided for building a fireproof room in the Statehouse at Dover.
"American Historical Association Report for 1904, pp. 487-553.

REPORT OF THE ARCHIVES COMMISSION. 11

ranged and very minutely classified. Indexing and cataloguing will
follow as rapidly as possible.

In order to learn what had been done by the several States for the
collection, preservation, and supervision of the public records, the
Commission requested one of its members, Mr. Robert T. Swan, com-
missioner of public records of the State of Massachusetts, to prepare
a summary of the legislation and practice prevailing in the several
States and Territories. This resume, based upon the statutes and
the statements of the secretaries of state of the respective States and
Territories, is presented as the first of the accompanying reports.
This summary furnishes not only important data concerning the leg-
islation on this subject, indicating the recent tendency to provide
more adequately for the care of the State archives, but it also reveals
the general neglect on the part of the States to make provision for
the adequate supervision of the local records in the custody of the
various county, city, town, and other local officials. It appears at
the present time that only in the three States of Massachusetts, Rhode
Island, and Connecticut is any State supervision over the local
records provided for. Elsewhere there seems to be no adequate pro-
vision for the enforcement of the laws in regard to the preservation
of this class of records. Communications received from the repre-
sentatives of the Commission in the various States indicate that the
need of supervision is general. Legislation to supply this should be
the next step forward.
Respectfully submitted.

HERMAN V. AMES.

WILLIAM MACDONALD.

HERBERT L. OSGOOD.

CHARLES M. ANDREWS.

EDWIN ERLE SPARKS.

ROBERT T. SWAN.

DUNBAR ROWLAND.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT STATE OF LEGISLATION OF THE STATES
AND TERRITORIES RELATIVE TO THE CUSTODY AND SUPERVISION OF
THE PUBLIC RECORDS.

By ROBERT T. SWAN, Esq.,
Commissioner of Public Records of the State of Massachusetts.

Desiring to ascertain what has been done in the several States in
the line of better provision for the custody and care of the public
records, including State, county, town, and court records, the honor-
able secretary of each of the States and Territories was asked to fur-
nish references to the laws now in force relating to the records. Also
whether there was any commissioner or official having charge of the
general subject, and whether any action had been taken toward legis-
lation in this direction. At the request of some of the secretaries
replies have been made by persons known to be versed in the subject.

The replies might be condensed into a general statement that, with
a very few exceptions, the States have no laws relating to the
public records, and that only in Massachusetts, Ehode Island, and
Connecticut (named in the. order of date of passage of the acts au-
thorizing it) is there any State supervision of the records. As, how-
ever, records of the same kind are in the custody of a different class
of officials in different States, there being, for instance, a county
clerk in some having custody of records which in another State are
distributed, it is thought best, even at the risk of unnecessary repeti-
tion, to present the information by States.

Except in Massachusetts, there is no definition in the laws of the
words " public records," and the replies show a different understand-
ing of the words, the word " archives," which in some of the States
means a distinct collection of ancient matter, being used in some of
them as synonymous with records.

It is to be hoped that the States which have established depart-
ments of archives and history will not stop at this provision for the
care of the records chiefly to be found in the custody of the State de-
partments, but will take action to recover and care for the valuable
records fast going to destruction scattered through the counties, towns,
and villages. The discovery and reclamation of some of these have

f
14 AMEEICAN HISTOKICAL ASSOCIATION.

been of great help to historians. Especially should the younger
States, taking warning from the older, commence right. Hawaii is
to be commended for her action.

As this summary deals with the legislation concerning the records
rather than with the records themselves, no reference is made to the
interesting and exhaustive reports upon those of several of the
States which have been printed in the reports of the Association.

Alabama. The matter of the custody of the public records for the
State, county, municipality, etc., is under the control of the proper
authorities of the respective bodies. A department of archives and
history was established February 27, 1901. It is the custodian of
the entire collection of State archives, and since its establishment the
entire method of caring for them has undergone a complete change.
Except for the provision that any county or other official may turn
over any of its records not in current use it would appear not to have
supervision over the local records."

Alaska is not yet under Territorial form of government, and the
laws governing the district are the Civil Code, approved June 6, 1900,
and the amendments thereto, in which will be found, under their
respective heads, provisions for the preservation of the public records
in the various public offices.

Arizona. The records are under control of the officials of their
respective offices. There is no general supervision. Reference is
made to the Revised Statutes, 1901.

Arkansas. Each city, town, and county keeps and takes care of its
own records. There is no general supervision. The Arkansas His-
tory Commission was established by the general assembly by an act
passed April 27, 1905, as set forth in the annual report of this Asso-
ciation for the year 1905. &

California. The records of the superior courts are preserved in
the offices of the county clerks of the several counties ; the " records
of the counties," in the offices of the clerks of the boards of super-
visors of the several counties; those of the towns, in the offices of the
town clerks; those of the supreme court, in the office of the clerk.
" Other State records after they are 4 years old are kept in the
archives of the secretary of state." There is no general supervision.

Colorado. No reply was received, but examination of the laws
shows no special law pertaining to records and no general super-
vision.

Connecticut. In accordance with a joint resolution passed June
13, 1899, a commission of public records was appointed to inquire
and report to the general assembly the condition of the public
records of the State, including court, county, town, society, and

"American Historical Association Report, 1904, 487-489.
6 Vol. I, pp. 331, 332.

STATE LEGISLATION ON PUBLIC RECORDS. 15

parish records, and to recommend the best methods of preservation.
The commission in 1901 was continued until July 1, 1903. June 9,
1903, an act was passed establishing a temporary examiner of public
records to hold office for two years. In July, 1905, the term was
further extended to 1907. He exercises supervision over the records
throughout the State and reports thereon to the governor, with
recommendations. Following these recommendations the legislature
has passed several acts relating to court and municipal records which
has resulted in improved conditions.

Delaware. Chapter 3, section 3, of the Revised Statutes (1893)
provides that the respective prothonotaries, clerks of the peace, clerks
of the orphans' court, register in chancery, registers of wills, re-
corders, and sheriffs shall keep all records, books, papers, and other
things belonging to their respective offices in their said offices, re-
spectively, which shall be kept open at all times, Sundays excepted.
There is no other general law. By an act approved March 16, 1905,
a division of public records was created. The act is given in full in
the annual report of this Association for 1905. The jurisdiction
of the division is confined to State and county records, and there
would seem to be no provision for supervision of the city and town
records.

Florida. There is no general law relating specifically to the public
records. Chapter 217 of the Revised Statutes provides for the cus--
tody of certain records. There is no general supervision.

Georgia. There is no general law relating to the records and no
general supervision.

Hawaii. There were no laws in the Territory relating to the
custody and condition of the public records until 1905, when the leg-
islature provided for the appointment of a board of public archives,
composed of three members, of whom the secretary of the Territory
is one. The board is to collect all public archives and arrange,
classify, and inventory them. A new hall of records has been erected
as a depository for the same. Other than this there is no special
supervision.

Idaho. There are no separate statutes relating to the public rec-
ords, and there is no provision for general supervision.

Illinois. Chapter 116 of the statutes of Illinois, entitled " Rec-
ords," deals with methods of procedure in certain matters, such as
lost records, copies, decrees, etc., but not with the general matter.
There is- no chapter governing generally, and there is no general su-
pervision. By act of May 16, 1903, the State Historical Society was
made a department of the State Historical Library with certain
powers of examining local records for historical purposes. 6

*Vol, I, pp. 332, 333, 'Laws o? Illinois, 1903, p. 229.

16 AMEKICAN HISTOKICAL ASSOCIATION.

Indiana. The secretary of state is custodian of legislative and
other records relating to elections, corporations, etc. Various sections
of the general statutes provide for preservation of certain records
and for their care, but there is no general law. There is no com-
mission having charge of the general subject. The condition of the
records is far from satisfactory.

Iowa. There is no general law or State supervision of the records.
The State has appropriated money for the State Historical Society
for work upon the archives, and by an act approved April 10, 1906,
provides for the preservation of the archives, but it is evident that
the State records are the subject of the legislation.

Kansas. All the records are in the care of the several depart-
ments of the State, counties, cities, towns, and courts. The act of
March 4, 1905, provides that any State, county, or other official may
turn over to the Kansas Historical Society any records not required
by law to be kept in such office three years after the current use of
the same or sooner in the discretion of the head of the department. 7 '
There is no general supervision.

Kentucky. The laws relating to the records are scattered through
the statutes, the law relating to each office being in the general law
fixing duties, etc. There is no general supervision.

Louisiana. There has been no legislation relative to the public
records as a whole, and there is no general supervision.

Maine. The records of State matters are kept in the office of the
secretary of state; county records by the respective departments of
each county; court records by the respective clerks of courts in each
county, and city and town records by the clerks of each municipality.
There is no general law and no supervision. There has been some
individual effort to secure legislation, but without results.

Maryland. A public-record commission was established in 1904
by an act printed in the annual report of this Association for that
year. In the codification of the General Laws in 1904 there are a
number of statutes relating to certain records but not to municipal
records. There is no general law and no supervision except as
authorized for the record commission.

Massachusetts. The legislature of 1851 passed a general law en-
titled "An act for the better preservation of municipal and other
records." This with additional legislation is codified in chapter 35
of the Eevis'ed Laws of 1902. In 1884 the governor was authorized
to appoint a commissioner of public records to report upon the
records of the parishes, towns, and counties. In 1889 the office was
continued for three years, and the commissioner was given - super-
vision of the records. In 189-2 the office was made permanent.

See ante, p. 9. 6 Laws of Kansas, 1905, p. 597. c Pp. 483, 484.

STATE LEGISLATION ON PUBLIC RECORDS. 17

Chapter 35, quoted above, embodies x the provisions for establishing
the office and defines the duties of the commissioner. A detailed
account of the commission was printed in the annual report of the
Association for 1900.

Michigan. There is no general law relating to the records. The
statutes governing county or township officers, courts, boards, and
institutions contain provisions requiring them to keep records, but
these are scattered through several hundred different statutes. There
is no general supervision.

Minnesota. There is no general law and no supervision, nor has
there been any legislation bearing upon the subject of the public
records.

Mississippi. There is no general law and no general supervision.
By an act approved February 26, 1902, a department of archives and
history was created, but excepting for a provision for the turning
over to the department of any records not in current use it would
seem to have no care of any records other than those usually classed as
archives. 5

Missouri. There is no general law covering all records. Chapter
148 of the Kevised Statutes, entitled " Records, Public," deals chiefly
with court records and proceedings in connection therewith, although
certain requirements relate to any civil or military officer having
records pertaining to his office. Other provisions are in their appro-
priate chapters. There is no general supervision.

Montana. The secretary of state is custodian of the State records,
the county clerks of the county records, the clerks of the courts of the
court records, and city and town clerks of municipal records. There
is no general law and no supervision, nor has legislative action been
taken in the matter.

Nebraska. There is no general law relating to the records and no
State supervision.

Nevada. There is no general law and no State supervision ; neither
has there been any proposed legislative action in the matter.

New Hampshire. There is no general law relating to the public
records and no State supervision. There has been some action look-
ing toward legislation in the matter, but thus far without results.
Under an act approved March 11, 1897, the records of all the courts
of the Province of New Hampshire prior to April 29, 1769, were re-
moved from the county record building at Exeter to the State library
building at Concord. Under an act approved March 10, 1899, all
records and deeds and all probate records and all the original papers
of the Province to the same date were also deposited there.

Vol. II, pp. 47 to 59. " Laws of Mississippi, 1902, p. 52.

16827 VOL 208 2

18 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

New Jersey. A public record commission was established in 1897
by -the following act, approved April 3. The text of this act is given
below :

AN ACT in relation to public records in this State.

Whereas in most of the townships and in many of the counties and munici-
palities of this State there is no adequate provision made for the secure and
permanent preservation of the public records. In consequence whereof many
records of great value have been lost and many more are in danger of loss or
destruction, and it is important that some measures should be devised to pre-
vent further loss or destruction of such records :

Be it enacted by the senate and general assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The governor shall appoint three persons as a commission on the public-
records of this State, who shall inquire into the nature and condition of the
public records of this State and of the several counties, townships, cities, and
other municipalities in the State; how, where, and in whose custody or posses-
sion such records are kept ; what provision, if any, is made for the safe and
permanent preservation thereof, and what measures, in the judgment of the
commission, should be taken to secure the safe and permanent preservation of
such public records, where they can be convenient of access to the public, if
there is no such provision at present ; and such commission shall report to the
governor from time to time the result of their inquiries, with such recommenda-
tions as to them shall seem advisable.

2. It shall be the duty of all public officers in this State to afford all reason-
able facilities to said commission for acquiring a full knowledge as to the
nature and condition of the public records, how, where, and in whose custody
the same are kept, and what provision, if any, is made fcr the safe and perma-
nent preservation thereof, and the facilities afforded for their convenient inspec-
tion by the public.

3. This act shall take effect immediately."

New Mexico. The acts relating to the records are scattered through
the Compiled Laws for 1897, and subsequent acts under the headings
pertaining to the Territorial, county, city, and town.

New York. There is no general law and no supervision. In 190^
a bill following the Massachusetts law failed to pass the legislature. 6

North Carolina. There is no general law and no State supervision.
Scattered through the Public and General Statutes are provisions for
keeping certain records. In 1905 a historical commission was ap-
pointed whose duty it is to collect historical data for printing and dis-
tribution, but it has no authority over the records.

North Dakota. There is no general law relating to the public-
records nor any general supervision, and no action toward it has ever
been taken.

Ohio. There has never been any compilation of the laws relating
to the public records. These are scattered through statutes under the

"Laws of New Jersey, 1897, p. 105.

'American Historical Association Reports for 1902, Vol. I, pp. 332-336; ibid., 1903,
Vol. I, p. 411.

c Act of March 9, 1903. Laws of North Carolina, 1903, p. 767.

STATE LEGISLATION ON PUBLIC KECOKDS. 19

chapters relating to the offices having records. There is no general
supervision.

Oklahoma. There is no general law relating to the records and no
supervision. The legislature of 1905 appropriated $2,000 per annum
for 1905 and 1906 to the Oklahoma Historical Society to be used as
the board of directors may direct.

Oregon. There is no general law relating to the custody or con-
dition of the public records and no State supervision. No legislative
action on the subject has been proposed.

Pennsylvania. A division of public records was established by an
act of the legislature of 1903, which was printed in the annual report
of the Association for 1903. a

Rhode Island. Previous to 1896 the only law relating to the public
records was chapter 31 of the General Laws, which provides for
delivery of records to th'e proper officials, and there is no general law.
In accordance with the recommendation of Governor Charles Warren
Lippitt, the following resolution was passed on the 14th of May,
1896, authorizing the appointment of a State record commissioner :

RESOLUTION Providing for the appointment of a record commissioner and making

appropriation therefor.

Resolved, That the governor be, and he is hereby, authorized to appoint a
person to be known as State record commissioner, whose duty it shall be to
prepare for the use of the State a detailed report of the number, kind, and con-
dition of the various public records in the custody and under the control of
State, city, and town officers in this State, and such parish and church records
as may be obtainable relating to extinct or active church organizations in said
State, and as far as possible, of the records and place of deposit in other States
relating to the several cities and towns in the State of Rhode Island ; and that
for the purpose aforesaid the sum of six hundred dollars be, and the same is
hereby, appropriated, and the State auditor is hereby directed to allow such
bills for the same as may be approved by the governor, and pay the same from
any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

The commissioner has no authority to compel towns or officials to
preserve or provide for the care of their records. He was authorized
by a resolution passed on May 6, 1898, to compile a list of the officers
and soldiers of the Colony and State of Rhode Island who were
engaged in the colonial wars and the war of the Revolution.

Upon completion of the new State house his office was established
there, where a vast amount of matter relating to the records is acces-
sible. The annual reports present in detail results of his work, with
recommendations for legislation which should be adopted.

The report on the archives of Rhode Island, by Clarence S. Brig-
ham, esq., printed in the annual report of this Association for 1903, b
gives valuable information in this connection.

"Vol. 1, pp. 411 to 413. 6 Vol. I, pp. 534-644.

20 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

South Carolina. There is no general law. By the Civil Code of
1902 certain officers are charged with keeping specific records. There
is no general supervision. An act reorganizing the historical com-
mission is printed in the annual report of the Association for 1905. a

South Dakota. There is no general law and no supervision.

Tennessee. There is no general law relating to the public records,
which are under control of the immediate officeholders in their respec-
tive State, county, and municipal offices. There is no State supervi-
sion. In response to an invitation from the legislature Hon. Thomas
M. Owen and Dunbar Rowland, archivists, respectively of Alabama
and Mississippi, addressed the legislature of 1905 on the best method
of preservation of the State's records, but no legislation, further than
a resolution of thanks, seems to have been passed, except an 'appro-
priation to pay the salary of a secretarjr of a department of archives
during the next two years.

Texas. The heads of the several offices containing public records
have the custody and control of their respective records. There is
no general law pertaining to the records and no State supervision.
By several acts archives have been defined ; provision has been made
for them in the basement of the capitol ; and a commissioner of agri-
culture, insurance, statistics, and history has been authorized. His
duty is directed toward the history of the State, and he is to demand
and receive from all officers having them in charge all books, papers,
etc., not necessary to the current duties of their offices which relate
to its history.

Utah. There is no general law relating to the custody and condi-
tion of the records and no State supervision.

Vermont. Each department has the custody and control of the
records in its department, and each town and county clerk and judge
of probate has such custody in his respective political division.
There is no State supervision, and no legislative action has been taken
in that direction.

Virginia. There is no general law relating to the public records.
They are in the custody of the departments of the Commonwealth
and the clerks of the several county and municipal offices. The State
records, which are under the control of the secretary of state, have
been placed under the care of the State library board. & There is no
supervision by the Commonwealth.

Washington. There is no general law relating to the public
records. The State records are in the custody of the secretary of
state, those of the counties of the county auditors, and the cities by
the city clerks. Other officers keep certain of their own records, but
in the main these are the usual custodians. There is no State super-
vision.

Vol. I, p. 333.

6 American Historical Association Reports for 1903, Vol. I, pp. 645, 646.

STATE LEGISLATION ON PUBLIC EECORDS. 21

West Virginia. Thore is no general law relating to the public
records. The records are in the custodj^ of the several State, county,
city, and town officials in their respective offices. There is no State
supervision. A bureau of history and archives was established by an
act passed February 21, 1905, as stated in the annual report of this
Association for 1905. a

Wisconsin. The Revised Statutes of 1898 contain many acts per-
taining to certain records, but there is no general law or supervision.

Wyoming. The Revised Statutes of 1899 prescribe the custody of
various records by the several officials. There is no general law or
supervision.

Vol. I, pp. 335-337.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF ARKANSAS.

By Prof. JOHN HUGH REYNOLDS,
Secretary of Arkansas History Commission.

INTRODUCTION.

The Arkansas Historical Association was organized in December,
1903, with headquarters at the University of Arkansas. The associa-
tion is incorporated. Notwithstanding vigorous efforts Avere made,
only a comparatively small membership was secured. This fact so
limited the income that its field of operation was circumscribed
within such narrow limits that little could be done. This led to an
appeal to the general assembly, which, April 27, 1905. passed a bill
creating the Arkansas History Commission. Since that time the
commission has been busily engaged in preparing an inventory of the
source of material of Arkansas history. The burden of this work
has fallen upon the secretary of the commission, the author of this
paper. The results of their labors have just appeared in the form of
Volume I of the Publications of the Arkansas Historical Association,
a volume of over 500 pages. The matter appearing in this chapter
was written primarily for that publication. The association is now
before the legislature asking that their work be permanently organ-
ized and that provision be made for continued support.

STATE OFFICERS.

The investigation was conducted in the summer of 1906. It was
confined to a few offices, because time would not permit a thorough
examination of all offices. In the case of the offices of secretary of
state and attorney-general, the method of work was to go through
the office, book by book, and list them by subject, giving period cov-
ered by each volume. The author then classified these dates, checked
them up, and in this way ascertained whether a given set of records
was complete; if incomplete, what volumes were missing. In writ-
ing the chapter he listed and briefly explained each line of record on
file; he followed this with a statement whether the class of records

24 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

was complete or not. If incomplete, the missing period was given,
it being deemed inadvisable to publish an itemized list of all the
volumes of each line of public records, as this would be long and
tedious and would serve no useful purpose.

In preparing the paragraph on other offices, the method was to
examine each class of records and, in a general way, by personal
inspection and inquiry of officials to ascertain their completeness. It
is true this is less thorough than the method pursued in the offices of
secretary of state and attorney-general, but it is believed that the
work is sufficiently thorough to justify all the statements made re-
garding the records. In case of the boundary records in the land
office, they were investigated in detail. Some of the records in all
offices are in bad repair and need rebinding, notably a few military
records in the secretary of state's office, the boundary records in the
land office, and many records in the State library.

SECRETARY OF STATE.

This office was created in 1819. It is distinctively a records office.
Its archives are richer in historical data than any other office. The
secretary keeps the records of all official acts of the governor, of all
his own official acts, and is the custodian of all the records of the
general assembly.

RECORDS IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

Civil records. The civil records contain a list of State, county, and township
officers, giving date of commission and the county and township in which they
reside. These records are well preserved and complete from the beginning of
the government in 1819 to the present, except for the years 1865 and 1875. The
volume covering the period from 1819 to 1836 is called the Official Register.
There are twelve volumes in all.

Executive register. This set of records contains all appointments made by
the governor, commutations, and rewards offered for the arrest of criminals.
These records begin with 1838, and are complete except for the years 1871 and
1872. If there were such records before 1838 they are missing. There are
seven volumes of these records.

Pardon record. This set of records contains the pardons granted by the gov-
ernor, and they begin with 1866. The pardons prior to that date are to be found
in the executive register. Separate and distinct pardon record books were
found for the following periods: May, 1866, to June 29, 1868; May 13, 1898,
to October 10, 1900; October 11, 1900, to March 24, 1904; March 28, 1904, to
July 10, 1906. From 1868 to 1898 no separate records for pardons were found.
For that period they perhaps may be found in the executive register.

Antitrust record. This line of records contains a list of foreign and domestic
corporations doing business in Arkansas, the date when antitrust affidavits
were sent out by the office and the date of their return. The law requiring these
records was passed in 1899, and since that date they are complete. The cor-
porations are required to declare that they are not in any trust.

Railway contract leases. Under our law the vender retains title to rolling
stock until the purchase price is paid. Contracts executed for such stock are

PUBLIC AKCHIVES OF ARKANSAS. 25

filed with the secretary of state, including a list of all rolling stock purchased
by railroads operating in the State. The law of 1893 requires a record of these
contracts. The records are complete from that time and are to be found in
three volumes.

Notary public records. Contains a list of notaries public by counties ap-
pointed by the governor, their post-office, and when qualified. These records
seem to be complete.

Requisitions and warrants. Contain warrants of arrest for escaped crimi-
nals issued by the governor upon requisitions from governors of other States.
They also contain the requisitions by the governor of Arkansas upon the gov-
ernors of other States for the rendition of fugitives from justice. Prior to 1905
this class of records was kept in the executive register. Since that date they
are kept in a separate book under the title given above. There is an index
to requisitions bearing date of 1865. This is an index to requisitions made
prior to that date.

Railroad assessment record. Contains the proceedings of the meetings of the
State board of railroad commissioners for the assessment of railroad proper-
ties and the assessments made upon the railroads doing business in the State.
These records are complete from 1868, when the first assessments were made.
There are four volumes of these records.

Proclamations record. Contains all the proclamations by the governor, in-
cluding those offering rewards for arrest, fixing date for execution of criminals,
etc. These records are complete from 1893 to the present, and are found in
two volumes. Prior to that date they are to be found in the executive register.
There is one volume containing proclamations of the governor from May, 1865,
to March, 1881. This book, however, is in the nature of a scrapbook made up
of proclamations taken from newspaper clippings.

Trade-mark record. The legislature in 1883 passed a law offering protection
to trade-marks if they were filed with the secretary of state. The record con-
tains a list of trade companies, a statement of the character, and a facsimile
copy of their trade-mark. This record is complete from 1883.

Articles of association. Contains names of companies incorporated under the
laws of the State, date of formation, purpose, list of directors and officers, cap-
ital stock. This set of records is in good condition and is complete from July
28, 1868, to the present except for the following periods: June 29, 1882, to Jan-
nary 26, 1885 ; May 4, 1887 to February 5, 1889.

Senate journals. Contains a record of the proceedings of the senate, which
includes the various steps in the passage and amendment of bills, the votes on
same, the attitude of each senator on most measures. This set of records is in
good condition and is complete except for the following periods: 1824-1833,
1834-1836, 1837-1840, 1850-51, 1853-1857.

House journals. These records are the same in character for the house as the
senate journals are for that body. These records are complete except for the
following periods: 1826-1831, 1834-1842, 1856-1860.

Foreign corporations records. This class of records contains a list of all for-
eign corporations doing business in Arkansas. Such corporations are required
under our law to file a copy of their charter with the secretary of state, certified
to by proper officials of the State of origin. The records are complete from
March 1, 1899, to the present. None required prior to that date.

Acts of Arkansas. The official copy of all acts of each session of the general
assembly, signed by the proper officers of each house, is filed at the end of the
session with the secretary of state. It is his duty to keep the original copy of
these acts thus filed. They are found complete except for the following dates :
Second session of Territorial legislature, 1821 ; third session, 1823 ; fourth ses-

26 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

sion, 1825; fifth session, 1827; special session, 1828; seventh session, 1831;
eighth session, 1850-51 ; tenth session, 1854-55 ; eleventh session, 1856-57.

Annual returns of railroad, express, telegraph, and sleeping car companies.
This class of records contains the returns made by railroad, telegraph, express,
and sleeping car companies, giving a detailed list of all their properties within
the State and the value thereof. These are found on file since 1884, and are
complete. Not required prior to that date.

Convict register. A register of State convicts is kept in the secretary of
state's office, giving the name, crime, sentence, where tried, term of court,
and nativity of each criminal. Two volumes were found, covering the period
from 1881 to 1892.

Minutes of the Fayetteville Branch of State Bank. Contains the proceedings
of the meetings of the board of directors of the Fayetteville Branch of the
State Bank from January, 1840, to October 12, 1846.

General ledger of general board of Real Estate Bank, 1839-1854.

Ledger of Fayetteville Branch of the State Bank, 1838-1841.

Exchange Credit of Bank of State of Arkansas, 1868-April, 1879.

Executive letters, August, 1868-April, 1879. A letter book contains the
communications to the governor about all kinds of business. One registrar
writes that he can not register voters without protection, and calls for troops.
Major Tisdale, of Carrollton, wries that 1,850 men can be raised there for
militia. One Matthews, of Louisburg, writes that the parties engaged in
recent outbreak there had left the country, were skulking in the woods, or
had joined the bushwhackers.

Telegrams received. This book contains copies of military telegrams re-
ceived by the governor of Arkansas from April, 1865, to March, 1871.

Letters. Press copy of letters of Governor Baxter from January to August,
1873; press copy of letters of the governor, May 20, 1872-January 3, 1873;
press copies of executive letters, January 17, 1883-March 31, 1889; press
copies of letters of adjutant-general, June 16, 1869-December 20, 1872; letters
to quartermaster-general, with his indorsements thereon, November, 1868-
September, 1871; letters of secretary of state, C. B. Moore, February 13,
1885- July 5, 1887; letters of John H. Creese, cashier of Bank of State of
Arkansas, June, 1837-October, 1841; correspondence of commissioner of public
works and internal improvements, May 1869-April, 1870 contains letters and
petitions to the commissioner and his replies ; abstracts of executive letters,
September 2, 1868-December 14, 1870.

Report to Governor Clayton of commissioner of public works and internal
improvements, filed October 6, 1868. This report contains applications of rail-
road companies for State aid, report on condition of such companies, their
resources and liabilities.

Miscellaneous. Testimony in the Bynum case, 1901; map of boundary
between Arkansas and Missouri, by Bazil Gordon, surveyor ; tax returns of St.
Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad, 1893-1906 ; ordinances and acts
of convention of 1861; official copies of the constitutions of 1864, 1868, and
1874, on parchment in tin cases; records of penitentiary physicians, May, 1893;
index to writs of elections, 1879-1885 ; index to record 11, volumes 1 and 2, of
articles of association ; index to pardons, October, 1900.

Register of commissioners for Arkansas in other States. This record con-
tains a list of names of persons in other States commissioned to take acknowl-
edgments for Arkansas in those States.

Official list of cities and towns. This record gives a list of all cities incor-
porated in Arkansas, date of charter, to what class they belong, and in what
county. The record is complete since 1844.

PUBLIC AKCHIVES OF ARKANSAS. 27

Census list of cities. Contains the census of all cities applying for
incorporation.

Proceedings of board of municipal corporations. January 18, 1879, to the
present. This board consists of secretary of state, auditor, and attorney-
general. They pass upon all applications of cities for charter.

Penitentiary ledger, May 7, 1883-May 13, 1892.

Journal of the secession convention.

County election commissioners. The State board of election commissioners
under our law appoints three election commissioners for each county. This
record contains the county commissioners appointed for 1900 and 1904. No
records prior to 1900 were found.

Military records. January 6, 1837-March 11, 1861. This record contains a
list of all officers of the militia of each county, with date of their commission.
Each county seems to have had one regiment. It moreover contains a list of
the captains, first and second lieutenants of each company raised in the several
counties as volunteer companies of cavalry requisitioned by Secretary of War,
May 15, 1846. It also lists the officers of battalions raised under the same
requisition for service on Arkansas frontiers. This is a large volume and is
about to fall to pieces. It should be rebound.

Incorporation charters, No. 1. This record contains certificates of incorpora-
tion of manufacturing concerns, stating that the company has complied with
the laws and is incorporated. These records have been kept since May 14, 1903,
and are on file.

Township records. The county court under our law creates townships and
fixes boundaries. Certificates of all such creations and alterations, with copy
of action of the court, are certified to the secretary of state by the county
clerk. These papers are carefully kept and preserved in alphabetical order.
They contain the original divisions of each county into townships and all sub-
sequent alterations. They are in tin filing cases.

Circuit clerk bonds. Our law requires that the bonds of circuit clerks shall
be filed with the secretary of state. These papers are on file in the office of
the secretary in* tiling cases since 1880. No bonds were found for the period
prior to that date. They may be in the basement.

House and senate Mils. The original copy of each bill introduced in the
house and senate is filed with the secretary of state at the end of each session
of the general assembly. On the back of each bill is marked by the clerks of
the respective houses the action taken on the bill. The bills for a few recent
sessions of the legislature are in filing cases in the secretary of state's office,
but the great body of them have, for want of space, been dumped into the base-
ment, where many of them are to be found yet.

Election returns. Returns are made by the election commissioners of each
county to the secretary of state of the votes cast at the general elections for all
local and State .offices and on any question which the voters are called upon
to ballot. These returns show the votes by townships. The same returns are
made for Congressional and Presidential elections. These returns for the last
twelve years are in tin filing cases in the secretary of state's office. For the
period prior to that time they have been dumped in the basement. Doubtless
many are lost.

Charters of foreign corporations. All foreign corporations doing business in
the State are required to file copies of their charters, certified to by proper offi-
cials of the State of their origin. These charters are kept in tin filing cases.
They are complete from 1899.

Penitentiary papers. A number of tin filing cases are full of indiscriminate
mixture of papers concerning the penitentiary, such as requisitions, appraise-

28 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

ments of penitentiary property, commutations, reports of superintendents, bids
for furniture for the penitentiary. These papers are on file in the office since
1893. No papers for an earlier date were found.

STATE LIBRARY.

The State library is only such in name. It is thus aptly described
by Professor Shinn : " The library is located in what might be ap-
propriately called ' The catacombs underlying the old statehouse.' To
get a book is very much like the process of exhuming a mummy.
The rooms are damp, dismal, and disagreeable."

In addition to the many thousands of volumes of public documents
of Arkansas, of the Federal Government, and of other States, there
are many valuable public records stored away here. The old state-
house has been inadequate for the proper care of the public archives
for decades. All the offices are overcrowded and have been for
many years. In order to transact routine business they have been
compelled to find some place other than the offices to deposit the
overflow papers and documents. The basement occupied by the State
library has been for many years the common dumping ground to
relieve this congestion. This is true of the secretary of state's office
in particular, for most of the public documents found in the base-
ment are under the care of this office.

Below is listed the more important documents in the library. It
was found, however, impossible to classify and list the many thousand
papers there owing to crowded conditions.

STATE AND REAL ESTATE BANK DOCUMENTS.

Teller's cashbook of the Western Branch of the Heal Estate Bank, covering
period from February 22, 1840, to March 26, 1844.

Teller's cashbook of the Real Estate Bank from March 2, 1841, to July, 1853.

Teller's cashbook of the Real Estate Bank from 1838 to 1839.

Record of stock of Columbia Branch of Real Estate Bank.

Stock book of Helena Branch of Real Estate Bank.

Ledger of Helena Branch of Real Estate Bank, 1840-1847.

Suit record, a record of all suits brought by the Real Estate Bank from its
organization, and all suits disposed of by the bank after Albert Pike was ap-
pointed its sole attorney in November, 1841.

Discount book of Washington Branch of Real Estate Bank, 1839-40.

Discount book of Helena Branch of Real Estate Bank, 1839-40.

Discount and credit book of Western Branch of Real Estate Bank, 1840-41.

Discount and credit book of Branch of State Bank, 1840-1815.

Discount and credit book of Real Estate Bank from December 10, 1838, to
1844.

Discount and credit book of Real Estate Bank, December, 1838, to 1851.

Journal of Helena Branch of Real Estate Bank from February 15, 1839 to
January 23, 1844 ; also contains record of business done by committee of trus-
tees of Real Estate Bank from May 26, 1842, to March, 1844; also record of
transactions of residuary trustees from April, 1844, to March, 1855.

PUBLIC AKCHIVES OF ARKANSAS. 29

Journal of Central Branch of Real Estate Bank, containing journal of finance
committee of the Central Branch from July, 1838, to March 10, 1840, and of the
executive board of trustees and of the residuary trustees, August 16, 1842, to
April, 1855.

Journal of Real Estate Bank at Little Rock from December 10, 1838, to
August 15, 1842, and of the trustees from August 16, 1842, to September 10, 1847.

Journal of Washington Branch of Real Estate Bank from April 1, 1839, to
February 27, 1844 ; also journal of trustees from February 22, 1844, to August
9, 1847.

Notes receivable for Fayetteville Branch Bank, 1838-39.

Proceedings of the exchange committee of Washington Branch of Real Estate
Bank from June, 1839, to December 11, 1839.

Letter book of central board of Real Estate Bank, September 11, 1837-April
14, 1842; of trustees and residuary trustees, September 5, 1842-February 23,
1848.

Letter book of Helena Branch of Real Estate Bank, February 11, 1839-April

18, 1842 ; of trustees and residuary trustees, July 26, 1842-November 2, 1848.
Schedule of board of managers of Real Estate Bank, containing subscriptions

for stocks, residence, description of land, and number of acres of each sub-
scriber. The name of Frederick Notrebe is the first on the roll.

Schedule of Western Branch of Real Estate Bank, being the same for this
bank as above for the Real Estate Bank at Little Rock.

Individual ledger of Real Estate Bank, M to Z, 1842-1844.

Individual ledger of Real Estate Bank, A to Z, 1838-1841.

Ledger of Columbia Branch of Real Estate Bank, March, 1839-1847.

General ledger of Helena Branch of Real Estate Bank, February 16, 1839-
1846.

Ledger of Washington Branch of Real Estate Bank, 1838-39.

Signature book of Columbia Branch of Real Estate Bank.

Record book of Helena Branch of Real Estate Bank, containing mortgages,
deeds, etc.

Invoice book of Helena Branch of Real Estate Bank, March 18, 1839- July
21, 1841.

Check book of Fayetteville Branch Bank.

Day book of Real Estate Bank, 1838.

Check list of Real Estate Bank, 1838-39.

Cash deposit book of Helena Branch of Real Estate Bank, 1839-1852.

CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS.

Account book of carpetbag constitutional convention of 1868. This docu-
ment shows that a delegate from Ashley County served from January 7 to
February 12, inclusive, and drew mileage for 900 miles, which, together with
his per diem, amounted to $716 ; that a delegate from St. Francis County served
from January 7 to February 14, inclusive, and received pay for 880 miles,
which, together with his per diem, amounted to $722.64 ; that the president of
the convention was paid $1,064 for his services from January 7 to February
14, and was not required to state the number of miles traveled.

Copies of letters of Capt. Henry Page from headquarters, Army of Potomac,
from November 19, 1863, to November 16, 1864 ; also June 21, 1867, to October

19, 1867.

Letter book of Henry Page, disbursing officer, from October 27, 1867, to
April 28, 1868.

Circuit clerk's bonds, October 1863- January 3, 1865.

80 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Circuit clerk's bonds, November 28, 1804, to January, 1873.

Circuit and county clerks' bonds, December 5, 1872-Marcli 5, 187(3.

Warants of the governor from July 1, 1860, to December 10, 1879, containing
warrants for secret service for the State.

Account book, giving record of accounts of secretary of state with Daily &
P.ros., job printers, of St. Louis, from 1865 to 1869.

Record of organization and proceedings of Arkansas State Council of the
Union League of America, organized at Little Rock, October 6, 1871, with
Governor Hadley, president, containing proceedings of the society and charters
issued to local subordinate lodges. This record shows that the meeting held
January 1, 1872, passed resolutions indorsing the administrations of Hadley,
Grant, and Clayton, recommended Republican harmony, and resolved against
the reinstatement of certain parties to Federal positions named in the resolu-
tion.

Account book of members of the constitutional convention of 1874. This
book shows that the per diem of $6 for eighteen days and 20 cents per mile for
500 miles were allowed to the delegates from Benton County, and that others
were paid at the same rate.

Official orders of Maj. Gen. R. C. Newton, commanding Arkansas State
Guard, and of Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Churchill, commanding the State Guard,
from May 11, 1874, to June 8, 1874.

Letters of secretary of state, 1873.

Letters of Elisha Baxter in 1873 and of the governor in 1879-80.

Letters sent by Maj. Gen. R. C. Newton, commanding State Militia, and by
A. Belding, colonel, from headquarters of Arkansas State Militia, from Decem-
ber 15, 1874, to April 14, 1875.

List of railroad corporations filing preliminary surveys, maps, profiles,
1869-1882.

Indorsement book of Henry Page, disbursing officer, frqm July 6, 1867, to
June 29, 1868, containing an abstract of correspondence, requests, and his in-
dorsements thereon.

Indorsement book of Henry Page from March 8 to September 10, 1867.

Little Rock Republican Club proceedings from August 17, 1867, to February
15, 1868, containing plans of campaign and methods of raising funds.

Records of quartermaster of provisional brigade, Lieut. L. R. Young, with
headquarters in Mississippi and Georgia, December 2, H 863-Septeuiber 11, 1864.

Records of commissioner of public works and internal improvements, May 11,
1869-July 11, 1870, containing letters and official acts of commissioner.

Records, in several volumes, of commissioner of public works and internal im-
provements, 1871-72, containing account of bond issues for levees and of as-
sessment on property owners benefited by the improvements in the several
counties.

Letter book of commissioner of public works and internal improvements,
May 6, 1873-March 5, 1874.

Tax book of Crittenden County for payment of interest on levee bonds for
building the Memphis and St. Louis Railroad.

Journal, containing itemized list and value of clothing purchased by the cen-
tral committees of the several counties appointed by the military board of
Arkansas in 1861.

Record of board of inspectors of the penitentiary, April 1, 1871-April 27, 1872.

Record of Arkansas railroad bonds signed by governor, September 25, 1871-
July 12, 1873.

Record of Arkansas railroad bonds approved by governor, April 10, 1869.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF ARKANSAS. 31

RECORDS OF ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE.

Orders of William A. E. Tisalal, major commanding the militia of second sub-
district in northeast Arkansas, with headquarters at Jonesboro, 1860.

Roster of Arkansas State Militia, 1869-1872.

Roster of Arkansas State Militia, county organizations of, 1869-70.

Military record, containing list of officers of Arkansas State Militia from sev-
eral counties, March 4, 1864-February 7, 1877.

Records of the military board of Arkansas, May 21, 1861-June 1, 1805, being
volumes 1 and 2 of records of adjiitant-general's office.

Abstract of supplies purchased. Volume 3 of records adjutant-general's
office.

Records of all orders issued by Flanagin as governor and commander in chief
of the militia of Arkansas, July 20, 1863-September 1, 1864. It also contains
muster rolls of the Arkansas mounted volunteers of the companies of Capts.
E. K. Williamson, R. C. Reeves, A. T. Tettus, G. A. Hale, John W. Dyer, Robert
L. Burke, John Connally, James Abraham, W. C. Coocovan, T. G. Henley, and
A. D. King, giving name, rank, age, height, color of hair and eyes, occupation,
date of enlistment, place of enrollment, remarks, desertion, deaths. Volume 4
of records of adjutant-general's office.

Muster-out rolls and historical memoranda of adjutant-general's office, vol-
ume 5. Contains muster rolls of First, Second, Third, and Fourth Cavalry Regi-
ments of Arkansas Volunteers, giving names of all companies, their officers, when
and where mustered into service, mustered out ; names of all enlisted men, when
and where mustered in and out, period of service. The muster rolls are followed
in each case by a brief history of each regiment. This record also furnishes the
same information about the First, Second, and Fourth Regiments of Arkansas
Infantry Volunteers.

Letters of Adjutant-General Bishop, being volume 6 of records adjutant-
general's office, date November 21, 1864-June 7, 1867.

Inventory and inspection reports, made to General Steele, June 4, 1864-
December 5, 1864. Volume 10, records adjutant-general's office.

Muster rolls of Arkansas Volunteers. Volume 11, records adjutant-general's
office.

MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS.

Evidence taken before a bribery committee in the case of State of Arkansas v.
Joel Johnson, 1879.

Official correspondence with the Department of War by the governor of
Arkansas, June 6, 1825-April 27, 1826, containing valuable letters of the gov-
ernor of Arkansas to the Secretary of War about Indians, treaties, and bound-
aries. It contains a letter of Heckatton to the governor.

Copy of the direct tax stub receipt book, No. 4, for Ouachita, Terry, Phillips,
Pike, Pope, Poinsett, and Prairie counties.

Warrant book of secretary of state's office, January 31, 1879-August 1, 1882.

Executive letters, January 17-August 21, 1877.

Correspondence of executive office, January 13, 1883-February 19, 1885.

Letters of executive, December 19, 1874-January 6, 1877.

Letter book of attorney-general, November 21, 1876-September 20, 1877.

Union County tax book for 1852.

Warrant stub book of secretary of state, July 30, 1887-November 2, 1888.

32 AMEBICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

NEWSPAPER FILES IN STATE LIBRARY.

Daily Arkansas Gazette, December 2, 1867- June 30, 1868; July 1, 1869-
December 31, 1869 ; January 1-June 30, 1870 ; May 1-December 30, 1870 ; Jan-
uary 1-June 30, 1871 ; July 1-December 31, 1871 ; January 3-June 30, 1872.

The Washington Telegraph, January 15, 1862-December 20, 1865, one volume.

MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.

In that part of the library occupied by the secretary of the peni-
tentiary board are two cases with many pigeonholes. These cases are
filled with papers belonging to the secretary of state's office. There
are thousands of these papers. In point of time they date from the
beginning of the Territorial government down to recent years, and
in point of character they bear on every subject-matter with which
the office of the secretary of state has to do. These papers are expos-
ed to dust and dampness and are unclassified. To illustrate their
scope and importance the following are listed without regard to date
or subject-matter:

Original treaty. Between the United States and the Quapaw Nation, exe-
cuted November 15, 1824, at Harrington, containing the signature of Robert
Crittenden, commissioner for the United States, and a number of Quapaw
chiefs, among whom was Saracen.

Protest of sundry citizens of Lawrence County. Against the removal of the
county seat, and addressed to the " Honorable Council and House of Repre-
sentatives of the Territory of Arkansas."

Miscellaneous. Estimate by Woodruff on the cost of printing digest of laws
in 1823.

Bids for public printing for 1833-1835 by C. P. Bertrand, W. E. Woodruff,
Smith & Reed.

Letter of Pelham to Governor John Pope, June 9, 1829, selecting certain lands
for the seminary.

Letter of Elias Rector to Governor William Fulton, September 2, 1829, select-
ing lands for the seminary.

Census returns of 1862, giving the number of whites between certain ages,
number of slaves of different ages, free persons of color (none being reported),
number of acres of laud in cotton, in grain, number of bales of cotton, number
of bushels of corn, oats, and wheat.

Papers concerning the Cairo and Fulton Railroad, 1856, containing the com-
pany's bond for $1,000,000 to the State of Arkansas.

Report to General Ord in 1867 regarding public printing.

Letter from chairman of Republican central committee at Dardanelle, asking
the governor to remove the mayor because he was an unreconstructed Democrat.

Correspondence passed between General Ord and Secretary of State Robert
J. T. White in regard to the appointment of sheriffs and other officers by the
general.

Order of Governor Flanagin, October 7, 1863, fixing Washington as the
capital of the Confederate State government.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF ARKANSAS. 33

GENERAL LAND OFFICE.

The office of State land commissioner was created in 1869. Prior
to that date the auditor's office kept the land records. After the
creation of the land office the auditor transferred to it such records
as properly belonged to the office. Under the law the commissioner
is the land agent of the State. The office deals with all classes of
State lands school, saline, seminary, internal improvement, swamp,
forfeited, Real Estate, and State Bank lands.

CLASSES OF RECORDS KEPT BY THE OFFICE.

(a) Township plats. The commissioner makes and keeps in his office a plat
or map of each township in. which there are any unsold lands belonging to any
of the above classes.

(&) Sales records. As the land agent of the State, the commissioner sells all
classes of these lands. A record is kept of all such sales, giving a description
of the land sold, the class to which it belongs, to whom sold, the price, etc.

(d) Lists of all United States lands sold by Federal land officers are filed in
the State land office.

(e) Field notes and plats. This office is the custodian and has on file the
original Government field notes of all surveys made in Arkansas, including
boundary surveys. The field notes and plats date from 1815.

(/) Deed record. When the commissioner sells a tract of land he executes
a deed. Under the law he is also authorized to furnish deeds to persons who
present proofs of having legally bought and paid for any of the above lands. A
record is kept of all such deeds issued by the office.

(g) Redemption record. Under the law persons forfeiting lands for failure
to pay taxes are allowed a certain time within which to redeem said lands.
When redemptions are made, the office keeps a record of the same.

(h) Field notes and plats of boundary surveys. For the survey of the Indian
boundary lines, the western line of Arkansas 40 miles west of the southwest
corner of Missouri, south to the Red River, surveyed by Joseph C. Brown, and
for the base line of Arkansas. The following boundary records are now on file
in the land office :

1. Field notes of survey of land ceded by the United States in 1820 to the
Choctaw Nation. Survey made in 1821 by Henry D. Downes, commissioner.

2. Field notes of Joseph C. Brown, who surveyed the northern boundary of
Arkansas and the western boundary of Missouri in 1823. This is a copy of the
original field notes to be found in the office of the secretary of state of Missouri.
In making the survey he began at the southwest corner of Missouri at 36 : 30
and ran east 233 miles to the St. Francis River. Here he stopped and did not
resume work until 1824. He then dropped down on the St. Francis River to
the thirty-sixth degree and finished the survey.

3. Louisiana line. The southern boundary line was run according to an
act of Congress passed May 19, 1828. James S. Con way and William Pelharn
were appointed by the President for Arkansas, and the State of Louisiana
appointed R. A. Crane. The survey was begun November 1, 1830, and was
finished in January, 1831. The original field notes and plats of this survey
are to be found in Field Book 1830, D.

16827 VOL 208 3

34 AMEKICAN HISTOKICAL ASSOCIATION.

4. Field notes of survey of Cherokee line from the southwest corner of Mis-
souri to Fort Smith. This survey was begun September 19, 1831, and ended
January 28, 1832, John Donelson, jr., being the surveyor. Pages 34 to 52,
inclusive, are missing from the field notes of this survey.

5. Missouri and Arkansas line. The original survey by Brown, in 1823,
not proving satisfactory, the States of Arkansas and Missouri authorized
another survey. Daniel Dunklin was appointed commissioner by Missouri
and Davis Thompson was appointed commissioner by Arkansas. These com-
missioners appointed John Clark, of Arkansas, as third commissioner, and Bazil
Gordon, of Missouri, as surveyor. The survey was begun October 17, 1843,
and was finished August 10, 1845. The work was interrupted, however, and
nothing was done from December 8, 1843, to May 14, 1845. The original field
notes and plat of this survey are in the office of the laud commissioner.

6. Field notes of survey of western boundary of Arkansas between the State
and the Choctaw Indian lands. This survey was made by the United States
Government in 1877, Henry E. McKee being the surveyor. This survey in-
cludes the Choctaw treaty line from the initial point at Fort Smith south to
the Red River.

All lines of records seem to be complete and in reasonable state of preserva-
tion. The boundary records especially need rebinding. The office is crowded.

OFFICE OF ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

This office was created in 1843. The attorney-general is the legal
adviser of the various departments of the State government and is
the attorney for the State in all suits. The law requires that the
official opinions of the attorney-general shall be preserved in a well-
bound book. As a matter of fact, it can scarcely be said that this
office has any records. For the most part they have been poorly kept
where preserved at all. The State is doubtless partly to blame for
the bad condition of this office in its failure to provide proper cler-
ical force and for the publication of the opinions of the attorney-
general. A few of the attorneys left letterpress copies of their
opinions and of part of their correspondence. The following press
copies of opinions and letters were found :

One volume containing opinions of Attorneys-General Hughes and Moore,
volume No. 3. Another volume containing opinions of Attorneys-General
Kinsworthy, Davis, and Murphy, dating from 1898 to 1902. Another volume con-
taining opinions and correspondence of Colonel Murphy, 1901-2. Another
volume containing the opinions and letters of Colonel Murphy, 1902-1904.

In the State library is to be found a letter book of the attorney-general from
November 21, 1876, to September 20, 1877.

SUPREME COURT.

The supreme court dates from 1836, and the records appear to be
complete and accessible from the admission of the State until the
present. The superior court of the Territorial days corresponds to
the supreme court since statehood. Many of the records of the
superior court are preserved, but they are mixed and in bad condition.
Some of them are in Spanish. As the more important criminal and

PUBLIC ABCHIVES OF ARKANSAS. 35

civil cases are carried up to the supreme court, its records are of great
historical value.

The records of the court are in the office of the clerk of the supreme
court. The following classes of records are kept :

Case records. These contain all pleadings, evidence, proceedings, and final
disposition of cases.

Opinion record. Here is kept a record of all the opinions of the court.

Clerk's appearance docket. In this is recorded the names of the parties to
the case, county from which it comes, and name of judge.

Clerk's court docket. Here is kept a minute of all steps taken in each case.

Fee record. In this is recorded all costs in the case.

Enrollment docket. The names of all the attorneys having the privilege to
practice before the supreme court are listed in this record.

Judgment record. Here is kept an abstract of all judgments rendered by
the court.

Execution docket. Contains abstracts of all executions issued from the
supreme court.

Judge's docket. A minute book wherein the chief justice notes briefly all
actions of the court.

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

This office was created in 1868. It is not primarily a record office,
but there are to be found some important papers in the office. It has
been administered well and its records are in good condition. The
following is a list of records to be found in this office :

List of all State and professional licenses issued by the State superintendent
from the organization of the office.

List of teachers with grade of license held by each. This list is kept just one
year.

Annual reports of county examiners. These reports are the basis for the
State superintendent's biennial report. The original reports of examiners are
kept for a number of years, and after it is thought there will be no further use
for them they are destroyed.

Annual reports of county treasurers. Gives receipts and expenditures of
school funds. These reports are kept five or six years and then destroyed.

Uniform text-book record. Companies desiring to furnish books under the
county uniformity law are required to file with the State superintendent their
bids and the form of their contract accompanied by samples of their books.
These records and books are kept on file.

List of all books adopted in the several counties voting uniformity is kept on
file in the office.

Biennial reports. These reports are published and are on file since 1872.

School laws. The superintendent compiles and issues biennial school laws
then in force. This set is complete in the office since 1894.

RAILROAD COMMISSION'.

This commission was created by an act of the general assembly in
1899. Its records are complete from that date and are as follows :

36 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMISSION.

Rate sheets and tariff changes. Railroads and express Companies are re-
quired to furnish the commission a schedule of all rates charged by them and
notice of all changes in tariffs. These reports are on file in the office.

Annual reports of railroads. Railroads are required to make annual reports
to the commission, and these reports furnish the same information that is
required to be furnished to the Interstate Commerce Commission. These re-
ports give the history of the road, names of directors and officers, capital stock,
miles of road, leased property, funded debt, cost of roads, equipment, earnings
from different sources, gross and net earnings, stocks and bonds, operating
expenses, employees and salaries, traffic, including number of passengers, and
amount of freight. All of these reports are on file in the office.

Findings of the commission. The commission sits as a court to hear com-
plaints as to rates and discriminations. The record of its findings are kept.
It fixes what it regards as reasonable and just freight, express, and passenger
rates, and this schedule is kept on file.

Letter-press copies of all letters sent. These are carefully kept in the office
and files of all letters received are also preserved.

Reports. The commission is expected periodically to publish reports. The
following have been issued : 1899-1900, 1901-2, 1902-3, 1903-4.

The commission is to be commended for the businesslike manner of doing
work and keeping records.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ARKANSAS.

The Owen survey. Upon the recommendation of Governor Elias Conway, the
general assembly in 1857 authorized the first survey. Dr. David Dale Owen,
State geologist of Kentucky, was appointed State geologist of Arkansas, and
made the survey. The results of his work are embodied in his two reports
published, respectively, in 1858 and 1860. The work was in the nature of geolog-
ical reconnaissance, the first report being devoted to the territory north of the
Arkansas River and the second to that south of the river. Copies of this survey
are rare. They are to be found in scientific libraries scattered throughout the
country.

The reconstruction survey. The death of Doctor Owen and the civil war put
an end to the survey. Efforts were made in 1866 and in 1868 to reestablish the
survey, but owing to unsettled conditions they failed. In 1871 the general as-
sembly authorized a second survey, and Governor Hadley appointed W. F.
Roberts, of Pennsylvania, State geologist. Mr. Roberts did but little, and
added nothing to the information contained in the reports of Doctor Owen. His
reports, if he ever prepared any, were never filed with the secretary of state,
nor were they ever published. In the Age of Steel at St. Louis appeared some
papers on the subject by Mr. Roberts in 1887-88. His assistant, Dr. George
Haddock, published a pamphlet of 60 pages. The general assembly in 1873
made an additional appropriation of $15,000 for the survey. In 1874 three
geologists were successively appointed, George Haddock, William C. Haceldime,
and Arnold Syberg, the first two being removed. Nothing was done by any one
of the three men.

The Branner survey. The most important survey was the last, which was
made by Professor Branner. In 1887 this survey was authorized, and by suc-
ceeding legislatures was continued down to 1893. Professor Branner was, at
the time of his appointment, professor of geology at the University of Indiana,
and since the survey he has held the same position in Stanford University. He
was at first assisted by two and later by four assistants. The results of his

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF ARKANSAS. 37

survey are embodied in fourteen volumes published by the State and in three
unpublished volumes. The former can be had from the secretary of state.
Three unpublished volumes treat of coal, coal measures, and clays. The one on
clays will soon appear among the publications of the United States Geological
Survey. The manuscript for these unpublished volumes is in the hands of
Professor Branner at Stanford University.

COUNTY OFFICES.

In the preparation of this part of the chapter the author con-
ducted an extensive correspondence with county clerks and others
prepared to furnish information. The matter below is largely a
tabulation of the facts brought out by this correspondence.

ARKANSAS COUNTY. a

On Monday, December 6, 1813, the second session of the first Territorial legis-
lature of Missouri convened in St. Louis. At this session the county of
Arkansas was created by an act thereof dated December 31, 1813.

Outline history.

The first appearance of Europeans in Arkansas County was the landing of
De Soto and his men in May, 1541, opposite the present site of Memphis.

De Soto died and was buried at Helena in 1542, and it was here that his
successor, Moscoso, was appointed. This opinion as to location is based on
the description given by Irving in his Conquest of Florida, by the Gentleman of
Blvas, and by De Biedma, and upon a full personal knowledge of the topography
of the country. In July, 1673, Marquette and Joliet visited the mouth of the
Arkansas River. (See Marquette and Joliet's account in French's Historical
Collections.)

March 12, 1682, La Salle and De Tonti, with twenty-two Frenchmen and
eighteen savages, reached the mouth of the Arkansas River. Here La Salle
took formal possession of the territory in the name of the King of France and
erected a cross bearing the arms of his country the first formal declaration of
sovereignty over Louisiana. (See French's Historical Collections and Park-
man's Discovery in the Great West.)

In the spring of 1686 the first settlement by white men made in Louisiana
was at Arkansas post, on the north bank of the Arkansas River, by Frenchmen
to whom De Tonti granted the privilege under a grant to him from La Salle.
De Tonti, " by deed dated November 26, 1689, gave to Father Dablon, then
superior of the Canadian mission, a strip on the Arkansas River, a little east
of his fort, of about 8 acres for a chapel and mission house * * *." (See
Memoirs of De Tonti. )

A settlement of Germans and negroes was made in 1718 near the post through
the efforts of John Law. In 1751 M. Bossu, a French captain of marines, vis-
ited Arkansas post, and in his report to his Government says of Law's colony :
" It was 4 leagues square and the colony was erected into a duchy." ( See
Bossu's Travels through Louisiana, Volume 1.)

The District of Arkansas was established for civil and military purposes in
1722, a judge and commandant being appointed to reside at the post. (See
Le Harpe.)

Judge Halliburton, of De Witt, furnishes the information for this county.

38 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Du Poisson, after a voyage full of discomforts, of which lie has given a most
graphic description, reached the Arkansas post on July 7, 1727. ( See Catholic
Missions by John G. Shea.)

December 20, 1803, Louisiana was formally transferred to the United States.
The transfer of the interior posts was made later, that of Arkansas post being
made to Maj. J. B. Maury in the spring of 1804, at which time civil and mili-
tary authority of the United States began in Arkansas County.

In 1806 the legislature of Louisiana Territory established the District of
Arkansas, separating it from New Madrid, and established a general court to
sit twice a year, at St. Louis, in May and October. It seems, however, the
division was not made nor the court established until 1808. The first term of
probate court was held by John W. Honey, December 12, 1808. The first term
of circuit court was held at Arkansas post November 1, 1819. The first Terri-
torial legislature of Arkansas met at the post July 28, 1819.

Public records.

The records of Arkansas County are rich and are well preserved. The
first record at the post after the purchase was made by Maj. James B. Maury,
of the United States Army, June 5, 1804. This record was continued by mili-
tary authority until September 12, 1805, the instruments recorded in this
book being, as a rule, without acknowledgment. This record is in good con-
dition.

The second record is styled " Record A," and was for the registration of all
instruments duly acknowledged under the civil law, the first entry being
October 9, 1808. This record continues to August, 1814. There seems to
be no break in this line of records from this time to the present. The first
civil court record was that of the probate court held by John W. Honey,
December 12, 1808. This book contains the proceedings up to June 20, 1814.
The probate records seem to be complete from that time.

The first circuit court record bears date of December 12, 1819, the time of hold-
ing the first circuit court in the county after the organization of Territorial
government in Arkansas, and is doubtless the first ever held in the county, as
it will be remembered that the Louisiana legislature, in June, 1806, passed an
act creating "A general court for the Arkansas District to sit twice a year, in
St. Louis in May and October." There seems to be no break in the circuit court
records down to the present.

In the official catalogue of exhibit department of anthropology at the St.
Louis fair, on page 61, is the following statement : " Arkansas Post Records :
All that remain of the records of Arkansas post ; the other records were de-
stroyed during the civil war and the ones below were lost for about forty
years." The books referred to as " below " are the ones mentioned above.
How such an idea got current or from whom obtained the author can not say,
but the statement is not true. The author has been familiar with the records
of Arkansas County as an attorney since 1847, and has no recollection of any
of the records ever having been lost or destroyed.

The records of the county were removed from Arkansas post to De Witt in
September, 1855. " Record A" and the circuit court record named above are
bound, but are in poor condition. The probate records referred to above were
never bound, being made up of several quires of paper bound together with
cord. The writing, however, is legible. They are kept in fireproof vaults at
the court-house.

PUBLIC AECH1VES OF ARKANSAS. 39

BAXTER COUNTY.

Baxter County was formed in 1873, out of territories taken from Izard, Ful-
ton, Marion, and Searcy counties. Almost all records are complete from 1873.
Records prior to that date were destroyed by the burning of the court-houses
of Izard, Fulton, and Marion counties. The court-house of Baxter County
was destroyed by fire February 24, 1890; the court records, five deed records,
and all marriage records except one were saved. All records not totally de-
stroyed have been transcribed and rebound. What records exist are in good
condition and are kept in a fireproof vault.

BENTON COUNTY.

This county was created September 30, 1830, out of territory taken from
Washington County, and was named after Hon. Thomas H. Benton, of Missouri.
The first will and probate record is dated April 17, 1837, and this class of
records is complete from that time. All deed and county records are complete.
The records are kept in a fireproof vault.

BOONE COUNTY.

Territory was taken from Carroll County in 18G9 to form Boone County.
The records are complete from the formation of the county, but are not kept
in fireproof vaults.

CALHOUN COUNTY.

This county was organized in 1852 and was made up of territory taken from
Union, Dallas, and Ouachita Counties. The records are complete from the
formation of the county, but at present are kept in the court-house, a frame
building.

CARROLL COUNTY.

This county was created November 30, 1833, out of territory drawn from
Izard County. The records of this county were entirely destroyed by fire in
December, 1869; they are complete, however, from March 14, 1870, to the pres-
ent, and are kept in fireproof vaults.

CHICOT COUNTY.

Chicot County was established October 25, 1823, and was drawn from Arkan-
sas County. The records are complete from 1824, though they are not kept in
a fireproof vault.

CLARK COUNTY.

This county was formed December 15, 1818, by an act of the Territory of
Missouri out of the territory of Arkansas County and was named after Gover-
nor William Clark of Missouri. The records are complete from its organization
and are kept in a fireproof vault at the court-house.

CLAY COUNTY.

Clay County was formed March 24, 1873, out of territories taken from
Randolph and Greene Counties and was named after Senator Powell Clayton.
The will and deed records begin in April, 1881, and are completed to date
except deed record E from March 1, 1891, to January 31, 1892. This record
was burned. The following records are missing: Book E, named above, the

40 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

entire records of Clayton County, and the records of Clay County from Decem-
ber, 1875, date of change of name from Clayton to Clay, to February 29, 1893.
The latter records were burned at Piggott, when the court-house was destroyed
by fire. The records are kept in a fireproof vault.

CLEBURNE COUNTY.

This county was formed by act of the general assembly in 1883 out of terri-
tory taken from Van Buren, Independence, and White Counties. Its records
are complete since organization and are kept in a fireproof vault at the court-
house.

CLEVELAND COUNTY.

Cleveland County was created April 17, 1873, out of territories drawn from
Jefferson, Dallas, Bradley, and Lincoln counties. It was first named after
Stephen W. Dorsey, but in 1885 the legislature changed the name in honor of
President Cleveland. The records are incomplete, and some are not in good
condition. Several tax books, one marriage record, and one or more court
records are missing.

COLUMBIA COUNTY.

This county was formed of portions of Ouachita and Lafayette counties on
December 17, 1852. The records are complete from the organization of the
county, and are in good condition. The new court-house, now under construc-
tion, will have fireproof vaults for the preservation of the records.

CRAIG HEAD COUNTY.

Craighead was formed out of Greene, Poinsett, and Mississippi counties Feb-
ruary 19, 1859. The temporary seat of justice was at a private residence in
Greenfield Township. The commissioners appointed to select the county seat
designated Jonesboro. The county was named after Senator Thomas B. Craig-
head, of Mississippi County. Records prior to its formation are to be found at
Paragould, Harrisburg, Osceola, and Powhatan, the latter being mentioned
because Lawrence County is the mother of all counties in northeast Arkansas.
All records were destroyed by fire in 1869 and again in 1878. The records are
therefore incomplete. Since 1886 the records have been kept in a fireproof
vault, and no records have been injured or lost since March 28, 1878.

CRAWFORD COUNTY.

This county was created by an act of the Territorial legislature October 18,
1820, and was drawn from Pulaski County. In 1828 the Osage and Cherokee
country was added to the county. The boundaries were frequently changed
down to 1851, since which time there have been comparatively few alterations.
It was named in honor of William H. Crawford, President Monroe's Secretary
of the Treasury. The records from 1818 to 1820 are on file at Little Rock.
On March 23, 1877, the court-house was destroyed by fire and all records were
destroyed except those of the treasurer and a few deeds and mortgages. Since
that date, however, the records are complete and are kept in fireproof vaults.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF ARKANSAS. 41

CBITTENDEN COUNTY.

Crittenden was formed October 22, 1825, out of territory taken from Phillips
County. It was named in honor of our first territorial secretary, Robert Crit-
tenden. The boundary of the county has been frequently changed by detaching
territory for new counties. The records of this county are intact except that'
during the reconstruction period a few pages of the deed records and of the
chancery court records were mutilated, and the tax books for the year 1878
are missing. There are deed records much older than the county, and the
original deed records, A and B, are now hardly legible. Many of these early
deeds are in Spanish. The records are in good state of preservation with the
exceptions named above. The records have been kept in an old brick building,
standing apart from the court-house, but there is now being constructed a
modern fireproof vault for them.

CROSS COUNTY.

Out of territories drawn from Poinsett, St. Francis, and Crittenden counties
the Confederate legislature, November 15, 1862, formed this county and named
in honor of Judge Edward Cross. The records are complete from 1862 to the
present, and are kept in fireproof vaults.

DALLAS COUNTY.

Dallas County was formed in 1845 out of territory belonging to Clark County,
and the records up to that time will be found at Arkadelphia. At different
times territory has been taken from this county to form others. Records are
complete from the formation of the county except a few tax books which
are torn and faded. They are kept in fireproof vaults.

DREW COUNTY.

This county was created November 27, 1846, out of territory taken from
Bradley County and was named after Governor Drew. The records have been
well preserved and are complete from the formation of the county. They are
kept in fireproof vaults.

FAULKNER COUNTY.

This county was formed in 1873, and its records are complete from and in-
cluding that year. The court-house was burned, but a fireproof vault saved the
records.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

This county was organized December 13, 1837, out of a part of Crawford
County. The first county seat was at Whitsontown, located on Big Mulberry
Creek, about 5 miles northwest of the town of Mulberry. It was changed to
Ozark in 1839. The general assembly in June, 1885, established two districts
for holding court, viz, the Ozark district, embracing the northern part of the
county, and the Charleston district, embracing the part of the county south of
the river. In 1905 the Ozark district erected a court-house costing $60,000
while the court-house at Charleston is built of native stone. The records of
the county, common pleas, probate, and circuit courts, are complete from the
date of the first court in 1839. The deed and mortgage records are incomplete ;
the court-house was burned in 1863, but G. H. Ross, the clerk, saved from the
fire all except the deed records. Since that date the deed records are complete.
The records of the Charleston district are complete from 1891, they having been
burned in that year. For the most part, however, they have been rewritten.

42 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

GARLAND COUNTY.

Garland County was created under an act of the legislature approved April
5, 1873. It was formed out of Hot Spring, Saline, and Montgomery counties.
By act of legislature of 1897 this county was compelled to pay equitable appor-
tionment of debt of Hot Spring County. (See Garland County v. Hot Spring
County, 68 Arkansas, p. 83.) No records from parent counties have been tran-
scribed. With respect to the records, Charles D. Greaves writes : " They were
complete until February 25, 1905, when fire and heat charred, damaged, or
destroyed everything except tax books of 1904 then in the hands of the collector.
The deed and mortgage records, except two, have been recopied or reproduced
as they were left after the fire, edges being badly burned and only portions
legible. As records will have considerable value, these consist of books desig-
nated by alphabet (26) and about 39 by number, 1 to 39. Circuit court records
were totally destroyed, 10 books ; chancery records practically destroyed. Book
I has been recopied, 8 (A to H) being burned. Probate records all except last
one destroyed; so also the county court records, the marriage license records
were partially destroyed, one will record burned, one partially restored, mechan-
ic's lien judgment record destroyed, probate docket partially restored, pending
cases in chancery court partially saved, all law and probate papers destroyed.
The county never had vaults. New court-house just completed at cost of over
$175,000, including furniture, has complete set of vaults."

GRANT COUNTY.

This county was formed February 4, 1869, and was taken from Saline, Hot
Spring, and Jefferson counties. It was named in honor of General Grant. All
the records from the formation of the county to March 14, 1877, were destroyed
by fire. The records since that date are complete, and are kept in fireproof
vaults.

GREENE COUNTY.

Greene County was formed out of Lawrence County November 5, 1833. This
county has since then furnished territory in part for Poinsett, Craighead and
Clay counties. All the records of the county were totally destroyed by fire March
13, 1876. Since that date the records are complete, and are kept in fireproof
vaults.

HEMPSTEAD COUNTY.

This county was formed December 15, 1818, out of territory of Arkansas
County. This was by act of the Territorial legislature of Missouri, and the
county was named after Edward Hempstead. The circuit court records are com-
plete from March 15, 1824; deed records are complete since October 9, 1820.
The records prior to these dates have been lost through carelessness of officials.
The first record of county court bears date 1837. The records are in good con-
dition, and are kept in fireproof vaults.

HOT SPRING COUNTY.

This county was formed from territory taken from Clark County November
2, 1829. The territory of the county was reduced in 1873 by the formation of
Garland County. The records are complete from the formation of the county,
and are kept in fireproof vaults.

PUBLIC AKCHIVES OF ARKANSAS. 43

HOWARD COUNTY.

In 1873 Howard County was formed out of territory embraced in the counties
of Polk, Pike, Sevier, and Hempstead. Records prior to this date are to be
found at the county seats of these respective counties. Since the formation of
the county the records are complete, and are kept in fireproof vaults.

INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.

This county was created by act of the territorial legislature October 20, 1820.
(See p. 140 of Steele and Campbell's Digest of Territorial Statutes.) The
county was formed from territory taken from Lawrence. The following records
are complete from the dates named : Records of common pleas court, first held
by two justices of the peace, began November 19, 1821; records of deeds and
mortgages begin with December 14, 1820; all court records and records of the
recorder's office are complete from these dates. No records are missing. The
state of preservation is good ; a number of the records have been rebound, but
the writing is legible. They are kept in fireproof vaults.

IZARD COUNTY.

This county was formed October 27, 1825, out of Independence county, and
was named after Governor Izard. April 11, 1869, the court-house with all
records was destroyed by fire. Since that time the records are complete, and
are kept in an office built of stone.

JACKSON COUNTY.

Jackson county was formed November 5, 1829, out of territory of Independ-
ence County^. The records have never been destroyed ; they are complete, and
are kept in fireproof vaults.

JOHNSON COUNTY.

This county was formed November 15, 1833, and was taken from Pope
County. It was named after Judge Benjamin Johnson. The records are com-
plete from 1838 to the present, are in good condition, and are kept in fireproof
vaults.

LAFAYETTE COUNTY.

This county was created in 1827. No misfortune has ever befallen the rec-
ords. They are complete, and are kept in fireproof vaults.

LEE COUNTY.

This county was created in 1873. No records are missing; they are in good
condition, and are kept in fireproof vaults.

LINCOLN COUNTY.

Lincoln County was formed by act of legislature in 1871, and all records
from that time are complete.

LITTLE RIVER COUNTY.

This county was formed in 1867. Prior to the formation of the county the
records of Sevier County are the records of the territory embraced in Little
River. The following records are missing: County court record from 1867
to January, 1876, destroyed by fire in 1882; marriage record from 1867 to
December, 1880, cause of destruction unknown; real-estate tax books from
1867 to 1882, destroyed by fire in 1882. Otherwise the records are complete.
The records are now kept in a temporary court-house, an unsafe frame building.

44 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

LOGAN COUNTY.

This county was formed in 1873 from Franklin, Johnson, Yell, and Scott
counties, and was named Sarber. The name was changed in 1874. Some terri-
tory was added from Scott County in 1900. All records from the formation
of the county to 1878 were destroyed by fire; since that time the records are
complete, and are kept in fireproof vaults.

MADISON COUNTY.

This county was formed in 1836 out of territory taken from Carroll County.
Probate court records are complete from 1860; county court records are com-
plete from 1873; will records, complete from 1880; deed records, complete
from 1843. A fire in 1902 destroyed deed record A and all will records except
those recorded on court records. The records are kept in a fireproof vault.

MARION COUNTY.

This county was formed November 3, 1835, out of Izard, Boone, Baxter, and
Searcy counties. Records are complete to the present from 1837, at which
time a fire destroyed all records except one deed record. Fireproof vaults
protect the records.

MILLER COUNTY.

There have been two counties in Arkansas named Miller. The first formed
after the Territory was created was thus named; date April 1, 1820. It was
named for Governor Miller, the first Territorial executive. It was taken from
Hempstead County, and embraced nearly all of south Arkansas and a large
portion of northeast Texas. It was abolished in 1836. The present Miller
County was formed December 22, 1874, out of part of Lafayette County, and
was named after our two governors of that name. The records are complete
from the formation of the county in 1874. Some of the records of the first
Miller County are to be found at the county sites of Lafayette and Hempstead.
Records are in good condition, and are kept in fireproof vaults.

MONROE COUNTY.

This county was formed out of territory taken from Phillips and Arkansas by
act of November 22, 1829. It was named after President Monroe. The records
are complete since 1894, when prior records were destroyed by fire. The records
are not kept in fireproof vaults.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

This county was created December 9, 1842, out of territory from Hot Spring
County. It was not organized until 1844. The first court-house was a log cabin ;
it is now used as a barn. The county seat was first named Montgomery ; in July,
1850, the name was changed to Salem, and in October of the same year it was
named Mount Ida.

The county court records date from July, 1845. The tax books for the year
1845 consist of ten sheets of foolscap paper sewn together. The number of tax-
payers was 205, the number of taxable polls was 190, and the amount of taxable
property was $42,889. The records are complete from the organization of the
county to the present.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF ARKANSAS. 45

NEVADA COUNTY.

The county was created by act of the geiieral assembly March 20, 1871, from
parts of Columbia, Hempstead, and Ouachita counties. The county seat was
fixed at Mount Moriah ; later in the same year it was located at Rosston. In
1877 it was located at Prescott. The records are complete from the organiza-
tion of the county. For the records prior to its formation, see the records of
parent counties. For want of adequate vault space the records are only in a
fair state of preservation. Contract for repairing vault and for metallic furni-
ture for it has recently been let.

NEWTON COUNTY.

December 14, 1842, this county was created out of territory from Carroll, and
was named after Thomas W. Newton. In 1866 all records were destroyed by
fire. Since that time> however, they are complete and are kept in fireproof
vaults.

OUACHITA COUNTY.

This county was created November 29, 1844, from territory drawn from Union,
and was named from its largest stream. December 19, 1875, all records were
destroyed by fire ; from that date to the present they are complete, and are kept
in fireproof vaults.

PERRY COUNTY.

Perry County was formed December 18, 1840, from Conway County, and was
named after Commodore Perry. In 1874 a fire destroyed court-house and
records, and again in December, 1881. One small chancery record was saved.
The records are complete from 1881 and are kept in a fireproof vault.

PHILLIPS COUNTY.

Phillips County was created by the territorial legislature May 1, 1820, and
was taken from Arkansas County. The first records of Phillips County seem
to have been kept in Helena. The first deed on record was recorded October
13, 1820. The land surveyed is near Helena, but is described a^s being in
Arkansas County. The first deed in which the land is conveyed as being in
Phillips County is recorded November 19, 1820. The first probate record bears
the date of January 17, 1821 ; the first order of the court of common pleas was
made January 15, 1821. From these dates the records seem to be complete.
Some few of the records have been slightly damaged by being moth-eaten, but
have been recopied. The records were removed during the war, but were after-
wards returned in good condition. During the time they were gone a record
was kept in a volume known as "Irregular D." No misfortune has ever befallen
our records, and they are kept in a fireproof vault.

POINSETT COUNTY.

The county was created in 1838, and has contributed territory to make Cross
and Craighead counties. The first county seat was at Bolivar, 3 miles north
of the present county seat. Harrisburg was made the county seat in 1857.
All records were burned in the court-house September, 1873, The records ap-
pear to be complete since 1873.

POLK COUNTY.

This county was created November 30, 1844, and was taken from Sevier
County. All records prior to 1883 were destroyed by fire, except one probate
record dating from September, 1876 ; one county court record dating from July
1876, and one circuit court record dating from February, 1877. All records are
complete from 1883 and are kept in fireproof vaults.

46 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

POPE COUNTY.

This county was created out of territory taken from Crawford November 2,
1829. The records are complete from the organization of the county until the
present and are in a fairly good state of preservation. They are kept in fire-
proof vaults.

PRAIRIE COUNTY.

The county was organized in 1846. The records were destroyed by fire at
Brownsville, now in Lonoke County, in 1853. They are complete, however, from
1855. The records are kept in fireproof vaults.

PULASKI COUNTY.

This county was created by act of the Territorial legislature of Missouri on
December 15, 1818, and was named after Count Pulaski. All records are com-
plete from May 24, 1819, to the present, and are in excellent state of preserva-
tion. They are kept in fireproof vaults.

RANDOLPH COUNTY.

This county was formed from a part of Lawrence in 1836. All the records
are complete from the formation of the county to the present, and are in fire-
proof vaults at the court-house.

SALINE COUNTY.

This county was created November 2, 1835, from the western portion of
Pulaski County. The records are in a good state of preservation, are complete,
and are kept in fireproof vaults.

SCOTT COUNTY.

This county was created November 5, 1883, and was drawn from the terri-
tory of Crawford and Pope. It was named in honor of Judge Andrew Scott.
The records are complete since the formation of the county, and are kept in
fireproof vaults.

SEBASTIAN COUNTY.

This county was created January 5, 1851, from territory taken from Craw-
ford, Scott, and Polk counties, and was named after Senator Sebastian. The
county is divided into two judicial districts, the Greenwood and Fort Smith;
this was by provision of the constitution of 1874, being the only county in the
State that has constitutional districts. These districts for all judicial purposes
are separate counties with separate and distinct tax rates. The court-house in
the Greenwood district was destroyed by fire in 1881 and again in 1882, but
few records being saved. All records since 1882 are in good condition, and
those prior to that date have been recopied as far as possible. The records are
kept in fireproof vaults at the respective county seats, Greenwood and Fort
Smith.

SEARCY COUNTY.

December 13, 1838, the legislature created this county out of territory drawn
from Marion, and named it in honor of Richard Searcy. The court-house and
records were destroyed by fire in January, 1864. There was a partial destruc-
tion of records by fire in March, 1877, and again by fire in August, 1885. All
records prior to 1881 are missing except deed record A, one chancery court
record, one probate court record, and one circuit court record. Fireproof
vaults protect the records, and they are in good condition.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF ARKANSAS. 47

SHARP COUNTY.

The organization of Sharp County was by an act of the general assembly ap-
proved July 16, 1868. It was named after E. Sharp, one of the representatives
in the assembly from this part of the county. The territory was nearly all
taken from Lawrence County. March, 1873, a small section from Independence
was added to the county. All of the records were destroyed by fire January
20, 1880. The records since that date are complete, in good state of preserva-
tion, and are kept in a fireproof vault made of stone at Evening Shade and in
a fireproof iron safe in a stone court-house at Hardy.

ST. FRANCIS COUNTY.

This county was created by act of legislature October 13, 1827, out of terri-
tory drawn from Phillips County, and was named after its greatest river. A
fire in the latter part of 1874 destroyed many of the court records, but many of
the deed records were only partially burned. They have since been recopied as
far as posible. All the records were destroyed by fire during the war. They
are therefore complete since 1874 and almost complete since 1865.

STONE COUNTY.

This county was formed out of Izard, Independence, Van Buren, and Searcy
counties April 30, 1873. Records A, B, C, D, and E of deeds and mortgages are
complete ; A, B, and C of deeds only are complete ; A and B of mortgages only
are complete ; A, B, C, and D of county court records are complete ; A and B of
probate court, A and B of circuit court, and A of chancery court are nearly
complete; A of marriage records is complete. No records are missing. All
records are in good condition, and are kept in fireproof safe.

UNION COUNTY.

November 2, 1829, out of territory taken from Hempstead and Clark counties,
Union was formed. All records except tax books are complete from 1830 to the
present ; tax books are complete from 1.868. The new government coming into
power at the last-named date destroyed the tax books. Records are in excellent
state of preservation, and are kept in fireproof vaults at the court-house.

VAN BUREN COUNTY.

This county was formed of territory taken from Pope and Searcy counties
November 11, 1833. It contributed some 300 square miles to Cleburne County
in 1883. Nearly all county records were destroyed by fire in 1863. A few of the
old books were hidden by the clerk in a cliff and were thus saved. Records are
complete since 1863, and are in a fair state of preservation. There are no fire-
proof vaults for protection.

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

This county was created by an act of the legislature October 17, 1828, and
was made to take the place of Lovely County. County court records are com-
plete from August 3, 1835; probate records, from October 9, 1837; marriage
records, from 1845, except the record of the period between 1861 and 1864.
Probate and will records A and B were stolen. During the war Presley R.
Smith, clerk, hid the county records in a dry cave in the mountains south of
Fayetteville to prevent their falling into the hands of the Federals. Only one
record was thus lost. The records are in good condition, and are kept in fire-
proof vaults.

48 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

WHITE COUNTY.

Was formed in 1835 from the counties of Pulaski and Independence. The
records of the county date from the year 1836 to the present, and are in a good
state of preservation. They are in a fireproof vault at the court-house. They
are complete from 1836. None are missing.

WOODRUFF COUNTY.

Was created November 26, 1862, out of territory taken from Jackson and St.
Francis counties, and was named in honor of William E. Woodruff, sr. The
records are complete since the organization of the county.

YELL COUNTY.

Was carved out of Scott and Polk counties in 1840, and was named after
Governor Yell. All records are complete since 1865. In addition, for the period
prior to 1865, the county has the probate records from May 7, 1858, to February
10, 1862; the marriage record from July 23, 1841, to March 24, 1849, and the
deed records from March 2, 1841, to December 4, 1848. The missing records
were destroyed by fire during the war. The records are in good condition, and
are kept in fireproof vaults.

MUNICIPAL OFFICES.

Bryce says that the government of our cities is the worst in the
American system of government. If carelessness in keeping our pub-
lic records is an index to government, Arkansas cities are poorly gov-
erned. Blanks calling for information about city records were sent
to all cities and towns of importance. These communications were
repeated many times. The information herein given is all that could
be obtained.

HOT SPRINGS.

The town of Hot Springs was incorporated April 5, 1876. It was
declared a city of the second class September 1 of the same year, and
on March 13, 1879, it was made a city of the first class.

All city records are complete, except that from 1901 to 1903 the rec-
ords were not kept accurately, due to the failure of the clerk to dis-
charge his duties. The records have never been injured in any way
and are in good condition.

FORT SMITH.

Fort Smith derived its name from a military post established at
what had been called Belle Point by the early French settlers. The
site of the post or fort was chosen by Maj. Stephen Long (of Pike
and Long's exploring expedition) in November, 1817. The post was
named for Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Smith. Its first commander was
Maj. William Bradford, who remained in charge until February,
1822, when he was succeeded by Col. Matthew Arbuckle of the Sev-
enth Infantry. Major Bradford's command consisted of Company
A, rifle regiment, recruited largely from frontiersmen who had
fought with General Jackson at New Orleans.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF ARKANSAS. 49

The town was incorporated under State law. in December, 1842.
The first mayor was George Herd, and the five aldermen were called
trustees. The general assembly in 1853 granted another charter to the
city ; but as it proved too drastic, it was set aside by the courts, and
another was granted December 19, 1854.

Records. The records are incomplete. There is an old book giving some
ordinances passed during the fifties. There seems to be extant no record of the
proceedings of the council prior to the war. The police court records are in fair
state of preservation since 1853, except from November, 1862, to 1864. The
Yankees being in town after September 1, 1863, doubtless explains this break
in the records. There are records giving the names of all the mayors, record-
ers, and aldermen since 1853, except the mayor for 1862 and the council for
1863. The mayor during the war period changed frequently, owing to the
proximity of the Federals. The records of the recorder's office were burned
or destroyed about 1865. The records of the meeting of the city council and
the register of ordinances are complete and in good condition from 1866 to the
present. In fact, about all of the records are complete since that date.

LITTLE ROCK.

The " City of Koses " was incorporated by act of the legislature
in the year 1831, and the town council was first organized January
15, 1832. An act of the general assembly passed March 9, 1875,
declared it a city of the first class, and the city council met and or-
ganized the new government April 12, 1875. The estimated popu-
lation of the city now is 55,000.

Records. The city clerk, F. M. Oliver, writes that the following records were
on file in his office and that they are in fairly good condition :

Records of the proceedings of the city council from November, 1869.

Record of city ordinances from November, 1869.

Death records from April 1, 1871.

Birth records from January, 1902.

Record of proceedings of board of public affairs from January, 1890.

BATESVILLE.

The town of Batesville was laid off and platted March 23, 1822.
The deed of covenant stipulated " that no tax shall be levied until
the population of the town exceeds forty." It was therefore quite
small. The town was incorporated January 5, 1841, by order of
the county court, but was dissolved January 10, 1845. It was rein-
corporated by act of the legislature December 20, 1848, which act was
later amended in 1851 and 1857. December 24, 1892, the town was
raised to a city of the second class. As an improvement district,
the city owns its waterworks and electric-light plant, taking water
from the White Eiver.

Records. The records of the town were destroyed by fire January 16, 1890 ;
since that time they are complete and in the possession of the city recorder.

16827 VOL 2-

50 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

QTJITMAN.

This town was incorporated in 1881.

Records. The minutes of the council are complete from the organization of
the town.

Mayor's docket is complete from June 30, 1898.

Record of ordinances and by-laws are preserved from the organization of the
town in 1881.

Records of the treasurer's office have been lost or burned except for the last
three years.

The mayor's docket from 1881 to 1898 was burned.

PARIS.

This town was laid off in 1874 when the plot of ground was
selected as the county site. The records of the town are in good
condition from the first council, in 1878.

FAYETTEVILLE.

This town was incorporated at the January term of the Washing-
ton County court in 1841, under the title of " The aldermen and
town council of the town of Fayetteville." Pleasant V. Rhea was
first mayor. It was made a city of the second class November 15,
1883, and was declared a city of the first class in June, 1905.

Records. The record of the proceedings of the city council is complete since
1896.

The script register is complete for the same period.

The license register is complete from 1902.

The record of ordinances exists from 1889 to the present.

MALVERN.

Malvern began its town life in 1872 and was soon made an incor-
porated town. In 1905 it was declared a city of the second class.
All records were destroyed by fire in 1896. They are complete since
that time and include register of warrants, ordinances, mayor's
docket, and minutes of the city council.

MONTICELLO.

The records of the city are kept by the clerk. They are in tw r o vol-
umes and date from 1873. Prior to that date the records were poorly

kept and have for the most part been destroyed.

SEARCY.

This town was laid out some time between 1836 and 1840. Ten
acres of land were donated by James Walker for a county seat. The
court-house is situated near the center of the 10-acre tract and lots

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF ARKANSAS.

around it are still described as lying within the " 10-acre donation."
The town was named for Judge Richard Searcy, one of the Terri-
torial judges of Arkansas. It was incorporated by act of legislature
about 1854.

All records of the town are preserved in the mayor's office, and for the most
part are in a good state of preservation. They include mayor's dockets, council
proceedings, and ordinances. The latter have been digested from time to time
and printed copies are in the mayor's office. The records date from about 186S
to the present. Some few have been lost.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
COUNTY, PROBATE, AND LOCAL RECORDS.

By NELSON P. MEAD, Ph. D., a of the College of the City of New York.

INTRODUCTION.

During the past three years the compiler of this report has had oc-
casion to examine a large number of the public archives of the State
of Connecticut, particularly those relating to the period prior to the
Revolutionary War. In connection with this work many experiences
and some difficulties have been met, an account of which might be of
help to future investigators. As this report is confined to the town
and county records, a few words as to the general scope and condi-
tion of these records might be acceptable.

The county records are largely judicial in character, including the
records of the county, superior, and supreme courts. There are also
some miscellaneous county records kept in the offices of the county
clerks, which are of more general historical interest. Such are the
records of the county commissioners, naturalization records, and
some military records. The records in most of the counties are very
accessible and, with the exception of those of Windham County, are
remarkably well preserved and complete.

With the town records greater variety in character and condition
appears. Some of the old towns kept very complete records, while
in others the extant records are meager. First, perhaps, in historical
importance are the records generally called " Town Proceedings."
These records include the minutes of the town meetings. In some of
the older towns the records of town meetings were entered in the same

a In the preparation of this report the work of the compiler has been greatly lessened
through the kindness and aid of Mr. Charles R. Hathaway, the examiner of public records
of Connecticut. He has permitted the reprinting of a large part of his report to the
State legislature for the year 1904. Using this as the basis for the present report, the
compiler has simply verified and amplified the same wherever necessary. Credit is also
due to Mr. Albert C. Bates, librarian of the Connecticut Historical Society, for his excellent
list of the probate districts of the State. Thanks are due to the various State and local
officers, who have generously responded to inquires in regard to the records.

For previous report on the archives of Connecticut, see American Historical Association
Report, 1900, II, pp. 26-38.

54 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

book with the land records or vice versa. Next in importance and
greater in extent are the land records. The title sufficiently explains
the contents of these records. With the land records should be joined
the proprietors' records, a study of which is essential to understand-
ing the system of proprietary holding of lands in the Connecticut
towns, especially during the eighteenth century. The vital statistics,
as will appear in the appended table, are very incomplete prior to
1850, when a statute was passed requiring greater care in their preser-
vation. Since that date the records are more accurate and complete.

An important class of local records not generally found in the town
clerk's office are the ecclesiastical records. These are generally in the
possession of the church authorities. These records are of peculiar
interest in Connecticut because of the intimate connection of church
and state during the colonial period.

The rest of the local records are miscellaneous in character, includ-
ing such subjects as selectmen's records, school society, burial records,
joint-stock companies, tax records, lists of electors, etc.

The probate records are on the whole complete. A difficulty is
encountered in consulting these records through the fact that there is
no uniform method of filing and recording papers.

In the condition of the local records the towns vary greatly. In
some of the towns the oldest records are remarkably well preserved,
while in others the condition is far less favorable. In nearly all
cases, however, the town clerks show an appreciation of the value of
the old records and are endeavoring to prevent their further decay.
Some towns have restored their oldest and worst worn records by the
excellent Emery silk process, while others have had the old records
copied, though not always with due care. These efforts to preserve
the old records are due largely to the work of Mr. Charles R. Hath-
away, the examiner of public records, who has required that all of
the towns keep their records in fireproof vaults or safes.

One particular difficulty that was met in consulting all of the local
records was the lack of an adequate system of indexes. Seldom were
any but the land records and vital statistics indexed, and these were
generally unsatisfactory. This subject has been touched upon by
the examiner in his report to the legislature, and it is to be hoped that
steps will be taken to correct this defect,

In the preparation of the report upon the court records of Hartford,
New Haven, New London, Windham, and Fairfield counties the com-
piler has used a report made by Mr. Sherman W. Adams in 1889,
Avhich has been verified personally or by the county clerk. For the
report on the records of Middlesex, Tolland, and Litchfield counties
the compiler alone is responsible. The report on the probate records
has been reprinted without change from the report of Mr. Hathaway
to the State legislature in 1904. In the report on the local records

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT. 55

dependence has also been placed upon Mr. Hathaway's report, but a
large number of changes have been made as the result of visits by the
compiler to a considerable number of towns, and also through corre-
spondence with the local officials.

Especial thanks are due to Mr. Hathaway for his kindness in allow-
ing portions of his report to be reprinted, to Mr. Albert C. Bates,
librarian of the Connecticut Historical Society, for his excellent list
of probate districts, and to the many State and local officials who have
been uniformly courteous in aiding the compiler.

COUNTY RECORDS.
HARTFORD COUNTY.

COUNTY COURT.

The oldest volume of records at the county clerk's office in the court-house
is a parchment-bound book labeled " Book G, No. 7." On the inside of the cover
is written " This is the Seventh Book of the Records of the Acts of the County
Courts in the County of Hartford in the Colony of Connecticut in New England."
It is the first volume in which the acts of the county courts are recorded apart
from those of the probate court. It is not an original. On a waste leaf is
written " This Book of the County Court Records, written in the year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and fourty by Benja. Dod." It contains
records of inferior courts and pleas, or county court, from March 4, 1706-7, to
November, 1717, 536 pages, with 4 unnumbered, and in the reverse about 43
leaves of executions.

A volume, which was probably Vol. VIII, April, 1718, to June, 1719, is here
missing. It was sold in New York, March, 1879, as part of the Brinley
Library, and is now in the Watkinson Library, Hartford. With it was the
record of the court for the trial of small causes, June, 1727, to May, 1731, and
of chancery cases, May to August, 1736, growing out of the repeal of the charter
of the New London Society, united for trade and commerce.

Book H. This volume, which would be the ninth, is parchment bound, un-
paged, but has about 150 leaves ; some are gone from the back part. It covers
the period from November, 1719, to March, 1721-22.

Book. I. Parchment bound, containing 500 or 600 unnumbered pages, covering
from April, 1722, to November, 1725. A few executions are entered in the front
and back parts of the volume.

Book J. Parchment cover. Has about 500 unnumbered pages. The first 11
leaves contain executions; then come court records, February, 1725-26, to
November, 1727. In some terms the cases are numbered, and in some the record
of the term is preceded by an alphabet. In the reverse are 9 leaves of exe-
cutions, etc.

Book L. Parchment bound, 400 to 500 unnumbered pages. From February,
1727-28, to November, 1729. (The fly leaf incorrectly says to November, 1731.)
Reverse, 4 leaves of execution.

Book K. Parchment. About 150 unpaged leaves, February, 1729-30, to
February, 1730-31. Reverse, 2 leaves of execution.

Paper book of about 50 unpaged leaves, April to August, 1731.

Book M. Parchment. About 300 unpaged leaves, May, 1731, to April, 1735.

Book N. Parchment, 250 to 300 unpaged leaves, June, 1735, to November, 1737.

Book N. Parchment, 250 to 300 unpaged leaves, June, 1735, to November,
1737.

56 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Book O (though the label is lost from the back). Parchment. From 250
to 300 unpaged leaves, January, 1737-38, to January, 1739-40. Reverse, 22
leaves for June, 1738.

Book P. About 350 unpaged leaves, April, 1740, to June, 1742.

Book Q. About 250 unpaged leaves, April, 1742, to November, 1744.

Book R. About 250 leaves, January, 1744-45, to June, 1747, and about 40
loose leaves, November, 1747, to June, 1748.

Book S. About 350 leaves, November, 1748, to January, 1754. Reverse, 5
leaves of executions.

Book T. About 300 leaves, April, 1754, to June, 1759. The record for April-
June, 1759, is on loose leaves laid in. Reverse, 7 leaves of executions.

Book V. About 300 leaves, November, 1759, to January, 1763, filling about
two-thirds of the volume. Reverse, about one-third of the volume contains
executions.

Here occurs a break in the records from 1763 to 1771 ; probably two volumes
are missing.

Book U. About 200 leaves, June, 1771, to January, 1773. Reverse, 10 leaves
of executions.

Book W. About 300 leaves, of which perhaps two-thirds have been used,
April, 1773, to November, 1774. Here occurs a large break. Several volumes,
three or four at least, covering the period from 1744 to 1798, can not be
found. How long they have been missing is unknown.

Court records of trials, from November, 1798, to March, 1803. Reverse, 4
leaves, as to prison limits, turnpikes, highways, etc.

Court records (civil), August, 1803, to December, 1809. Reverse, 10 leaves of
appointments of deputy sheriffs, criminal trials, etc., to 1811. A thick volume.

Court records. Perhaps 300 leaves, March, 1810, to March, 1819. Reverse, 5
leaves, sheriff's deputies, etc.

Court records. A thick volume, August, 1819, to March, 1828. Reverse, 17
leaves, conservators and miscellaneous matters.

Court records. A thick volume, August, 1828, to August, 1834. Reverse, 18
leaves, appointments, special trials, etc., 1829-1834.

Hitherto all the volumes are unpaged and unindexed. The letters G. H., etc.,
have been put on them in modern times, and not always with due regard to their
proper sequence.

Court records. A thick volume of 506 pages, March, 1835, to August, 1839.
Reverse, 45 pages of appointments and miscellaneous matter. This is the first
volume of the series in this office which is paged and has indexes, but the
volume, like sundry of its predecessors and successors, is not numbered.

Court records. Five hundred and sixty pages, November, 1839, to November,
1844. Reverse, 31 pages of miscellaneous matter. Indexed,

Court records. Six hundred and thirty -four pages, November, 1844, to August,
1850. Reverse, 28 pages " Sheriff's records," and miscellaneous. Not indexed.

Court records. Three hundred and sixty-eight pages, November, 1850, to
March, 1854.

Another series whereof the volumes are not numbered is composed of waste
books which have been bound up in recent times and labeled "Court docket and
record." Each volume is made up of several of these waste books, some of
which are but remnants of their former selves. In some respects they are more
important than the regular records, since they record such judgments as were
paid or satisfied and such as were appealed from, not recorded in the latter.
They also contain appointments, etc. They measurably fill lacunae in the regu-
lar series of records.

November, 1754, to January, 1760.

PUBLIC AECHIVES OF CONNECTICUT. 57

April, 1760, to November, 1764.

April, 1763, to January, 1767, of a larger size, not consecutive years.

January, 1765, to November, 1768. On the front waste leaf of the last book is
drawn a map of Hartford County.

January, 1769, to November, 1770, little and big.

January, 1771, to November, 1772.

January, 1773, to November, 1774.

January, 1775, to April, 1777.

November, 1777, to November, 1781.

February, 1782, to November, 1783.

February, 1784, to November, 1785.

January, 1786, to November, 1787.

February, 1788, to November, 1789.

January, 1790, to November, 1791.

January, 1792, to November, 1794.

January, 1795, to November, 1796. This volume also contains 5 leaves of ap-
pointments, about 100 pages of defaults, March, 1796-March, 1797; taverner's
licenses, about 40 leaves, 1796-1799.

January, 1797, to March, 1798.

Some of the waste books bound up in this series have their dockets.

Dockets. These have been bound, six or eight to a volume. They contain
names of attorneys, the number of the case, names of parties to suits, and a
space for minutes by the clerk. There are eighteen volumes, not numbered, cov-
ering from 1799 to 1855.

Defaults. Prior to 1755 judgments by default may have been entered in the
same volumes with other judgments. The volumes of this series are not num-
bered. They are neither paged nor indexed.

January, 1775-February, 1782. A thick volume, with four cases per printed
page.

February, 1782, to November, 1783.

February, 1784, to November, 1785.

November, 1785, to November, 1786. About one-third of the book used.

No volumes from 1786 to 1797 of this series are found.

November, 1797, to February, 1798. There are also about 156 executions on
39 pages.

March, 1798, to November, 1801.

November, 1801, to December, 1804.

December, 1804, to March, 1808.

March, 1808, to March, 1810.

December, 1809, to December, 1811, and nine volumes more bringing them
down to March, 1855.

Executions. There are nine volumes uniformly bound, all purporting to be
recorded by George Wyllys, clerk (who died in 1796). They were all appar-
ently written at the same time in the same printed form. The volumes are not
numbered nor given particular titles. The printed portion is on every fifth page,
leaving three pages blank for writing out the return. It would seem that the
volumes were filled up from old files not chronologically arranged. The volumes
are without paging or index. The following are the proximate dates covered
by each: 1737-1798, 1743-1798, 1744-1798, 1747-1798, 1748-1798, 1753-1798,
1763-1798, 1763-1787.

There are seven more volumes of executions, 1798-1820. Two of them, 1798-
1807, are partially indexed ; the others are not indexed.

Judgments. One volume, December, 1809-March, 1820, two cases per printed
page. Not paged nor indexed.

58 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Appointments of auditors to hear cases pending in court. One volume,
March, 1804-August, 1841. Not paged nor indexed.

Criminal costs. There are three unnumbered volumes so lettered. They are
records of costs taxed in criminal cases, both in the superior and county courts.
They cover the period 1843-1855, and are neither paged nor indexed.

Appeals. There are four unnumbered volumes, 1798-1855, neither paged nor
indexed.

Taverners licensed. Those from 1796-1799 are to be found in the volume of
court docket and record, 1795-96, before mentioned. There are two volumes
not paged nor indexed ; seven licenses recorded per printed page, extending
from March, 1808, to September, 1860. After 1855 these licenses were granted
by the superior court.

Naturalization records. There are four volumes of these, 1834-1855, and one
volume of declaration of intention, 1853-1855. Neither are paged nor indexed.

Pensioners of the Revolutionary war. There are two volumes, one contain-
ing the statements by 194 pensioners required by an act of Congress of May 1,
1820, all made in that year, the other containing 80 statements, 1820-1832.
Both these were indexed by the late N. H. Morgan.

Files. The files of the county court have been arranged in bundles accord-
ing to the term of the court in the early files and according to cases in the
more recent files. They are well preserved in steel cases in the vault of the
county clerk and are voluminous enough to be complete.

SUPERIOR COURT.

This court was established in 1711, and was a circuit court with one clerk
until 1798, when an act was passed directing the judges to appoint a clerk in
each county, and ordering that the then existing records of the court be kept
in the office of the secretary of this State, who was vested with all the powers
of clerk of said court in all matters relating to said records. The records of
the superior court were not so well and carefully kept as those of the court
of assistants had been, but they are in a good state of preservation. They are
unpaged and not indexed, except where otherwise stated. The following is a
catalogue of the volumes :

A book not labeled. It begins with cases in Hartford County, September,
1711, in the handwriting of Jonathan Law, and extends to October term, 1714,
at New Haven. It also contains from the adjourned court at New Haven,
February, 1748-^19, to Windham County term, June, 1749. It seems to be waste
books bound together.

No. 1. Parchment bound. From March term, 1714-15, at Fairfield, to March
term, 1718, at New Haven.

No. 2. Parchment bound. September term, 1718, Fairfield, to September term,
1721, New Haven.

No. 3. Parchment bound. September, 1721, Hartford, to September, 1724,
New Haven.

No. 3. " The records of the Superior Court in the colony of Connecticut in
New England, beginning at the court holden at Fairfield, March 6th, anno
R. Rs. Gii. 2, annoque Domini, 1715-16," to May, 1724, Hartford. This is a
larger folio, paged and indexed, bound in parchment. It is a continuation of
No. 2, court of assistants. On the cover is written in a modern hand, " This
book is a repetition of No. 1 in part, commencing with corresponding date in
that book and extends nearly through No. 3." Lying loose in the book is the
record of a court of equity holden at New London, in the county of New Lon-

PUBLIC AECHIVES OF CONNECTICUT. 59

don, on the 27th day of March, 1716, by special commission from the general
court holden at New Haven on the second Thursday in October, 1715 ; seventeen
written leaves.

No. 4. Parchment. September, 1724, Hartford, to September, 1727, New
Haven.

No. 4. In modern binding. August, 1724, Fairfield, to August, 1728, Fairfield.
Two executions and the will of George Clark are recorded at the end. This is
a continuation of No. 3, and a duplicate of No. 4, and parts of No. 3 and No. 5.

No. 5. Parchment. September, 1727, Hartford, to May, 1730, Hartford.

Book in paper cover. August, 1730, Fairfield, to May, 1731, Hartford. Fifty-
two leaves.

No. 6. August, 1731, Fairfield, to August, 1736, Fairfield.

No. 7. Parchment. September, 1736, New Haven, to August, 1741, New Haven.

No. 8. Parchment. September, 1741, Hartford, to August, 1745, New Haven.

No. 9. Parchment. September, 1745, Hartford, to January, 1748-49, Windhain.

No. 10. Parchment August, 1749, Fairfield, to August. 1753, New Haven.

No. 12 (11). September, 1753, Hartford, to March, 1756, Hartford. An
execution prefixed. Bound in rough sheep.

(No. 12.) March, 1756, Windham, to August, 1756, New Haven. Reverse
end, " On this side are entered sundry Executions whereby Lands were taken
in satisfaction." Dates from 1747 to 1793. Bound in rough sheep.

No. 13. December, 1756, Hartford, to September, 1759, New London. Rough
sheep.

No. 14. February, 1760, Fairfield, to March, 1763, Windham. Rough calf.

(No. 15.) March, 1763, Norwich, to September, 1765, New London. Febru-
ary, 1766, Fairfield, 6 pages laid in.

(No. 16.) February, 1766, New Haven, to September, 1769, Hartford. Laid
in are Fairfield, August, 1766, 10 pages; Fairfield, February, 1768, 15 pages;
Fairfield, April, 1768, 6 pages, and other papers.

(No. 17.) September, 1769, Windham, to August, 1772, New Haven.

(No. 18.) September, 1772, Hartford, to December, 1777, New Haven. Lying
in it are Fairfield, August, 1770, and Fairfield, April, 1777.

(No. 19.) August, 1773, Litchfield, to March, 1782, Norwich. Lying in it is
January, 1781, Windham.

(No. 20.) August, 1782, Litchfield, to November, 1784, New London.

(No. 21.) December, 1784, New Haven, to March, 1786, Norwich.

(No. 22.) July, 1786, Middletown, to March, 1788, Windham.

(No. 23.) March, 1788, Norwich, to January, 1790, Haddam.

(No. 24.) January, 1790, New Haven, to March, 1791, Tolland.

(No. 25.) March, 1791, Windham, to August, 1793, Litchfield.

(No. 26.) September, 1793, Hartford, to September, 1795, Hartford.

(No. 27.) September, 1795, Windham, to September, 1797, Windham.

(No. 28.) September, 1797, New London, to March, 1798, Norwich.

Superior court records, chancery, 1774-1796. Begins Litchfield, August,
1774, but cases are not chronologically entered. There are 214 pages, and the
book was once indexed, but A to Q is now lost. It has been rebound within a
few years.

Superior court records. Executions, 1784-1798. Not paged nor indexed.

The files of the superior court are stored in the attic over the supreme court
room. They are voluminous enough to be complete. They are arranged in
bundles, according to the term, are labeled, and in good order. Selections from
them, together with most of the extant files of the court of assistants and ear-
lier courts, have been arranged in volumes in the State Library, lettered Crimes

60 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

and Misdemeanors, 1663-1778, six volumes, Court Papers, 1700-1705, and some
in the series, Private Controversies.

The records of the superior court since 1798 are in the office of county clerk,
and consist of

Records of trials, from September, 1798, in twenty-nine volumes.

Defaults, three volumes, 1841-.

Executions, two volumes, 1799-1820.

Insolvency cases, one volume, 1829-1841.

Divorces, four volumes, 1864-.

Naturalizations, two volumes, 1838-.

Declarations of intended citizenship, two volumes, 1856-.

Naturalization dockets, four volumes, 185S-.

Criminal costs, eight volumes.

Notaries public commissioned, eight volumes, 1871-.

Liquor license, two volumes.

Sheriffs' deputies. A record of their appointment, beginning 1854.

Manuscript dockets. There are forty or more bound volumes and some un-
bound. The earliest now found begins 1805. These contain memoranda of
official orders, etc., not elsewhere found, except such as are on the back of files.

General index. Since 1873 a general index (Burr's) has been kept, in which
all names of parties to suits, etc., have been entered.

Files. About 350 bundles are contained in file cases, to which there are
marks of indication affixed; some 300 more bundles are labeled. All the old
files prior to commencement of Burr index (1873) have been rearranged and
classified by years, and are now filed in steel cases and are easily accessible.

SUPREME COURT OF ERRORS.

A volume lettered " Reasons of the Court of Errors," contains opinions in
some cases from June term, 1803, to June term, 1807. There are 90 written
pages, and the book is about a quarter full. One case, Pollard and Picket v.
Ely, is not reported ; the others are in Day, volumes 1 and 2.

Records of the supreme court of errors, beginning on the first Tuesday of
June, 1810, and ending with June term, 1817. Thirty-six written leaves, about
one-quarter of the book, the rest being blank. It is neither paged nor indexed.
Both these books are in good order. These volumes are in the office of the
secretary of state.

By an act of the general assembly, passed in May, 1819, it was provided
that the supreme court should be held once a year in each county of the
State. It had previously ben held alternately at Hartford and New Haven.
The first session under the new arrangement was held at Hartford in June, 1820.

There are two volumes, one, June, 1820, to September, 1864, contains, besides
cases in error and the judgments and orders of the court thereon, appoint-
ments, allotments of judges, rules of court, etc. The record is fuller than that
now kept. It is not indexed. The other, beginning February, 1864, is the
current volume.

Manuscript docket of the first judicial district. This begins in January,
1879. The first judicial district was constituted at the May session, 1866,
and consisted of the counties of Hartford and Tolland. Middlesex County
was annexed in 1874, Windham County in 1879, and Litchfield County in
1881. These volumes are in the office of the county clerk.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT. 61

NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
COUNTY COURT.

Volume I. Parchment bound, pages 280, and a separate index. It covers
the years 1666-1698. Between pages 168 and 169 four leaves are inserted
containing "The Records of the General Quarter Sessions for the County of
Newhaven. Began in March, 1687-8."

Volume II. Parchment, 1699-1713. Portions of this volume have been
corroded by the ink; but it has been copied so far as it could be, and the
copy kept with the original.

Volume III. Parchment, 1713-1738.

Volume IV. Rebound, 1739-1757.

Volume V. 1755-1764. All after page 590 is record of executions.

Volume VI. 1764-1767. All after page 242 is record of executions.

Volume VII. 1767-1773, but lettered 1767-1776.

Volume VIII. 1774-1783, but lettered 1776-1783.

Volumes IX-XXVII. 1783-1855. The printed records begin with Volume
XVII. All the volumes of the New Haven County courts are indexed.

Equity records cover the period 1773-1821 in this court.

Some files are preserved of date as early as 1700.

SUPERIOR COURT.

Volumes I-XLV. 1798 to the present time.

Manuscript dockets begin in 1798 ; thirty-three volumes.

Criminal records are in a separate series in four volumes, beginning in 1837.

Naturalization records are in five volumes.

Declarations of intention in three volumes.

Liquor licenses in nine volumes.

A general index was begun in 1860.

Index of cases in the superior court, 1860 to the present time, in two volumes,
In this index the name of each party to a suit is mentioned twice. All orders
and appointments are indexed, and all suits excepting divorces.

SUPREME COURT OF ERRORS.

The records are complete from July, 1820, in five volumes.

Files. The files of the county court, from about 1700 to 1857, and those of the
superior court from 1798, appear to be full and in good order. The court rec-
ords of New Haven County have been well kept, and are in better condition than
those of either of the other original counties.

NEW LONDON COUNTY.
COUNTY COURT.

The first volume is an unbound book of 58 leaves, 11 by 7 inches in size.
Before June, 1667, the handwriting is mostly that of Obadiah Bruen; after
June, 1667, mostly in that of Daniel Wetherell; there are, however, portions
which were written by Secretaries John Allyn and Daniel Clark. The earliest
entry in the book is February, 1661-62. There are 11 pages of memoranda of
writs, etc. The first session of a court recorded is December 31, 1663, and
the last is of a county court September 19, 1667. At the end are 9 pages of
miscellaneous records, such as the entry of horses shipped from the port of
New London from September, 1661, and some marriages. A transcript of
this volume is in the State Library at Hartford.

62 AMEEICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

The second volume is without covers. Some of the leaves at either end
are missing, and those remaining much frayed. It begins September (?),
1668, and ends in June, 1669. It contains records of trials, probate orders, in-
ventories, and some marriages.

Volume III has no covers, and leaves are wanting at either end, and those
remaining are frayed. The earliest entry is June (?), 1670, and the latest
June 7, 1681. It includes probate orders and inventories. Some entries are
in shorthand.

Volume IV has a thin paper cover. Some loose leaves from some other vol-
ume or volumes are laid in. It begins with September 20, 1681, and ends
with a session (at Stonington) of January 22, 1683-84.

Volume V is tied up with the preceding. It begins with June 3, 1684, and
ends with February 22, 1686-87.

Volume VI has no covers, and some early leaves are missing. The earliest
entry seems to be of June 7, 1687, and the latest of those chronologically arranged
is October 27, 1687 ; but there are irregular entries so late as April 8, 1701.

Volume VII has parchment covers. It is entitled " Probate and County
Court Records," and, like all the preceding volumes, has probate orders, etc.
The earliest entry is June 4, 1689, and the last June, 1703. The records of
the courts in this country during the Andros government do not seem to exist.
At the end of the volume are recorded a few executions. From 1703 to 1711 the
records are missing.

Volume VIII (if it may properly be so designated) is in brown-paper covers,
and consists of some half dozen waste books now tied together. It seems to
cover the whole period from June 5, 1711, to September 23, 1715. Like all pre-
ceding volumes, it is unpaged and unindexed.

Volume IX is bound and indexed, and apparently a copy of the preceding
down to November 23, 1714, page 106.

Volume X, August 9, 1715, to November 27, 1716, is in paper covers. There
is laid in a docket of cases, which are numbered.

Volume XI, February 19, 1716-17, to March 11, 1717-18. In paper covers.

Volume XII, June 3, 1718, to November 24, 1719. In paper covers. There
is a docket for part of the volume.

Volume XIII, February 23, 1719-20, to November 22, 1720. In paper covers.
It has dockets of cases, as do the succeeding volumes.

Volume XIV, February 7, 1720-21, to November 26, 1723. In boards.

Volume XV, February 25, 1723-24, to June 18, 1725. In parchment.

Volumes XVI-XXVI, November 23, 1725, to November 22, 1768. In boards.

For the period between November, 1768, to November, 1784, the records seem
to be lost. They are complete from November, 1784, to June, 1855, when the
court ceased to exist. There is an index from June, 1847, to June, 1855.
There are six volumes of defaults, 1809-1855. There are four volumes of execu-
tions, 1790-1820, indexed. From 1835 to 1855 the manuscript dockets are bound
in five volumes.

A pile of about 300 leaves, burnt at the top, bottom, and edges of both sides,
contains records of judgments, 1817-1832. It is wrapped in a paper, and, curi-
ously, had been supposed to be the remains of a volume saved from the con-
flagration at New London in 1781.

There are three volumes of appeals from the county court, 1809-1855. Not
indexed.

There is one volume of naturalization records, which is indexed.

The files appear to be pretty complete from 1701.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT. 63

SUPERIOR COURT.

The court records are complete from 1798, when the court for the first time
had a clerk in each county, to the present time, and they are contained in fifteen
volumes. Before 1856 the volumes are not indexed, but they generally have
dockets of cases.

From August, 1856, the criminal records are kept in a separate series of
volumes, of which there are now three, all indexed.

From August, 1857, divorces have been recorded in separate volumes, of
which there are now four, all indexed.

There is one volume of insolvency cases, March, 1833, to September, 1841,
not indexed. There are two volumes of defaults, 1853-1861, indexed. Be-
ginning in 1836, the manuscript dockets have been kept in separate volumes,
twenty-two in number. Declaration of intended citizenship are in three volumes,
indexed.

Records of naturalization are in three volumes, indexed.

The files are preserved since 1798.

SUPREME COURT OF ERRORS.

The records of the supreme court when held in this county are in two
volumes, Vol. I, October, 1819-October, 1864, not indexed. Vol. II is the
current volume, and is indexed. In 1866 Windham County was united with
New London County to form the second judicial district. In 1881 Windham
County was detached and annexed to the first judicial district.

FAIRFIELD COUNTY.
COUNTY COURT.

These records are kept at Bridgeport. The volumes are not numbered nor
indexed. The oldest now found is from March, 1702-3, to 1741.

Two volumes of 144 and 185 old leaves, respectively, and of the periods,
1703-1719 and 1720-1723, are made up by mounting original leaves upon
new paper.

Volume, parchment, bound, 1741-1750.

Volume, parchment, 1748-49 to 1750-51.

Volume, boards, April, 1751, to May, 1752.

Volume, parchment, 1752-1755.

Volume, old leather, 1755-1757.

Seven volumes contain the records from 1758-1783.

A book of five leaves contains libels in admiralty, 1779-1780.

A book of which only forty-eight leaves were used, 1787-1788.

One of which only nineteen leaves were used, 1795.

Ten volumes, 1800-1855. Most of the foregoing are unindexed.

There are six unnumbered volumes of executions, 1785-1820. Four of them
are indexed.

There is one volume of appeals, 1826-J852, not indexed.

One volume contains county court records, 1851-1855, 208 pages, and mis-
cellaneous records (county commissioners) to 1887, pages 209-252.

SUPERIOR COURT.

These are kept at Bridgeport, atid there are nineteen unnumbered volumes,
and generally unindexed, from 1798 to the present time.

64 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

One volume of executions, 1778-1820, partially indexed.

Six volumes of divorces, 1866-1887.

Three volumes of defaults, 1841-1887.

Eight volumes of naturalization records, 1842-1887.

One volume foreclosures of mortgages, 1885-1887.

Four volumes of criminal records, 1854-1887.

Twenty-two volumes of manuscript dockets (civil), 1840-1887.

Four volumes of manuscript dockets (criminal), 1869-1887.

Two volumes of appointments of attorneys, etc., 1861-1887.

Eight volumes of criminal costs, 1855-1887.

SUPREME COURT OF ERRORS.

These are also at Bridgeport. The first volume begins in June, 1820, and
ends in October, 1859 A second volume was begun in 1879.

WINDHAM COUNTY.

The court records of this county have been ruined by having been kept in
a damp vault. The covers of some volumes have rotted off, the paper is decayed
and moldy, and the writing in many places illegible.

COUNTY COURT,

These are now kept in two large iron safes in the court-house in Brooklyn.
Most of them are not indexed.

Volume I begins in June 1726, and ends in E^ebruary, 1732. In bad order.

Volumes II and III are missing.

Volume IV, parchment bound. ITebruary, 1739-40, to March, 1741. A
rotton mass.

Volume V., December, 1741 to 1744. Very tender, but generally legible.

There are twenty-nine more volumes of county court records covering the
period from 1744 to 1855, a few of which are in good condition, but most of
them are more or less moldy and decayed.

SUPERIOR COURT.

Volume I, September, 1798, to January, 1811.

Volume (II), September, 1811, to September, 1823. Cover off; in pieces;
leaves frayed ; ruinously moldy.

Volume (III), January, 1824, to January, 1835, in about the same condition.

Volume (IV), October, 1835, to January, 1844. Moldy.

The other volumes of this series are in good condition.

Executions, 1800-1818. Cover off; leaves loose and moldy.

Insolvent debtors, one volume, 1828-1841. Cover off; moldy.

Defaults, October, 1839-1872. Good.

Manuscript dockets, nine volumes, in good condition.

Since 1876, civil causes have been indexed in a Burr index.

The court files at Brooklyn are in a wretched condition, from the dampness
of the place where they were kept in part, and partly apparently from the
ravages of vermin.

An act was passed in 1887 providing for rewriting of such records of the
superior court as one of the judges should find required it for their preserva-
tion. It is understood that some progress has been made in the transcription
of a volume.

PUBLIC AKCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT. 65

SUPREME COURT OF ERRORS.

One volume, July, 1827, to August, 1871; cover off; book about one-third
used; unpaged. In 1866 this county, with that of New London, formed the
third judicial district, but it was annexed to the first district in 1879.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
COUNTY COURT.

The county court records from 1785 to 1800 are missing.

Liber I, 1800-1812, judgments and taverners, about 500 pages. Licenses for
tavern ers in back of book.

Liber II, 1813-1819, judgments and taverners, 457 pages.

Liber III, 1820-1826, 422 pages.

Liber IV, 1826-1836, 546 pages.

Liber V, 1837-1853, 543 pages.

Liber VI, 1853-1855. The county courts were succeeded by the superior
courts in 1855. All of the above volumes are indexed for names, and in good
condition.

Defaults and appeals. There are seven volumes of defaults and appeals ex-
tending from 1800 to 1855, indexed and in good condition.

Executions. There are four volumes of executions extending from 1800 to
1820, indexed and well preserved.

Docket. The county court docket appears to be complete from 1785. For
the early years the docket is bound in paper, but the later years are in sub-
stantial bindings.

Files. The files of the county court are complete from 1785. They are filed
according to terms, tied in bundles, and excellently arranged in steel compart-
ments.

SUPERIOR COURT.

Liber I, 1798-1807, 484 pages.
Liber II, 1807-1815, 479 pages.
Liber III, 1815-1820, 580 pages.
Liber IV, 1820-1825, 544 pages.
Liber V, 1825-1830, 551 pages.
Liber VI, 1830-1836, 573 pages.
Liber VII, 1837-1843, 556 pages.
Liber VIII, 1843-1849, 548 pages.
Liber IX, defaults, 1842-1858, 597 pages.
Liber X, 1849-1855, 568 pages.
Liber XI, 1855-1858, 567 pages.

Liber XII, miscellaneous, appointments of deputy sheriffs, tax assessments,
records of county commissioners, 1855-1905.
Liber XIII, defaults, 1858-1874, 440 pages.
Liber XIV, 1858-1861, 569 pages.
Liber XV, 1862-1866, 568 pages.
Liber XVI, 1867-1870, 574 pages.

Liber 16J, divorce decrees, 1869-1880 ; a larger volume, 250 pages used.
Liber XVII, 1870-1873, 557 pages.
Liber XVIII, 1873-1876, 580 pages.
Liber XIX, 1876-1878, 562 pages.
Liber 19^, defaults ; larger volume, 1874-1881, 147 pages used.

16827 VOL 208 5

66 AMERICAN HISTORICAL 'ASSOCIATION.,

Liber XX, criminal, 1876-1901, 579 pages.

Liber XXI, 1878-1882, 566 pages.

Liber 21i, divorce decrees, 1880-1903.

Liber XXII, 1882-1888, 580 pages.

Liber XXIII, defaults, 1882-1906, 347 pages.

Liber XXIV, 1888-1897, 560 pages.

Liber XXV, 1897-1905, 570 pages.

Liber XXVI, criminal, 1901-1906 ; current volume.

Liber XXVII, 1905-6 ; current volume.

Liber XXVIII, divorces, 1904-1906; current volume.

All the above records are uniformly and well bound and indexed for names.

There are twenty-three volumes, big and little, of naturalization records.

A volume marked " Records of Civil Authority, Middlesex County," paper
bound, about 50 written pages, gives votes of county commissioners from
3796 to 1847.

Docket. The docket of the superior court appears to be complete and in
good order.

Files. The files are arranged in a manner similar to those of the county
court, and are apparently complete.

SUPREME COURT OF ERRORS.

One volume, 1819-1904, in good order, but not indexed.
LITCHFIELD COUNTY.
COUNTY COURT.

Volume 1, 1751-1758, parchment bound, 366 pages.
Volume 2, 1758-1762, parchment bound, 342 pages.
Volume 3, 1762-1767, parchment bound, 470 pages.
Volume 4, 1767-1772, 352 pages.
Volume 5, 1772-1774, 370 pages.
A^olume 6, 1775-1780, 366 pages.
Volume 7, 1780-1782, 266 pages.
Volume 8, 1782-1784, 351 pages.
Volume 9, 1784-1787, 455 pages.
Volume 10, 1787-1789, 466 pages.
Volume 11, 1790-1792, 463 pages.
Volume 12, 1793-94, 447 pages.
Volume 13, 1794-1797, 557 pages.
Volume 14, 1797-98, 620 pages.
Volume 15, 1798-1803, 537 pages.
Volume 16, 1803-1808, 548 pages.
Volume 17, 1809-1816, 526 pages.
Volume 18, 1816-1823, 570 pages.
Volume 19, 1823-1827, 512 pages.
Volume 20, 1828-1835, 592 pages.
Volume 21, 1833-1842, 549 pages.
Volume 22, 1842-1854, 445 pages.
Volume 32 (intended for 23), 1854-55, 16 pages.
Defaults. There are thirty volumes of defaults in good condition.
Appeals. There are seventeen volumes of appeals.

Executions. There are seven volumes of executions not correctly numbered
nor complete. The dates in some volumes overlap those in other volumes.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT. 67

Docket. There are two volumes of the county court docket, one from 1800
to 1903, and the second from 1830 to 1837.

All the above volumes are in good order with indexes in most cases arranged
in separate volumes. The books are not at present well arranged on shelves
in chronological order.

Files. The files are imperfect, but are well arranged in bundles according
to the session and filed in steel drawers.

SUPERIOR COURT.

Volume I, 1789-1805, 555 pages.

Volume II, 1805-1812, 544 pages.

Volume III, 1812-1819, 600 pages.

Volume IV, 1819-1824, 717 pages.

Volume V, 1825-1830, 523 pages.

Volume VI, 1830-1836, 666 pages.

Volume VII, 1836-1839, 534 pages.

Volume VIII, 1839-1845, 478 pages.

Volume X, 1845-1850, 486 pages.

Volume XI, defaults.

Volume XII, 1851-1855, 447 pages.

Volume XIII, 1855-1858, 555 pages.

Volume XIV, defaults.

Volume XV, defaults.

Volume XVI, 1858-1862, 560 pages.

Volume XVII, defaults.

Volume XVIII, 1863-1871, 671 pages.

Volume XIX, divorces, 1867-1880, 475 pages.

Volume XX, criminal, 1867-1889, 542 pages.

Volume XXI, criminal, 1867-1896, 397 pages.

Volume XXII, 1872-1874, 498 pages.

Volume XXIII, 1874-1877, 494 pages.

Volume XXIV, 1877-1884, 494 pages.

Volume XXIV, criminal, 1884-1906.

Volume XXV, 1884-1895, 475 pages.

Volume XXVI, 1884-1895, 475 pages.

Volume XXVII, naturalizations, 1888-1906.

Volume XXVIII, omitted.

Volume XXIX, criminal, 1863-1906, 397 pages.

Volume XXX, criminal record, 1890-1906.

There has been prepared a well-made typewritten index of all the above
volumes.

Files. The superior court files are in good condition, and arranged similar
to those of the county court.

SUPREME COURT OF ERRORS.

There are two volumes, one beginning in 1820. The second volume runs from
1874 to 1882, while the records since 1882 are in the old volume. Both these
volumes are in good order.

There is a docket of the supreme court from 1840 to 1904.

There are several volumes of miscellaneous records such as naturalization
records, lists of notaries public, etc.

There are four treasurer's account books covering the years from 1779 to
1854.

68 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

TOLLAND COUNTY.
COUNTY COURT.

Volume I, 1786-1794, 386 pages.

Volume II, 1795-1799, 457 pages.

Volume III, 1800-1803, 397 pages.

Volume IV, 1804-1807, 555 pages.

Volume V, 1807-1810, 559 pages.

Volume VI, 1811-1814, 529 pages.

Volumes VII, VIII, and IX, missing.

Volume X, 1829-1836, 556 pages.

Volume XI, 1836-1845, 573 pages.

Volume XII, 1845-1853, 484 pages.

Volume XIII, 1853-1855. The latter portion of this book contains the re-
cords of appointments of deputy sheriffs, medical examiners, etc.

These volumes are in good order, indexed after a fashion, and stored in the
vault of the probate judge at Rockville.

Files. The files of the county court prior to 1885 are kept in a stone vault
at Tolland. They are tied in bundles according to the term of the court, and
stored in an indiscriminate manner on wooden shelves. Some of the files are
lying loose on the floor, and the whole mass would require a thorough rear-
rangement to be made easy of access. The files since 1893 are kept in a safe in
the office of the county clerk at Rockville.

SUPERIOR COURT.

Volume I, 1799-1811, 366 pages.

Volume II, 1812-1826. At the end of this volume is a record of a supreme
court of errors held in 1826, at which no business was transacted.

Volume III, 1826-1847, 545 pages.

Volume IV, 1848-1853, and one record of a court held October, 1863, at which
nothing was done.

Volume V, 1853-1859, 406 pages.

Volume VI, 1860-1867, 452 pages.

Volume VII, marked No. 6, 1867-1873, 400 pages.

Volume VIII, marked No. 7, 1873-1877, 446 pages.

Volume IX, marked No. 8, 1876-1880, Divorces, 90 pages.

Volume X, marked No. 9, 1876-1880, Defaults.

Volume XI, marked No. 10, 1877-1883, 438 pages.

Volume XII, marked No. 11, 1883-1890, 439 pages.

Volume XIII, marked No. 12, 1890-1899, 440 pages.

Volume XIV, marked No. 13, 1899-1906.

These volumes are in good order, indexed, and kept in the vault of the
probate judge at Rockville.

Files. The files of the superior court prior to 3885 are at Tolland, and in
the same place and condition as those of the county court. Since 1893 the
files have been kept at Rockville*

SUPREME COURT OF ERRORS.

The records of the supreme court prior to 1856, with the exception of a'
court held in 1826, which is recorded in Volume II of the superior court
records, are missing.

Volume I, 1856-1892, 24 pages used ; indexed.

Volume II is the current volume.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT. 69

HISTORICAL NOTES ON THE PROBATE DISTRICTS OF CONNECTICUT.

The towns comprising the early Hartford and New Haven colonies
were settled under different authorities, and the two colonies main-
tained separate and distinct governments until their final union
under the Connecticut charter, in January, 1665.

In the New Haven Colony, which comprised the towns of New
Haven, Milford, Guilford, Branford, Southold, and Stamford, the
law provided that wills should be proved in the plantation court and
recorded in the plantation (town) where the deceased resided, and
then filed with and an abstract recorded by the secretary of the
colony in New Haven. Estates were to be administered under au-
thority of the plantation court where the deceased resided. Wills
are recorded on the Stamford records between 1646 and 1695. It is
understood that no wills are recorded in the other towns, though
there are early probate proceedings on the Guilford records.

In the Connecticut Colony, Hartford and surrounding towns, until
1666, estates were administered under orders of the particular court.
Until 1649 its doings are recorded in the same volume with the gen-
eral court's records, and are included in the first printed volume of
Connecticut Colonial Records. Its records from 1650 to 1666, and
including the Hartford County court records to 1677, are in the
secretary's office in the capitol. The files, however, are in the Hart-
ford probate office.

As early as 1649 special particular courts were held at Fairfield,
and from that time many of the estates of the future Fairfield County
were administered under orders of these special courts instead of the
regular particular court at Hartford. The records of these special
courts are in the Fairfield probate office.

Special particular courts were also held at New London for several
years before the establishment of the county court in 1666, and some
of the estates of the future New London County were administered
under orders of these special courts. Their records are with the
county court records at Norwich. On September 6, 1781, when the
town was burned by the British, the following New London probate
records were destroyed: Record of wills, from the beginning; jour-
nals, from April, 1763, and files, from 1777.

The records of the inferior court, held at Hartford in 1688 and
1689, during the Andros government, for the counties of Hartford
and New London, which are now in possession of Hon. J. Hammond
Trumbull, contain proceedings in the settlement of several estates,
with records of some wills and inventories.

The general assembly at its session in May, 1666, established the
four counties of Hartford, New London, New Haven, and Fairfield,
which included all the towns then organized and settled, and ordered

70 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

that " wills and inventories of persons deceased within any of the
counties of this colony shall be exhibited and proved at the county
court to which the deceased did appertain by his habitation." This
was the first actual division of the State into probate districts, al-
though probate courts, as such, were not established and separated
from the county courts until 1698, and the limits of the counties and
probate districts remained coterminous until 1719.

LIST OF TOWNS SHOWING PROBATE DISTRICTS IN WHICH THEY ARE OR

HAVE BEEN INCLUDED.

(To avoid frequent repetition, the names of districts are printed in small capitals
and the names of towns in lower-cas.e letters. The dates of incorporation or naming of
towns are taken from the State Register.)

Andover. Incorporated May, 1848; from Hebron and Coventry. In HEBRON

until June 27, 1851; since then in ANDOVER.

Ansonia. Incorporated May, 1889, from Derby. In DERBY since incorporation.
Ashford. Named October, 1710. In HARTFORD until October session. 1719 ; then

in WINDHAM until May session, 1752; then in POMFRET until June 4, 1830;

since then in ASHFORD.
Avon. Incorporated May, 1830, from Farmington. In FARMINGTON until May

session, 1844; since then in AVON.
Barkhamsted. Named May session, 1732; incorporated October, 1779. In

HARTFORD until May session, 1769; then in SIMSBURY until May 27, 1825;

then in NEW HARTFORD until June 5, 1834 ; since then in BARKHAMSTED.
Beacon Falls. Incorporated May, 1871, from Bethany. In NAUGATUCK since

its incorporation.

Berlin. Incorporated May, 1785, from Farmington, Wethersfield, and Middle-
town. In FARMINGTON, HARTFORD, and MIDDLETOWN, partly in each, until

June 2, 1824; since then in BERLIN.
Bethany. Incorporated May, 1832, from Woodbridge. In NEW HAVEN until

July 4, 1854; since then in BETHANY.
Bethel. Incorporated May, 1855, from Danbury. In DANBURY until July 4,

1859 ; since then in BETHEL.

Bethlehem. Incorporated May, 1787. In WOODBURY since its incorporation.
Bloomfield. Incorporated May, 1835, from Windsor. In HARTFORD since its

incorporation.
Bolton. Incorporated October, 1720. In HARTFORD until May session, 1782 ; then

in EAST WINDSOR until May session, 1789; then in HEBRON until June 27,

1851 ; since then in ANDOVER.
Bozrah. Incorporated May, 1786, from Norwich. In NORWICH until June 3,

1843 ; since then in BOZRAH.
Branford. Settled in 1644, under New Haven jurisdiction. In NEW HAVEN

until October session, 1719; then in GUILFORD until June 21, 1850, except

that the Society of Northford was in WALLINGFORD from May session, 1776,

until its incorporation in North Branford in May, 1831; since then in

BRANFORD.
Bridgeport. Incorporated May, 1821, from Stratford. In STRATFORD until June

4, 1840 ; since then in BRIDGEPORT.
Bridgewater. Incorporated May, 1856, from New Milford. In NEW MILFORD

since its incorporation.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT. 71

Bristol. Incorporated May, 1785, from Farmington. In FARMINGTON until June
4, 1830; since then in BRISTOL.

Brookfield. Incorporated May, 1788, from Danbury, New Milford, and New-
town. In DANBURY until May session, 1820; then in NEWTOWN until June
19, 1850; since then in BROOKFIELD.

Brookhaven. See Setauket.

Brooklyn. Incorporated May, 1786, from Pomfret and Canterbury. In POM-
FRET and PLAINFIELD, partly in each, the part taken from Canterbury being
in PLAINFIELD, until June 4, 1833 ; since then in BROOKLYN.

Burlington. Incorporated May, 1806, from Bristol. In FARMINGTON until June
3, 1834 ; since then in BURLINGTON.

Canaan. Incorporated October, 1739. In HARTFORD until October session, 1742 ;
then in LITCHFIELD until October session, 1755; then in SHARON until June
6, 1846; since then in CANAAN.

Canterbury. Incorporated October, 1703, from Plainfleld. In NEW LONDON
until October session, 1719 ; then in WINDHAM until May session, 1747 ;
then in PLAINFIELD until May 27, 1835 ; since then in CANTERBURY.

Canton. Incorporated May, 1806, from Simsbury. In SIMSBURY until June 7,
1841 ; since then in CANTON.

Chaplin. Incorporated May, 1822, from Mansfield and Hampton. In WINDHAM
until June 7, 1850; since then in CHAPLIN.

Chatham. Incorporated October, 1767, from Middletown. In MIDDLETOWN and
EAST HADDAM, partly in each, the part south of Salmon River being in
EAST HADDAM, until June 1, 1824 ; since then in CHATHAM.

Cheshire. Incorporated May, 1780, from Wallingford. In WALLINGFORD until
May 27, 1829; since then in CHESHIRE.

Chester. Incorporated May, 1836, from Saybrook. In SAYBROOK since its
incorporation.

Clinton. Incorporated May, 1838, from Killingworth. In CLINTON (the old
district) until June 1, 1842; then in KILLINGWORTH until July 5, 1862;
since then in CLINTON (the new district).

Colchester. Named October, 1699. In NEW LONDON until October session,
1708 ; then in HARTFORD until October session, 1741 ; then in EAST HADDAM
until May 29, 1832 ; since then in COLCHESTER.

Colebrook. Named May session, 1732 ; incorporated October, 1779. In HART-
FORD until May session, 1769 ; then in SIMSBURY until May session, 1779 ;
then in NORFOLK, until May 31, 1838 ; since then in WINCHESTER.

Columbia. Incorporated May, 1804, from Lebanon. In WINDHAM until May
session, 1808 ; then in HEBRON until June 27, 1851 ; since then in ANDOVER.

Conway. Incorporated May session, 1841, from Chatham. Name changed to
Portland during the same session of the legislature. (See Portland.)

Cornwall. Incorporated May, 1740. Probably in HARTFORD until October ses-
sion, 1742; then probably in LITCHFIELD until June 15, 1847; since then in
CORNWALL. (Cornwall was annexed to Hartford County, May session, 1738.
It is not named in the act constituting Litchfield probate district, October
session, 1742, but in the edition of the Colony Laws printed in 1750 it is
named as being in Litchfield district.)

Coventry. Named October, 1711. In HARTFORD until October session, 1719;
then in WINDHAM until May session, 1789; then in HEBRON until June 19,
1849; since then in COVENTRY.

Cromwell. Incorporated May, 1851, from Middletown. In MIDDLETOWN since
its incorporation.

Danbury. Named October, 1687. In Fairfield until May session, 1744; since
then in DANBURY.

72 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Darien. Incorporated May, 1820, from Stamford. In STAMFORD since its
incorporation.

Derby. Named May, 1675. In NEW HAVEN until July 4, 1858; since then in
DERBY.

Durham. Incorporated May, 1708. In NEW HAVEN until October session, 1719 ;
then in GUILFORD until May session, 1752 ; since then in MIDDLETOWN.

East Granby. Incorporated June, 1858, from Granby and Windsor Locks. In
GRANBY until July 4, 1865 ; since then in EAST GRANBY.

East Haddam. Incorporated May, 1734, from Haddam. In HARTFORD until Oc-
tober session, 1741 ; since then in EAST HADDAM, except that a small part of
the town was in CHATHAM from May session, 1830, to June 2, 1831.

East Hampton (N. Y.). In Connecticut from 1658 to 1664. Probably under
jurisdiction of the particular court.

East Hartford. Incorporated October, 1783, from Hartford. In EAST WINDSOR
until May session, 1797; then in HARTFORD until May, 1887; since then in
EAST HARTFORD.

East Haven. Incorporated May, 1785, from New Haven. In NEW HAVEN until
August, 1868 ; then in EAST HAVEN until January 3, 1883 ; since then in NEW
HAVEN.

East Lyme. Incorporated May, 1839, from Lyme and Waterford. In NEW
LONDON until June 2, 1843; since then in EAST LYME.

East Windsor. Incorporated May, 1768, from Windsor. In HARTFORD and STAF-
FORD, partly in each, the parish of Ellington being in STAFFORD, until May
session, 1782; since then in EAST WINDSOR, except that the small portion
of Ellington Parish lying east of a meridian line drawn from the northwest
corner of Tolland remained in STAFFORD.

Eastford. Incorporated May, 1847, from Ashford. In ASHFORD until June 21,
1849; since then in EASTFORD.

Easton. Incorporated May, 1845, from Weston. In WESTON until July 22,
1875 ; since then in EASTON until March 4, 1878 ; since then in BRIDGEPORT.

Ellington. Incorporated May, 1786, from East Windsor. In EAST WINDSOR and
STAFFORD, partly in each, " that part lying east of a meridian line drawn
from the northwest corner of Tolland " being in STAFFORD, until May 31,
1826; since then in ELLINGTON.

Enfield. Named and granted by Massachusetts, May, 1683; annexed to Con-
necticut, May, 1749. In HAMPSHIRE COUNTY (Northampton, Mass.), until
May, 1749 ; then in HARTFORD until May session, 1782 ; then in EAST WIND-
SOR until May 26, 1831 ; since then in ENFIELD.

Essex. Incorporated May,- 1854, from Old Saybrook. In OLD SAYBROOK until
July 4, 1859; since then in ESSEX.

Fairfield. Settled, 1639 ; named, 1645. Under the jurisdiction of the particular
courts until May session, 1666; since then in FAIRFIELD.

Farmington. Incorporated December, 1645. Under the jurisdiction of the par-
ticular courts until May session, 1666 ; then in HARTFORD until January,
1769; since then in FARMINGTON.

Franklin. Incorporated May, 1786, from Norwich. In NORWICH since its incor-
poration.

Glastonbury. Incorporated May, 1690, form Wethersfield. In HARTFORD until
May session, 1782; then in EAST WINDSOR until May session, 1797; since
then in HARTFORD.

Goshen. Incorporated October, 1739. In HARTFORD until October session, 1742;
then in LITCHFIELD until May 13, 1895 ; since then in TORRINGTON.

Granby. Incorporated October, 1786, from Simsbury. In SIMSBURY until May
session, 1807; since then in GRANBY.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT. 73

Greenwich. Settled 1640. The settlement was made under authority of the
New Haven Colony, but in 1642 the inhabitants claimed the protection of
the Dutch government at New Netherlands, and so remained until 1656,
when they returned to the New Haven Colony. In 1662 they submitted to
the authority of the Connecticut Colony. Probably in NEW HAVEN from
1656 until 1662; then probably under the jurisdiction of the particular
courts until May session, 1666; then in FAIEFIELD until May session, 1728;
then in STAMFORD until July 4, 1853 ; since then in GREENWICH.

Griswold. Incorporated October, 1815, from Preston. In NORWICH since its
incorporation.

Groton. Incorporated May, 1705, from New London. In NEW LONDON until
October session, 1766; then in STONINGTON until May 25, 1839; since then
in GROTON.

Guilford. Settled 1639. In NEW HAVEN until October session, 1719 ; since then
in GUILFORD.

Haddam. Incorporated October, 1668. In HARTFORD until October session,
1741; then in EAST HADDAM until May session, 1752; then in MIDDLETOWN,
except that the part lying east of the Connecticut River was annexed to
CHATHAM June 1, 1824, until June 3, 1830; since then in HADDAM.

Hamden. Incorporated May, 1786, from New Haven. In NEW HAVEN since
its incorporation.

Hampton. Incorporated October, 1786, from Windham, Pomfret, Brooklyn,
Canterbury, and Mansfield. In WINDHAM until June 2, 1836 ; since then in
HAMPTON.

Hartford. Settled 1635. Under the jurisdiction of the particular court until
May session, 1666 ; since then in HARTFORD.

Hartland. Incorporated May, 1761. In HARTFORD until May session, 1769 ; then
in SIMSBURY until May session, 1807; then in GRANBY until June 3, 1836;
since then in HARTLAND.

Harwinton. Incorporated October, 1737. In HARTFORD until October session,
1742 ; then in LITCHFIELD until May 27, 1835 ; since then in HARWINTON.

Hebron. Incorporated May, 1708. In HARTFORD until October session, 1741;
then in EAST HADDAM until May session, 1789 ; since then in HEBRON.

Huntington (N. Y.). In Connecticut from 1660 to 1664. Probably under juris-
diction of the particular court.

Huntington. Incorporated January, 1789, from Stratford. In STRATFORD until
June 4, 1840 ; then in BRIDGEPORT, except that the " first voting district "
was annexed to DERBY March 25, 1880, until May, 1889; since then in
HUNTINGTON.

Kent. Incorporated October, 1739. In HARTFORD until October session, 1742;
then in LITCHFIELD until October session, 1755; then in LITCHFIELD and
SHARON, partly in each, the Society of East Greenwich remaining in LITCH-
FIELD, and being incorporated into the town of Warren in 1786, and the
remainder of the town being in SHARON, until May session, 1787; then in
NEW MILFORD until May 26, 1831 ; since then in KENT.

Killingly. Incorporated May, 1708. In NEW LONDON until October session,
1719 ; then in WINDHAM until May session, 1747 ; then in PLAINFIELD, except
that the two north societies were annexed to POMFRET, May session, 1752,
until June 4, 1830; since then in KILLINGLY.

Killingworth. Named May, 1667. In NEW LONDON until October session, 1719 ;
then in GUILFORD until May session, 1780; then in SAYBROOK until June 3,
1834 ; then in KILLINGWORTH until May 28, 1838 ; then in CLINTON until June
1, 1842; since then in KILLINGWORTH.

74 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Lebanon. Incorporated October, 1700. In NEW LONDON until October session,
1719 ; then in WINDHAM until June 2, 1826, except that the part of the par-
ish of Andover belonging to Lebanon was in HEBRON from May session, 1790,
until about 1820; since then in LEBANON.

Ledyard. Incorporated May, 1836, from Groton. In STONINGTON until June 6,
1837 ; since then in LEDYARD.

Lisbon. Incorporated May, 1786, from Norwich. In NORWICH since its incorpo-
ration.

Litchfield. Incorporated May, 1719. In WOODBURY until October session, 1742 ;
since then in LITCHFIELD.

Lyme. Named May, 1667. In NEW LONDON until June 4, 1830; then in LYME
(the old district) until July 24, 1868; then in OLD LYME until July 5, 1869;
since then in LYME (the new district).

Madison. Incorporated May, 1826, from Guilford. In GUILFORD until May 22,
1834 ; since then in MADISON.

Manchester. Incorporated May, 1823, from East Hartford. In HARTFORD until
June 22, 1850 ; since then in MANCHESTER.

Mansfield. Incorporated May, 1702, from Windham. In HARTFORD until Octo-
ber session, 1719; then in WINDHAM until May 30, 1831; since then in
MANSFIELD.

Marlborough. Incorporated October, 1803, from Colchester, Glastonbury, and
Hebron. In EAST HADDAM until May 29, 1832; then in COLCHESTER until
June 11, 1846 ; since then in MARLBOROUGH.

Meriden. Incorporated May, 1806, from Wallingford. In WALLINGFORD until
June 3, 1836 ; since then in MERIDEN.

Middlebury. Incorporated 1807, from Waterbury. In WATERBURY since its
incorporation.

Middlefield. Incorporated May, 1866, from Middletown. In MIDDLETOWN since
its incorporation.

Middletown. Incorporated September, 1651. Under jurisdiction of the par-
ticular court until May session, 1666 ; then in HARTFORD until May session,
1752, except that the part included in the parish of Middle Haddam was in
EAST HADDAM from October session, 1741, until May session, 1752, and the
part south of Salmon River was in EAST HADDAM from May session, 1742 ;
then in MIDDLETOWN and EAST HADDAM, partly in each, until October
session, 1767, when the part south of Salmon River which had been in
EAST HADDAM was incorporated as Chatham ; since then in MIDDLETOWN.

Milford. Settled 1639. In NEW HAVEN until May 22, 1832; since then in

MlLFORD.

Monroe. Incorporated May, 1823, from Huntington. In STRATFORD until June
4, 1840 ; since then in BRIDGEPORT.

Montville. Incorporated October, 1786, from New London. In NEW LONDON
until June 27, 1851 ; since then in MONTVILLE.

Morris. Incorporated May, 1859, from Litchfield. In LITCHFIELD since its in-
corporation.

Mortlake. Never was incorporated as a distinct town, although it was fre-
quently spoken of as such. It became a part of Pomfret. In WINDHAM
until May session, 1752; after that in POMFRET.

Naugatuck. Incorporated May, 1844, from Waterbury, Bethany, and Oxford.
In WATERBURY until July 4, 1863 ; since then in NAUGATUCK.

New Britain. Incorporated May, 1850, from Berlin. In BERLIN since its in-
corporation.

PUBLIC AKCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.

New Canaan. Incorporated May, 1801, from Norwalk and Stamford. In
FAIRFIELD and STAMFORD, partly in each, until May session, 1802; since
then in NORWALK.

New Fairfleld. Incorporated 1740. In FAIRFIELD until May session, 1744;
since then in DANBURY, except that the North Society was in NEW MILFORD
from May session, 1787, until it was incorporated as the town of Sherman
in October, 1802.

New Hartford. Incorporated October, 1738. In HARTFORD until January, 1769 ;
then in FARMINGTON until October session, 1808; then in SIMSBTJRY until
May 27, 1825 ; since then in NEW HARTFORD.

New Haven. Settled 1638. In NEW HAVEN since its settlement.

New London. Settled 1646. Under the jurisdiction of the particular courts
until May session, 1666; since then in NEW LONDON.

New Milford. Incorporated October, 1712. In NEW HAVEN until October ses-
sion, 1719; then in WOODBURY until May session, 1787; since then in NEW
MILFORD.

Newington. Incorporated July 11, 1871, from Wethersfleld. In HARTFORD since
its incorporation.

Newtown. Incorporated October, 1711. In FAIRFIELD until May session, 1744;
then in DANBURY until May session, 1820; since then in NEWTOWN.

Norfolk. Incorporated October, 1758. In LITCHFIELD until May session, 1779;
since then in NORFOLK.

North Branford. Incorporated May, 1831, from Branford. In GUILFORD and
WALLINGFORD, partly in each, since its incorporation, the Society of North-
ford being in WALLINGFORD.

North Canaan. Incorporated May, 1858,. from Canaan. In CANAAN since its
incorporation.

North Haven. Incorporated October, 1786, from New Haven. In NEW HAVEN
since its incorporation.

North Stonington. Incorporated May, 1807, from Stonington. In STONING-
TON until June 4, 1835; since then in NORTH STONINGTON.

Norwalk. Incorporated September, 1651. Under the jurisdiction of the partic-
ular courts until May session, 1666; then in FAIRFIELD until May session,
1802; since then in NORWALK.

Norwich. Settled 1660. Under the jurisdiction of the particular courts until
May session, 1666 ; then in NEW LONDON until October, 1748 ; since then in
NORWICH.

Old Lyme. Incorporated as South Lyme May, 1855, from Lyme ; name changed
in 1857. In LYME (the old district) until July 24, 1868; since then in OLD
LYME.

Old Saybrook. Incorporated May, 1852, from Saybrook. In SAYBROOK until
July 4, 1853 ; since then in OLD SAYBROOK.

Orange. Incorporated May, 1822, from Milford and New Haven. In NEW
HAVEN since its incorporation.

Oxford. Incorporated October, 1798, from Derby and Southbury. In NEW
HAVEN until June 4, 1846 ; since then in OXFORD.

Plainfield. Incorporated May, 1699. In NEW LONDON until October session,
1719 ; then in WINDHAM until May session, 1747 ; since then in PLAINFIELD.

Plainville. Incorporated May, 1869, from Farmington. In FARMINGTON since
its incorporation.

Plymouth. Incorporated May, 1759, form Watertown. In WATERBURY until
May 31, 1833 ; since then in PLYMOUTH.

76 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Pomfret. Named 1713. In NEW LONDON until October session, 1719; then in
WINDHAM until May session, 1747; then in PLAINFIELD until May session,
1752 ; since then in POMFRET.

Portland. Incorporated May, 1841, from Chatham. In CHATHAM since its
incorporation.

Preston. Named October, 1687. In NEW LONDON until October, 1748; since
then in NORWICH.

Prospect. Incorporated May, 1827, from Cheshire and Waterbury. In WAL-
LINGFORD until May 27, 1829; since then in CHESHIRE.

Putnam. Incorporated May, 1855, from Thompson, Pomfret, and Killingly. In
THOMPSON until July 5, 1856 ; since then in PUTNAM.

Redding. Incorporated May, 1767, from Fairfield. In FAIRFIELD until January
session, 1782 ; then in DANBURY until May 24, 1839 ; since then in REDDING.

Ridgefield. Incorporated October, 1709. In FAIRFIELD until May session, 1728 ;
then in STAMFORD until October session, 1746; then in DANBURY until June
10, 1841 ; since then in RIDGEFIELD.

Rocky Hill. Incorporated May, 1843, from Wethersfield. In HARTFORD since its
incorporation.

Roxbury. Incorporated October, 1796, from Woodbury. In WOODBURY until
June 6, 1842 ; since then in ROXBURY.

Rye (N. Y.) In Connecticut from 1665 to 1683. Probably under the jurisdic-
tion of the particular courts until May session, 1666; then probably in
FAIRFIELD until 1683.

Salem. Incorporated May, 1819, from Colchester, Lyme, and Montville. In
NEW LONDON and EAST HADDAM, partly in each, the part taken from Lyme
being in NEW LONDON until July 9, 1841 ; the part taken from Montville
being in NEW LONDON from June 3, 1824, until July 9, 1841 (previous to
June 3, 1824, it had apparently been overlooked and not assigned to any
probate district) ; the part taken from Colchester being in EAST HADDAM
until May 29, 1832 ; then in COLCHESTER until July 9, 1841. In SALEM since
July 9, 1841.

Salisbury. Incorporated October, 1741. In NEW HAVEN until October session,
1742 ; then in LITCHFIELD until October session, 1755 ; then in SHARON until
June 16, 1847 ; since then in SALISBURY.

Saybrook. Settled 1635, and was a separate colony until it united with Connec-
ticut in 1644. Under the jurisdiction of the particular courts from 1644
until May session, 1666; then in NEW LONDON until October session, 1719;
then in GUILFORD until May session, 1780 ; since then in SAYBROOK.

Scotland. Incorporated May, 1857, from Windham. In WINDHAM since its
incorporation.

Setauket (now Brookhaven, N. Y.) In Connecticut from 1661 to 1664. Proba-
bly under jurisdiction of the particular court.

Seymour. Incorporated May, 1850, from Derby. In NEW HAVEN since its incor-
poration. By recent legislation it was annexed to Derby in 1899.

Sharon. Incorporated October, 1739. In NEW HAVEN until October session,
1742 ; then in LITCHFIELD until October session, 1755 ; since then in SHARON.

Sherman. Incorporated October session, 1802, from New Fairfield. In NEW
MILFORD until June 4, 1846 ; since then in SHERMAN.

Simsbury. Named May session, 1670. In HARTFORD until May session, 1769;
since then in SIMSBURY.

Somers. Incorporated 1734. In Massachusetts until 1749. In HAMPSHIRE
COUNTY (Northampton) until 1749; then in HARTFORD until May session,
1759 ; then in STAFFORD until May 31, 1826 ; then in ELLINGTON until June 3,
1834; since then in SOMERS.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.

South Lyme. Incorporated May, 1855, from Lynie. Name changed to Old
Lyme in 1857. In LYME until after the change of name.

South Windsor. Incorporated May, 1845, from East Windsor. In EAST WIND-
SOB since its incorporation.

Southampton (N. Y.). In Connecticut from 1645 to 1664. Probably under
jurisdiction of the particular court.

Southbury. Incorporated May, 1787, from Woodbury. In WOODBUEY since its
incorporation.

Southington. Incorporated October, 1779, from Farmington. In FA'RMINGTON
until May 24, 1825; since then in SOUTHINGTON.

Southold (N. Y.). Settled 1640. In Connecticut, New Haven Colony, until
1664. In NEW HAVEN.

Sprague. Incorporated May, 1861, from Lisbon and Franklin. In NORWICH
since its incorporation.

Stafford. Settled 1719. In HARTFORD until May session, 1759 ; since then in
STAFFORD.

Stamford. Settled 1640. In NEW HAVEN until May session, 1666 ; then in FAIR-
FIELD until May session, 1728 ; since then in STAMFORD.

Sterling. Incorporated May, 1794, from Voluntown. In P^AINFIELD until June
17, 1852; since then in STERLING.

Stoniugton. Incorporated October, 1658, by Massachusetts. Was for some years
claimed by both Connecticut and Massachusetts, and the location of its
early probate records is doubtful ; perhaps a part will be found in Massa-
chusetts and a part in the records of particular courts in Connecticut ; then
in NEW LONDON until October session, 1766; since then in STONINGTON.

Stratford. Settled 1639. Under jurisdiction of the particular courts until
May session, 1666; then in FAIRFIELD until May session, 1782; since then
in STRATFORD.

Suffield. Incorporated by Massachusetts, May, 1674 ; annexed to Connecticut,
May, 1749. In HAMPSHIRE COUNTY (Northampton, Mass.) until May, 1749;
then in HARTFORD, except that the part lying west of the mountain was
annexed to GRANBY, May session, 1807, until May session, 1821 ; since then
in SUFFIELD.

Thoinaston. Incorporated May, 1875, from Plymouth. In WATERBURY until
June, 1882; since then in THOMASTON.

Thompson. Incorporated May, 1785, from Killingly. In POMFRET until May
25, 1832 ; since then in THOMPSON.

Tolland. Named May, 1715. In HARTFORD until May session, 1759 ; then in
STAFFORD until June 4, 1830; since then in TOLLAND.

Torrington. Incorporated October, 1740. In HARTFORD until October session,
1742 ; then in LITCHFIELD until June 16, 1847 ; since then in TORRINGTON.

Trumbull. Incorporated October, 1797, from Stratford. In STRATFORD until
June 4, 1840; since then in BRIDGEPORT.

Union. Incorporated October, 1734. In WINDHAM until May session, 1752;
then in POMFRET until May session, 1759; since then in STAFFORD.

Vernon. Incorporated October, 1808, from Bolton. In HEBRON until May
session, 1814 ; then in STAFFORD until May 31, 1826 ; since then in ELLINGTON.

Voluntown. Named May, 1708. In NEW LONDON until May session, 1726 ; then
in WINDHAM until May session, 1747; then in PLAINFIELD until June 4,
1830; then in VOLUNTOWN until April 3, 1889; since then in NORWICH.

Wallingford. Named May, 1670. In NEW HAVEN until May session, 1776;
since then in WALLINGFORD.

Warren. Incorporated May, 1786, from Kent. In LITCHFIELD since its incor-
poration.

78 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Washington. Incorporated January, 1779, from Woodbury, Litchiield, Kent,
and New Milford. In LITCHFIELD and WOODBURY, partly in each, the parts
taken from Woodbnry and New Milford and known as the Society of
Judea being in WOODBURY, until May 22, 1832 ; since then in WASHINGTON.

Waterbury. Named May, 1686. In HARTFORD until October session, 1719 ; then
in WOODBURY until May session, 1779 ; since then in WATERBURY.

Waterford. Incorporated October, 1801, from New London. ,In NEW LONDON
since its incorporation.

Watertown. Incorporated May, 1780, from Waterbury. In WATERBURY until
June 3, 1834 ; since then in WATERTOWN.

West Hartford. Incorporated May, 1854, from Hartford. In HARTFORD since
its incorporation.

Westbrook. Incorporated May, 1840, from Saybrook. In SAYBROOK until July
4, 1853 ; then in OLD SAYBROOK until July 4, 1854 ; since then in WESTBROOK.

Westmoreland (Pa.). Incorporated January, 1774. Probably in LITCHFIELD
until May session, 1775 ; then made a distinct district by the name of WEST-
MORELAND.

Weston. Incorporated October, 1787, from Fairfleld. In FAIRFIELD until May
22, 1832 ; then in WESTON until July 22, 1875 ; since then in WESTPORT.

Westport. Incorporated May, 1835, from Fairfield, Norwalk, and Weston. In
WESTPORT since its incorporation.

Wethersfield. Settled 1635. Under the jurisdiction of the particular court until
May session, 1666 ; since then in HARTFORD.

Willington. Incorporated May, 1727. In HARTFORD until May session, 1759 ;
then. in STAFFORD until June 4, 1830; since then in TOLLAND.

Wilton. Incorporated May, 1802, from Norwalk. In NORWALK since its incor-
poration.

Winchester. Named 1733. Incorporated May, 1771. In HARTFORD -until May
session, 1769; then in SIMSBURY until May session, 1779; then in NORFOLK
until May 31, 1838 ; since then in WINCHESTER.

Windham. Incorporated May, 1692. In HARTFORD until October session, 1719;
since then in WINDHAM.

AVindsor. Settled 1637. In HARTFORD until July 4, 1855, except that Ellington
Parish, which was included in East Windsor at the incorporation of that
town, was set off to STAFFORD, May session, 1759 ; since then in WINDSOR.

Windsor Locks. Incorporated May, 1854, from Windsor. In HARTFORD since its
incorporation.

Wolcott. Incorporated May, 1796, from Waterbury and Southington. In
WATERBURY since its incorporation.

Woodbridge. Incorporated January, 1784, from New Haven and Milford. In
NEW HAVEN since its incorporation.'

Woodbury. Named May, 1674. In FAIRFIELD until October session, 1719 ; since
then in WOODBURY.

Woodstock. Incorporated by Massachusetts March, 1690; annexed to Connect-
icut May, 1749. Probably in SUFFOLK COUNTY (Boston, Mass.), until 1731;
then in WORCESTER COUNTY until May, 1749 ; then in WINDHAM until May
session, 1752 ; then in POMFRET until May 30, 1831 ; since then in WOODSTOCK.

PROBATE RECORDS.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF AVON.

Date of organization. 1844.

Number of volumes of records. Four, 1844-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.

Files. Probably complete.

Method of filing. All papers in each case are inclosed in an envelope and
marked with the name of estate.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF BERLIN.

Date of organization. 1824.

Number of volumes of records. Fifty-four, 1824-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Since 1894 each file is numbered ; before that time in alpha-
betical order.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF BRISTOL.

Date of organization. 1830.

Number of volumes of records. Thirty-one, 1830-1903.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Doubtful if files are complete except for last twenty-five or thirty
years.

Method of filing. Papers in each estate are kept in a separate filing case until
estate is settled, then filed alphabetically by years in town vault.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF BURLINGTON.

Date or organization. 1834.

Number of volumes of records. Seven, 1834-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Arranged alphabetically.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF CANTON.

Date of organization. 1841.

Number of volumes of records. Thirteen, 1841-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Same subject-matter filed together by years or series of
years.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF EAST GRANBY.

Date of organization. 1865.

Number of volumes. Six, 1865-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are not complete.

Method of filing. Each estate is filed separately.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF EAST HARTFORD.

Date of organization. 1887.

Number of volumes of records. Ten, 1887-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Filed alphabetically.

80 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

COUNTY OF HAETFORD, DISTRICT OF EAST WINDSOR.

Date of organization. 1780.

Number of volumes of records. Seventeen, 1780-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Files of each year are bundled together and marked with
year date.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD. DISTRICT OF ENFIELD.

Date of organization. 1831.

Number of volumes of records. Sixteen, 1831-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. All papers of each estate are filed together in a document
envelope and then filed alphabetically in our new fireproof steel vault in files.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF FARMINGTON.

Date of organization. 1769.

Number of volumes of records. Twenty-seven, 1769-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are not complete.

Method of filing. Each estate in separate envelope.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF GRANBY.

Date of organization. 1807.

Number of volumes of records. Fourteen, 1807-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are not complete.

Method of filing. All papers of an estate are filed together.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF HARTFORD.

Date of organization. 1634.

Number of volumes of records. Two hundred and two, not including volumes
1-3 in the office of the secretary of state. Volume 4, the oldest in probate office,
commences with February 9, 1677-78.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Many documents, ancient wills, inventories, etc., are missing.

Method of filing. Documents for the period prior to 1887 are arranged in
bundles alphabetically, wills by themselves, inventories by themselves, etc.
Beginning with 1887 all the papers of each estate are filed together in packets,
alphabetically and chronologically.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD. DISTRICT OF HARTLAND.

Date of organization. 1836.

Number of volumes of records-^Five, 1836-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Uncertain prior to 1883.

Method of filing. Filed in envelopes since 1883. Before then tied with a
string in bundles and kept in a box.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF MANCHESTER.

Date of organization. 1850.

Number of volumes of records. Twenty-one, 1850-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Complete.

Method of filing. Each class of papers arranged by themselves chronologic-
ally.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF MARLBORO.

Date of organization. 1846.

Number of volumes of records. Four, 1846-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Filed by estates.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF SIMSBURY.

Date of organisation. 1769.

Number of volumes of records. Twenty-five, 1769-1904.
Volumes miss'ing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Each estate filed in an envelope by itself and labeled, and
each year's envelopes are in a package by themselves and labeled.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF SOUTHINGTON.

Date of organization. 1825.

Number of volumes of records. Twenty-three, 1825-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Estates are filed in filing envelopes, label on end; miscel-
laneous matters are filed in boxes and arranged alphabetically.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF SUFFIELD.

Date of organization. 1821.

Number of volumes of records. Fourteen, 1821-1903.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. No alphabetical arrangement ; documents have been placed
in vault from year to year.

COUNTY OF HARTFORD, DISTRICT OF WINDSOR.

Date of organization. 1855.

Number of volumes of records. Ten, 1855-1903.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Complete, as far as business is transacted.

Method of filing. The papers connected with each estate or other matters
coming before the court are in separate envelopes, placed in file boxes that are
marked alphabetically.

COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN, DISTRICT OF BETHANY.

Date of organization. 1854.

Number of volumes of records. Eight, 1854-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are practically complete.

Method of filing. Each estate is kept separate and placed in the safe.

16827 VOL 208 6

82 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN, DISTRICT OF BRANFOBD.

Date of organization. 1850.

Number of volumes of records. Seventeen, 1850-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Everything relating to an estate filed in one envelope
marked with the name of the estate.

COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN, DISTRICT OF CHESHIRE.

Date of organization. 1826.

Number of volumes of records. Sixteen.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Current files, or those running back a few years, are kept
in lettered pigeonholes in vault. The older ones are in packages lettered and
packed away on shelves.

COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN, DISTRICT OF DERBY.

Date of organization. 1858.

Number of volumes of records. Thirty-eight, 1858-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Each estate filed in separate envelope or package, then
arranged according to the date of death of deceased.

COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN, DISTRICT OF GUILFORD.

Date of organization. 1719.

Number of volumes of records. Forty-six, 1720-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Files are arranged by years, each year in a paper box
labeled with the year. Since 1853 each estate is in a heavy envelope, marked
with name and year, and filed in boxes as above. Files since 1853 indexed.

COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN, DISTRICT OF MADISON.

Date of organization. 1834.
Number of volumes of records. Nine, 1834-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Each estate in manila packet and arranged alphabetically
in filing cases.

COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN, DISTRICT OF MERIDEN.

Date of organization. 1836.

Number of volumes of records. Forty-two (including index), 1836-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Complete since 1893. Files for previous years have been arranged
in vault under direction of selectmen.

Method of filing. All papers pertaining to an estate are filed in strong
manila envelopes, labeled on back; they are then bundled and placed in vault.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.

COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN, DISTRICT OF MILFORD.

Date of organization. 1832.

Number of volumes of records. Eighteen and two bond books, 1832-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Think some early files are lost.

Method of filing. All papers relating to an estate filed in an envelope marked

ith name of estate.

COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN, DISTRICT OF NAUGATUCK.

Date of organization. 1863.

Number of volumes of records. Fifteen, 1863-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Not complete.

Method of filing. The papers of each estate are filed in an envelope and
then placed in vault or safe.

COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN, DISTRICT OF NEW HAVEN.

Date of organization. 1719.

Number of volumes of records. Three hundred and forty-one, 1647-1904.

Volumes missing None.

Files. Files are probably nearly complete for past one hundred years.

Method of filing. Files are kept by years, the papers for each year being ar-
ranged alphabetically. The wills, distributions, and assignments are in one set
of pigeonholes, the bonds in another, and all other papers in another.

COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN, DISTRICT OF OXFORD.

Date of organization. 1846.

Number of volumes of records. Eight, 1846-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Kept in packages.

COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN, DISTRICT OF WALLINGFORD.

Date of organization. 1776.

Number of volumes of records. Forty, 1776-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Filed in boxes alphabetically.

COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN, DISTRICT OF WATERBURY.

Date of organization. 1779.

Number of volumes of records. Ninety-four, 1779-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Filed alphabetically.

COUNTY OF NEW LONDON, DISTRICT OF BOZRAH.

Date of organization. 1843.

Number of volumes of records. Three, 1843-1903.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Uncertain if files are complete.

Method of filing. Each estate filed in separate files and placed in safe.

84 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

COUNTY OF NEW LONDON, DISTRICT OF COLCHESTER.

Date of organization. 1832.

Number of volumes of records. Twenty, 1741-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. For the last fifteen years the papers of each estate have
been placed in separate envelopes.

COUNTY OF NEW LONDON, DISTRICT OF EAST LYME.

Date of organization. 1843.

Number of volumes of records. Ten, 1843-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Filed chronologically.

COUNTY OF NEW LONDON, DISTRICT OF GROTON.

Date of organization. 1839.

Number of volumes of records. Twenty-seven, 1839-1904.
Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files prior to July 4, 1867, are missing ; files since 1870 are complete
and easily accessible.

Method of filing. Filed chronologically.

COUNTY OF NEW LONDON, DISTRICT OF LEBANON.

Date of organization. 1826.

Number of volumes of records. Two, and one volume for probate bonds,
1826 to date.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Arranged in bundles, each containing about fifty files.

COUNTY OF NEW LONDON, DISTRICT OF LEDYARD.

Date of organization. 1837.

Number of volumes of records. Nine, 1836-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Each file bears a card stating what is contained in the
file, and is numbered. Each paper is numbered, corresponding with record
number.

COUNTY OF NEW LONDON, DISTRICT OF LYME.

Date of organization. 1869.

Number of volumes of records. Two, 1869-1904. 6

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

a Contains the records of East Haddam from October session, 1741, to May 29, 1832.

6 There are records for a district of the same name from 1832 to 1869 in possession
of the probate district of Old Lyme, the towns of Old Lyme and Lyme having in 1869
been constituted separate probate districts, and the records of the old district of Lyme
were given to the district of Old Lyme, so that all the records of Lyme prior to 1869
are now in the district of Old Lyme.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT. 85

Method of filing. The earlier files were arranged bonds with bonds, wills
nth wills, etc. Later files all the documents of one estate are filed together
one or more large envelopes indorsed with the name of the estate.

COUNTY OF NEW LONDON, DISTRICT OF MONTVILLE.

Date of organization. 1851.

Number of volumes of records. Five, 1852-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Original files in miscellaneous bundles; now each estate
is filed in envelope by itself.

COUNTY OF NEW LONDON, DISTRICT OF NEW LONDON.

Date of organization.^-1698.

Number of volumes of records. Seventy-seven, 1700-1904.

Volumes missing. The " record " books were burned September 6, 1781, when
the town was burned, but the journals were saved. The original files from 1778
to 1781 were also destroyed, but the remainder of the files were preserved, and
the town has had them copied into nine volumes, which are a part of the
probate records.

Files. Files are complete, except from 1778 to 1781, as stated.

Method of filing. The files of each year are arranged in a separate bundle
chronologically.

COUNTY OF NEW LONDON, DISTRICT OF NORTH STONINGTON.

Date of organization. 1835.

Number of volumes of records. Seven, 1835-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are fairly complete.

Method of filing. Files are dated and each document in their regular place
in file.

COUNTY OF NEW LONDON, DISTRICT OF NORWICH.

Date of organization. 1748.

Number of volumes of records. One hundred and fourteen, 1748-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Probably complete.

Method of filing. Prior to 1897 the papers were filed chronologically in
bundles, each bundle containing fifty papers ; the bonds had no filing marks on
them and were placed in a bundle by themselves, sometimes as many as one
hundred in a bundle. Since 1897 each estate is given a file number, and all
papers belonging to an estate are placed in filing packets or envelopes open at
the end. The papers in the file are lettered, which keeps them in file in chrono-
logical order. Have a card index and docket ; the docket contains a synopsis
of each estate entered therein, and is in effect a general index.

COUNTY OF NEW LONDON, DISTRICT OF OLD LYME.

Date of organization. 1830.

Number of volumes of record. Five, 1830-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Filed by years and by subjects.

Organized as district of Lyme in 1830 ; changed to Old Lyme in 1869.

86 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

COUNTY OF NEW LONDON, DISTRICT OF SALEM.

Date of organization. 1841.
Number of volumes of records. Five, 1841-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. All papers relating to an estate placed in separate filing
envelope.

COUNTY OF NEW LONDON, DISTRICT OF STONINGTON.

Date of organization. 1766.

Number of volumes of records, Forty-one, 1767-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Since 1873 each subject filed in safe.

COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD, DISTRICT OF BETHEL.

Date of organization. 1859.

Number of volumes of records. Thirteen, 1859-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Have alphabetical boxes and wrappers for each separate
estate.

COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD, DISTRICT OF BRIDGEPORT.

Date of organization. 1840.

Number of volumes of records. One hundred and thirty-one, including thirty-
seven order or decree books, also fourteen volumes of Stratford probate records,
of which Bridgeport was a part until 1840, and four volumes of the district of
Weston, the last volume of which contains the records of the district of Easton.
The Stratford volumes cover the period from 1782 to 1840 ; the Weston volumes
include Weston records from July 12, 18-32, to April 20, 1874, and Easton rec-
ords from April 19, 1875, to February 11, 1878. Bridgeport records cover from
1840 to date.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Filed in file cases or boxes alphabetically arranged, and
in chronological order.

COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD, DISTRICT OF BROOKFIELD.

Date of organization. 1850.

Number of volumes of records. Nine, 1851-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Uncertain if files are complete.
Method of filing. When estates are settled papers pertaining to same are
put in envelopes.

COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD, DISTRICT OF DANBURY.

Date of organization. 1744.

Number of volumes of records. Fifty-nine, 1745-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.

COUNTY OF FAIBFIELD, DISTRICT OF FAIBFIELD.

Date of organization. 1666.

Number of volumes of records. Fifty-nine, 1648-1904.

Volumes missing. Volume between 1779 and 1787, copies volume 1 (1648-
1656) by Miss Hannah Hobart.

Files. With the exception of earliest estates files are complete. Full files
1648 to date.

Method of filing. Filed alphabetically.

COUNTY OF FAIBFIELD, DISTRICT OF GBEENWICH.

Date of organization. 1853.

Number of volumes of records. Thirty-seven, 1853-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files practically complete. Some papers in earlier files are missing.

Method of filing. Papers in each estate are placed in separate envelope,
marked with name of deceased and date of filing application. These envelopes
are placed in hard paper boxes, set In pigeon holes, arranged alphabetically,
and according to the year of filing.

COUNTY OF FAIBFIELD, DISTRICT OF HUNTINGTON.

Date of organization. 1889.

Number of volumes of records. Eleven, 1889-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Not complete.

Method of filing. Filed in estates.

COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD, DISTRICT OF NEWTOWN.

Date of organization. 1820.

Number of volumes of records. Twenty-three, 1820-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Placed in envelopes by estates.

COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD, DISTRICT OF NORWALK.

Date of organization. 1802.

Number of volumes of records. Forty, 1802-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. From date of organization to April 1, 1900, all like papers
were filed together in chronological order. Since 1900 all the papers relating to
an estate are placed in a large envelope and same filed in chronological order.

COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD, DISTRICT OF REDDING.

Date of organization. 1839.

Number of volumes of records. Thirteen, 1839-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Ordinary file bundle.

88 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

COUNTY OF FAIBFIELD, DISTRICT OF EIDGEFIELD.

Date of organisation. 1841.

Number of volumes of records. Seventeen, 1841-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files complete since 1852.

Method of filing. The papers and flies of each estate are placed in a pocket
envelope and kept in a pigeonhole case.

COUNTY OF FAIBFIELD, DISTRICT OF SHERMAN.

Date of organisation. 1846.

Number of volumes of records. Seven, 1846-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are nearly or quite complete.

Method of filing. Each estate is filed by itself.

COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD, DISTRICT OF STAMFORD.

Date of organization. 1728.

Number of volumes of records. Sixty-two, 1730-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Each estate has a separate file, and there is a duplicate
record kept, so that all the proceedings on each estate are found complete in
the file.

COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD, DISTRICT OF STRATFORD.

Date of organisation. 1783.

Number of volumes of records. Fourteen, 1840-1903.

Volumes missing. None. Records from 1782 to 1839 in Bridgeport probate
office.

Files. Files are complete.
Method of filing. Box system ; arranged alphabetically and chronologically.

COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD, DISTRICT OF WESTPORT.

Date of organisation. 1835.

Number of volumes of records. Twenty-two, 1835-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Filed in envelopes.

COUNTY OF WINDHAM, DISTRICT OF ASHFORD.

Date of organisation. 1830.

Number of volumes of records. Five, 1830-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Estates are kept separate.

COUNTY OF WINDHAM, DISTRICT OF BROOKLYN.

Date of organisation. 1833.

Number of volumes of records. Eight, 1833-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. The files are kept in packets ; each packet is numbered to
correspond with number on record book.

PUBLIC AKCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.

COUNTY OF WINDHAM, DISTRICT OF CANTEBBUEY.

Date of organization. 1835.

Number of volumes of records. Five, 1835-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are not complete.

Method of filing. Filed in bundles and put in safe. No regular method.

COUNTY OF WINDHAM, DISTRICT OF CHAPLIN.

Date of organization. 1850.

Number of volumes of records. Five, 1850-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Each estate is filed in the safe in separate envelopes.

COUNTY OF WINDHAM, DISTRICT OF POMFRET.

Date of organization. 1752.

Number of volumes of records. Twenty-five, 1754-1904.
Volumes missing. Records prior to 1754 were burned soon after the district
was formed.

Files. Files are complete.
Method of filing. Filed by years in which estate is closed.

COUNTY OF WINDHAM, DISTRICT OF PUTNAM.

Date of organization. 1856.

Number of volumes of records. Eight, 1856-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. All like papers are filed together by years.

COUNTY OF WINDHAM, DISTRICT OF STERLING.

Date of organization. 1852.

Number of volumes of records. Four, 1852-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete so far as judge knows.

Method of filing. "Just packed in bundles."

COUNTY OF WINDHAM, DISTRICT OF EASTFORD.

Date of organization. 1849.
Number of volumes of records. Six, 1849-1904.
Volumes missing. None.

Files. Impossible to tell without rearranging and classifying.
Method of filing. For the past two years they are arranged by estates ; prior
to that time files are badly mixed.

COUNTY OF WINDHAM, DISTRICT OF HAMPTON.

Date of organization. 1836.

Number of volumes of records. Six, 1836-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. All papers pertaining to an estate are filed in an envelope.

90 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

COUNTY OF WINDHAM, DISTRICT OF KILLINGLY.

Date of organization. 1830.

Number of volumes of records. Twenty, and three index books, 1849-1904.

Volumes missing. All records previous to 1849 missing. Records were
burned.

Files. Complete since 1849.

Method of filing. All papers belonging to an estate are placed in a separate
packet ; each packet is numbered and indexed.

COUNTY OF WINDHAM, DISTRICT OF PLAINFIELD.

Date of organization. 1747.

Number of volumes of records. Thirty-three, 1747-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete and well arranged since 1867. Prior to 1867 they
are packed in boxes, but are supposed to be complete and well preserved.

Method of filing. During past year have been arranging each estate by
itself and putting them in packets; these packets are arranged alphabetically
and chronologically in steel files.

COUNTY OF WINDHAM, DISTRICT OF THOMPSON.

Date of organization. 1832.

Number of volumes of records. Ten, 1832-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. All like papers tied in packages.

COUNTY OF WINDHAM, DISTRICT OF WINDHAM.

Date of organization. 1719.

Number of volumes of records. Fifty-eight, 1719-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Fairly complete and well arranged.

Method of filing. Filed in iron files chronologically.

COUNTY OF WINDHAM, DISTRICT OF WOODSTOCK.

Date of organization. 1831.

Number of volumes of records. Twelve, 1831-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are probably complete.

Method of filing. Filed by years now; formerly like papers were filed to-
gether.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF BARKHAMSTED.

Date of organization. 1834.

Number of volumes of records. Eleven, 1827-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Supposed to be complete.

Method of filing. Put in packages and labeled.

a Contains the records of New Hartford from May 27, 1825, to June 5, 1834.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT. 91

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF CANAAN.

Date of organisation. 1846.

Number of volumes of records. Twelve, 1847-1904.
Volumes missing. None.

Files. Not quite complete previous to 1892.

Method of filing. All papers pertaining to each estate are kept in one en-
velope and filed chronologically.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF CORNWALL.

Date of organization. 1847.

Number of volumes of records. Seven, and one of bonds, 1847-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. They are filed year by year, or decade by decad 3.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF HARWINTON.

Date of organization. 1835.
Number of volumes of records. Six, 1835-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Like papers were formerly filed together. Now all papers
pertaining to an estate are filed together in separate envelopes.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF KENT.

Date of organization. 1831.

Number of volumes of records. Nine, 1831-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Each estate is in a package by itself.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF LITCHFIELD.

Date of organization. 1742.

Number of volumes of records. Fifty-two, 1742-1903.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. By years and by subject.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF NEW HARTFORD.

Date of organization. 1825.

Number of volumes of records. Fifteen, 1834-1904.

Volumes missing. None. All records and files from 1825 to 1833, inclusive,
are kept in Barkhamsted by order of general assembly.

Files. Files are complete since 1833.

Method of filing. All papers of each estate are filed together under the date
of the first paper issued.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF NEW MILFORD.

Date of organization. 1787.

Number of volumes of records. Forty-five, 1787-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are supposed to be complete.

Method of filing. They are now bundled year to year in sequence.

92 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF NORFOLK.

Date of organization. 1779.

Number of volumes of records. Thirteen, 1779-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. None lost at any particular time. Losses are scattered.

Method of filing. They are now arranged by estates.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF PLYMOUTH.

Date of organization. 1833.

Number of volumes of records. Nineteen, 1833-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Old files are preserved, but not assorted.

Method of filing. Each estate in an envelope and filed in drawer.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF ROXBURY.

Date of organization. 1842.

Number of volumes of records. Bight, 1842-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. The files are tied in bundles alphabetically, a bundle for
each letter.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF SALISBURY.

Date of organization. 1847.

Number of volumes of records. Sixteen, 1847-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. The files are arranged in periods of five years, papers of
same description being in same file.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF SHARON.

Date of organization. 1755.

Number of volumes of records. Thirty-seven, 1757-1904.

Volumes missing. A or No. 1.

Files. Files are not complete.

Method of filing. Filed in bundles, corresponding with book in which recorded.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF THOMASTON.

Date of organization. 1880.

Number of volumes of records. Nine, 1880-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Estates are arranged alphabetically.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF TORRINGTON.

Date of organization. 1847.

Number of volumes of records. Seventeen, 1847-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Arranged alphabetically, each estate separate.

PUBLIC AECHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON.

Date of organization. 1832.

Number of volumes of records. Eleven, 1832-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Stationary files are arranged alphabetically.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF WATERTOWN.

Date of organization. 1834.

Number of volumes of records. Thirteen, 1834-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are practically complete.

Method of filing. When estate is settled all files are placed in one file case
marked on end with name of deceased and year in which estate was probated.
These are arranged alphabetically and chronologically in fireproof vault.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF WINCHESTER.

Date of organization. 1838.

Number of volumes of records. Twenty-eight, 1838-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Estates are arranged in file boxes alphabetically and chron-
ologically under each letter.

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, DISTRICT OF WOODBURY.

Date of organization. 1719.

Number of volumes of records. Forty-nine, 1719-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. The files are arranged alphabetically and chronologically.

COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, DISTRICT OF CHATHAM.

Date of organization. 1824.

Number of volumes of records. Seventeen, and one of bonds, 1824-1903.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Filed chronologically.

COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, DISTRICT OF CLINTON.

Date of organization. 1861.

Number of volumes of records. Eight, 1862-1903.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Doubtful if files are complete.

Method of filing. In former years papers of the same kind were filed
together ; for the past fifteen or twenty years the files of each estate are placed
in separate envelopes.

94 AMEKICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, DISTRICT OF EAST HADDAM.

Date of organization. 1832.

Number of volumes of records. Ten, 1832-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Each estate, with all files pertaining to it, are filed in one
envelope.

COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, DISTRICT OF ESSEX.

Date of organization. 1859.

Number of volumes of records. Twelve, 1853-1904. 6

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Filed in safe in large envelopes.

COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, DISTRICT OF HADDAM.

Date of organization. 1830.

Number of volumes of records. Fourteen, 1830-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Each estate is filed in separate envelope.

COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, DISTRICT OF KILLINGWORTH.

Date of organization. 1834.

Number of volumes of records. Nine, 1834-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Doubtful if files are complete.

Method of filing. Files are badly mixed.

COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, DISTRICT OF MIDDLETOWN.

Date of organization. 1752.

Number of volumes of records. Fifty-four and four of bonds, 1752-1903.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. They are arranged alphabetically.

COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, DISTRICT OF OLD SAYBROOK.

Date of organization. 1859.

Number of volumes of records. Seven, 1859-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. All papers belonging to each estate are inclosed in envel-
ope, plainly marked, showing to what estate it belongs.

COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, DISTRICT OF SAYBROOK.

Date of organization. 1780.

Number of volumes of records. Twenty-one, 1780-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Tied in bundles and placed on shelves in vault.

The records of East Haddam prior to 1832 are in Colchester.

6 Contains the records of Old Saybrook from July 4, 1853, to July 4, 1859.

c The records of Old Saybrook from July 4, 1853, to July 4, 1859, are in Essex.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT. 95

COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, DISTRICT OF WESTBBOOK.

Date of organization. 1854.

Number of volumes of records. Seven, 1854-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. They are placed in an envelope and filed alphabetically.

COUNTY OF TOLL AND, DISTRICT OF ANDOVER.

Date of organisation. 1851.

Number of volumes of records. Thirty-five, 1789-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Filed chronologically.

COUNTY OF TOLLAND, DISTRICT OF COVENTRY.

Date of organisation. 1849.

Number of volumes of records. Thirteen, 1849-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Not complete.

Method of filing. Files kept in pigeonholes.

COUNTY OF TOLLAND, DISTRICT OF ELLINGTON.

Date of organisation. 1826.

Number of volumes of records. Thirty, 1826-1904.
Volumes missing. None.
Files. Files are missing prior to 1880.

Method of filing. All papers of estates placed in a box, labeled with initial
letter of surname of deceased. Boxes from A to Z.

' COUNTY OF TOLLAND, DISTRICT OF HEBRON.

Date of organisation. 1851.

Number of volumes of records. Nine, 1851-1904. 6

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Filed chronologically.

COUNTY OF TOLLAND, DISTRICT OF MANSFIELD.

Date of organisation. 1831.

Number of volumes of records. Nine, 1831-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Each estate is filed in separate envelope.

COUNTY OF TOLLAND, DISTRICT OF SOMERS.

Date of organisation. 1834.

Number of volumes of records. Eight, 1834-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are complete.

Method of filing. Prior to 1900 the files are arranged alphabetically in tin
cases, marked with names. Since 1900 the files are in envelopes with estate
written on end.

a The records of Hebron from 1789 to 1851 are in Andover.
6 Records from 1789 to 1851 are in Andover.

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION,

COUNTY OF TOLLAND, DISTRICT OF STAFFORD.

Date of organization. 1759.

Number of volumes of records. Twenty-seven, 1759-1904.

Volumes missing. First bond book.

Files. Files are not complete.

Method of filing. Arranged by estates alphabetically.

COUNTY OF TOLLAND, DISTRICT OF TOLLAND.

Date of organisation. 1830.

Number of volumes of records. Ten, 1830-1904.

Volumes missing. None.

Files. Files are not complete.

Method of filing. Each estate is kept by itself.

LOCAL RECORDS.

TOWN OF ANDOVER, COUNTY OF TOLLAND.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1848-1906

No.

Land records

1848-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1848-1906

Yes a

a All but one volume.
TOWN OF ANSONIA, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1889-1906

No..

No.

Land records

1889-1906

Yes

Vols 1-13

Vital statistics

1889-1906

Miscellaneous records: City acts. There are copies of land records and vital statistics.
TOWN OF ASHFORD, COUNTY OF WINDHAM.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1717-1906

No...

No.

Land records

1717-1906

No.

Yes.

Vital statistics

1717-1906

Yes

Selectmen's

School society .

1718-1856

Yeso

a For year 1798.
Vital statistics have been copied by Nellie Shepherd under the direction of town clerk.

TOWN OF AVON, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1830-1906

Land records . . .

1830-1906

No..

Yes.

Vital statistics

1850-1906

No.

School society

1867-1873

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF BARKHAMSTED, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1732-1906

No....

No.

1732-1906

No. ...

No.

Vital statistics

1782-1906

No.

1732-1846

TOWN OF BEACON FALLS, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1871-1906

No...

No.

1871-1906

No...

Yes.

Vital statistics

1871-1906

No.

Yes

Miscellaneous records: Joint stock corporations; military enrollment; burial records; qualified elect-
ors.

TOWN OF BERLIN, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

1850-1906

No.

Yes.

Land records

1850-1906

No....

Yes.

Vital statistics

1850-1906

No.

Town was divided in 1850, New Britain taking all the old records up to that date.
TOWN OF BETHANY, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1832-1906

No...

No.

Land records

1832-1906

No.

Yes.

Vital statistics

1832-1906

Yes.

School society

No.

Church: Congregational society

Miscellaneous

TOWN OF BETHEL, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1855-1906

No.

Yes.

Land records

1855-1906

No....

Yes.

Vital statistics

1855-1906

Yes.

School society . .

Miscellaneous records: One volume of attachments.
General index to land records will be needed.

TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1787-1906

No. .

No.

1787-1906

No.

Yes.

Vital statistics

1787-1906

Noo

No.

Selectmen's

No.

School society

a Early records are very incomplete.
Miscellaneous records: One volume early voting list and assessments.

16827 VOL 208 7

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF BLOOMFIELD, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1835-1906

No.

Land records

1835-1906

No.

Yes.

Vital statistics

1847-1906

No.

Yes

Miscellaneous records: Tax liens and attachments.

TOWN OF BOLTON, COUNTY OF TOLLAND.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

1720-1906

No.

Land records

1720-1906

No....

Yes.

Vital statistics

a 1849-1906

No. .

Yes.

<* Up to 1849 all vital statistics are entered in records of town proceedings.

Miscellaneous records: One volume town treasurer's records, 1735-1787; tax lists; abstracts, liens,
attachments, burial records, admission of electors.

T.OWN OF BOZRAH, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1786-1906

No...

No.

Land records .

1786-1906

No...

No.

Vital statistics ,

1786-1906

Partly.

School society

TOWN OF BRANFORD, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1644-1906

No...

No.

Land records

1644-1906

Yes.o

Vital statistics .

1649-1906

Yes b

No.

a Vols. land 11-15 indexed grantors and grantees; vols. 2-10 grantees only. All oyster ground record a
tax liens, attachments, and stock companies indexed.
b Tradition says a portion of early records were taken to Newark, N. J., by the Rev. Abraham Pierson.

Proprietors' records: Mixed with land and town records.
Church records: First Ecclesiastical Society of Branford, mixed records.

Miscellaneous records: Oyster grounds, 3 volumes; tax liens, 3; attachments, 2; stock companies, 2;
abatement of taxes, 1; applicants for admission as electors, 1; electors' meetings and making of elec-

Vital statistics, vols. 1 and 2, and part of another volume, have been copied by Walter Foote.
TOWN OF BRIDGEPORT, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Land records

218

1821-1906

No...

Yes.

Vital statistics

1853-1906

Yes a ...

Yes.

Selectmen's

a Vital statistics records from 1847 to 1853 are verylmeager. There are two books which are copies of
birth entries from church records running from 1850 to 1855.

Bridgeport town records from 1800 to date are in the city clerk's office.

The entire set of land records have been copied by Charles J. Knapp, Bridgeport; 14 volumes by town
clerk, and they have been partially copied by James W. Thompson.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF BRIDGEPORT, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

[ings

1856-1906

No...

No.

1856-1906

Yes.

1856-1906

Yes

Town proceedings
Land records
Vital statistics
Selectmen's...

iscellaneous records: Wills and distributions; attachments.

TOWN OF BRISTOL, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Town proceedings
Land records
Vital statistics
School society &

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

ings

1785-1906

No...

Partially.

1785-1906

No.

Gen. index

1847-1906

Noo '.

Yes.

1796-1870

a Have few records of vital statistics previous to 1847. The Congregational Church has some old
records.

b Record of original lay-out of district and doings of town meetings regarding schools. Societies
keep their own records since 1870.

Miscellaneous records: Corporation records, 4 volumes; attachments, 5; register of physicians, 1;
records of west cemetery, 2; dog licenses, abstracts; tax lists; oaths of officers, list of electors, and
electors' meetings; complete index of electors from 1788 to date.

TOWN OF BROOKFIELD, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

f 1788-1826

1 volume. .

JNo.

Land records

\ 1866-1906
1788-1906

1826-1866 . .
No

Yes.

Vital statistics

1789-1906

Yes a

Yes.

Selectmen's

School society

a Vital statistics prior to 1852 are very incomplete.

[iscellaneous records: Record treasurer town deposit fund, 1 volume; Hawley Toll Bridge Company,
; town treasurer's records, 3; town ledger, 1; tax abatements, 1; enrollment of electors, 1.

TOWN OF BROOKLYN, COUNTY OF WINDHAM.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1786-1906

Land records

1786-1906

No...

Yes.

Vital statistics o.

1786-1906

Yes

Vols. 1 and 4

a No record of births about 1842.

Miscellaneous records included in land records.

Private records: Congregational Church has records that are not found in town clerk's office; in
charge of William R. Thurber.

TOWN OF BURLINGTON, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1806-1906

No.

Land records..

1806-1906

Yes

Vital statistics o

1848 1906

Vol 2

Selectmen's

School society

(Record of Moral Society of Burlington contains record of births and marriages from about 1777
1822, with a record of a few families of later date.

100

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF CANAAN, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1740-1906

1760 1765

Land records

1740-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics .

1740-1906

Vol. 5.

Selectmen's

Proprietor's

1737-1844

Yes.

a No regularity to first records, mostly in family wise. Births and deaths 1800-1849 not recorded to
any extent; marriages mostly recorded. Record is good from 1849 to date.

Miscellaneous records: Corporations, writs, and attachments, petitions of foreclosure, record of
elections, applicants' admission as electors, register physicians, register embalmers.

TOWN OF CANTERBURY, COUNTY OF WINDHAM.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1704-1906

No.

Land records

1704-1906

No...

Yes.

Vital statistics

1704-1906

No.

Yes.

Selectmen's

TOWN OF CANTON, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1838-1906

No.

Land records

1838-1906

No..

Yes.

Vital statistics

1838-1906

No.

Miscellaneous records: Attachments and assignment of wages, 2 volumes.

TOWN OF CHAPLIN, COUNTY OF WINDHAM.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1822-1906

No...

No.

Land records

1822-1906

No.

Vital statistics

1852-1906

Noo

Yes.

Selectmen's b

1858-1906

Yes

No.

School society

Church

i8i(M906

a Four old volumes incomplete. Records complete since 1852. Before then some births, marriages,
and deaths were recorded. Some whole families all on one page, others not recorded at all.
b Do not know where the record from 1822 to 1858 is.

TOWN OF CHATHAM, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1767-1906

No.

Land records

1767-1906

No...

Yes.

Vital statistics

1767-1906

No.

School society

Miscellaneous records: Ear cuts, 1 volume; burial record, 1; record of applicants for admission as
voters, 1; joint-stock corporations, 2.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF CHESHIRE, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

101

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1780-1906

No.

Land records

1780-1906

3 vols <*

Yes

Vital statistics

1780-1906

No..

Yes.

Selectmen's

a First three volumes of land records missing since about 1890.

Miscellaneous records: Attachment records; returns of joint-stock companies; oaths of town officers;
grand lists.

Church records of First Ecclesiastical Society of Cheshire (vital statistics) are in charge of E. R.
Branon, Cheshire.

Attachments and joint-stock companies indexed.

TOWN OF CHESTER, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1836-1906

Land records

1836-1906

No.

Yes.

Vital statistics

1847-1906

Yes.

Miscellaneous records included in land records.

TOWN OF CLINTON, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1838-1906

Land records

1838-1906

Complete

Yes.

Vital statistics a

1777-1906

Vols I and

School society

III.6

a Volume 1, parts taken from family records extending back to 1777, but irregular as to years,
b Indexes in volumes. State shell fisheries, oyster grounds, attachments also indexed.

Miscellaneous records: Shell fisheries, 1 volume; oyster grounds, 1; electors, 1; justices, jurors, and
justice jurors, 1; attachments, 2; abatements, 1; applicants for admission as voters, 1; joint-stock
corporations, 1; burial records, 1.

TOWN OF COLCHESTER, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1700-1906

Land records

a40

1700-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1700-1906

Yes

Proprietor's

1713-1805

o Part of the early records are bound with vital statistics.
TOWN OF COLEBROOK, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings,*!

1856-1906

Land records

1771-1906

Complete

Yes

Vital statistics

1852 1906

No b

Yes

Selectmen's c

Proprietor's.. .

o Part with other records.

b Previous records mixed in land and justice record.

c Begin with original division of land and continue up to vol. 1, regular series.

<* And a part.

102

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF COLUMBIA, COUNTY OF TOLLAND.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1804-1906

No.

Land records

1804-1906

No...

Yes.

Vital statistics

1847-1906

No.

Yes.

TOWN OF CORNWALL, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1770-1906

No.

Land records

1770-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1740-1906

Yes.

Selectmen's

School society

Proprietors'

1737-1865

Miscellaneous records of earmarks, etc.

TOWN OF COVENTRY, COUNTY OF TOLLAND.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceeding
Land records
Vital statistics

9 a

4
35
2

1711-1906
1711-1906
61858-1906

1...

No.
Yes.
Yes.

No.

School society c

a Miscellaneous volumes.

b Vital statistics were kept in miscellaneous records imperfectly up to 1858.

c There were two school societies in Coventry until 1855. Since then the town has managed the school.

Vital statistics up to 1840 have been copied by Mrs. II. R. Dimock, of New York.
TOWN OF CROMWELL, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1851-1906

No.

Land records

1851-1906

No.

Yes

Vital statistics

1850-1906

No..

Vols.5and6.

School society

Miscellaneous records: Mortgage foreclosures, 1 volume; admission of electors, 3; militia enrollment,
3; burial record, 1; assessors' abstracts, 4; and various other minor miscellaneous records.

TOWN OF DANBURY, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.'

Town proceedings

1776-1906

No.

Land records

124

1776-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1845-1906

Partially o

Selectmen's

a Vital statistics since 1870 indexed.
TOWN OF DARIEN, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings .

1820-1906

No.

Land records

' 1820-1906

Vital statistics

1820-1906

Yes a .

No.

School society .

1795-1855

No.

a Births and deaths missing from 1820 to 1847.

Miscellaneous records: Oyster ground records, 4 (town), 1 (State); registry of physicians, 1; abstracts
of tax lists, 3.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF DERBY, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

103

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1670-1906

No...

No.

1670-1906

No...

Gen. index.

Vital statistics

a 1812-1906

No.

Yes.

a Prior to 1812 vital statistics were recorded in land and town records.

Land records, vols. 1 and 2, have been copied by Daughters of Revolution.
General index to vital statistics, 1812-1836; since then volume index.

TOWN OF DURHAM, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings .

1730-1906

All prior

No.

1699-1906

to 1730.
Yes.

Yes.b

Vital statistics c

1847-1906

Yes

Yes.

School society

1796-1862

Proprietors &

a According to Fowler's history of Durham records existed back to 1662, but no trace can be obtained
of them.

b Land records have index of grantees; vols. 1-16 partial record of grantors.

c Early book of land and proprietors' records contains early vital statistics; some found in town
records.

d Vol. 1, land records, contains early proprietors' records; earlier proprietors' records are missing.
(Fowler.)

Miscellaneous records: Joint stock corporations, 1 volume; earmarks and dog register, 1; electors, 1;
attachments, 1; estrays, 1; accounts with families of volunteers, 1; account book of sheep masters of
Durham (town flock) ,1.

TOWN OF EASTFORD, COUNTY OF WINDHAM.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1847-1906

No.

Yes.

Land records

1847-1906

No...

Yes.

Vital statistics

1847-1906

No.

Yes.

Selectmen's

No.

School society

No.

Miscellaneous records: Records of attachments, 1 volume; voters made, 1; tax abstract.
TOWN OF EAST GRANBY, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1858-1906

No...

No.

Land records

1858-1906

No...

Yes.

Vital statistics

1858-1906

1 vol.

Miscellaneous records: Elmwood Cemetery, attachments, 1 volume; elector's meetings, 1 volume.
TOWN OF EAST HADDAM, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1750-1906

No.

Land records

1750-1906

No...

Yes.

Vital statistics.

1704-1906

No .

Partially .a

Proprietors'

1704

a First sixty years of vital statistics indexed.
Miscellaneous records: Book for earmarks on cattle.

104

AMEEICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF EAST HARTFORD, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1783-1906

No...

No.

Land records

1783-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1783-1906

Yes.

School society

Miscellaneous records: Tax lists and abstracts of taxes; treasurer's accounts; dog registers; military
enrollments; burial records; baptisms First Church 1747-1847.
Joseph O. Goodwin, town clerk, has two manuscript lists of deaths, 1742-1880.

TOWN OF EAST HAVEN, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings <*

1680-1906

No .

No.

Land records

1680-1906

Vols. 1-27.

Vital statistics b , .

1853-1906

Yes

No.

Selectmen's

School district

Proprietors' c.

1737-1784

Two volumes, 1680-1804, mixed records, town proceedings, vital statistics, proprietors' meetings
and votes, 4 volumes town records 1804 to date.

b Early records mixed in town records down to 1804; 1804-1853 missing. Some records were destroyed
when town hall burned in 1892, 2 volumes 1853.

c Mixed with records of town and society meetings.

Miscellaneous records: Real estate attachments; oyster grounds, 2 volumes; burial records, notices
from probate court of deceased persons having estate in East Haven; abstracts, 1880 to date.

Dodd's Register, published 1824 by Rev. Stephen Dodd, is compiled from East Haven records, and
contains full record of vital statistics down to 1824.

TOWN OF EAST LYME, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind 'of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1844-1906

No.

Land records

1844-1906

No...

Yes.

Vital statistics o.

1784-1906

Yes

No.

School society b

Church b

o Births, 1841-1855 missing. Marriages, 1784-1812 copied from records in possession of Moses W. Corn-
stock; 1812-1838 missing; 1839 date, complete. Deaths, 1847 to date complete. Have one volume births,
marriages, and deaths which was copied from other books and records.

b Recorded in vols. 1 and 2, land records.

TOWN OF EASTON, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1845-1906

Land records

1845-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics . .

1852-1906

1845-1852

Yes

Parish records of North Fairfleld Congregational Society, dating from 1763.

TOWN OF EAST WINDSOR, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1768-1906

No...

No.

Land records

1768-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1851-1906

Yes

No.

Miscellaneous records: Town military records.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF ELLINGTON, COUNTY OF TOLLAND.

105

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

1825-1906

No.

Land records

1825-1906

No. ...

Yes.

Vital statistics

1780-1906

No..

No.

The oldest vital statistics have been copied by the town clerk.

TOWN OF ENFIELD, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1685-1906

No.

Land record 5 !

1685-1906

No...

Yes.

Vital statistics

1685-1906

Yes.

Selectmen's

School societv -

Proprietors'

1682-3-1745

Copies of town records, 1685-1850, have been made into a history of Enfield by Francis O. Allen, of
Philadelphia, Pa.
The earlier land records contain miscellaneous records.

TOWN OF ESSEX, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1854-1906

No.

Land records

1852-1906

No...

Gen. index.

Vital statistics

1854-1906

Yes.

Miscellaneous records: One volume each release of tax liens, burial records, petitions of foreclosure,
official oaths, registration of physicians, registration of embalmers, joint-stock companies.

TOWN OF FAIRFIELD, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1827-1906

No...

No.

Land records .

1649-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1847-1906

Yes.

Early town records are in land records, and date back to 1664.

The earlier vital statistics are in the early volumes of land records, but up to 1850 the records are
extremely meager. There is a book of family records, evidently a copy, running from 1705 to 1835.
There is a general index to land records from vol. 28.

TOWN OF FARMINGTON, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1640-1906

Land records

1640-1906

Vols 33-75

Vital statistics a

1640-1906

Yes

a Vital statistics in land records from 1640 to 1847.
Miscellaneous records: Some old probate records.

TOWN OF FRANKLIN, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1836-1906

Land records

1786-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1786-ly06

Yes

School society.

1796

Church...

1718

plete.

llaneous records: Ecclesiastical Society cemetery lots, 1 volume; burial returns; mark and
>rd of marriages 1719-1744; deaths from 1782.

106

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF GLASTONBURY, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1692-1906

No...

No.

1692-1906

Yes

Vital statistics ...

1700-1906

Yes.

School society

Church

o Early records incomplete. & Eastbury church.

TOWN OF GOSHEN, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1739-1906

No...

No.

Land records

1739-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1847-1906

Yes (a).. .

No.

School society

Proprietors'

1739-1872

a Records were kept in town record book from 1739 to 1828; not kept, 1828-1847.

Miscellaneous records: Corporation records, 1; electors and elections, 1; grand lists; selectmen's
reports; manuscript record of Goshen in war of rebellion; centennial address.

There are valuable records of vital statistics in possession of Wilbur H. Norton, Torrington, collected
by Lewis M. Norton.

Town records, vol. 1, has been copied and arranged for town by Lewis M. Norton.

TOWN OF GRANBY, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1788-1906

No..

Vol. 1.

Land records

1788-1906

Vols. 2, 3,

Yes.

Vital statistics

1829-1906

4.o
Yes&

No.

School society

No.

a Burned in 1877.

b No records from 1825-1828. Vital statistics in town records, vol. 1, covering years 1788-1825.

Church records: Salmon Brook Ecclesiastical Society and South Congregational Church record
books and cash books.

Miscellaneous records; Wills, 1 volume; Granby Cemetery Association; Salmon Brook Water Com-
pany; attachments; burials.

TOWN OF GREENWICH, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Miss-
ing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings .

1640-1906

Land records

110

1640-1906

No...

Index in each.o

Vital statistics

& 1849-1906

No.. .

a From 10 to 97. Separate index 12 to 53, inclusive.

b The records from 1849 to date are apparently correct. For two hundred years prior to 1849 the rec-
ords are scattered through different books.

Miscellaneous records: Putnam Cemetery land record; general index oyster grounds, 5; general index
corporations, 1.

TOWN OF GRISWOLD, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1815-1906

Land records

1815-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1815-1906

Selectmen's

School society

1797-1857

Miscellaneous records: Mark of creatures; wills; enrollment of electors and records of electors' meet-
ings, 1.
Enrollment ol electors, 1816-1858, has been copied.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF GROTON, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

107

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1704-1906

No.

Land records

1704-1906

No..

Yes.

Vital statistics . . .

1700-1906

1700-1876.

Book of oyster beds was burned in 1894. Many of the deeds have been recopied in the new book pro-
vided.

First book of town meetings and vital statistics has been copied by Colby Morgan. Second book
of vital statistics copied by J. A. Morgan.

TOWN OF GUILFORD, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1645-1906

Vol. G.

Land records

1640-1906

No..

Yes.

Vital statistics

1640-1906

Yes.

Selectmen's

School society

Proprietors'

i726^i826

Yes.

o Includes parts of Vols. A and part of vol. 1, burial records.

Miscellaneous records: Book A, town and court orders, 1645-1665; 4 terriers, a description of each
proprietors' land; 2 proprietors' ledgers; 3 volumes oyster grounds; 1 volume records of civil author-
ity, 1817-1835; 1 volume joint stock corporations; 1 volume tax liens; 1 volume fourth division account;
1 volume town accounts, 1872-1903.

About 100 pages of proprietors' records relating to the Hammonassett quarter will be found at the
Connecticut Historical Society.

Deacon Burgess's "Bill of Mortality" is in the town clerk's office loaned by Dr. Bernard C. Steiner.

TOWN OF HADDAM, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1666-1906

No..

No.

Land records

1666-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

a 1848-1906

Yes

School society

Proprietors' . . .

1729-1795

a Incomplete records of births, marriages and deaths, 1666-1806, which were kept in old books of
deeds, and have been copied into a book. There is a book of marriages from 1807 to 1848, but no births
or deaths. . Town clerk thinks the records were kept by the church until 1848.

Miscellaneous records: Military enrollment; electors; abatements.

TOWN OF HAMDEN, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1786-1906

Land records

1786-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

a 1786-1906

Partially

Selectmen's

School society

a Early records in vol. 1, town records (1786) but considerably mixed and not consecutive.

Miscellaneous records: Annual statements of manufacturing companies, tax lists, etc.
Vol. 1, town records, has been copied by the town clerk.

TOWN OF HAMPTON, COUNTY OF WINDHAM.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1786-1906

Land records

1786-1906

Since 1882

Vital statistics

1786 1906

School society

Miscellaneous (attachments and releases)

Some are not complete in 1840-1850. Records in town proceedings from 1786-1800.

108

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF HARTFORD, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1635-1906

No..

No.

Land records . .

321

1639-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1820-1906

Yes.

Selectmen's

1799-1832

a All records were removed to board of health in 1896. There are 28 volumes in all at that office. Vol.
1, record of marriages from 1820 to 1857. This book contains a few records of births and some genea-
logical records. From 1847 to 1852 births, marriages, and deaths are in one volume; from 1852 to date
in separate volumes. Vital statistics prior to 1847, except such meager statistics as are contained in
vol. 1, record of marriages, and such as are scattered through early volumes of land records in the office
of the town clerk, are missing.

Volume 1, town votes, 1635-1716, has been copied and printed. It was published by the Connecticut
Historical Society in 1897.

Miscellaneous records: Joint stock corporations, 16 volumes; cemetery records, 14; attachments, 5;
city records, 1; returns of elections, 5; electors made from 1797 to date, 5; assignment of wages, 5;
executions, 1857-1891; electors' meetings, 1797-1904, 1; abatement of taxes, 3; distributions, 1639-1688, 1.

Several boxes which came from selectmen's office after consolidation of town and city in 1896 are
stored in one of the upper rooms of the halls of record.

Proprietors' records are scattered through several volumes of land records and town votes. There
is one volume in custody of State librarian.

TOWN OF HARTLAND, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1761-1906

[/and records

1761-1906

Vital statistics

1780-1906

Noa

School society .

Proprietors'

o Incomplete prior to 1855.
TOWN OF HARWINTON, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1788-1906

No.

Land records.

1737-1906

Yes

Vital statistics a

1738-1906

Yes.

Selectmen's . .

No.

School society

Proprietors'

1732-1756

a Early records were recorded in land records, and are very incomplete. They have been copied into
the first volume of vital statistics.

Miscellaneous records: Treasurer's; attachments; levies.

TOWN OF HEBRON, COUNTY OF TOLLAND.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1708-1906

No.

Land records . .

1708-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1708-1906

4 vols

School society

Proprietors'

1701(2)-

Church

1744

1747-1787

o Town-meeting records also contain vital statistics.

*> They also contain town-meeting records from 1791-1827.

Miscellaneous records: Three volumes, electors admitted; registered physicians, 1; town orders, 1;
abatements, 1.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

109

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings .

1790-1906

1789-1906

Vols 1 10

Vital statistics . . . .

a 1848-1906

No.

a An old book has some births and marriages recorded between 1790 and 1848, but no deaths. Vol. 10,
land records, has marriages recorded about 1825.

Miscellaneous records: Riverside Cemetery deed; joint stock corporations.
TOWN OF KENT, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1739-1906

Land records

1739-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1739-1906

No a

Yes

Proprietors' .

1739-1782

Church (Congregational)

a Vital statistics not complete.
TOWN OF KILLINGLY, COUNTY OF WINDIIAM.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1709-1906

Land records ..

1709-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1709-1906

Yes a

Yes.

School society

Proprietors'

1720-1773

a Years 1800-1849 not kept.
One volume of early vital statistics has been copied by Anthony Ames.

TOWN OF KILLINGWORTH, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1740-1906

No.

Land records

1740-1906

No. 1

Yes.

Vital statistics.

a 1848-1906

No.

Selectmen's

School society ...

Proprietors'

1735

Church . .

a Earlier vital statistics in land, town, and proprietors' records. Books 1 to 12, land records, contain
proprietors' records.

Miscellaneous records: Burial records; attachments; registered physicians; list of electors.
Earlier town records in land and proprietors' records.

TOWN OF LEBANON, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1682-1906

No.

Land records

1700-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1700-1906

No.

Selectmen's. . . .

School society

a Volumes 1 and 2 contain proprietors' records.

Miscellaneous records: Probate and family records; ancient earmarks, 1; burials, 1.

Town clerk has private record of vital statistics from 1700 to date.

The first 14 volumes land records have a general index; and the remainder, volume indexes.

110

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF LEDYARD, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1836-1904

No...

No.

1836-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1836-1904

Yes*

Yes.

School society

In com-

plete.

a Not very complete from 1836 to 1855.
TOWN OF LISBON, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1833-1906

Vol.1...

No.

1786-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1771-1906

Yes a

Yes.

a One complete, 1 incomplete. Some entries about 1830-1850 in a book which also contains certain
records of the admission of electors. Vital statistics, vol. 1, is being copied by the town clerk.

Miscellaneous records: Earmarks, 1 volume; attachments, 1; probate certificates, 1; tax liens, 1.
TOWN OF LITCHFIELD, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1720-1906

No...

No.

1720-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1723-1906

Yes

School society (incomplete)

Town proceedings are scattered through 5 books, with births, marriages, and deaths.
Proprietors' records are mixed in with land records and start from incorporation of town.
D. C. Kilbourn has record of births, marriages, and deaths of Litchfleld. Vital statistics prior to
1800 have been printed by George Woodruff.

TOWN OF LYME, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

1665-1906

No.

Land records '

a 45

1665-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics b

1743-1906

No c

Yes.

Church First Congregational d

a Also a book which was used in the early history of the town for the record of land grants made by the
town to individuals, usually by vote at town meetings. Some of these grants are also recorded in the
regular land records, and others are mentioned in the regular town-meeting records. One part of the
4 ' Book of Grants" was reserved for earmarks, and is so used up to the present time. Many other ear-
marks are recorded in the early volumes of land records.

b Vital statistics prior to 1743 are in land records.

c No volumes are missing, but there are several years during which no entries were made, and for about
forty years, beginning about 1725, little but marriages can be found recorded.

d Earlier book of church records in town clerk's keeping.

Miscellaneous records: Tax abstracts; register of physicians; register of embalmers; dog register;
admission of electors and burial records; land grants, and earmarks.

TOWN OF MADISON, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedinj
Lard records

2
26
4
1

1826-1906
1826-1906
1826-1906

No...

No.
Yes.
No.
No.

No. .

Vital statistics

No o

School society

o Very incomplete until 1852.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF MANCHESTER, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Ill

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

1823-1906

No...

Gen. index.

Vital statistics

1847-1906

Yes.

Selectmen's

Miscellaneous records: Real estate attachments, 2 volumes; wills and distributions of real estate, 2;
corporation records, 3; record of applicants to be made voters; military enrollment; record of electors;
women electors; treasurer's records, 4; town deposit fund, 1; abatement lists; burial records; register
of physicians; statements of foreclosures, 1; cemetery records, 2; tax lists since 1875; tax abstracts,
bound, since 1893.

TOWN OF MANSFIELD, COUNTY OF TOLLAND.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings .

1703-1906

No...

No.

Land records

1703-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1703-1906

Yes.

Proprietors'

1703

Yes.

Vital statistics, 1703-1850, have been copied by Mrs. H. F. Dimock.

TOWN OF MARLBORO, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1803-1906

Land records

1803-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1787-1906

Partially

Miscellaneous records: Four volumes. Leases, wills, distributions and assignments of mortgages;
1 volume probate notices.

TOWN OF MERIDEN, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1806-1906

No...

No.

Land records

112

1806-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1806-1906

Yes

Miscellaneous records: Liens, 31 volumes; release of liens, 7; attachments, 4; leases, 2; joint stock, 6;
burials, 1.

TOWN OF MIDDLEBURY, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1807-1906

Land records

1807 1906

Yes

Vital statistics ....

1847-1906

Yes.

TOWN OF MIDDLEFIELD, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1866-1906

No.

Land records

1866-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1866-1906

School society (Society of Middlefield in a school ca-

pacity), a

The earliest book of Society of Middlefleld contains matters relating to schools and church.

3ous records: Corporations, 1 volume; attachments (indexed), 1; account of town treas-
1; military enrollment, 1.

112

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1654-1906

No. .

No.

138

1654-1906

No..

Yes.

Vital statistics

1654-1906

Yes.

School society

Early vital statistics have been copied by present town clerk.

TOWN OF MILFORD, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1696-1906

No...

No.

1639-1906

Vols. 1-50.

Vital statistics

a 1653-1906

Yes

No.

I n c o m-

plete.

a Very few entries from 1800 to 1847.

Miscellaneous records: Oyster grounds; maps; joint-stock companies; attachments; tax liens; military
enrollments; assessors' lists and abstracts.
Vital statistics, vol. 1, has been copied by Minnie Tiballo.
George F. Platt or N. Dwight Platt, of Milford, has valuable private records of vital statistics.

TOWN OF MONROE, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

1823-1906

No.

Land records . .

1823-1906

No...

Yes.

Vital statistics

1823-1906

Yes a

No.

a Vital statistics are very incomplete.
TOWN OF MONTVILLE, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1786-1906

No..

No.

1786-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1852-1906

Yes.

1851-1876

1796

Church (Society of Chesterfield)

Miscellaneous records: Electors admitted; one book of records of the distribution of Mohegan Indian
lands.

TOWN OF MORRIS, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1859-1906

No.

Land records

1859-1906

No...

Yes.

Vital statistics

1859-1906

No.. ..

Yes.

TOWN OF NAUGATUCK, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1848-1906

No...

No.

Land records

1848-1906

No..

Yes.

Vital statistics

1848-1906

1884-1904.

Miscellaneous records: Joint-stock companies, 2; list of voters, 3; maps of building plots, highways, etc.

PUBLIC AKCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.

TOWN OF NEW BRITAIN, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

113

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1850-1906

Land records

a 141

1783-1906

Vital statistics

623

1850-1906

Yes

a This includes 34 volumes Berlin, 1783-1850.
b Also 1 volume marriages, 1820-1850 (Berlin) .

Miscellaneous records: Assignments, of wages, 5 volumes; list of electors made, 2; cemetery deeds, 3;
corporations, 5; city liens, 2; city and town tax liens, 7; assessors' lists, 52.

New Britain was set off in 1850 from the town of Berlin, and all of the records of the town of Berlin
were given to New Britain.

TOWN OF NEW CANAAN, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1801 1906

Land records

1801 1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1852 1904

Yes

TOWN OF NEW FAIRFIELD, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1868-1906

Land records

1868 1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1868-1906-

Yes

Miscellaneous

TOWN OF NEW HARTFORD, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1739-1906

Land records .

1739 1906

Vital statistics

a 1739 1906

Yes

1875-1906

Proprietors'

1732 1809

a Earliest records of vital statistics are found in town records, vols. 1 and 2, but they are incomplete
and unsatisfactory. There are no records to amount to anything from 1825 to 1848.

TOWN OF NEW HAVEN, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings . . .

1638 106

Land records .

601

1679 1 C 06

Yes

Vital statistics

1649-1906

Yes

Proprietors' . . .

1724 1771

. Miscellaneous records: 1 Oyster records; attachments; vessel liens; tax liens; personal-property records;
leases; judgment liens and petitions of foreclosure; electors made.
Land records have been copied by town clerks.

TOWN OF NEWINGTON, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1870 1906

Land records

1870 1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1871 1906

Yes

Selectmen's

1870-1906

Miscellaneous records: Attachments 1 volume; qualified electors, 1.
16827 VOL 208 8

114

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF NEW LONDON, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1647-1906

1666-1694

No.

Land records ..

104

1654-1906

No..

Gen. index.

Vital statistics

1644-1906

Yes.

Proprietors' <*

a Land records, vols. 1 and 2, contain proprietors' records.

Miscellaneous records: Two books, 1647-1666, 1664-1703, town records, deeds, grants, probate records,
wills, and court records; 1 book of deeds of rights in land granted to sufferers by British invasion; in
Revolutionary war; liquor licenses, 1814-1833, 1; attachments, real estate, 4; foreclosure, 1; electors
admitted, 5; town treasurer's journal, 1; wills and distributions, 1; abatements, 1; tax liens, 4; vessel
liens, 1; corporations, 3; assignment of wages, 1; shell fisheries, 1.

Vital statistics, 1644-1853, have been copied by authority of city court.

TOWN OF NEW MILFORD, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1713-1906

Land records

1707-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

a 12

1713-1906

9 vols

1802-1856

Proprietors'

1706-1803

Church

*>5

a Early records kept in last part of land records, vols. 2 to 13, all but one being indexed. There are
12 volumes of vital statistics exclusively, of which 3 are not indexed. The records commence in 1713.

b Three volumes of church records of First Ecclesiastical Society; 2 volumes of records of meetings
of said society.

Miscellaneous records: Electors, 1 volume; stock corporations, 2; attachments, 2.
Proprietors' records have been copied by Elisha Bostwick, proprietors' clerk.

TOWN OF NEWTOWN, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings .

1707-1906

No..

Land records

1707-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1712-1906

Yesa

1852-1870.

Selectmen's

School society

Proprietors'

a Births are missing from 1820 to 1848. Vital statistics from first records until about 1800 not indexed

Miscellaneous records: Tax liens and discharge records; attachments; physicians' register; sextons
returns; 1 volume probate certificates.

TOWN OF NORFOLK, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

indexed.

Town proceedings

1750-1906

Land records

1750-1906

Vols 15-24.

Vital statistics

1750-1906

No..

School society

Proprietors'

1750-1780

There are copies of two volumes of vital statistics by H. W. Carter.

TOWN OF NORTH BRANFORD, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1831-1906

Land records

1831-1906

Vital statistics

1831-1906

No.

School society

Church

ol769

Records of Congregational Church, North Branford, vol. 1 commences 1769; vol. 2, 1809; vol. 3, 1868.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF NORTH CANAAN, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

115

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

1858-1906

No.

1858-1906

No..

Yes.

Vital statistics

1868-1906

No.

Yes.

Selectmen's

TOWN OF NORTH HAVEN, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1855-1906

Vol. 1...

No.

1786-1906

No .

Yes.

Vital statistics

1865-1906

Yes a

Vol. 5.

Selectmen's

Some were destroyed by fire in 1865. Only a scattered record before then, but since then complete.
TOWN OF NORTH STONINGTON, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1808-1906

No .

No.

1808-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1808-1906

No.

Selectmen's

No.

School society o

1798-1857

No.

a One school society, north district, one book of records of school society of north district in Stoning-
ton and records of school society and district in North Stonington.

Miscellaneous records: Electors' books. 3; town treasurers' books, 2; executions, 1 (indexed).
TOWN OF NORWALK, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1653-1906

No.

Land records

114

1672-1906

No .

Gen. index

Vital statistics

al672-1906

5 vols.

School society

Proprietors'

1736-1802

a Marriages begin 1820; births and deaths, 1848. Vital statistics are found in land records to about
1815.

Miscellaneous records: Register of cattle; record of burials; military enrollment; assignments of
wages, 1 volume; abatement of taxes; voting lists; State oyster grounds, 1; corporation records, 2.
Vol. 1, town proceedings, and land records, vols. 1 to 3, have been copied by Annie E. Smith.

TOWN OF NORWICH, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1670-1904

No..

No.

Land records

128

1670-1906

No .

Gen. index.

Vital statistics

1640-1904

Yes.

School society. .

Proprietors'

1659-1745

TOWN OF OLD LYME, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1855-1906

No .

No.

Land records.

1855-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1856-1906

Yes

School society

I n c o m -

plete.

Miscellaneous records: Attachments, 1 volume; licensed dogs, 1.
Attachments, indexed.

116

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1854-1906

Land records

1854-1906

Yes

Vital statistics .

1854-1906

No.

School society . . .

Joseph M. Pratt has a record of deaths from 1783 to 1879.

TOWN OF ORANGE, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1882-1906

Land records

1822-1906

No..

Yes.

Vital statistics

1822-1906

No .

Last 3 vols.

a One volume of record of marriages from 1822 to 1852, with a few births and deaths; 5 volumes
births, marriages, and deaths.

TOWN OF OXFORD, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1798-1906

Land records

1798-1906

Vol. 20

Yes.

Vital statistics.

1798-1906

No.

TOWN OF PLAINFIELD, COUNTY OF WINDHAM.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1699-1906

No..

No.

Land records

1699-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1695-1906

No a

a Three volumes have been copied into 1 volume, covering from 1695 to 1835. There are about ten
years in which the births are not complete.

TOWN OF PLAINVILLE. COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings '.

1869-1906

No...

No.

Land records . . .

a 14

1869-1906

Gen. index.

Vital statistics

1869-1906

Yes

a Vols. 3, 7, 8, 12, and 13 contain deeds, town records, and miscellaneous General index to all docu-
ments relating to land, including tax liens, attachments, distributions, certificates.

Miscellaneous records: Highways, 1 volume; attachments, 1; electors admitted, 1; military enroll-
ment, 1; women registered, 1; cemetery deeds, 1; burial records, 1; physicians registered, 1; dog taxes, 1.

TOWN OF PLYMOUTH, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1795-1906

No..

No.

Land records

1795-1906

Gen. index.

Vital statistics a

1795-1906

Yes

Selectmen's

No.

School society . .

o Some in part used for miscellaneous. There are but few entries from 1825 to 1847.

Miscellaneous records: History and list of soldiers from Plymouth in war of rebellion; book of ballots
cast each year since 1859.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF POMFRET, COUNTY OF WINDHAM.

117

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings j. .

1715-1906

No...

No.

Land records

1715-1906

Yes

1711-1906

School society

I no o m-

Proprietors'

1715-1767

plete.

All vital statistics prior to 1825, proprietors' records, and doings of town meetings to 1788, and some
old manuscripts have been copied.

TOWN OF PORTLAND, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1841-1906

No..

No.

Land records

1841-1906

No.

Yes

Vital statistics

1848-1906

No a

Yes.

a Very incomplete prior to 1870.
TOWN OF PRESTON, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1692-1906

Land records

1687-1906

Yes. a

Vital statistics

1684-1906

Partly. &

School society c

Proprietors' d

Church

a Land records, 1 to 10; general index; from vol. 10, volume index.

b Three volumes, dated 1852, not indexed.

c First, second, third, and fourth district records; treasurers' books of districts 1 and 2.

d Land records, vol. 1, contains Indian deeds, proprietors' agreements, and early land data.

< Record of marriages from early church records.

Miscellaneous records: Earmarks, 1 volume; certificate of attachments; enrollment of freemen;
?ipts from wives of volunteers for money; assignment of wages.

TOWN OF PROSPECT, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1827-1906

No...

No.

Land records . .

1827-1906

No.

Yes.

Vital statistics

1827-1906

No a

School society

o Vital statistics very incomplete prior to 1850.
Miscellaneous records: Town deposit fund.

TOWN OF PUTNAM, COUNTY OF WINDHAM.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1856-1906

Land records

1856-1906

No.

Yes.

Vital statistics

1856-1906

Yes.

118

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF REDDING, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes,

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings.

Land records

Vital statistics...

1767-1906
1767-1906
1767-1906

Yeso...

No.

Yes.
No.

o No vital statistics from about 1812 to 1850.
TOWN OF RIDGEFIELD, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings 5 1711-1906 No No.

Landrecords . 38 1708-1906 No Gen. index.

Vital statistics 6 1708-1906 No a No.

School society 1

Proprietors' o 1708

a Vital statistics not perfect up to 1852; since then they are about complete.
b Proprietors' records are in land records.

TOWN OF ROCKY HILL, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.
Kind of records. Volumes. Years. Missing. Indexed.

Town proceedings 2 1843-1906 No No.

Landrecords 15 1843-1906 No Yes.

Vital statistics 2 1847-1906 No Yes.

a Also one record copied from church by vote of the town, dating back to 1765.
TOWN OF ROXBURY, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records. Volumes. Years. Missing. Indexed.

Town proceedings... 3 1796-1906 1819-1846 No.

Landrecords 20 1796-1906 No Yes.

Vital statistics 5 1852-1906 No* No.

School society 1796-1855

The records from 1796 to 1852 have been written up by the town clerk.
TOWN OF SALEM, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records. Volumes. Years. Missing. Indexed.

Town proceedings... 3 1819-1906 No... .No.

Landrecords 7 1819-1906 No Yes.

Vital statistics 3 1819-1906 No Yes.

School society 1

Miscellaneous records: Real-estate attachments, 1 volume; electors' meetings, 1.
TOWN OF SALISBURY, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records. Volumes. Years. Missing. Indexed.

Town proceedings... 5 1740-1906 1784-1804.. No.

Landrecords 40 1740-1906 No Yes.

Vital statistics 6 1740-1906 No Yes.

Selectmen's 1

School society 1

Proprietors' 1 1739-1835

Miscellaneous records: Records of justice's courts, 1 volume; joint stock corporations, 1; Salisbury
cemetery deed, 1; electors admitted, 1; list of women entitled to vote, 1; registered physicians, 1;
returns made by sextons, 1; attachments of real estate, 1; petitions of foreclosure, 1.

PUBLIC ABCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF SAYBROOK, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

119

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1667-1906

Vol 3

Land records

1667-1906

1635-1667

Yes.

Vital statistics a

1772-1906

Yes

Selectmen's

School society

Proprietors' b

a Also the family records scattered over the first volumes of land records.

b Two volumes Oyster River quarter, 1666-1836; one volume Pettapauge quarter, 1670-1726.

Miscellaneous records: Record of electors and electors' meetings.

First volumes of land records, kept in the fort at Saybrook, were destroved.

Land records, vol. 1, copied by John Marvin, and town acts, vol. 1, by Frederick L'Hommedieu, are
i the State Library, Hartford. Vols. 2 to 4, copied by Frederick L'Hommedieu, are in the town
fault. Vol. 1 is being copied for the town.

TOWN OF SCOTLAND, COUNTY OF WINDHAM.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1857-1906

Land records

1857-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1857 1906

Vol 2

School society

Church (Congregational) .

1735-1811(2)

TOWN OF SEYMOUR, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1850-1906

Land records

1850-1906

Vols 1-14

Vital statistics

1850-1906

TOWN OF SHARON, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1788-1906

Yes a

Land records

1738-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1738-1906

Yesb

Yes

Selectmen's

Proprietors' c

1738-1884

a Town proceedings were kept in land records up to 1788. No record from 1796 to 1814.
b Early records of vital statistics were recorded in land records. No records from 1851 to 1855; 1855
to date complete.
c The five volumes of proprietors' records are counted as land records, vol. 1.

TOWN OF SHERMAN, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1818-1906

Yes a

Land records . . .

1803 1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1852 1906

Nob

a Vols. 1, 2, and 3, containing records prior to 1818, are missing,
b Some earlier vital statistics in old town records.

School society: Some in old town records.

Proprietors': Vol. 1, land records, contains lay-outs by proprietors' committees.

120

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF SIMSBURY, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1665-1906

No.

Land records . .

1665-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1691-1906

(a)

Yes.

Selectmen's

School society

a- No record of births from 1828 to 1847; vital statistics are scattered through town proceedings.

Miscellaneous records: Electors and electors' meetings.

Seven volumes of town proceedings contain births, marriages, and deaths, and miscellaneous records
as well as records of town meetings.
There is a general index to land records since 1850.
The town is having recopied all the old volumes and the originals are being rebound.

TOWN OF SOMERS, COUNTY OF TOLLAND.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1727-1906

No .

No.

Land records

1727-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1727-1906

Yes

Church a

1727-1906

a Records of Congregational Church, containing church, parish, and vital statistics records from 1727
to 1747 and 1769 to date.

Two small books of vital statistics have been copied by Solomon Fuller.

TOWN OF SOUTHBURY, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1787-1906

No.

Land records

1787-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1848-1906

Yes.

Selectmen's

School society

Miscellaneous

There is a copy of a list of voters.

TOWN OF SOUTHINGTON, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1779-1906

No...

No.

Land records . .

1779-1906

Gen. index.

Vital statistics

1847-1906

No o

Vols. 3-9.

School society

a Marriages commence 1820.
Miscellaneous records: Joint-stock returns since 1859; admission of electors since 1817.

TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1846-1906

No .

No.

1846-1906

Yes

V'tal statistics

1846-1906

Partially,

Selectmen's

a Vital statistics, 1853-1893, indexed.
Miscellaneous records: Highway and line records; soldiers in war of rebellion.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF SPRAGUE, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

121

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1860-1906

No..

No.

Land records

1861-1906

Yes

Vital statistics <*

1861-1906

Yes

Miscellaneous (conditional bills of sale)

Records of births outside of town recorded in these records.
TOWN OF STAFFORD, COUNTY OF TOLLAND.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

a 1861-1906

No..

No.

Land records

1719-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

613

1719-1906

Proprietors'

1725-1812

o Town proceedings before 1861 are recorded in land records.

& Vital statistics commence in 1719. They are recorded in land records, vols. 1 and 2, and in 13
volumes of vital statistics.

TOWN OF STAMFORD, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1630-1906

Land records

108

1666-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics.

1690-1906

Yes

Miscellaneous records: Electors admitted; oyster records, 5 volumes.
First two volumes of town meetings have been copied.

TOWN OF STERLING, COUNTY OF WINDHAM.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1794-1906

No.

Land records . .

1794-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1794-1906

Selectmen's

TOWN OF STONINGTON, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1660-1906

Land records

1660-1906

Yes

Vital statistics .

1660-1906

9 vols

Miscellaneous records: Executions, attachments.

Several volumes of vital statistics have been copied into indexed books. There is a copy of town
votes in the State Library.

TOWN OF STRATFORD, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings a

1697 1904

Land records

1697 1906

Vols 42-65

Vital statistics. .

1697 1906

1780-1850

Yes

Proprietors' b

Church (First Ecclesiastical)

1.S13 1873

a Vol. 1 contains both town and land.

& Part of vol. 5 contains records of laying out of highways by proprietors' committees, 1736-1760.

Miscellaneous records: Oyster grounds.

All records have been copied by Bridgeport Land and Title Company.

122

AMEKICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF SUFFIELD, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1670-1906

Land records

1670-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1682-1906

Proprietors'

1716-1821

TOWN OF THOMASTON, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1875-1906

Yes

1875-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1875-1906

No .

Yes

Miscellaneous records: Assignment of wages, 2 volumes; physicians' record book; embalmers' record
book; burial record; bodies removed from old cemetery, 1; grand lists and votings lists. Assignment
records also indexed as entries are made.

TOWN OF THOMPSON, COUNTY OF WINDHAM.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1785-1906

Land records

1785-1906

No.. ..

Yes.

Vital statistics

1785-1906

No a

Yes.

School society

a No volumes missing, but many of the earliest vital statistics are not recorded.

Miscellaneous records: Road record; treasurer's accounts; abstract of taxes from 1780 to date;
licensed physicians; electors admitted; burial records; abatement of taxes; attachments; record of
mortgages on personal property; embalmers' register.

TOWN OF TOLLAND, COUNTY OF TOLLAND.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1714-1906

No..

No.

Land records

1714-1906

No .

Yes.

Vital statistics

1749-1906

Yes

Miscellaneous records: Account books and abstract books.

Two volumes of vital statistics have been copied by Edwin S. Agard.

TOWN OF TORRINGTON, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings . .

1737-1906

Land records

1740-1906

Vital statistics

1747-1906

No a. .

Yes.

a Many omissions in earlier volumes.

School society: Cash book of Torrington School Society.

Miscellaneous records: Joint-stock eompanies; enrollment; abatements; electors; justices of the
peace; electors' meetings; attachments; voting lists.

Judge Gideon H. Welsh has recently discovered the lost records of the early town, among which are
the records of the town meeting which was held December 9, 1740. These records also contain many
early vital statistics nowhere else recorded, and practically complete the series of records of town meet-
ings from 1737 to date, and are a valuable acquisition to the early historical records of the town of
Torrington.

PUBLIC AECHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF TRUMBULL, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

123

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1797-1906

Land records .

1797-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1849-1906

Yes

Church

al750

These are the oldest records in town.
There is a copy of church records.

TOWN OF UNION, COUNTY OF TOLLAND.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1756-1906

No a

Land records

1736-1906

No .

Yes

Vital statistics

b 1755-1906

Yes

Selectmen's

School society

1796

Proprietors' .

1729-1734

Church d

a Town proceedings recorded in land records, 1736-1755; 1743 may be missing.

b Vital statistics were recorded in land records previous to 1755.

c These records relate to doings of society, church records, marriages, etc.

Miscellaneous records: Court, burial, town deposit, dogs licensed, voters or electors admitted, ete.
TOWN OF VERNON, COUNTY OF TOLLAND.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1808-1906

Land records

1808-1906

Gen index

Vital statistics

1808-1904

Yes

Selectmen's

School society (South school district)

Miscellaneous records: Grand lists; returns of corporations; articles of associations; records of
electors; women voters; 2 volumes attachments.
Pages 1 to 20, vol. 13, land records, missing.

TOWN OF VOLUNTOWN, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1721-1906

Land records

1721-1906

Yes

Vital statistics-

1721-1906

Partially

Miscellaneous records: Attachments, 2 volumes; physicians' certificates to practice, 1; embalmers, 1.
TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1711 1906

Land records . . .

101

1711-1906

Yes

Vital statistics.

1800-1906

Noo

Yes

School society

Proprietors'

1714-1784

Church...

b 1

Miscellaneous (earmarks and estrays)

Vital statistics were recorded in land records up to 1800; 1800 to 1852 the records are very poor.
t> School and church.

124

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF WARREN, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1807-1906

No...

No.

Land records

1786-1906

No .

Yes.

Vital statistics . .

1765-1906

Yes

TOWN OF WASHINGTON. COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1876-1906

No..

Land records. .

1779-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1846-1906

(6)

Yes

Vols. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 25 contain also town and miscellaneous records and
vital statistics.
*> Vital statistics are complete only since 1872.

There is one volume of private records of births, marriages, and deaths in town clerk's office.
TOWN OF WATERBURY, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings .

1686-1906

Land records

185

1686-1906

Gen index

Vital statistics

1686-1906

No. .

Partially.

Miscellaneous records: City liens; tax liens; town, city, and school districts; joint-stock com-
panies; leases; assignments; wills and distributions, 1 volume; record of electors.

Land records are indexed, grantors and grantees; also general index to vols. 20 to 185. Vital statistics
are indexed from 1878 to date.

Vol. 1, family records, and vol. 1, town meetings and highways, have been copied by B. F. Howland.

TOWN OF WATERFORD, COUNTY OF NEW LONDON.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings -

1802-1906

N6 .

No.

Land records

1802-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1802-1906

1vol.

Selectmen's . . . ...

School society

Miscellaneous records: Tax liens, 1; jurors, 1; oyster-ground records; freeman book; licensed
physicians; attachments, 2 volumes.
Tax liens and one volume of attachments are indexed.

TOWN OF WATERTOWN, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1780-1906

No...

No.

Land records

1780-1906

No.. . .

Yes.

Vital statistic"

1780-1906

Noo

Yes.

School society

a Records are very incomplete prior to 1850.
TOWN OF WESTBROOK, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1840-1906

No..

No.

Land records

1840-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1840-1906

No.

School society

Miscellaneous records: Wills, 1; attachments, 2; assessment lists since 1840.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF WEST HARTFORD, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

125

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings .

1854-1906

Land records

1854-1906

No i

Yes

Vital statistics

1854-1906

No.

Selectmen's

School society

Miscellaneous records: Wills and distributions, 1 volume; attachments,!; cemetery deeds, 1; burial
records, 1; tax lists, bound, 21; tax abstracts, 50; electors admitted, 1; applicants for admission as
voters, 2; joint-stock corporations, 1; board of relief actions, 1; physicians registered, 1; embalmers'
register, 1; appointment of jurors and minor officers, 1; abatement of taxes, 1; liens, 1.

TOWN OF WESTON, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1879-1906

I/and records

1788-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1847-1906

Yes a

No.

School society

a Vital statistics, vol. 1, 1847-1868, very imperfect. There are some old family records in land records,
vol. 6. ,

TOWN OF WESTPORT, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town' proceedings

1835-1906

No.'

Land records

1835-1906

No.

Yes.

Vital statistics

1848-1906

No a

Partially.

Selectmen's .

Miscellaneous (oyster-ground records)

a Up to about thirty years ago vital statistics were not carefully reported, and the records are there-
fore not complete.

TOWN OF WETHERSFIELD, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1640-1904

No.

Land records

1640-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1690-1904

Yes.

Miscellaneous records: Attachments and liens, 1 volume; wills and distributions, 1; tax liens, 1;
burial records, 1; burial lots, 1.

Some vital statistics are missing; there are a few records in volumes 1 and 2, land records.
Vital statistics, vol. 1, has been copied by E. S. Tillotson.

TOWN OF WILLINGTON, COUNTY OF TOLLAND.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1720-1906

No.

Land records

1720-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1720-1906

No.

School society .

Miscellaneous (cattle marks)

126

AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
TOWN OF WILTON, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

1853-1906

No.

1802-1906

Partially.

Vital statistics

b 1821-1906

4 vols.

Selectmen's c

o Town and land records were kept in same book prior to 1853.

b Records incomplete before 1860.

cMany old ones packed away in various places.

d One volume of electors indexed.

Miscellaneous records: Tax abstracts, list of electors' abatements, licenses, etc.
TOWN OF WINCHESTER, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1771-1904

No...

No.

Land records

1771-1906

No.

Yes.

Vital statistics

1848-1906

Yes.

Selectmen's

School society

Proprietors' .

1729-1904

Pamphlet containing original lay out of highways by proprietors' committees is also on file in this
office.

TOWN OF WINDHAM, COUNTY OF WINDHAM.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1686-1904

No.

1692-1906

Partly.

Vital statistics

1692-1906

Yes. y

Selectmen's

Miscellaneous records: Records of genealogy; treasurer's record; electors' record; sheep earmarks;
tax abstracts from about 1820.

Vital statistics from 1692 copied under index system by C. H. Dimmick. Land records indexed from
1800.

TOWN OF WINDSOR, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1640-1906

No...

No.

Land records ....

1640-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics

1640-1906

No.

TOWN OF WINDSOR LOCKS, COUNTY OF HARTFORD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1854-1906

No.

Land records

1854-1906

No.

Yes.

Vital statistics

1854-1906

Yes.

Miscellaneous records: Treasurers' ledgers; joint-stock corporation returns; attachments of real
estate.

TOWN OF WOLCOTT, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1804-1906

Land records

1796-1906

Yes.

Vital statistics . . .

1846-1906

Yes.

PUBLIC ABCHIVES OF CONNECTICUT.
TOWN OF WOODBRIDGE, COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN.

127

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1784-1906

Land records

a 27

1784-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1797-1906

Nob

Yes

Church

o Including 16 books of the old town records which are also land records.
*> No volumes are missing, but the records of early years are very imperfect.

Miscellaneous records: Wills and distributions, 1 volume; attachments, 2; electors and electors'
, 2; joint-stock corporations, 1.

.s of First Ecclesiastical Society of the parish of Amity run from 1773 to 1903, also church records
ick to 1738, and 1 volume records of church meetings, 1742-1843.

Records of
dating back to 1738

TOWN OF WOODBURY, COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings a

1683-1906

Land records

1683-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1683-1906

No b

Yes

School society

Partial

Proprietors'

a Records are very incomplete in earlier years.

& Records commence about 1683. Some are mixed in with land records and other blank spaces. They
are not complete from 1800 to 1855.

Land records contain highway records, vital statistics, etc.
Barnes's "Mortality Record" has been printed.

TOWN OF WOODSTOCK, COUNTY OF WINDHAM.

Kind of records.

Volumes.

Years.

Missing.

Indexed.

Town proceedings

1692 1906

Land records

1749-1906

Yes

Vital statistics

1590-1906

Selectmen's

1773-1906

School society

1795-1875

Proprietors'

1686-1795

Daniel Lyon, Chicago, has private records of vital statistics of Woodstock.

NOTE. In many cases where it appears that the land records are not indexed a
partial index exists by volumes, .but of doubtful value to the record searcher.

It will be noted in the foregoing schedules that prior to about 1848 to 1850 the records
of vital statistics are very incomplete. Up to that time the laws regulating their return
had been in force practically unchanged from colonial times, and were meager in
scope and rarely enforced. About 1850 a change was effected and a statute, practically
the one now in force, was enacted, and since that date the records are very complete.
It will also be found that from about 1800 to 1847 many records are missing.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF DELAWARE.

By Prof. EDGAR DAWSON,
Princeton University, recently of Delaware College.

SOME GENERAL REMARKS.

There is probably no State in the Union where one would find less
material for writing its history than in Delaware, and there is cer-
tainly no one of the original thirteen in which so few records have
m made and where so little care has been taken of those that have
made. That there have been so few records to be cared for is
lue mainly to the fact that the Delaware colony was a bone of conten-
ion between European countries or neighboring colonies from the
le it was first planted by the Swedes until 1732, when the Balti-
mores surrendered their claims to what is now Delaware and southern
J ennsylvania. The accounts of the earliest settlements are to be
Found in Sweden and Holland, while those of the next succeeding era
iust be sought among the archives of New York, at Albany; of
'ennsylvania, at Harrisburg, and of Maryland, at Annapolis. From
ie coming of Penn until the end of the seventeenth century Delaware
id Pennsylvania formed one government, and even until 1776 the
ro colonies lived under one executive administration. Many records
rere therefore joint property, and when " the three lower counties of
Laware " seceded the rapidly growing Quaker settlements kept all
ie papers in which they had any interest.

The few archives that, despite her unfortunate early history, ought
iill to be found in Delaware have almost entirely disappeared on
>unt of the carelessness of officials who were ignorant of their
Lue or on account of the dishonesty of students and antiquarians
without and within the State who have abused the confidence of
ie State officials. The public archives that had been accumulated
>rior to the year 1873 were, in large part, along with a collection of
>randing and cropping irons, deposited in the loft of the statehouse
it Dover. While this building was in the process of being remodeled
luring the years 1873-1875 vandalism ran riot. What little re-
ted of the collection in 1875 was taken, I have been told, to the
16827 VOL 208 9 129

130 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

cellar, where the papers were used by the janitor to start fires. A box
full of these papers was rescued a few years ago by public-spirited
citizens and put away for safe-keeping. The documents in the list,
given on pages 136137, were taken from that box within the last year
and assorted by a member of the division of public records of Dela-
ware. From 1875 to 1897 scarcely anything worthy of the name of
archives was collected. Under "Archives," in the following pages, is
a list of what I have been able to find.

The county records are much more complete, and may prove to be a
valuable source of information if what is still left of them can be
rescued and made available for use. The land records of Kent
County begin in the year 1646 and those in Newcastle and Sussex
counties not much later. The Newcastle County wills date back to
1638 and the court records of the same county to 1676, with orphans'
court papers as early as 1742. While Newcastle County is better
provided with " oldest records " than her sister counties, Sussex
County is rich in assessors' books, the series being practically un-
broken from 1797 to the present, Unfortunately Newcastle County
has practically none of these books which are so valuable to the
student of economic history, the custom there being to destroy them
at the end of five years, under an act of the assembly which permits
the destruction of papers that are of no further use.

In recent years the records of the several counties correspond
pretty generally, which correspondence is due mainly to the fact that
the laws of the State provide what records shall be kept and in some
cases even the manner of keeping them. Since the constitution of
1834 went into effect the court dockets, especially those of the superior
courts, are preserved in unbroken series, and the method is uniform
in the three counties, with some slight exceptions. Uniformity has
been promoted in the vital statistics by the acts of 1861, 1863, and
1881. Some birth and death records were kept before 1861, but since
that year they have been more regularly kept, and since the act of
1881, I believe, each county has a satisfactory record. An act of
1867 provided for the more satisfactory registration of the accounts
and settlements of guardians, executors, and administrators. An act
of 1877 initiated the separate record for chattel mortgages. In 1903
an act authorized by the constitution of 1897 was passed providing
that one set of guardians' accounts should be kept in the office of the
clerk of the orphans' court, being transferred from the office of the
register of wills. While these and other acts of the general assembly
have brought about considerable uniformity, each office is still left
free to pursue the dictates of its own fancy in many of the minor and
some of the major matters of registration. In Kent County mechan-
ics' liens, amicable actions, recognizances, and subpoenas are recorded
in dockets used for other purposes, while in Sussex County each of

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF DELAWARE. 131

these subjects, to the number of at least ten, has a separate book or
series, and in Newcastle some of them are not recorded at all.

Each of the three counties has five offices of record. (1) In the
office of the recorder of deeds are deposited the land titles, corpora-
tion records, indentures of servants, records of births, marriages, and
deaths, constables' bonds, and other papers that would naturally be
associated with these, such as mortgages, both chattel and real,
assignments of mortgages, etc. (2) The office of the register of wills
has the will books, one set of the accounts of administrators and
executors, receipts or quittances, and bond books. (3) In the office
of the clerk of the orphans' court and the register in chancery are the
guardians' accounts, orphans' court records, chancery court records,
guardians' bonds, and a considerable list of other documents, some of
which are included in the same books with the chancery or orphans'
court records in Newcastle County, but are given separate volumes
in one or both of the other counties. (4) The prothonotary in each
county is the clerk of the superior court of that county and is the
custodian of the records of that court. The prothonotary of Kent
County is also the clerk of the supreme court of the State and is the
custodian of the supreme court dockets. Each prothonotary since
1832 has kept four dockets for the superior court, appearance, con-
tinuance, judgment, and execution. In Newcastle no other regular
series is kept except mechanics' liens. In Sussex County several
other series are kept of matters that in Kent County are recorded
on one of the several dockets already mentioned. (5) The clerk of
the peace is the clerk of the levy court or board of county commis-
sioners, of the court of oyer and terminer, and of the court of gen-
eral sessions. The older records refer to this court as " Quarter ses-
sions," " General sessions," and " General quarter sessions." Since
1832 it is properly called " General sessions." The clerk, besides
being the custodian of the dockets of these several courts, has charge
also of the road books, assessors' books, license records, minutes of
the grand jury so far as they are kept, and other similar matters.
It is the duty of a number of county officers to file papers in his
office, and some of whom do file them at more or less frequent inter-
vals, while some do not do so at all so far as the records show.

When the court-houses in Delaware were built they were thought
to be fireproof. No one of them is, however, entirely safe from
injury by fire. The one least so is that at Georgetown, the county
seat of Sussex County. It was built out of the proceeds of a lottery,
which proceeds did not prove sufficient to allow of carrying out the
architect's plans, and there has been talk at various times of erecting
another building, or at least of carrying out the original plans. The
present structure is brick and cement or concrete built about a frame
of wood. Some of the concrete filled has been removed on account

132 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

of sagging caused by excess weight, leaving the building less pro-
tected than it was originally. The shelving is of wood, and while
no other buildings connect directly with the court-house, most of
the town is of frame buildings, and there is little doubt that, despite
the iron doors to the several rooms and other precautionary measures,
the Sussex County records are in danger from fire. The court-house
in Kent County, at Dover, is somewhat better off than the one at
Georgetown in that it has no wood in its walls. The Newcastle
building at Wilmington is probably as near fireproof as any building
that has been built any length of time, as is shown by the fact that
a fire recently burned the contents of one of the rooms without appre-
ciably damaging the adjoining rooms. This building is made still
more safe by the fact that it is so far removed from the residences
which surround it that any fire nrnst start within its own walls to
be dangerous. One is disposed to doubt, however, whether further
precaution should not be taken even here. It is not at all certain
that had there been more combustible matter in the room that was
burned out the fire would not have communicated itself to the room
next above it, in which case it would have gotten into the loft and
done serious damage.

As to the ordering of the bound volumes of records, the same gen-
eral plan is pursued in most of those offices where the original papers
are left on file. This plan is to place the books in wooden shelves
around the walls of the room at a convenient height, and above these
to store the original papers in the pigeon holes of closed wooden cabi-
nets. Many of the offices have become very much cramped for space,
the recorder's office in Newcastle County, for example, having
already utilized pretty well all the surface of the four walls from
floor to ceiling. While, with the proverbial exception, all the county
officers in Delaware are amiable to a fault, and are disposed to aid in
any way in their power those who come to them w r ith proper introduc-
tion, few of them have special interest in the older papers and books in
their care. In fact few of them pay any attention to any of the books
except those that are being used for legal and business purposes.
Little more than this can be expected when it is true that the offices
change hands every four or five years, so that a clerk barely gets
settled to his work before he must make way for his successor.
Several of the clerks have no explanation for the absence of units
in a series, and many of the books I took down had not been handled
in any way for a number of years. The prevailing method of
numbering a series of considerable length is the following: "A vol.
1," " B vol. 1," "A vol. 2," " B vol. 2," etc. Other methods, how-
ever, are used, and sometimes several different ones in the same
office. Letters may be used without figures and figures without
letters, or both may be used parallel, as "A No. 1," " B No. 2," etc.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF DELAWARE. 133

The most complex mixture of letters and figures is that used in the
office of the recorder of deeds for Sussex County, which is as follows :
"A No. 1," " B No. 2," to the end of the alphabet, then "AA No. 26,"
"AB No. 27," the present volume is " DDE No. 156." Some offices
recognize the existence of " V " and " J," and others recognize neithej-
or only one of them. In several cases where I was told that a " J "
was lost, I am disposed to believe from the dates of the documents
recorded that there was no "J " made.

Section 14, chapter 24 of the Revised Code of 1893, indicates an
interest in systematic and uniform records. The law there provides
that no office of record shall use books of over 300 pages and that a
margin of at least 1J inches shall be left, and adds a penalty for vio-
lation of the law. I have, however, been unable to find any law pro-
viding, as is done in many States now, for the use of selected papers
and chemically satisfactory inks. In fact the use of inferior inks
and papers is very apparent in many of the Delaware record books.
On pages 277 and 278 of the Revised Code of 1893 a number of books
are declared to be " Public records," which indicates some interest in
the past, but little active effort was made for the care of the archives
or the records until the year 1904. In that year, under the influ-
ence of the work being done in neighboring States, the Society of the
Colonial Dames of Delaware and others interested in the history of
the State moved the general assembly to pass an act creating a " Divi-
sion of public records," with members from each of the three coun-
ties and with some authority over all the public documents, " begin-
ning with the earliest records to the year eighteen hundred." This
" division " has looked pretty carefully into the present condition of
the public offices and is now petitioning the general assembly for
an appropriation of funds, so that they may begin the work of pre-
serving the papers that need most immediate attention.

This tentative report on the present methods of making and keep-
ing public records in Delaware is based on several excursions into the
State house and the county buildings and partly on information
given me by members of the " Division of public records." It is not
meant to be minutely accurate or to contain a complete list of all the
documents in the State. Such a report could not be written with the
records in their present condition, and would be of little value if it
were written, since it would have to be done over again after the work
of rescue has progressed somewhat. It does, I hope, give a truthful
general impression of the material available and the methods pur-
sued in handling it. I should be extremely sorry if anything in this
report should be interpreted as suggesting that the present county
clerks are not doing their duty as they see it. They have inherited
a burden of confusion and disorder, and in many cases they have

See pages 332, 333 of the Report of the Public Archives Commission for 1906.

134 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

improved the system and reduced the disorder. They have certainly
given me ample opportunity to examine the documents and lent me
all the assistance in their power. Several clerks have petitioned the
levy courts time and again to rebind books that need it or take other
steps to preserve the older records, but have always been met with the
plea of poverty. The principal blame, if there is any, rests on the
shoulders of those people in Delaware who know the conditions and
recognize the value of historical material and yet take no steps to
save it.

The remainder of my report is a tentative list of the records of the
Federal courts in Delaware, the State archives, the county records,
and some miscellaneous items of possible interest.

RECOKDS OF THE FEDERAL COURTS IN DELAWARE.

A United States district and circuit court sit at Wilmington. The
court room and offices are housed in the Federal building with the
post-office. In one of the safe deposit vaults of the building there is
a considerable collection of old letters and minutes of the courts.
Here are also kept the naturalization papers of those immigrants who
made their declaration to the Federal authorities in Delaware. The
papers begin with the year 1813 and continue, with the exception of
the years 1828-1834, down to the present time. The books containing
these older papers are not in good condition. With these papers is
an interesting record of the " Reporting and registering of aliens
landing at the port of New Castle " during the years 1801-1805, in
which are registered a considerable number of people. The record
gives the name, place of birth, age, nationality, place of allegiance,
boat, occupation, destination, and intended residence of each immi-
grant. A considerable per cent of these " aliens " registered their
occupation as " gentlemen." The papers in the vault are so near to
overflowing that they could not be minutely examined. The clerk
speaks of indexing them and making them available for use.

The dockets of the courts begin with the year 1790 and continue
without break to the present. The books are kept in small closets
under a sort of counter. The closets are so partitioned that only one
or two books can be put into a section. The sections are numbered
up to 31, and the numerical order rather than the chronological or
logical order is followed in the list below.

FIRST SECTION.

1. Indices of the United States district court, 1790-1876 ; 1876 to present.

2. Indices of the United States circuit court, 1790-1876 ; 1876 to present.

3. Bankruptcy index, 1898 to present.

4. District court, admiralty record " 2," 1876.

5. District court, admiralty record " 1," 1834.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF DELAWARE. 135

6. District court, admiralty record " B," 1809 ; district court, continuance
docket, 1820.

7. District court, admiralty docket "A," 1789-1817; district court, admiralty
docket, 1812.

8. District court, admiralty and law, "A," 1789-1805 ; district court, admiralty
and law, " B," 1805-1813.

9. District court, admiralty and law, " information," indictments, "A," 1805-
1813 ; district court, criminal, 1, 1842.

10. District court, criminal, 2, 1868.

11. District court, criminal, 3, 1878.

SECOND SECTION.

12. District court, naturalization, 1797 ; district court, appeal docket, 1805.

13. District court, law, executions, 1819; district court, informations, 1819-
1830.

14. District court "A," appearance, continuance, and execution, 1811-1819 ;
district court " B," continuance, 1815-1834 ; district court " C," appearance,
1819-1849.

15. District court, appearance docket, 1790-1820; district court, appearance,
continuance, and appeal, 1812.

16. District court, admiralty, continuance, 1790.

17. District court, admiralty, "3," 1885.

18. District court, execution docket, 1876.

19. Circuit court, appeal docket, 1876.

20. Circuit court, law docket, "2," 1876.

21. Circuit court, law docket, " 1," 1849-1876.

THIRD SECTION.

22. Circuit court, minutes, 1876; circuit court, law, appearance, and contin-
uance, 1876.

23. Circuit court, motion docket.

24. Circuit court, criminal " instructions," 1870.

25. Circuit court, criminal " instructions," 1795 ; circuit court, equity 1790-
1796.

26. Circuit court, equity and law, 1819.

27. Circuit court, equity and law, 1790-1813 ; circuit court, equity " instruc-
tions," "1," 1843-1870.

28. Circuit court, equity "instructions," "2," 1870.

29. Circuit court, equity " instructions," " 3," 1892.

30. Circuit court, equity order docket 1 and 2.

31. Circuit court, equity, 1876.

Here are also kept pardons granted by the Presidents, at least
since Pierce and including Buchanan, Lincoln, and Grant.

THE ARCHIVES.
IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE AT DOVER.

The secretary of state has a file of official correspondence in carbon copy
jinning with the adoption of the constitution of 1897. Most of the other
of administration have only current letter files and other papers of im-

136 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

mediate use. The secretary of state also lias in a safe deposit vault a con-
siderable number of packages of revolutionary war papers, such as pay rolls
of soldiers, measurements of men up for enlistment, casualty reports, etc.
There are also a number of letters from such historical characters as President
McKinly of Delaware.

IN THE STATE LIBRARY.

Printed.

Minutes of the colonial council, 1776-1792.

Senate Journal from 1792 to the present, with the following exceptions:
Volume 1 is not uniform with the series, being smaller and of a different style
from the rest of the set; volume 2 (1798-1805) and volume 4 (1806-1808)
leave no room for a volume 3, which is said to be lost; volume 14 (1838-1843)
is missing; volumes 19 and 20 are not on the shelves, but are said to be merely
temporarily absent. The odd volume (1) contains the minutes of the con-
stitutional convention of 1791.

House Journal, complete since 1797, except that I could find no volume 7.
Volume 6 covers the dates 1812-1817 and volume 8 the dates 1818-1820. Vol-
ume 1 is lost. It included the years 1792-1797.

State laws as published in 1797, parts 1 and 2; 1806, parts 3 and 4, these
" parts " representing volumes in the series, 1813, 1820, 1829, 1852, 1866, 1874
(revision of the code of 1852), 1887-1889, 1893 (revision of the code of 1852),
1898-99, 1901-1903, 1905. Volume 7 I could not find, nor was I able to learn
in what year it was published.

Auditor's report from 1836 to the present.

Journal of the constitutional convention of 1831.

Harrington's reports of the superior court and the court of errors and ap-
peals from 1832 to the present.

Manuscript.

Minutes of the council, 1778-1780, 66 pages.

Minutes of the council, 1776-1779, about 500 pages, not numbered.
Minutes of the council, 1780-1792, in sections, and not numbered through,
but containing about 800 pages.

State tax book, 1815-1818, very small and thin.
Journal of the house, 1843.

An assessor's book, 260 pages, apparently of the year 1820.
An assessor's book, Appoquinimink Hundred, 1816.

PAPERS FOUND IN THE STATEHOUSE CELLAR.

The following is a list of some of the papers that journeyed to the
loft of the old Statehouse, then to the cellar, and, having escaped
the janitor, are now in the possession of the division of public records.
I give it just as it was furnished to me by one of the members of the
division :

State auditor's journal, 1789.
State treasurer's vouchers, 1788-89.

Duplicates of mortgages in loan office, 1794, and tax of Kent County, 1785.
Duplicates of amounts paid to R. Clark on mortgages, in the loan office,
1794, and receipt for tax list of Kent County, 1785-89.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF DELAWARE. 137

List of mortgages in loan office of New Castle County, 1795, and other papers

^longing to loan office, signed by John Stockton, trustee.

Bonds and receipts of Samuel and John Adams, State printers, 1796.

Return of mortgages in the loan office of New Castle County, 1797-98 two

ipers.

Return of money and depreciated certificates received in loan office of New

istle County, 1793, 1794, and 1797 four papers.

Mortgages in loan office of Sussex County, 1783, 1793, 1798, and 1791 ten

ipers.

Original receipts for moneys paid for vacant lands in Kent County, 1794-
) two papers.

Book of voucher stubs issued for the use of the Continental Army, 1780 two

)ks.

Kent County tax levy, 1794.

New Castle County tax levy, 1794.

Depositions concerning the army service of Charles Houston, James Garrison,
John Hanson, John Tate, William Belveal, William Dycus, Jacob White, and
Isaac McKee nine papers.

Account of James Booth, esq,. record of fees from mortgage and tavern
licenses one paper.

State treasurer's account, 1782-83 one paper.

Copy of dates of certificates and their vouchers for sums due on certificates
by the commissary and quartermasters in New Castle County, 1781. (Gives
names and specifications concerning purchases.)

State treasurer's vouchers for payment of members of assembly and State
officers, 1787.

Account of State of Delaware with Samuel Patterson, treasurer, 1785.

Letter from Jona N. Robinson to Joshua Clayton, 1787.

Return of Thomas Sipple, State treasurer, 1796 one paper.

About sixty miscellaneous papers, letters, etc., bearing dates prior to 1800.
There are doubtless other valuable papers in this collection of dates since 1800.
The act creating the division of public records limited their labors to the
eighteenth century or earlier. Just why the date 1800 was selected one is un-
able to see ; 1832, the adoption of the new constitution, or some other such event,
would have been a more logical dividing line.

COUNTY RECORDS.
NEW CASTLE COUNTY.

People in Delaware have had the habit for a number of years of using the
garrets or lofts of buildings as the repository for papers and manuscripts that
are not in present use, and I believe they are not peculiar in that respect. The
loft of the New Castle County court-house has long been made use of in this
way, and it is scarcely necessary to add that the papers to be found there are
not now in such condition that they can be used by students. A committee of
the Society of Colonial Daines has gone over this material with some thorough-
ness and has selected and assorted what seemed to them to be of value. These
assorted papers are now locked in wooden cabinets in the loft. The loose wills
found here are said to go far toward filling the gap in the records caused by the
loss of will books D, E, and F, which covered the years 1721-1746. The work
of assorting has not, of course, been done by experts, but it was a labor of love,
and the people who did it deserve all the credit for saving a large number of
valuable records. The fact that some of the documents are of less value is not

138 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

important. The following list, which was furnished me by the secretary of the
division of public records, and which I find corresponds with somewhat less
copious notes that I have made there myself, will give some idea of the class of
papers under consideration.

Three of the ten closets were examined and found to contain 279 packages
of original papers bearing dates prior to 1800, viz :

Court papers, 1714 to 1750. Guardians' accounts.

Sheriff's writs, signed John Gooding, Inventories.

1732. Administration accounts.

Return sale of real estate. Wills, copies of wills.

Orders to value and sell land. Letters of administration, 1775-1792.

Petitions for the sale of real estate. Administration bonds.

Annual valuations, etc. Exceptions filed to executors' accounts.

Settlements of estates. Orphans' court papers.

Return divisions, with plats. Oaths of fidelity to State, certified list,

Warrants to lay down pretensions. 1778-1780.

Petitions pertaining to roads and Lists of pensioned men of Delaware in

surveys. Revolutionary war.

Grants of land by proprietaries, 1733- Lists of grand jurors.

1769. Postal receipts.

Deeds, 1706-1792. Tax collectors' bonds.

Plats of roads. Petitions for licenses.

Surveys, 1704-1796. Indentures, 1784-1798.

Jasper Yeates papers, 1702. Trial lists, 1773.

Tavern licenses, 1795. Land boundaries, 1737-1773.

Bail bonds of various kinds. Bonds and warrants, 1723-1791.

Vouchers, county debts, 1780-1786. Assessment lists, 1778-1796.

Very old recognizances. Brandywine Hundred assessment lists.

General assembly papers, 1796. Auditors' reports, 1741-1749.

Executors' papers, signed John Stock- Marriage bonds.

ton, Caesar Rodney, Nicholas Van 'Patents and surveys, 1682-1799, etc.

Dyke, James Booth, and others.

On my first visit to this loft I ran across several paper-backed assessors'
books for the year 1810, containing interesting information about the negroes
of Newcastle County. On my second visit they could not be found, although
they may still be there. It is known that really valuable papers have been
carried away, and if that is the only way they can be rescued one would be
disposed to find little fault. A gentleman has hanging on his wall the original
grant from the Duke of York to William Penn of the " twelve-mile circle,"
which he is said to have found among these papers.

Office of the Recorder of Deeds.

The land records of Newcastle County begin with "A, vol. 1," the first instru-
ment bearing date January 30, 1673. This book closes with a document signed
by William Penn, confirming a sale of land to John Can, bearing date May 23,
1684, the sale having been made on July 18, 1682. This book is a copy of an
earlier original, and is accompanied by the same sort of certificate as to cor-
rectness and completeness as will be found on page 140, this certificate also
being signed by Rice and McKean. There are 22 volumes of deed books, each
volume consisting of some 24 books, the books in a volume being lettered.

Volume 1 is said to lack books D, F, J, O, P, R, and V, and volume 2 has.
neither A nor V. C of volume 1 ends with the year 1715 and E begins with the

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF DELAWAKE. 139

same year, leaving no break, which, however, does not indicate that there was
no D of course. The other missing books approximately cover the following
years : F, 17.10-1722 ; O and P, 1743-1749 ; R, 1752-1755 ; U ends and W begins
with the year 1763, and I am disposed to think there was no V. In volume 2
book A would probably have deeds for the years 1773 and 1774. There was
also probably no V made for this volume. Volume 1 runs from 1673 to 1773
and volume 2 from 1773 to 1804.

In book B, volume 1, there are a number of deeds dated July 5, 1678, to July
8, 1682, bound in the back of the volume and upside down. Book C is badly
damaged by fire in the middle of the book. The first 59 pages of book E are
gone. The older volumes in this series have been kept well bound, and many
of the leaves have been given some protection by placing narrow strips of
adhesive paper along the edges. This is, of course, not a permanent remedy
against breakage, for the whole leaf in some cases breaks in two, but it has
done some good.

The set of land-mortgage records, as a separate series, begins with the year
1855 and is complete to the present, numbered and lettered as the deed books
are.

A, volume 1, of the chattel mortgages begins with October 30, 1877, and
the current book is K of volume 1, the series being complete.

The assignment records cover the period (as a separate series) August 6,
1861, to the present, the books being numbered and lettered to "A volume 2,"
the current book.

The series of certificates of incorporation begin with March, 15, 1899, the
present book being " Q volume 2."

There are six volumes of private acts records, dated from 1825 to the
present and lettered to " F volume 1."

The marriage records begin in 1848 and that of births and deaths in 1861.
There are very unsatisfactory vital statistics in all the counties, on account
of the fact that the laws were somewhat misunderstood by the recorders.
(See note to page 474 of the Revised Code of Delaware for 1852 as amended
to 1874.)

There are two large volumes, aggregating something like 1,500 pages, called
"Copies of Penn's Book of Surveys," the copying having been done by Lewis
Heck and Evan Thomas, recorders, during the years 1801, 1802, and 1806.

New Castle grants, 1736-1742, a duly certified copy made in accordance
with an order of the general assembly dated February 29, 1808.

Records of apprenticeship, 1826 to the present, in twelve books.

Miscellaneous papers relative to land grants, not chronologically arranged,
but covering the dates 1736-1762, with a certificate of correctness.

Office of the Register of Wills.

140 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

ber 24, 1746. The series runs twice through the alphabet and the current
book is " I volume 3."

The series of inventories and apraisements begins with 1809 and is complete
to 1907.

The releases of administrators begin with June, 1826, and are lettered A
to W, the set being intact. Elsewhere these are called " receipts" or " quit-
tances."

Accounts of administrators and executors begin with 1866, and the current
book is " I volume 2."

There are 80 volumes of administrator's bonds in a pretty unsatisfactory
condition. The oldest covers the dates 1761-1764, but it would be impossible
to tell whether the set is complete without examining each book. They are
in odd sizes and odd bindings and generally dilapidated.

One volume of lists of representatives, 1803-1851.

" Copies des Lettres Cotte," containing a number of accounts dated 1782-
1783 and on the first page the following letter without date or name :

" My Friend : The Hog now in thy field is not mine because I have my
number in my pen. As thee is a gentleman and a peaceful neighbor, I have
kept my oxen yoked or stabled for some days past, in order to prevent their
depredation upon thee, and my hogs penned with the same; but my friend
I cannot consent to do this any longer than thy harvest shall be gathered in,
so as that thee can make thy fence proof against both oxen and hogs."

Prothonotary's Office.

Here are three volumes of " Court records," which have been printed by the
Colonial Society. The title-page of the first volume is as follows : " Liber A,
Records of ye Co. of New Castell in D Begun ye 10th Octobr 1676 Ending ye
Laest of decembr 1678." At the end of this volume is the following certificate,
which is given in full because it is a type of the certificates that are written
in a large number of the older books in the offices :

" Lower Counties on Delaware : In pursuance of a Resolve of the Honorable
Houses of Assembly of the Lower Counties on Delaware appointed as a com-
mittee for causing the several Records of Transactions in the several Courts
within the County of New Castle relating to the Titles of Lands, before the
year one thousand seven hundred and of Warrants, Surveys, Patents, Deeds
and Wills, signed, executed and recorded before the same year in the several
public offices within the county aforesaid to be transcribed by the officers re-
spectively in whose custody they remain, and to compare them with the origi-
nals, and made Report to the House of our Proceedings in the Premises, We do
now humbly report to the Honorable House that we have carefully caused such
parts of the same Records to be transcribed as related in any wise to the titles
of lands within the said County and have diligently compared the same with
the originals and do certify that the foregoing book beginning with Folio one,
on the tenth day of October in the year 1676 and ending with Folio five hun-
dred and thirty and on the twenty-first day of November in the year 1699 con-
tains nothing but true and genuine Proceedings faithfully and literally copied
from the original records." (Signed) Evan Rice and Thos. McKean.

"Minutes of the Privy Council" 1778-1792, with the original draft of the
constitution of 1792.

Naturalization papers of the year 1788 and after, though there are very few
prior to the year 1800.

The most important set of documents in this oflice are the dockets of the su-
perior court. All of these dockets are kept in a much more systematic and

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF DELAWARE.

141

businesslike way since 1832, but the earlier records are reasonably full well
back into the eighteenth century, the continuance docket beginning with the
year 1750 and uncopied papers being on file bearing dates as early as 1729.
All the records of the superior court of New Castle County, such as recog-
nizances, amicable actions, etc., so far as they are kept at all, are entered on
some one of the following dockets:

Continuance dockets of 1750, 1753, 1758, etc., to the present.

Execution dockets, 1792 to the present.

Appearance dockets, 1773 to date.

Judgment dockets, 1793 to the present.

It is altogether possible that there are still earlier records.

Since June 14, 1861, there have been recorded two volumes of mechanics' liens.

There is one small volume of certiorari papers.

Office of the Clerk of the Orphans' 1 Court.

Books A and B of the orphans' (or probate) court records are lost. It is
said that they were left behind in New Castle, the then county seat, when the
British soldiers frightened the county officers away in the war of 1812. Book
C begins with the year 1742, and thereafter the series seems to be intact: C,
March 29, 1742, to March 5, 1761; D, to January 10, 1775; E and G, to January
15, 1793, in one binding; F, 1778-1788.

The books have no numbers until M, when they begin to be called " volume 1"
which ends with the year 1868. " Y, volume 2 " is the current book.

The records of settlements of trustees are in twelve books, beginning with the
year 1844. Seven of the books have no lettering, being numbered 1 to 7; the
remainder are called " Volume 2 A " to " Volume 2 E."

One book of adoption records, 1885 to the present, " A, volume 1."

Three volumes of guardians' release records, A, B, and C of volume 1, dated
January, 1903, to the present.

Five numbered books of recognizances in the orphans' court. The first book
covers the dates July 25, 1823, to May 6, 1837.

Orphans' court appeal docket, one book of 443 pages, 1830 to the present.

Chancery court records, Books A, B, and C of volume 1 were probably lost
with the early orphans' court records. D, 1806-1816; E is lost if there was
one ; F, 1816-1823 ; G, 1823-1826 ; H, 1820-1834, with which old volume 1 ends.

The present series of chancery court records is lettered from A to U, and is
also called volume 1.

Divisions of land in chancery proceedings, called in some places " Partition
docket," begin with A, 1824-1840, and run to the persent without break. Since
E, 1894, however, these records are written in the chancery court records
referred to above.

The guardians' accounts in this office begin with the year 1779, but they
have been recorded in books only since 1807.

Office of the Clerk of the Peace.

The records of the criminal court, oyer and terminer, begin with 1820 and
continue to 1907. There is only one volume, and few of the recprds antedate
1840.

A book of records of the county treasurer, 1833.

Sessions docket, and minutes of the levy court, covering dates 1775, 1792,
1801, etc., to the present. The former records also are more regularly kept
after 1832. The minutes of the levy court begin with the year 1845, and there
are fifteen volumes of them.

142 AMEKICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

The Newcastle County road books date from the year 1794, and are reason-
ably full from that date. The process of authorizing a road is initiated by a
petition from those interested to the levy court, which appoints a commission
to inquire into the case. If the commission reports favorably, the court orders
the road and pays the cost of obtaining the land and the hundred or district
makes the road.

Assessors' books for the last five years, the custom being to destroy those that
are older.

This office contains an interesting set of bound marriage bonds twelve vol-
umes, dated 1744 to 1836. Such bonds were required by law until the year
1903, when the act was repealed. For many years before 1903 there was only
formal compliance with the law. Part of the bond read as follows : " Know all
men by these presents that we Thomas Pickering and James Dorrell, both of
Kent County in the State of Delaware, are firmly held and bound unto his
Excellency Joshua Clayton, Esquire, President and Commander-in-Chief of the
Delaware State, in the sum of 200 pounds good and lawful money in America
to be paid to the said Joshua Clayton, Esquire, or his successors * * *
January 15, 1791, the condition of this obligation is such that if there shall not
hereafter appear any lawful let or impediment by reason of any precontract,
consanguinity, affinity or any other just cause whatsoever that the above men-
tioned Thomas Pickering and Sarah Maxwell of the County aforesaid may
lawfully marry * * * this bond shall be void and of none effect."

KENT COUNTY.

Office of the Recorder of Deeds.

The land records begin with the " Duke of York Records," one book of 266
pages, dated 1646-1679. These have been printed by order of the general
assembly.

Following these the regular series of land records begins with "A, volume 1 "
and runs to the present book, " E, volume 9." It is an excellent series and
well cared for. The first book covers the years 1680 to 1694.

The record of real mortgages dates from the passage of the law of 1855.
Prior to that time the mortgage went into the deed books. The series runs
twice through the alphabet, the current book being " B, volume 3."

There are five volumes of chattel mortgages, beginning with 1877, lettered
A to E.

Records of the indenture of servants from 1827 to the present. A begins in
June, 1827, with the "binding out" of Elijah, son of Maria Cook (occupation),
free negro of Dover Hundred, to George M. Manlove, Elijah being then 11
years old. He was to remain with his master until he was 21 years old. This
series ends with book T in the year 1903. There is also an "A, volume 2,"
containing indentures of apprentices bound out by the Kent County poorhouse
during the years 1892-1904.

The record of marriages begins with March 4, 1847, and fills 103 pages before
1861, when the present series begins.

Births and deaths were recorded from 1861 to 1863 and from 1881 to the
present. The books for births, marriages, and deaths are numbered and not
lettered. At the end of the birth record for 1863 appears the following very
pertinent note : " This ends the Birth Record by Act of the Legislature at its
session of March 1863. I think a very foolish act on their part." Signed
George B. Dickson, recorder. These volumes are very fully indexed.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF DELAWARE. 143

Prior to 1895, legally 1898, the corporation records were entered on the

>ed books. Since the law of 1898 was passed there has been a separate series

>r them.

An old will book of a few pages, 1804.

Two old volumes of mortgages in very bad repair, covering the years 1735-
1767.

A loan-office record, 1759-1772.

Three books of assignments of mortgages, lettered, 1897 to the present.

Two volumes of constables' bonds, 1861 to the present, lettered.

A small registration book for ministers, physicians, and undertakers, 1892
to the present.

Residence record, 1861 to present. Of very little consequence.

Grants of land, 1680-1812, two books.

Warrants, 1794-1844.

Surveys, 1680-1832, two volumes, A. and BC.

Office of the Register of Wills.

The record of wills begins with "A, volume 1," which covers the years 1680
to 1730, and continues to the present with but one break. The first book con-
tins A, B, C, F, G, and ends with a certificate of authenticity dated April 11,
1812. The records from which this book was copied are of course lost and
forgotten. D is an older book at least, and it may be the original one. It
)vers the years 1724-1726. The current book is " E, volume 2."

The accounts of administrators and executors run from 1867 to the present,
filling volume 1, from Book A to Book Q.

The receipts or quittance fill 12 numbered books, beginning with the year
L826.

There are 19 books, numbered, of bonds, beginning with the year 1833 and
running to the present without break.

In this office are to be found a few wills entered on the deed books, espe-
cially about the year 1804.

Office of the Prothonotary.

The prothonotary of Kent County is the clerk of the supreme court. The
docket of this court begins with the year 1811 and runs to 1832, being a copy
bearing a certificate that the records are correct reproductions of the orig-
inal, made in accordance with an act of the general assembly dated January
26, 1831, called "An act for the preservation of certain records of the court of
common pleas and of the supenie court." The constitution of 1832 changed
the name of the supreme court to the court of errors and appeals, and under
that name the dockets run until the year 1897, when the constitution of that
year restored the original name, and from 1897 w r e have supreme court dockets
again.

The supreme court dockets are : Appearance 1788, 1794, 1796, 1802, 1807, etc.,
to 1832; continuance 1797, etc., to 1832; judgment 1794 etc., to 1832; execu-
tion 1796 etc., to 1832.

After 1832 the record is uniform and connected to the present, there being
nineteen books of appearance dockets since that date and twenty-seven books
of executions.

Two volumes of garnishee papers, 1858 to the present.

A book of agents of foreign corporations, current.

Writs of errors and appeals, 1795-1831.

Naturalization papers, 1858 to 1907, when a new law goes into effect.

A lot of daybooks and ledgers dating back to 1816.

144 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Office of the Clerk of the Orphans' Court.

Of the orphans' court records, A cannot be found. " B volume 1 " begins the
present record with the year 1766, and " O volume 2 " is at present being used.

There are six numbered volumes of orphans' court plots, 1826-1891.

Recognizances in the orphans' court, 1822 to the present, filling five numbered
volumes.

Guardians' bond book, 1859-1896.

Sales by administrators, 1879 to the present.

Sales by trustees, 1879 to the present.

Three books of appeal dockets, 1803 to the present, the first and third with-
out either letter or number and the second (1828-1848) having the letter L.

Guardians appointed from 1872 to the present.

Four numbered books of minors' rents, 1833 to the present.

Minors' funds 1866 to the present.

The chancery court records in this office start out with four books called
"A." "A4," called " Chancery proceedings," is an original record, or at least
a very old one, newly rebound, but with the leaves unprotected and breaking
away. It contains, besides the chancery records, which are dated from 1745 to
1782, about 69 pages of common plea records dated about 1736. The next, A,
" Chancery docket," is a copy of some original, and bears a certificate that it is
a correct copy made under the act of the general assembly passed on Febru-
ary 7, 1825, to provide for the preservation of the records of the court of chan-
cery in Kent County. The third A is dated 1816-1825, and bears a similar cer-
tificate, this one being signed by W. Hill Wells and William Hnffington. The
fourth A, called " Record book," is dated 1816-1834 and is also certified. After
this rather ample beginning the records of the chancery court continue to the
present without a break.

There are nine lettered books of guardians' accounts running from 1866 to the
present.

A copartnership docket of a few pages, 1901.

Partition docket, chancery court, B to I, 1832 to the present. I could find
no A.

The Potter Charity Estate papers, 1860 to the present.

Leases to the Potter Charity Estate, 1875 to the present.

Several current receipt books and a county cost book of 1907.

Office of the Clerk of the Peace.

Road books, 1786-1792, 1793, 1820-1855, 1857 to the present. Some of these
books give the petition for the road, some of them a map, and some merely the
name of the road and of the supervisors and overseers. The books are classi-
fied by Hundreds or districts.

A school district book apparently of about the year 1847. It gives the bounds
of the school districts, places for voting, number of schools and pupils, and other
similar information.

Minutes of the levy court and court of appeals, 1842-1851. These minutes
relate to the assessment of property for taxation.

Returns by justices of the peace, 1792-1798.

a This series is made especially interesting by the fact that Caesar Rodney was clerk of
the orphans' court from January, 1771, to December, 1778, two terms. His work is to be
found in the latter part of book B and the early part of book C, and is the best work in
every respect in the series. He was succeeded by Thomas Rodney.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF DELAWARE. 145

Assessors books, one for 1797, when they skip to 1852, from which latter date
they have been kept consistently. They are arranged by Hundreds or districts.

Oyer and terminer records, one volume, 1857 to the present.

Recent witness books, constables' bonds, rough court records, and check
stubbs.

Licenses, 1889 to the present.

Grand jury minutes, 1800-1808. These are now kept, if kept at all, on the
record of the court of general sessions.

General sessions records, 1787 to the present, but only a book here and there
prior to 1835.

SUSSEX COUNTY.

Office of the Recorder of Deeds.

16827 VOL 208 10

146 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Surveys, A, 1776, containing "Records of 1776 and other surveys," with
plats of 1680, 1685, 1695, 1737, etc. This book is in a lamentable condition.
The clerk has often called the attention of the county commissioners to it, but
in vain.

Survey warrants, B, 1776, containing warrants not in chronological order,
some of them dated as early as 1682.

Warrants. 0. 1776, most of the instruments being dated between 1715 and
1776627 pages.

Rhoads Shackland's " Field book number 1," dated 1713-1728, containing
surveys and warrants.

James Rounds's warrants, C, 1767, signed by Rounds as deputy surveyor of
Worcester County, Maryland.

Shackland's warrants and surveys, No. 2, 1716-1736.

Rounds's surveys, two books, A and B, 1748-1770.

Indentures, "A number 1 " to " K number 10, dated 1828-1878. After 1878
these papers were recorded in the deed books.

Patents, " W number 10," 1802 about 600 pages.

Patents, " U number 11," 1829-1868.

Certificates of plats and surveys, " V number 20," 1795-1806.

Penn's patents as copied in 1801-2 by Lewis Heck. There is a similar book
in Newcastle County. Th3 instruments are dated about 1686, and the book
is marked " Super-Patents."

Office of the Register of Wills.

A number of the Sussex County wills are scattered through the deed books
of that county.

Will book "A number 1," 1691-1751, is so badly fallen to pieces that it must
be kept tied up, and it becomes less valuable every time it is handled in its
present condition. " B number 2," 1751-1775, with 560 pages, is in reasonably
good condition, as are the rest of the series down to the current book, " T
number 19."

Receipts or quittances have been filed since 1694. The series of books
begins with 1867 and runs to the present book, " S number 18," without a
break.

The record of bonds begins with the year 1803.

Office of the Prothonotary.

The records in this office are surprisingly full, and the clerk seems to be in-
terested in them and fully to appreciate their value. There are more than 100
books of about 200 pages each in the superior court records prior to the year
1832. The earlier records are dated at Lewes, which was the county seat
before the courts went to Georgetown. Among these old dockets is to be found
all sorts of quaint information. On page 9 of the record for 1810 is an account
of a sale of two negroes to the famous Polly Cannon for 20 cents. After 1832
the superior court dockets, appearance, continuance, judgment, and execution,
are kept much as they are in the other two counties. Besides these four
series, however, there are to be found a number of sets of books that are not
kept in the other counties at all. They are to be found in the following list :

Reference docket, now called amicable actions, 1809 to the present.

Acknowledgments of deeds, 1743, 1753, 1772, 1793, and 1802.

List of levy court appointments, 1809.

Record of indictments, 1743, 1750, and 1756.

PUBLIC ABCHIVES OF DELAWABE. 147

Record of quarter sessions at Lewes in 1746.
Jury book, 1793-1806.

Sheriff's docket, odd volumes. It seems to be optional with the sheriffs
whether they shall turn in these books or not.
Mechanics' liens, one book, 1864 to the present.
Rule docket, 1860 to the present.
Answers to garnishees, 1863 to the present.
Subpoenas, 1853 to the present.
Insolvent debtors, 1827-1861.
Recent election records, contests, etc.

Office of the Clerk of the Orphans' Court.

Orphans' court records, 1777-1830, in five volumes.

A new series of orphans' court records, 1801 to the present, books "A num-
ber 1" to "AU number 48."

Orphans' court minutes, five books, 1751-1876.

A bond book, " number 1," 1766-1806.

A money docket, nine books, lettered, 1831 to the present.

Minors' petitions, 1868 to the present.

Subpoenas to the orphans' court, 1822 to the present.

Recognizances, six lettered books, 1822 to the present.

About twenty-five miscellaneous orphans' court record books.

Guardians' accounts, "A number 1 " to " D number 4," 1865-1907.

Guardians' bonds; some old books of 1774-1785 and D to F of a new series,
1880 to the present.

Appeal docket, 1802-1810.

Records of protest, 1856-57.

Chancery docket, ten lettered books, 1749 to the present.

Recognizances in chancery, 1837 to 1879 25 pages.

Annual valuations No. 2, 1886 to the present.

Chancery records, four books, not connected, 1803-1832.

Petitions in chancery, 1800-1810.

Equity docket, 1749-1770.

Chancery suit docket, B to F, 1831 to the present.

Chancery subpoenas, 1830 to the present.

Chancery deposit accounts, 1875.

Chancery partition docket, 1820-1832.

Office of the Clerk of the Peace.

A broken series of road books from 1765 to 1851. After 1851 the collection
seems to be complete. It is classified by Hundreds.

General sessions docket, 1820 to the present. A reform seems to have over-
taken this docket in the year 1868.

Levy court and court of appeals docket, tax assessments, 1850 to the present.
Oyer and terminer docket, 1869 to the present.

A fine set of assessors' books. The series for Nanticoke Hundred begins in
1796, Broadkin Hundred in 1807, Baltimore Hundred in 1816. The series in
Dagsbory Hundred begins with the following paper:

" I, William Jefferson of Job, do swear that as assessor of Dagsboro Hun-
Ired I will to the best of my skill and judgment execute the duties of the office
ligently and faithfully according to the direction of the act for the vatua-
ion of real and personal property within this state, and that I will spare
10 person for favour, affection or partiality or grieve anyone for hatred or ill-

148 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

will, and that I will do equal right and justice according to the best of my
knowledge in every case in which I shall act as assessor, So help me God."
(Signed) Wm. Jefferson of Job., and dated September 25, 1827.

Subpoenas to general sessions, 1847, 1885 to the present.

Licenses, 1878 to the present.

Grand jury minutes, 1817-1848, 1856 to the present.

SOME MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.
IN DELAWARE.

Records of the Lewes Presbyterian Church, with records of births, marriages,
and deaths, beginning July 12, 1758 ; in the custody of ex-Governor Tunnell, of
Lewes. The book really contains the records of the churches in the vicinity of
Lewes, " Cold Spring," " Indian River," and " Rehoboth." It has been copied
for the Pennsylvania Historical Society.

Among other books of historical interest, the same gentleman has a ledger
beginning with the year 1771.

The most interesting church records in Delaware are those of the Welsh
Tract Baptist Church near Newark, from the founding of the church to the
present, the earlier entries being in the Welsh language ; and the records of the
Old Swedes' Church in Wilmington, from the year 1697, kept in the Swedish
language until 1773 and thereafter in English. This record has been trans-
lated and published by the Delaware Historical Society. The title-page reads
in the translation, " To the Church of the Holy Trinity at Christina in Pensil-
vania, America, is this bound blank book given, by Mr. John Hance Stellman
in the year 1699." These records are kept in a fireproof vault, the vestry of
Trinity Parish being the custodians.

The municipal records of Dover are preserved since 1829 in the form of min-
utes of the council.

The Delaware Historical Society has among its papers the books of the Wil-
mington Bridge Company, 1807-1836. f

The charters and ordinances of the city of Wilmington have been printed by
the city from time to time. Copies are on file in the Delaware Historical
Society library. The first charter was granted in 1739. The municipal records,
however, have followed the example of the State and county records and have
hidden themselves in attics and cellars.

DELAWARE RECORDS IN THE LIBRARY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

The Read manuscripts, dated 1716-1872.

Daybook of an inn at Lewes, 1812-1813.

Papers of the Abolition Society of Delaware, 1801-1819.

A book of wills and other documents, beginning in the " seventh month " of
1683.

A Sussex County court book, 1681-1709.

A copy of the records of St. George's Chapel beginning in the year 1711.

A copy of the Duck Creek Meeting records, 1705-1800.

Some wills, marriage records, and other papers of Kent and Sussex counties,
1683-1695.

Somerset County, Maryland, land records from which county Worcester
County was set off in 1743. A part of Delaware was long included as a part of
this last county.

REPORT ON THE PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF FLORIDA."

By DAVID Y. THOMAS, Ph. D.,
Formerly Professor of History and Political Science in the University of Florida.

Shortly after the American occupation of Florida, when a great
deal of ink was being spilled over Governor Jackson's conduct in the
Territory, a wag remarked that Florida was " very productive of
documents." Unfortunately the climate, both literally and figur-
atively, does not seem so well adapted to preservation as it is to pro-
duction. However, the total which has been preserved is not incon-
siderable. This report will make no attempt to give an account of the
Spanish archives as such. The most of those in Florida at the time
of the transfer appear to have been retained in spite of the desire of
the Spanish to remove them, and they were put in charge of special
keepers at Pensacola and St. Augustine. Many years later the legis-
lature asked Congress to try to secure others from Habana. During
the civil war the State appointed keepers of the archives. These
facts are mentioned to show that Florida has not been indifferent to
the Spanish records, even if those of more modern times are not
cared for as one could wish. After the civil war the Spanish records
were kept for a time in the office of the surveyor-general at Tallahas-
see, but a few years ago all not relating to land claims were shipped
to the Librarian of Congress.

Respecting the archives of the American period, one may be par-
doned for saying that they might have been kept better. In the first
place, in earlier days no sharp distinctions were made as to subject-
matter, the same volume sometimes containing records not closely re-
lated. In the second place, some of the records have been allowed to
pass out of the offices to which they properly belong. Excepting
those of recent years, they have not been carefully arranged and can
not be found at a moment's notice.

The Florida archives do not present a very rich field to the investi-
gator in any particular line. Possibly more is said in the earlier
records about Indians than any other one topic. For many years this

For report on the local archives of St. Augustine see American Historical Associa-
tion Report, 1905, I, pp. 339-352.

149

150 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

was the most important topic in Florida, being surpassed at times
only by that of banks and bonds. On the latter question very little
will be found which is not in print. Some light might be thrown on
elections by a study of the archives, not, however, on the election of
1876. No very great amount is to be found concerning the adminis-
tration of affairs during the civil war, yet much more than has
found its way into print. A few papers relating to boundary dis-
putes, now in the office of the surveyor-general of the United States,
will soon become the property of the State. A great deal of matter
relating to land surveys and claims will come from the same office,
but there is very little in this not already published which will inter-
est anyone without a claim.

TERRITORIAL AND STATE ARCHIVES.

The amount of matter preserved in the governor's office is not very
large. Some of the older papers have passed out into the vault of
the secretary of state. They will be mentioned in connection with
that office because found there, and they are likely to remain there for
some time. The matter now in the governor's office consists of a few
bound volumes and a number of papers, the latter in filing cases.
There is no index to either. The governor was absent at the time
of the writer's call at his office, but the latter feels sure that the fol-
lowing is a fair representation of what it contains.

Messages, inaugural addresses, etc. Begins with inaugural address of Gover-
nor W. D. Moseley. No date. His first message to the legislature is dated
July 1, 1845. The volume closes with a paper dated December 28, 1858. Hand
copies.

Letter book, one volume, April, 1836-October, 1836. R. K. Call, governor.
Three volumes cover Drew's administration, beginning January 6, 1877. From
February 2, 1878, to July 10, 1879, not found. The first of Bloxham's letters
are found in the last volume of Drew. The next volume, marked 4, covers May,
1884-November, 1885. Another, marked 1, covers January 7, 1883-June 4, 1885.
One, marked 5, covers October 23, 1886-February 16, 1887. Thereafter the
numbers run consecutively to 31, closing August 27, 1894, with occasional over-
lapping of dates. Letter-press copies. Some are on very thin paper and are
almost illegible.

General correspondence (governor's office), September, 1895, to date. Type-
written letter-press copies.

Minutes of cabinet and board meeting, 1869-1892.

Pardon records, May 31, 1878, to date, three volumes.

Board of pardons, August 8, 1894-July 21, 1897.

Letters by secretary of pardon boards, January, 1892-July, 1894.

Applications for pardons, 1887-1906.

Letter book, duplicate from letter book of adjutant-general, July 21, 1891-
July 7, 1894.

Letters of adjutant-general and commissioner of pensions, May 5, 1S83-
August 25, 1895.

KEPORT ON THE PUBLIC AKCHIVES OF FLORIDA. 151

Minutes of board of commissioners of State institutions, February 19, 1892, to
date. Two volumes.

Board of drainage commission, No. 1, May 27, 1905-April 4, 1906.
Pay patients entering the hospital since January 1, 1901.
Directory of officers, n. d., Fleming, governor.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

The Hon. H. Clay Crawford, secretary of state, was present and
did all in his power to facilitate the investigation of the archives in
his office. He appreciates very keenly the disorder and confusion that
has resulted from years of neglect, and has made some effort to rem-
edy the same, but is waiting now to see if the legislature will not pro-
vide room and help to carry on the work. He had recovered a lot of
matter from the coal bin, and the writer proceeded there first to see
if anything had been overlooked. Several boxes were found in the
garret of the capitol building containing papers, some of them tied
in bundles, many of them loose and in great confusion. The floor also
was covered with papers. At least some of them are of value and
should be preserved. In the course of a brief rummage among them
the writer found two of the original papers relating to the contested
election of 1876. One of them was carried to the office of the secre-
tary of state, the other was delivered to the clerk of the supreme court.
Several of the famous bonds issued by the Territory in 1838 for the
benefit of the Union Bank were discovered in the same place. They
had been canceled. Also four bound volumes of New York and
Charleston newspapers, dating back to the 1840's.

In the same garret were found numerous volumes relating to the
census and the registration of voters. When these were reported to
the secretary of state, he at once ordered their removal, stating that
he thought that all such had already been taken out. A few days be-
fore this the writer had applied to the officer in charge of the census
for certain information, but was assured by that officer that he had no
returns previous to 1885. When these returns were carried to his
office he positively refused to allow them to be brought in, on the
ground that he had no room for them and that they were worthless.
They were finally stored in a room in the basement.

In the following classification, when not otherwise specified, the
records will be found in the office. The most of the others are in the
secretary's vault. The few found in the garret will be referred to as
in " basement." Very little care has been taken in the arrangement
of matter in the vault. There is no general index, nor any special
ones, except to the more recent records. The confusion is likely to
continue until the legislature provides room and employs an archivist
to classify and index the records.

Executive correspondence, five volumes. The first contains Duval's letters
1821-1839; also some election returns. The second contains letters of Acting

152 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Governor J. D. Westcott, January 11, 1830-November 16, 1831. The third be-
gins with a letter from Governor John Branch, November 10, 1844, relating to
the Union Bank. Message of January 10, 1845, printed and pasted in. Special
and veto messages. Last from Branch, May 13, 1845. The fourth includes let-
ters of Governor Moseley, July 2, 1845-September 29, 1849; Governor Thomas
Brown, October 7, 1849-November 22, 1852 (message) ; James E. Broome, De-
cember 29, 1854-October 3, 1857. The fifth contains letters, messages, etc., but
mostly appointments, July, 1873-October, 1876 (vault). Last in wretched state
of preservation.

Notes from preceding:

First letter from W. P. Duval, governor, to John C. Calhoun, Secretary of
War. Pensacola, June 1822. Indians have lost crops, are in very bad condi-
tion, and are very uneasy. Military in possession of public buildings, which
are very much needed for city and Territorial officials. Thinks that not more
than one company should be kept in the city and that it should be subject to
the governor.

July 25, 1822. Indians called on Duval. Complain that Jackson's promise
that the lands on which they were to live should soon be marked out had not
been fulfilled. Duval's address to them given. He regrets that their great
father had not done so. Great chiefs at Washington are very busy and can
not do everything quick (sic). Sends this address to Secretary Crawford and
begs his attention to the matter. Also to Jackson's promise to Chief Blunt,
who acted as guide in the Seminole war.

August, 1822. Mary Ann Preats (?), daughter of a white man (John) who
lived and died among the Creeks, claims by gift from him two negro women,
Nancy and Hannah, who since then had had ten children. She had left all in
possession of Chief Econchattamico. He has since sold five without her consent.
She also claims five other slaves by right of inheritance. Chiefs should as-
semble and determine who are rightful owners. Some of these slaves had been
purchased by Weatherford and others in violation of the law, having no license.
Chief must not sell any more till title is settled. Threatens to send out of the
Territory William ( ?) Bowie, who has married the daughter of the chief unless
he walks strait (sic). He ought not to have permitted sale.

September 1, 1822, to Governor Pickens, of Alabama. A half-breed (Weather-
ford) and Elias Lloyd have grossly violated the laws by pretending to purchase
nine negroes from the daughter of the chief and have taken them into Ala-
bama. Money paid was counterfeit notes of the United States Bank. Should
be arrested and tried.

September 22, 1822. Fleeing from yellow fever.

April, 1823. Letters show dependence on the banks of New Orleans and
Mobile.

May, 1823. Reports that the records at St. Augustine are negligently kept.
Directed the clerk of the court to take possession and put in order.

August 15, 1823. Gives permission to Mrs. Mary Black to go into the Indian
country in order to recover a wench (Sarah), supposed to have three children,
if she can recover her peaceably.

September 23, 1823. Citizens of the Territory and the neighboring States
have many runaway slaves in the southern part of the peninsula. A number
of them have established themselves on Pine Island. They are well armed
and refuse to allow Americans to visit the island. Some Spaniards are among
them, with a vessel carrying three guns. They employ the negroes to cut lum-
ber and to fish for the Habana market. Requests permission of the President
to call out 50 or 60 men to recover them.

REPORT ON THE PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF FLORIDA. 153

March 1, 1824. Proclamation calling legislative committee to meet at a

lace "about a mile from the deserted fields of Tallahassee, where the old
Spanish road is intersected by a small trail running southwardly." This was

le beginning of Tallahassee as the capital.

Tallahassee, August 3, 1824. Explains that Tallahassee was chosen because

is in the center of the largest body of rich land in Florida, must " forever
tin the center of our population."

January 5, 1825, to G. Humphries, Indian agent. Where owners identify

igitive slaves, surrender them to the marshal to take before the Federal
Ige at St. Augustine. If white and Indian claim the same slave, he must
appear before the judge and defend the rights of the Indian. Must use discre-
tion about removing free negroes from the Indian country.

November 15, 1825. Highflown address to a committee about Lafayette (does
not name him), recommending an invitation to visit Florida. Also to exempt
his land from taxation.

October 26, 1824. Sent to New Orleans for specie to pay Indians, who were
about to depart, for their improvements.

November 25, 1825. Estimates value of property wrecked on Florida coast
annually at half a million. This gives excuse for smuggling. Many engaged
in smuggling and piracy.

September 1, 1834. Election returns show 103 votes in Leon County. Total
for Territory, 2,428.

In the second volume may be found several letters relating to the boundary
dispute with Georgia and several relating to Indian troubles. In the third
volume some of Governor Moseley's papers, such as letters, inaugural ad-
dresses, and messages. August 5, 1845, letter to S. R. Mallory, replying to his
request for pardon of certain negroes made in behalf of the owner. As request
is backed by the grand jury, he will grant it, if legal to do so before convic-
tion.

August IS, 1845, to Joseph Clisbey. He learns that Joshua Knowles, secre-
tary of the constitutional convention, deposited the original manuscript records
of the convention with him, and that he is desirous of disposing of them for
the benefit of the public. Suggests that he deposit them with the secretary
of state. The only trace of these found was an incomplete journal noted below.

154 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

may be found in similar or in miscellaneous records. One volume of " Election
returns," otherwise unmarked, but evidently intended as A, covers 1865-1887.
B begins with 1884 and is followed by five others to date.

In addition to election returns, Volume A also contains some executive procla-
mations, orders, etc. First entry, November 25, 1865, gives result, tabulated by
counties, of election for Congressman and several State officials. For Congress,
Ferdinand McLeod received 2,192 votes, a plurality out of 5,040. Congressional
election of 1868, total vote 11,539. Election (1876) returns for State officials,
Presidential electors, and Congressman. Details given by counties. First
count gave Republican candidates a majority. Signed only by James B. McLin,
secretary of state, and A. C. Cowgill, comptroller. Followed by returns for
Presidential electors as made out by the new returning board under a special
act of the legislature. Gives Democratic electors a majority. Hardly so much
as a hint is given of the stirring times then on. Some of the later volumes con-
tain notices of elections, copies of returns from the counties, commissions of ap-
pointments to fill vacancies, newspaper clippings giving tabulated results of
elections. For the last three years the original returns have been preserved
and bound together, the secretary of state simply tabulating the result.

Registration of voters, 1867 (basement). Printed forms, including the "iron-
clad oath," with space for names of voters. Most of the volumes contain space
for 1,000 names ; the others for 500. Some distinguish by color. For example,
in Jefferson County there were 143 white and 226 colored voters ; in Columbia
County there were 1,168 voters. A few in this county had been marked out as
not allowed to vote. The heaviest registration appears to have been in the
black belt. Leon County had 3,490 votes and Madison 2,104. Escambia had only
954 and St. Johns 423, though it is possible that some returns from these coun-
ties were missing.

Articles of incorporation, January, 1874, to date, six volumes. There is some
overlapping of dates. For example, one covers 1874-1884 and another 1876-
1893. Index found in separate volume.

Letters Patent, A to E, October 14, 1890-May 10, 1904, five volumes.

Registration of automobiles, 1905-6.

Registration of chauffeurs, 1905-6.

Records of sales of public lands, May, 1825-March, 1826. Gives names of
purchaser and amount paid. September 26, 1826, deposited $19,031,655 in
Bank of Mobile to the credit of the United States Treasurer.

Preemption entries, 1827; credit sales of public lands, 1827, in same volume.

Total sales, first quarter $57,610.41

Incidental expenses 451. 00

My own commission at 1 per cent on $70,382.51 703. 82

Total 2, 730. 91

Paid surveyor a 1, 000. 00

Volume closes April, 1831 (vault).
Records of preempted lands, 1888-89 (vault).
Commissioner of deeds, No. 1, 1905 to date.
Mortgages, A, June 30, 1890-February 17, 1905.
Mortgages (railroads), B, August, 1900-1906.
Deeds of State property, 1903 to date.
Trade-marks, A, 1902-1906.

a Figures given as found.

I REPORT ON THE PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF FLORIDA. 155

Journal of the Constitutional Convention at St. Joseph (a town no longer
existence) (vault). Began December 3, 1838. Last entry in the journal
under date of December 26. That day the convention adopted a resolution
that all land should be taxed according to value. a The journal is incomplete.
In 1845 Governor Mosely directed that the original manuscript be deposited
with the secretary of state, but no trace of it was found. This was the conven-
tion which formed the constitution under which the State was admitted in
1845.

Journal of the Convention of the People of Florida (vault). Met January
3, 1861. John C. McGehee elected president January 5. His speech is recorded ;
also the prayer of the chaplain. Ordinance of secession adopted January 10;
yeas, 62; nays, 7. Joseph A. Collier and S. S. Alderman explained that they
favored awaiting the action of Georgia and Alabama, but after the convention
decided against this, they voted for the ordinance " to prevent any injurious
effects which might arise from a large negative vote being recorded against
secession." January 21 the convention took a recess subject to recall by
the president, or by the governor in case of disability of the president.
April 18 it was called together to adopt the Confederate constitution, elect
delegates to the provisional congress and adopt a State constitution. Also
takes up the question of internal improvements, revealing the fact that 416
miles of railroad had been put in operation within the last five years. April
27, adjourns sine die, unless reassembled by the president on or before Decem-
ber 25. January, 1862, meets again to consider the financial condition of the
State. Names of two persons who had taken the oath of allegiance to the
United States are stricken from the roll of membership. Final adjournment
January 27, 1862.

Journal of the Constitutional Convention, 1885, vol. 2 (vault). Begins with
the afternoon session of the thirty-ninth day, July 25. Adjourned August 5,
1885. The first volume was not found. Neither was any trace found of any
records of the constitutional convention of 1868.

Census returns. Original returns from Hernando and Marion counties, 1855 ;
for 1867, Madison, Orange, and Santa Rosa counties (vault). For 1875, orig-
inal returns from 17 counties (basement). Gives name of every person resid-
ing in the county, age, sex, color, and profession. Also value of real and
personal property, number of acres planted in cotton, corn, and sugar cane;
number of orange trees, and number bearing. For 1875, returns from 22
counties. This is a census of male inhabitants 21 years of age, giving color,
nationality, number not naturalized, and number not registered; also school
attendance and number of illiterates (basement). Compilation of foregoing
(vault). Compiler failed to fill in names of counties. For 1885, list of per-
sons, giving place of abode, color, sex, and age, one volume.

School census, 1896, six volumes (five in the basement and one in the vault) ;
for 1900, 14 counties (ten in basement and four in vault).

Comptroller's book, July, 1845-January, 1861 (vault).

Comptroller's letters, 1861-1867 (vault).

Auditor's report, 1831-1845 (vault).

Treasurer's account book, 1866-1880, three volumes (vault) ; 1876 and 1877
missing.

Record of Treasury notes, 1861-1865 (vault). October, December, issued
$23,758 worth of two-dollar bills, series B; three destroyed March 22, 1862;
$13,362 worth of three-dollar bills; $288,000 of one-hundred-dollar Treasury
notes. October, 1861-February, 1863, $6,009.90 of ten-cent notes ; $15,024.75 of

Hitherto it had been divided into three classes and taxed at so much per acre.

156 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

twenty-five-cent notes; $30,049.50 of fifty-cent notes. March,' 1863, $21,956 of
one-dollar notes; $21,956 of two-dollar notes; $32,934 of three-dollar notes;
$70,560 of five-dollar notes; $152,600 of ten-dollar notes. January 1, 1865,
$40,000 of fifty-dollar notes ; $120,000 of one-hundred-dollar notes ; $190,000 of
five-hundred-dollar notes. April, 1865, received for signature $363,600 of the
denominations, $50, $100, and $500. April 26, returned to the Treasury $13,600.
April 27, burned $115.05 as defective in signing. 6

Warrants and receipts, 1856-57 (vault).

Criminal, trial, and chancery dockets, 1840 (vault). Evidently out of place.

Miscellaneous records, 1845-1865. Contains bonds of comptroller, commuta-
tions, pardons, proclamations, election returns, and census returns.

May 26, 1846, the Southern Life Insurance and Trust Company presented five
of its bonds, guaranteed by the Territory, to be canceled.

October 12, 1852, a proclamation taking the Indian chief under protection
because outlawed by his tribe for acting as guide to the United States troops.

Whole number of votes for Congressmen, 1852, 9,166.

Election returns by counties, 1856. Total vote for the Democratic electors,
6,308; for the opposition, 4,833.

September 7, 1859, Governor M. S. Perry made an appointment " of the inde-
pendence of the United States the eighty-fourth year, and of the independence
of Florida the fifteenth year."

In 1860, several proclamations to apprehend negro slaves, one charged with
assault on a white man, one from Georgia charged with arson, and one from
Alabama charged with stealing.

January 5, 1861, order by Governor Perry to seize arsenal, arms, and ammu-
nition of United States on Apalachicola River,

February 2, 1863, election returns for Congressmen (Confederate). Total
vote, first district, 2,871. No returns from six counties. Returns from soldiers
located in six different places out of the State.

October 5, 1863, another Congressional election. Five candidates. Total vote,
3,381. No returns from two counties and two rejected. Second district, four
candidates. Total vote, 3,675. One county rejected. Returns from soldiers in
several camps.

November 2, 1864, letter of governor reveals the fact that some county officers
in Duval had been captured. An informal election had been held to fill the
vacancies. The governor held that capture did not create a vacancy, unless
the officers had gone over to the enemy willingly.

Last entry, February 23, 1865, notes the appointment of Neil Hendry as trus-
tee to provide for relief of families of soldiers and of others needing assistance.

This volume also contains a description of the Florida flag:

a Signed by the secretary for the governor.

6 The actual numher of names written in signing the treasury notes, as computed by
the secretary, was 721,188. The number signed in series B was 180,297.

c " The one half of the Flag next to the Staff is blue ; the other half has alternately
one red, one white, one red stripe. Bach stripe [three in all] of equal width and per-
pendicular to the staff. [The stripes are the same as the Confederate stripes, only they
form one half the Flag.] On the blue ground, and occupying somewhat more than one
half of it is an Elliptical band [the axis of the ellipsis is in the proportion of fifteen to
thirteen, the longitudinal axis parallel with the Flag Staff] bearing superiorly ' In God is
our Trust ' Inferiorly Florida making as it were a frame for the Shield. In
the center of the Ellipse is a single strong live Oak Tree. Beyond it is seen the Gulf of
Mexico, with vessels in the distance. In front and near the foot of the Oak is a piece
of Field Artillery. Beyond the gun, and resting against the boll of the Oak, is a second
stand of six colors the Confederate and State Flags, to the front. To the left of the
Field piece are four Muskets stacked. To the right and near, balls piled, and a drum."
The description is followed by the statement that the flag had been deposited in the
executive chamber. Signed by M. S. Perry, governor.

BEPORT ON THE PUBLIC AECHIVES OF FLORIDA. 157

Legislative Papers.

Engrossed copies of Territorial and State laws, September 16, 1822, to date,
70 volumes (vault). The supreme court library has a complete set of the
printed laws. No complete set found elsewhere.

Legislative journals, 6 volumes, in same vault with the engrossed laws ; rest
in another vault across the hall. Incomplete. The earlier ones are missing;
also some of the later volumes. The State does not appear to have a complete
set of the printed journals. The earliest found was for 1836, in the office of
the secretary of state. Putting those in this office with those in the governor's
office, the file is nearly complete to the civil war; 1840 missing, but may be
found among the originals. For the later years the assistant secretary assured
the writer that the printed copies were more accurate, as the written copies
were made from these.

Minutes of legislative committees, only a few volumes.

Report of special committee on Territorial bonds. In 1868 the constitutional
convention passed an ordinance directing the governor to appoint a committee
to investigate the affairs of the Union Bank and report upon the liability of the
State for the bonds issued by the Territory for the benefit of this bank in 1834,
1836, and 1838. The committee was appointed, made its report, and drew its
pay, but it does not appear that any attention was ever paid to the report by
the governor or the legislature. The chairman of the committee was Hon. J. T.
Bernard, and the original of the report is still in his possession. The first part
of the report simply rehashes reports of legislative committees made in 1840
and 1842. The committee conclude that the Territorial governor and legisla-
ture had no authority to issue these bonds, and that they were void ab initio.
Neither the United States nor the State of Florida is under any obligations to
pay them, yet the honor of each requires that some effort be made to satisfy the
claims. They recite that the United States still possess several million acres of
land in Florida, and they recommend giving the bondholders 1 acre of land for
ever dollar's worth of bonds.

Newspapers.

The Pensacola Gazette and West Florida Advertiser, March 13, 1824-July 28,

two volumes. Apparently complete for those years.

Two volumes of odd numbers of fourteen different papers published at Pen-
cola, Quincy, Apalachicola, St. Joseph, Tallahassee, and St. Augustine. They
range from 1838 to 1846. These papers, especially the continuous files of the
Pensacola Gazette, are valuable, as they contain the proceedings of the legisla-
tive council, laws, etc., with occasional illuminating notes. They also give
ordinances of town councils, some of which probably can not be found else-
where. For example, in 1838. the council of Apalachicola passed an ordinance
taxing lawyers and physicians $10 ; every male 21 years of age and thirty days
a resident, $2 ; every slave 10 to 60 years of age, $2 ; and every free person of
color, .$25. The same ordinance was repeated in 1840. 6 Election returns may be
found also. In 1827 the total vote for Delegate to Congress was 1,300.

a Judge Bernard said the move was part of a scheme of the carpetbaggers to make
something out of the bonds. At that time Dr. Charles J. English had charge of
the assets of the bank, which suspended long before the war. When he was summoned
to appear and produce the assets he disappeared, declaring that the carpetbaggers should
not make anything out of it. The writer was unable to locate any of the records of
the bank in Tallahassee.

6 Apalachicola Gazette, March 1, 1838, June 23, 1840.

Pensacola Gazette, May 18, 1827.

158 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

No attempt was made to examine the archives of any other office at the
capitol. A clerk who had been in the comptroller's office twenty years and
whose father had been there before him was sure that they had nothing ante-
dating 1870. The Hon. W. H. Mabry, clerk of the supreme court, formerly a
member, keeps the court records in good shape. No effort was made to see
whether the earlier records had been preserved. Soon after the State was
admitted to the Union Mr. E. A. Thompson, a member of the supreme court,
was appointed to codify the laws and also to codify the laws of England in
force in the colonies in 1776. The former was published, the latter was not.
It is still preserved in very neat manuscript, and was shown to the writer by
Judge Mabry.

OFFICE OF THE SURVEYOR-GENERAL, UNITED STATES.

These records are mentioned in connection with those of the State
because, though not in the hands of State officials at present, they
probably will be soon. At the time of the writer's visit the surveyor-
general, Hon. S. B. Chapin, was absent, but the assistant in charge
showed every courtesy of attention. The office is located in the post-
office building. Some time ago President Roosevelt ordered the abo-
lition of the office and the transfer of the records to the secretary of
state. Not being able to take proper care of his own records, the
secretary of state secured a modification of the order, making it
effective in July, 1907, in order to give the legislature an opportunity
to provide a place for the records. The presumption is that they will
be located in or near the capitol. At present they are nicely ar-
ranged in a fireproof vault. They consist of :

Miscellaneous matter, ten volumes in one set. Two volumes, marked A, B,
consists of translations of Spanish records, 1781-1821, made under the act
of Congress of March 3, 1825, and begun at Pensacola July 25, 1827. Among
the other volumes may be found copies of grants made by the Spanish
governors and memorials on which grants were based (in Spanish), report of
the land commissioner and register of claims for East Florida, and the report
of the register of land claims, giving evidence in support of claims. The last
was printed in the American State Papers.

Private claims in West Florida, giving synoptic history of private claims pre-
sented for confirmation. Indexed. The same for East Florida, three volumes.

Claims, 1790, a few unbound papers.

Field notes, 1821, sixty-three volumes, about 18 by 10 inches; 194 volumes,
about 10 by 4 inches, all belonging to the same set. All leather bound.

Field notes of surveys, nineteen volumes, very large. Contain plots.

Boundary line between Alabama and Florida, surveyed in 1799-1800 by
Andrew Ellicott and resurveyed by D. F. Whitner, 1853-54.

Georgia and Florida boundary line, beginning at the eighty-sixth meridian.
(This, of course, is west of Georgia.) Many small plots.

Surveys of numerous keys.

REPORT ON THE LOCAL RECORDS OF GEORGIA."

By Miss JULIA A. FLISCH, of Augusta.

THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF RICHMOND COUNTY, GEORGIA.

In Georgia, the office of ordinary, or of the judge of the court of
ordinary, to use his official title, is a very important one. Under
his supervision are the affairs that most deeply concern the domestic
life and the property rights of the people. He has jurisdiction over
the administration of estates, guardianship, and marriage licenses, he
tries lunacy cases, and in some counties has control of habeas corpus
cases and exercises concurrent jurisdiction with the judges of the
superior and city courts in granting homesteads.

The evolution of the ordinary is an interesting study in State
history. At first all local affairs, from the laying out of a hamlet
or town to the renting of the commons thereof, were administered
by the State through commissions appointed by the legislature, but
as early as 1791 the State began to relinquish certain powers and
privileges to the counties. In that year, by special statutes, functions
originally exercised by the State were vested in specific cases in local
officers, usually the justices of the inferior courts of the counties.
There was at that time no supreme court in Georgia and each county
had its inferior and superior court. As the State increased in wealth
and populousness more and more of the functions of government
were transferred to the justices of the inferior courts. The matters
usually intrusted to them were the laying out of roads within the
county, and their maintenance, the charge of bridges and ferries,
the erection and supervision of court-houses and jails, the main-
tenance of the poor, the direction of such public schools as were then
in existence, and the licensing and regulation of public taverns and
inns. For the support of these various enterprises the justices of the
court were at first authorized by statute in specific cases to levy extra

For previous reports on the State and local archives of Georgia, see American Histor-
ical Association Reports, 1903, I, pp. 439-474 ; ibid., 1904, pp. 555-596.

159

160 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

taxes; later one-half of the general tax collected was set aside for
county purposes, but the State reserved to itself the right to direct
the outlay of even the county moiety.

When the supreme court was organized the inferior court was
abolished, its powers and duties being transferred to the superior
court or divided between that court and the ordinary.

In many counties a board of county commissioners, or commis-
sioners of roads and revenues, divide the responsibility of county
administration with the court of ordinary. In counties where there
are no such officers the duties usually executed by them devolve upon
the ordinary.

Richmond County, originally St. Paul's Parish, is the second oldest
county in the State, and has for its county seat Augusta, the city
second in age and third in wealth and population in the State. The
county is fortunate in having preserved its records practically intact
from very early times. These are, for the most part, in the office
of the ordinary at Augusta. The county has, moreover, been for-
tunate in the officers who have held the position of ordinary, who
seem to have been, without exception, men of ability and culture, so
that through their interest and care the county is exceptionally rich in
valuable historic material.

The ordinary's office in Richmond County was originally estab-
lished as the court of register, and the officer in charge was known as
the register of probate. The oldest will book extant is one running
back to 1777. The first will recorded is that of Moses Dyass, made
April, 1767, and probated August 16, 1777. The first register of
probate was William Jackson, of whom we know little except that
he wrote a clear, legible hand, and was evidently a man of education
and ability.

In 1791 the office of register was changed to the court of ordinary,
the judges of the inferior court administering its affairs as judges
of the court of ordinary.

In 1852 the office of judge of the court of ordinary was created and
the administration of the business of the court was taken out of
the hands of the justices of the inferior courts and put in charge of
the new judge, who has been and still is more generally known as
the ordinary.

The documents preserved in the court of ordinary are. as before
mentioned, wills and testamentary dispositions of property, and the
reports of executors, administrators, and guardians. Besides these
there are:

The minute books of the register of probate and of the probate court from
1791 to 1852.

The minutes of the ordinary from 1852 to the present time.
Tax digests from 1798 to present time.

BEPOKT ON THE LOCAL RECORDS OF GEORGIA. 161

BOUND RECORDS.

Session Laws of Georgia: 1811 to 1822, 1818 missing; 1822 to 1848, 1844,
1846, and 1848 missing; 1849 to 1866, 1867 missing; 1868 to the present time.

Journals of tlie house and senate of the State, from 1799 to present time;
very few volumes missing.

Supreme court decisions from the establishment of the court to present,
1846 to 1906.

MISCELLANEOUS WORKS.

Hotchkiss: Statute Laws of Georgia, 1848.

Cobb's New Digest, 1851.

Cobb : Statutes and Forms, 1859.

Reese. Treatise on Laws of Executors, Administrators, and Guardians, 1880.

Georgia Code, 1882.

Code of Georgia, two volumes, 1895.

Blount: Georgia Forms and Practice.

Augusta City directories, 1902, 1903, and 1904.

NEWSPAPER FILES.

In addition to these records, the ordinary has started a collection of the local
newspapers beginning with the year 1868. He has at present files of the fol-
lowing :

The Augusta Chronicle and Sentinel, July, 1868, to June, 1877.

The Augusta Constitutionalist, July, 1868, to December, 1876.

Augusta Chronicle and Constitutionalist (a merger of the two former), Jan-
uary, 1878, to May 6, 1885.

The Augusta Chronicle, same as above under a new name, May 7, 1885, to
date.

The Daily National Republican, July, 1868, to December, 1868.

The Daily Press, January, 1869, to April 18, 1869.

The Augusta Herald.

One cause of the preservation of these records, as well as of the
order and system in keeping them, has been the continuity of service
of the men who have filled the position of ordinary. They have been
trained in the service and have brought to bear a valuable experience
and skill. The present incumbent is himself the fourth of his family
to hold the position, and the history of the court of ordinary of Rich-
mond is a record of fidelity and efficiency of which he may well be
proud. The first of the name to administer the office of judge of the
ordinary's court was Robert Walton, who was justice of the inferior
court and judge of the court of ordinary from July 30, 1T99, to his
death in 1800. His son, Robert Walton, does not seem to have held
the position of judge, but was clerk, and performed most of the duties
of the office from September 3, 1827, to June 23, 1828. when he
resigned to take the presidency of one of the city banks. Anderson
W. Walton, son of the second Robert, was ordinary from May, 1879, to
his death January 13, 1885, and was succeeded by his son, Alexander

16827 VOL 208 11

162 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

E. Walton, the present incumbent, great grandson of the first Robert
and the fourth of his family to hold position in the ordinary's office
of Richmond County.

ARCHIVES OF THE CITY OF AUGUSTA, GEORGIA.

For want of proper accommodation, the records of the city of
Augusta are not as convenient of access as they should be. One
small room or closet is assigned to them, where they are bestowed
without regard to chronological order. They have suffered some
vicissitudes also from floods and removals, which have marred the
appearance of some of them. On the whole, however, they are
remarkably well preserved, and much valuable material for the study
of municipal history of early Georgia may be gleaned from their
yellow pages.

OFFICE OF TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR.

In Augusta the offices of treasurer and tax collector are one, and it
contains the most valuable records of the city. These are as follows :

The minute books of the city council from 1804 to the present time,
and the ordinances of the city council from 1829 to date. There are
also a number of city codes, but the series is broken.

Office-holding in the early days was evidently regarded as no sinecure, for in
the minutes of the council for 1807 we read : " Mr. Augustus Baldwin, having
been elected by city council intendant, declined to serve and was fined. Fine
afterwards remitted."

Among the fines imposed March 5, 1808, is this one : " Mr. Richards, for pur-
chasing a goose before it had reached the market house." On the same day Mr.
Ferdinand Phinizy was fined for keeping a fire in his kitchen after 9 o'clock at
night.

January, 1818, the office of intendant was changed to mayor. It is related of
one of the first mayors of the city that he served for several years without com-
pensation, and the very year a salary was attached to the position he was
defeated for reelection.

The paid officers of the city in 1820 were : Street officer, sheriff, attorney for
council, pump contractor, keeper to magazine, clerk of market, city marshal,
sexton, treasurer and collector, clerk of city council, city scavenger.

In 1824 the list of officers, with their salaries, were as follows : City marshal,
$600 ; three city constables, each $200 ; clerk of council, $400 ; street officer, $900 ;
keeper of magazine, $300 ; clerk of market, $350.

The market was at that time a profitable source of income. At first there
was but one market, which stood at the intersection of Broad and Center streets,
just where the trade from South Carolina flowed across the bridge over the
Savannah River. Later a second market was established about 1 mile above.
The two were then distinguished as the upper and lower markets. The upper
market, however, was never of so much importance as the lower, and its clerk
always received a smaller salary.

In 1829 a tax was assessed on the capital stock of every bank, insurance com-
pany, wharf company, and office of discount and deposit, as well as on every
broker or firm of brokers. The rate was one-fourth of 1 per cent on the
appraised value.

EEPOET ON THE LOCAL RECOKDS OF GEORGIA. 163

In 1830 the first waterworks system was established. The work was under-
taken by private enterprise, and the city entered into a contract with the com-
pany for twenty-five years by which the company was to furnish the city water
for a certain number of hydrants free of charge, and was to have in return
the privilege of selling to individuals at a stated price. The water was brought
from the Turknett springs, a few miles from the city. According to contract the
city was to have the option of purchasing the plant at the expiration of the
contract, but the demands far exceeded the capacity of the water supply, and
when the city built its great canal it established also its own water supply,
using the river and settling basins.

By 1843 a city surveyor had been added to the list of officers and the city had
a board of fire wardens serving without pay. A board of health was also
established, consisting of the mayor and four councilmen, also serving without
pay.

The fees of the city sexton were elaborately set forth in the minutes of coun-
cil for this year: For digging a grave, $1.50; for attending a funeral without
hearse, $1 ; for attending a funeral with hearse, $2 ; special or general invita-
tion, $1.50; attention without the corporate limits and within 3 miles, double
price.

Between 1845 and 1847 the first canal, Augusta's greatest enterprise, was
completed. Later it was enlarged and is now the most potent factor in the
prosperity not only of Augusta but of a large contiguous territory.

CITY TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE.

In the tax assessor's office are the real estate field books, giving
plats and detailed description of all the real estate of the city in the
different wards. These records extend far back, but the earlier vol-
umes are not labeled, and some of them are not dated, so that it
required more time than your reporter had to give, to determine the
exact date of their beginning.

In the same department, though pertaining rather to the mayor's
jurisdiction, are the records of the recorder's (municipal) court and
the reports of the keeper of the city cemetery.

OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COUNCIL.

In the office of the clerk of council are to be found the yearbooks of
the city from 1884 to date, only 1889 being missing.

NOTE. In addition to the documents and publications mentioned
above, there is in the private possession of Mr. Philip S. North,
tax collector and treasurer of the city of Augusta, a very valuable
pamphlet : " History of the Confederate Powder Works." This
pamphlet is a complete record of the establishment of the works
which furnished almost the sole supply of powder to the Confederate
army, and the story of the obstacles that had to be overcome, the
expedients adopted, and the wonderful success of the enterprise is
one of the most interesting episodes of the inner history of the war
from the southern side. The pamphlet is the published address

164 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

delivered before the Confederate Survivors' Association at its fourth
annual meeting, April 26, 1882, by Col. George W. Raines, and
there are, so far as known, not more than two or three copies in exist-
ence. Colonel Raines had full charge and control of the powder
works, originated the plans for their construction, invented many of
the devices used, and was the power behind the throne that made it
possible for the South, despite its lack of resources, to keep its armies
in the field and supplied with ammunition during the four years of
the war.

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES.

By RICHARD TAYLOR STEVENSON, Ph. D.,
Professor of History in the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio.

INTRODUCTION.

The State of Ohio has not yet reached the advanced position of
some other States in the establishment of a central agency for the
care and use of its official archives. Steps were taken to call the
attention of members of the senate and house of representatives at the
session of the legislature of 1906 to the importance of the matter, and
it is hoped that it will not be long ere the consideration of the question
will result in such an organization of means to centralize the official
records and put them under the charge of a department of archives
and history as will satisfy the demands of the most exacting lover of
order. While it is not difficult to gain access to the various depart-
ments of State and to have the privilege of examining them, yet the
departmental control of records and the overlapping of interests and
the common use in some cases of the same vaults for their preserva-
tion render it difficult for the student, not to say the regular official,
to discover what he may want among the stored records of the State.

This is not to say that Ohio lacks the spirit of the historian or is
not proud of her possessions' of the sort named, for the numerous his-
torical societies and the increasing care of county records and the
general and growing interest in the collection of old manuscripts and
records of all sorts attest the desire to preserve archives after the
most approved fashion.

That the State is on the up grade in the effort to complete and pre-
serve its records is to be seen from the "Act to create a bureau of in-
spection and supervision of public offices, and to establish a uniform
system of public accounting, auditing, and reporting under the ad-
ministration of the auditor of the State, as amended April 25, 1904."

STATE PUBLICATIONS.

The first publications of Ohio were the laws of the governors and
judges adopted under the Territorial government.

From the organization of the State in 1803 until 1835 the State
publications consisted of the laws, the senate journal, and the house

166 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

journal. In the journals appeared the reports of the State officers,
together with the reports of the investigating committees.

In 1835 the regular reports of the State officers and institutions
were first published separately from the journals. All the reports of
each year were bound together in a series known as the " Legislative
Documents," but now called the " Executive Documents." All special
reports were published either in the journals, in the appendices to the
journals, or in separate form.

Since 1854 the agricultural reports have been left out of the Exec-
utive Documents ; others are now regularly omitted, while still others
appear at irregular intervals.

A list of the publications of the State ordered by law was compiled
by R. P. Hayes and published in 1897 under the title " Publications of
the State of Ohio, 1803-1896," a pamphlet containing 71 pages. It
contains an index to the " Executive Documents."

" State Publications, Part II : North Central States," was compiled
by R. R. Bowker, 1902. The Ohio section, occupying 19 pages, was
organized by R. P. Hayes, with additional matter furnished by
C. B. Galbreath, State librarian. There is no criticism to be made
touching the subject-matter of the report, but with regard to its
form one has been offered by Miss A. R. Hasse, in the Library Jour-
nal, 1903, page 78, in which she says, speaking of the whole of Part
II, that " the matter of arrangement and construction " could be
advantageously overhauled and improved.

NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS.

Under the title of " Newspapers and Periodicals in Ohio State
Library, other Libraries of the State and Lists of Ohio Newspapers
in the Library of Congress and Historical Society of Wisconsin," com-
piled by C. B. Galbreath, State librarian, and published in 1902, con-
taining 268 pages, may be found valuable lists of newspapers and peri-
odicals, though much compressed and stripped of all but most neces-
sary details.

In line with this it is worth noting that since March, 1850, county
auditors have been required to keep in their offices bound volumes
of leading political papers of opposite parties published in their
respective counties.

The first paper published northwest of the Ohio River was edited
by William Maxwell, under the title of " The Centinel of the North-
western Territory, November 9, 1793." His log-cabin office occupied
the corner of Front and Sycamore streets, Cincinnati, Ohio. The type
of each page filled a space 8J by 10J inches. In 1797 it was sold and
the name changed to Freeman's Journal. The new paper was pub-
lished for a time in Chillicothe. The outfit was bought by Nathaniel
Willis, grandfather of N. P. Willis, the poet. At the time he was

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES. 167

editor of the Scioto Gazette, into which he merged the Journal. The
date of the first issue of the Gazette is doubtful, although the Willis
family give it as 1798. However, it is certain that the paper has been
published continuously under the same name since April, 1800.

A bound volume of the first year of the Centinel is now in the State
library. No complete file of the Gazette exists, for some of the early
copies were destroyed by fire. The State library has only a few of
the early ones, but the Wisconsin Historical Society has a consider-
able number. Scattered numbers, 1800 to 1822 and file from 1823 to
date are to be found in the Gazette office, Chillicothe, Ohio. At the
Ohio centenary, celebrated in Chillicothe, the early files were drawn
upon for a centenary edition of the Gazette, which is of much value for
the student of the founding of the State.

ORGANIZATION OF OHIO.

First in order comes the famous ordinance of 1787, "An Ordinance
for the Government of the Territory of the United States North West
of the Ohio River," adopted by the Congress of the Confederation
July 13, 1787. The text can be found in a volume of territorial laws
printed in Cincinnati in the year 1796 by authority, W. Maxwell, jr.,
and known as " Maxwell's Code, 1796." How long this immortal
document antedated the Constitution of the United States will be seen
from the fact that the latter was not adopted by the convention till
the 17th of September following.

Next comes the act of Congress dividing the Northwest Territory
into the Northwest Territory (of Ohio) and the Territory of Indiana.
This was done May 7, 1800.

Next followed the act of Congress directing the creation of the
State of Ohio. This was done April 30, 1802, with a supplementary
act, March 3, 1803.

In order came the act of Congress recognizing the State of Ohio as
a member of the Union, February 19, 1803.

The series of Congressional acts was closed with the act ordering
the designation of boundary by a new survey of the western and
northern boundaries of Ohio, May 20, 1812.

Retracing our steps, we note the use of powers within the Territory
and State for self-organization.

First in order was the first legislative council of the Northwest
Territory. In this the first officers were elected by Congress, as fol-
lows: Governor, Arthur St. Clair (Pennsylvania); secretary, Win-
throp Sargent; judges, Samuel H. Parsons (Connecticut), John Arm-
strong (Pennsylvania), Return Jonathan Meigs, James M. Varnum
(Rhode Island).

It was not till the 7th of April, 1788, that the Mayflower, with a
party of 46 New England emigrants arrived at the mouth of the

168 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Muskingum River. In the absence of the constituted authority,
Col. Return Jonathan Meigs, father of the judge of that name, drew
up a code of rules on a sheet of paper of ordinary foolscap, which he
published by tacking them to the trunk of a large oak tree on the
site of the infant settlement. After three months St. Clair arrived
and set up his official family as follows : Governor, Arthur St. Clair ;
secretary, Winthrop Sargent; judges, Parsons and Yarnum. Colonel
Armstrong had declined to come. Between July 25 and December 28,
1788, this council published laws at Marietta. These all bear the sig-
natures of St. Clair, Parsons, and Varnum, and in addition appears
the name of John Cleves Symmes to the law of August 30, but to
none other. In legislation the territorial government was limited
to a selection from the laws of older States.

The second legislative council, organized in 1789, left no public
record of its acts.

The third legislative council was held, 1790, in the farther west,
at Vincennes, generally known then as " au Post." This council
published laws which were afterwards repealed by act of Congress
as having no foundation in the older laws limited by the ordinance
of 1787. These had to do with the prohibition of sales or gift of
intoxicating liquors to Indians, and the restriction of sale of arms
and ammunition, and the suppression of gambling. In November
the council moved to Cincinnati, and passed laws governing the
terms of courts.

" The Laws of 1791 " were published in Cincinnati in the summer
of 1791, signed by St. Clair, Symmes, and Turner.

" The Laws of 1792 " were acts of the session held in Cincinnati
prior to the 1st of August, and bore the signatures of W. Sargent
(acting governor), Symmes, and Putnam. These laws are found in
a published volume of the date of 1792, Philadelphia, and certified
by Winthrop Sargent, secretary.

" The Laws of 1795." The council sat in the town of Cincinnati,
and devoted the months of June, July and August to revising the
code then in use in the Territory and to repealing those objected to
by Congress. This was a very important session. The srtting mem-
bers were St. Clair and Judges Symmes and Turner, who certified
and caused to be published on the dates mentioned in each case acts
which were printed by William Maxwell, and which came to be
known as " The Maxwell Code."

Note the following of interest: The act of July 14, declaring
what laws shall be in force (Virginia), was made effective October
1. " Common law of England ; acts of Parliament prior to the
fourth year of King James I," not local in character, etc. As no
one had the English acts there was endless confusion in the Terri-
tory. The codes of New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES. 169

Virginia were freely drawn upon for authority, and doubtless lit-
erally copied in many cases.

The fourth legislative council was organized in 1797, and Judge
Putnam was succeeded by Joseph Oilman, of Point Harmar, Putnam
being made Survey or- General of the United States. This council
left no record of new legislation in this year.

The fifth legislative council, organized in 1798, met in Cincinnati
April 23, 1798, and passed laws, all of which bear the date of May
1, borrowing from the States above mentioned, and in three instances
from Kentucky.

This ended the separate legislative acts of the Territorial council.

THE FIRST TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE.

First session. On ther 16th of Septemebr, 1799, this body met
in Cincinnati, and was composed of two houses the council (ap-
pointed) and the house of representatives (elected). There were
in the former six members and in the latter twenty-two. Its acts
numbered thirty-eight, and laid the foundation for much of the sub-
sequent law of the Territory and of the States carved from it. The
acts are to be found in a volume printed by Carpenter & Findlay,
Cincinnati, 1800. The book is now in the Supreme Court Library,
Columbus, Ohio.

Second session. This session was held in Chillicothe, Ohio, No-
vember 3, 1800. Signs of approaching disagreement with the gov-
ernor now appear. The acts passed numbered twenty-six. Winship
& Willis were the printers. Among the interesting bills passed were
several appropriations for cost of the enforced removal of the seat
of government from Cincinnati to Chillicothe.

THE SECOND TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE.

This was convened at Chillicothe on Monday, the 23d of Novem-
ber, 1801, under the proclamation of the governor, St. Clair. In the
senate were four members and in the house twenty-one. Forty acts
and six resolutions made up the work of this session. The printer
was N. Willis, Chillicothe, and the volume containing the laws is in
the Supreme Court Library, Columbus.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.

The representatives of the first constitutional convention met in
Chillicothe on the, 1st of November, 1802, and completed their labors
by the ratification, on the 29th of that month, of the first constitution
of the State of Ohio. It made provision for the election, by popular
vote, of the governor, for the election of the secretary of state by joint
vote of the house and the senate, the same method to apply in the

170 AMERICAN HISTOKICAL ASSOCIATION.

choice of supreme judges, the state treasurer and auditor to be
elected triennially by a joint ballot of both houses of the legislature.

The only vote cast against the question of forming a constitution
and State government was by that indomitable Whig, Judge Eph-
raim Cutler, thirty-two voting in the affirmative.

By a vote of 19 to 15, on the 22d of November, it was decided to
allow suffrage to " all male negroes and mulattoes," but on the 26th
of the same month it was voted by 18 to 17 to strike out the provision
granting suffrage to these persons.

This constitution lasted until 1850, when a convention was held at
Cincinnati, March 10, 1851, the result being the second (present)
constitution of the State.

This constitution provided for the election of the governor,
lieutenant-governor, secretary of state, treasurer of state, auditor of
state, and an attorney- general on the first Tuesday after the first
Monday in November by the electors of the State (as amended Octo-
ber 13, 1865).

The first constitution had not been submitted to a popular vote, the
resolution to do so being defeated by a vote of 7 to 27.

The second constitution was approved by popular vote.

A third constitutional convention was held in 1873, but the consti-
tution reported to the people of the State was not accepted, and the
second still stands, with such amendments as have been made from
time to time, as the fundamental law of the State.

STATE OFFICERS.

The great majority of the offices of the State are located in the
capitol proper, a few having been lately transferred to the annex,
which lies to the east of the main building. The annex is a new, very
complete, well-appointed edifice, occupied by the supreme court,
attorney-general, department of agriculture, department of high-
ways, and law library. Some of the archives of these offices are in
the vaults underlying the main capitol building, the rest upon the
shelves of the respective offices, in steel cases, bound volumes, and
bundles.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

In the office of the governor are to be found the usual materials
necessary for the current work of the executive department. All the
records are in good condition in the rooms on the main floor.

Among the records are the following:

1. " General Record," the journal of official life of the department, 25 vol-
umes, dating from 1803.

2. "Appointment Records," all appointments made by the governor, 10 vol-
umes, from 1803. In this section are also notarial records.

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES. 171

3. " Record of Requisitions," 6 volumes, dealing with extradition matters.

4. " Records of Restoration to Citizenship," 5 volumes.

5. " Record of Pardons."

In .these rooms there are also complete files of all reports from
State institutions and special commissions. All easily accessible and
in good state of preservation.

In the vaults belonging to this department are to be found, in
boxes, voluminous bundles of notarial applications, reports, transfers,
applications, executive orders, pardons, revocations, resignations,
proclamations, confirmations of senate, reports from soldiers' homes,
and, in addition and of more value, correspondence running back
many years, yet lacking the care, analysis, and classification which
will be necessary to make them of immediate value to one engaged in
research. It is to be hoped that sufficient appropriations will be
made in the near future for the better care and order which are
needed.

OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE.

Under the constitution of 1802 the secretary was appointed by the
general assembly, and his duties consisted, in the language of the old
statute, mainly in keephig " a register of all official acts and proceed-
ings of the governor." In 1851 the office was made elective, since
which time the secretary has been the custodian of the acts of the
general assembly and the creator of all incorporations. Recent legis-
lation, requiring the secretary to collect and pay into the State
treasury taxes upon domestic and foreign corporations, has greatly
increased the responsibility of the office.

The reports prior to 1836 are to be found in the senate and house
journals. So far as is known there are no omissions in the list of
annual reports.

The usual care is evident in the rooms of the office, and on the same
floor, in the provision of steel file cases for the preservation of docu-
ments. There is, however, lack of due order in the disposition of
the manuscript journals of the general assembly, which are piled up
in one of the rooms set apart for the use of the stationery department,
and evidently need rearranging and better care.

In the main rooms are to be found the following, possibly a too
detailed account, in which the drudgery of classification scarcely
pays for itself in the values gained for research :

Record of justices ; record of fees, 5 volumes ; record of notaries, 6 volumes ;
accounts; official bonds; executive appointments (1890); house bills; annual
reports of taxes of corporations (in metal files) ; index to domestic incorpora-
tions, 9 volumes; index to foreign incorporations, 2 volumes; index to annual
reports of incorporations ; foreign incorporations (originals); elementary incor-
porations; domestic incorporations; municipal incorporations,

172 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Record of general incorporations, beginning 1852, 114 volumes. Before 1852
these show in the acts.

Constitution of Ohio, 1851, and proposed one of 1873. Both of these are in a
tin box in an old safe.

Revised acts of 1850, 4 volumes.

Incorporated villages.

Equipment contracts, 1 volume.

Miscellaneous, 1864, 1 volume.

Miscellaneous papers, 1848-1851.

Certificates of savings societies.

Branch banks.

Letters, 1867-1869.

Bonds of boards of control.

Ohio National Guard. Disbandments of companies in small towns, done up
in small pasteboard packages.
' Honorable and dishonorable discharges of men in Ohio National Guard.

Rosters of regiments in Ohio National Guard.

Index to boxes, 1, 2, 3 ; and 4, of the war of 1812.

Letter book (copy) of letters of adjutant- general in 1863.

Copies of letters of Adjutant-General Amos, 1874-1876.

Papers of court-martial case of Lieut. Col. Whitney, in package.

Court-martial papers of Capts. A. F. and W. S. Lawrence.

Miscellaneous letters in file boxes.

Telegrams of 1890, bound.

Copies of adjutant-generals' letters, 15 volumes.

Roster of old soldiers of war of rebellion, bound.

Constitution of 1802.

An original German translation of the constitution of 1852.

Original journals of house and senate.

Several packages of letters, vouchers, county returns, etc.

Senate journals of 1892-93 and the senate and house letters.

In the vault are official letters of this office for the past ten years.

Copy books of letters, vouchers, etc.

OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR OF STATE.

The duties of the auditor are those of the chief accounting officer
of the State. He is the custodian of all field notes, maps, records,
documents, papers, and implements of public lands, and is required
by law to keep a record of deeds executed by the governor. The
reports made annually prior to 1836 are to be found in the senate
and house journals.

In the rooms of the auditor and his assistants are to be found a
great mass of material accumulated since the organization, and hav-
ing to do with a variety of details illustrating phases of the chang-
ing life of the State. The usual records by which the office keeps in
touch with the current life of the State do not possess as much interest
for the historian as in the case of the older and original papers
through which one may trace his way back to the founding of the
State.

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES. 173

I. Surveys.

1. " Virginia Military District." Six volumes, numbered A, B, C, D, E, F.
These contain description of surveys, and are in good condition.

2. " Entries." These compose an index to the six volumes. All are bound
in leather, fairly well preserved. In one of these is found the following,
Volume A, page 4:

" Surveyed for George Washington 1000 acres of land part of a military
warrant, 135, on the Ohio river, on the north-west side, beginning at a sugar
tree marked H, and then hoopwards at the mouth of Muddy Creek, running
N. 53, E, 293 poles, crossing the creek at 60 and 100 poles to six sugar trees on
a small branch, thence S. 37 W. 600 poles to a beech and two buckeyes, thence
S. 53, W. 293 poles to a beech and two sugar trees on the bank of the river,
thence down the river N. 25 W. 248 poles, N. 45 W. 364 poles to the beginning."

JOHN O'BANNON, D. 8.

January 5, 1788.

March 27, 1788.

SYLVESTER MOURONEY

JONAH SCOTT.

C. C.

JAMES BLAIR,

3. Five volumes, record books for the surveyor-general's office, giving town-
ship plats, showing Old Seven Ranges; the twenty-two ranges east of the
Scioto (3 volumes) ; the Miami River surveys (7 volumes), and the eighteen
ranges north and south (13 volumes).

4. There are no plats or field notes of Western Reserve in the State auditor's
office.

5. There are no plats or field notes of Syrnrnes's purchase in the State audi-
tor's office.

II. Certificates of sales of school lands.

1. Final certificates of the sale of section 16 (school lands), from 1829 to
present time. These are kept in cardboard boxes.

2. Certificates of sale of Congressional grant of school lands for Western
Reserve. These grants were located in the northwest section of the State and
outside the limits of the reserve. (In boxes.)

3. Four bound volumes of sales of school lands in Virginia military district.
These grants were located in the northeast central part of the State.

III. Certificates of sale of canal lands.

1. Certificates of sale of canal lands from 1828 to present time. (In boxes).
Congress granted to the State for canal sales, in some cases alternate sec-
tions, in others specified tracts.

2. A large bound plat book 16 inches square, 231 pages, showing the location
grants for canal purposes.

3. Wabash and Erie Canal land deeds are in 7 bound volumes.

4. Ten volumes, " Ohio Canal Lands."

IV. Miscellaneous.

1. Maumee and Western Road grants. Certificates of sales from the opening
of the road. The series of contracts date from June 8, 1825. These are in
bundles, unbound.

174 AMEEICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

2. Tract books of the eighteen ranges, north and south, original sales. These
are in 3 bound volumes.

3. Tract book showing sales of eight ranges east of the first meridian, i. e.,
line between Ohio and Indiana. These are in 2 volumes.

4. Chillicothe district. Sales of lands. Two volumes.

5. Tract book, Defiance district. Shows lands taken upon Federal warrant
by soldiers of war of 1812.

6. Copies of original deeds in 5 bound volumes. They run only from 1880;
the deeds previous to that time are lost.

7. One bound volume of plats of " Ohio Company's Purchase."

8. One bound volume, " Entries," of United States military and refugee lands.

9. One volume of Virginia military warrants.

10. Two bound volumes, records of State board of equalization.

11. " Leger," a lease of lands, marked "A," dated 1811-1878. One volume.

12. Record of the new entries of United States and State lands sent out to
county officers for taxation. Eleven large volumes.

13. Three volumes, records of deeds of section 29, land set apart by act of
Congress, in Symmes's purchase and Ohio Company purchase, for Gospel sup-
port. These are called " Ministerial lands."

14. Sixteen volumes of records and deeds of section 16 (school lands),
Volume 1 begins with 1837. There are no records in auditor's office prior to
1837.

LAND DEPARTMENT EARLY SURVEYORS.

I. Original pocket notes. Packages bound in paper.

1. Quarterly townships of United States military survey.

2. Survey of ranges 9, 10, and 11, west of Muskingum River.

3. Scofield's field notes, 1803. United States military survey.

4. Buckingham's and Cutler's. United States military survey, 1803.

5. Ludlow and Menck. United States military survey.

6. A. Martin. United States military survey, 1797.

7. J. G. Jackson. United States military survey, 1797-98.

8. John Mathew. United States military tract, 1797.

9. Jesse Spenser. United States military survey, 1803.

10. Thomas Evans and William Cutbush. Field notes United States town-
ship.

11. Copy of Jesse Spenser's field notes of 1803.

12. William Harris. Quarterly township, United States military survey.

13. Alex. Holmes, sr. Quarterly township, United States military survey.

14. John Mathew's field notes, 1809. United States military survey.

15. Silas Bent and B. F. Stone, 1803. United States military survey.

16. Joseph Woods. United States military survey, 1803.

17. Schedule of latitudes of the fiftieth reservation, second township. United
States military survey, 1803.

18. Worthington and Lewis. United States military survey, 1803.

19. Descriptive notes of lands west of the Muskingum River and north of the
United States military survey.

20. Notes of ranges 18, 19, 20, and 21. North of United States military survey
and west of the Muskingum River, 1806-7.

21. Ludlow and Clay. North of United States military survey, 1807.

22. Ranges 12, 13, and 14. North of United States military survey, 1807.

23. Ranges 15, 16, and 17 north of United States military survey and west
of Muskingum River, 1807.

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES. 175

24. Notes of the Old Seven Ranges, 1801.

25. Biggs. Old Seven Ranges, 1801.

26. Benjamin Houghes (copy). Subranges 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in Old Seven
Ranges, 1805.

27. Ranges 8 to 15 of United States military survey, 1801.

28. Notes of survey between the Miami Rivers.

29. Islands G. Surveyed by Warry.

30. Alex. Holmes, 1803.

31. Ranges 1 to 7 in the Old Seven Ranges, 1805.

32. Benjamin Franklin Stone. Ranges 9 to 17 south of United States mili-
tary survey, 1801.

33. Papers of the Ohio Company's purchase of uugranted lands and survey
of the same.

34. Blocks of ranges 8 and 9 south of United States military survey, by
W. R. Putnams, 1805.

35. Benjamin Tupper's notes. Ranges 1 to 4, inclusive, in the Old Seven
Ranges. No date.

36. Joseph Woods. " Sub. two mile blocks," in ranges 4, 5, 6, and 7 in the
Old Seven Ranges, 1805.

37. E. and M. Buckingham. Survey of Old Seven Ranges and west to the
Scioto River, 1798-99.

38. Benjamin Hughs. " Sub. two mile block," in ranges 1 to 5, inclusive,
in Old Seven Ranges, 1805.

39. Biggs. In Old Seven Ranges, 1801.

40. Stone and Donas. " Sub. two mile block," in ranges 10, 11, and 12
east of Scioto River, 1805.

41. J. Fletcher. Ranges 16 and 17 east of Scioto River, 1805.

42. J. Dum. " Sub. two mile block," ranges 19 to 22 east of Scioto River,
1805.

43. E. J. Scofleld. East of Scioto River, 1801-2.

44. Towns 5 and 6, ranges 6 and 7.

45. Carpenter. Ranges 8, 9, and 10 east of Muskingum River and north of
Old Seven Ranges, 1805-6.

46. Barber. Ranges 3, 4, 5, and 6 of Old Seven Ranges, 1805.

47. Whipple. Ranges 12 to 15, 1805-6.

48. Green, in Old Seven Ranges, 1806.

49. Marcan. East of Scioto River, 1801.

50. Between the Miami Rivers.

51. L. Whipple. Ranges 12, 13, 14, and 15 east to Scioto River, 1805-6, in
Old Seven Ranges.

52. Copy of Jesse Spencer's. Ranges 20, 21, and 22 east of Scioto River,
1805-6.

53. Evans. Ranges 17, 18, and 19, 1805, 1806, and 1807.

54. Scofield. Refuge tract, east of Scioto River, 1801 and 1806.
55. Spencer. Chillicothe district, 1801-2.

56. Cooper. 1798 and 1800 to 1805.

57. J. and S. Ludlow. East of first meridian, 1798, 1799, and 1801.

58. Field notes between Miami Rivers.

59. J. and S. Ludlow. East of first meridian.

60. Subdivisions of townships 1 to 7, range 3 east.

61. Notes east of first meridian.

62. Township lines between new and old State lines.

63. Six packages, subdivisions 1 to 8.

64. Fourteen packages of ranges 1 to 16 of towns, townships, etc.

176 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

65. Township lines of William Brown notes

66. 1 east, 1 and 2 south and C.

67. Townships 10 west.

68. Town lines south of base, 1840.

69. William Brown. Notes of Indian improvements in Ohio.

70. Plats and papers regarding Indian reserves.

71. Between north and west boundary of Ohio.

72. Salt reserve.

73. One volume, list of vacant lands in United States military survey in
Chillicothe district.

74. One volume, plan of 100 acre lots of United States military survey.

75. Resurvey of the north boundary of Ohio, by Porter and Mullet, 1837.

76. Instructions to deputy surveyors.

77. State lines.

78. T's. G's, R's, 1 to 10 east. Between old and new State lines.

79. William Brown (copy). Notes on Wyandot Reserve.

80. Reserve and town of lower Sandusky.

81. Plats and field notes of Indian Reserve.

82. Papers concerning United States military survey.

83. Notes of three tracts in Tuscarawas County.

84. Canceled surveys on Maumee River.

85. Correspondence with the Treasury Department.

86. Subdivisions of ranges 16 and 17 south of base line.

87. Boundary lines of Connecticut Reserve lines.

88. Maumee Reserve, 12 miles square.

89. Western Reserve and Maumee Road.

90. Descriptive notes between new and old State lines.

91. John Fulton. Three books, A, B, and C. Descriptive notes, 1819.

92. John Callet. Notes.

93. Michigan boundary.

94. Notes sent from Knox County, December, 1881. Town and three ranges
from Coshocton County, 1818.

95. Several separate papers of surveys, unmarked.

II. Records of field notes of surveys.

1. United States military survey, eight volumes, 1806.

2. East of first meridian, seven volumes, 1799.

3. East of Scioto River, twenty-two ranges, thirty volumes, 1798.

4. One volume of " Entries," 100 acre lots, United States military survey.

5. One volume of plat book, 1808. Survey of quarter townships, United
States military survey.

6. Field notes.

7. Applications for new deeds from the beginning, November 1, 1884, to 1896.
In eighteen boxes.

8. One volume of records of appraisements and sales. Bound volumes.

9. Endless small packages. Notebooks of field notes on the final surveyings.
Some in boxes, others in bound and unbound condition.

10. Virginia military lands. (1) Applications for deeds made in 1890.
Seven boxes.

11. Board of public works. Three boxes.

12. (1) Deeds of canal lands. One box. (2) applications for new deeds.
1897. Two boxes.

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES. 177

13. Section 16, adjustments for Madison and Richland counties. One box.

14. Papers in box in which application was made to secure correction in
deeds. One box.

15. Miscellaneous. One box.

III. Deeds, records, etc.

1. Land records of Salt River Reservation. Three volumes. Bound.

2. Western Reserve, Ohio Company. Bound.

3. Deeds to the State University lands. Bound.

4. Records of deeds. Two volumes. Bound.

5. Records of deeds: (1) Buckeye Place addition, Columbus; (2) auditor
of State; (3) Paulding County canal lands. Bound.

6. Ohio State University lands. Three volumes. Bound.

7. Ohio lands. Two volumes of public works and reservoir lands. Bound.

8. Index. Bound.

9. New deeds. One volume. Bound.

10. Aplication for new deeds, November 1, 1884. Fourteen boxes.

11. Certificate of purchase of canal lands, 1895-96. Box.

12. Seneca County. Applications. Box.

13. Sections 16 and 29 of final certificate. Box.

14. A. C. Caine. Box.

15. Certificate of purchase from canal company, 1896-1899. Box. Canal
commission, 1899 to present time.

16. Certificate of purchase of Ohio University lands. Three boxes.

17. Quarterly reports of Ohio canal lands. Box.

18. Plat of field notes. State roads, 1820-1830. Four boxes.

19. Survey plats. One box.

20. Plats of State roads. One box.

21. Miscellaneous letters to section 16.

22. Letters from A. C. Caine. In box.

23. Boxes of: (1) Tax sale and deeds made; (2) towns and townships (when
organized) ; (3) deeds canceled (various years) ; (4) salt lands of Jackson,
Delaware, and Muskingum counties, 1828 to 1863 and other years, in six boxes ;
(5) Miami Canal lands; (6) Virginia military survey; (7) canal land section
(Wabash and Erie) ; (8) Columbus and Sandusky turnpike; (9) three books
of facts concerning original boundary lines between Pennsylvania and Ohio;
(10) engrossed lists, 1 and 2 of Wabash and Erie Canal lands. In box.

AUDITOR'S OFFICE MISCELLANEOUS.

Land receipts of different canals. Eighteen boxes.

Several boxes of canal certificates.

School lands, etc. Eighty-three boxes.

Ohio land records. Twenty volumes.

Record of forfeited lands, 1842-1871. Nine volumes.

Receipts and disbursements of Ohio treasury, 1856-1860. Twenty-six volumes.

Redeemed lands, 1841-1878. Fourteen packages.

Several packages of delinquent tax lists, etc.

Ledgers, school lands, etc.

Reports on examinations of State and national banks, etc.

Several boxes of county reports.

Taxable lands in Ohio.

Records of different land districts.

Records of pension lists, liquor taxes, etc.

16827 VOL 208 12

178 AMEKICAN HISTOKICAL ASSOCIATION.

In 1870 Mr. L. L. Rice completed an examination of certain
reserves and fragmentary surveys. His letter is included, as follows :

COLUMBUS, OHIO, June 25, 1870.
Hon. ISAAC R. SHERWOOD, Secretary of State.

I have completed the work which you have assigned me, made under the
resolution of May 6, 1869, directing a record to be made of certain reserves
and other fragmentary surveys not before recorded; and also an index or
directory of the different classes of records of surveys, with reference to vol-
umes, etc., in which they are recorded, etc.

I have recorded, and caused to be bound in a volume uniform with the records
of a like character, the surveys of thirty-six different reserves, not hitherto
recorded. The plats of most of them (all that are found) are also bound in a
volume, duly labeled for future reference.

The original field books have been classified, filed, and placed in separate
cases, duly marked and numbered; also the plats and descriptions, which are
not matters of record, but are important for ultimate reference in cases of dis-
pute or litigation.

The directory, contemplated by the resolution, has also been prepared, pen-
ciled, and bound, making a reference to the record, and original notes, prac-
ticable and convenient, even to a novice in that department of the duties of
office of secretary of state.

There are different tracts, or classes of surveys, embraced in the directory
referred to; and several of these had two, and some three, distinct surveys,
by different persons, at different periods. For example, the tract known as
" Old Seven Ranges," being the seven ranges of townships on the east border
of the State, divided into townships, and boundaries thereof run, in 1786,
by surveyors from the east, employed by the several States of Connecticut,
Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Maryland. Later, in 1.801 and 1802, the town-
ships were divided into " two-mile blocks " by deputy surveyors under the
authority of Congress. Still later, in 1805 and 1806, the "two-mile blocks"
were subdivided into sections and quarter sections by deputy surveyors, also
employed by authority of Congress. All these different surveys are specific-
ally described in the directory to which I have referred. A description is also
given of the several unsurveyed tracts in the State that is, tracts not surveyed
under the authority or by order of Congress, and therefore not matters of
record in the secretary of state's office, as the " Connecticut Western Reserve,"
the " Ohio Company's Purchase," the " Virginia Military Lands," etc.

In a former communication, I referred to the inadequate record of the " Sur-
veys into 100-acre lots of reserved quarter townships in the United States
military tract," the two volumes in which they were recorded having been
condemned by the surveyor-general and thrown aside as worthless. I have
also discovered that the second survey, or "division into two-mile blocks," of
the Old Seven Ranges is not recorded. As the plats of the tract are based on
the second surveys, and they contain the only descriptions of all the exterior
and parts of the interior and quarter section corners, they seem to me even
more important than the first and third surveys, which are duly recorded. Also,
the field notes of the division into 100-acre lots of the refugee tract, lying south
of the United States military district, are unrecorded, although the plats thereof
are duly recorded and preserved. All the other surveys of the State are duly
recorded, and are described in the directory to which I have referred.

Trusting that my execution of your trust fully meets the requirements of
the resolution of 1869, I am, your obedient servant,

L. L. RICE.

A PBELIMINARY KEPOKT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES. 179

THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE.

As the name implies, the department of the adjutant-general is the
headquarters of the National Guard of the State. Under the law the
adjutant-general is appointed by the governor for a term of two- years,
and ranks as brigadier-general. He is superintendent of the State
capitol building and grounds. The office was instituted at the organi-
zation of the State in 1803.

The files and current records are kept in good condition, and include
the following, some of them in the rooms on the main floor and some
in the vaults pertaining to the office :

Military elections of Ohio National Guard officers, 200 packages.

Quartermaster's reports of Spanish-American war. Bound.

Ohio National Guard records, complete, from 1863. Bound.

Pay rolls by State to State troops. Boxes.

Muster rolls. In and out of boxes.

Clothing account, 1880. Bound.

Letters. Bound.

Miscellaneous boxes. Bound.

Ohio war records, 1861-1865. Bound.

Ohio visitors' register. Bound.

State military records infantry, cavalry, artillery. Bound.

Registers, journals, and files. Bound.

Ordinance letters, 1861. Bound.

Ohio National Guard pay rolls. Bound.

Record of State claims. Bound.

Description book. Bound.

Ledgers. Bound.

Miscellaneous boxes.

Field, staff, and hospital. Boxes.

Company rolls. Boxes.

Transportation pay. Boxes.

Quarterly reports. Boxes.

Camp-armory rent. Boxes.

Muster rolls, etc. Boxes.

Miscellaneous material concerning Ohio National Guard. In file boxes : Reg-
isters, reports, inspection reports, discharges, publishing, pay rolls, etc., sutlers
(bound), sutlers (in file boxes), adjutant-general's reports (in tied-up papers).

Military correspondence (copies) of late years to adjutant-general.

More boxes of Ohio National Guard material, of discharges, railroad bills,
official correspondence, etc.

The muster-out rolls, records of commissions, original letters, telegrams, etc.,
)f the civil war.

Ohio National Guard muster rolls, etc. Fifty boxes.

Muster-out rolls, letters, and reports in Spanish-American war.

Records of war of 1812. Forty boxes.

Records of Mexican war.

Veteran medals that were never issued because of failure to find owners.

Discharges and records of Ohio men in Navy, war of 1812.

180 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

TREASURER OF THE STATE.

The term of office of the State treasurer, until the adoption of the
new constitution in 1851, was three years, afterwards two years. The
papers of the office are those usually found in the rooms devoted to
the financial affairs of the State.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

An act of 1846 provided for fifty-three members. An act of 1847
reduced the number to ten. Annual bulletins are published and
widely distributed. Some years ago a fire destroyed all original
manuscript records.

STATE BOARD OF ARBITRATION.

This board was organized May 29, 1893, and is composed of three
members, appointed by the governor. Their duties are to settle con-
troversies, actual or threatened, between employers and employees in
the State. It is a body of advice as much as of publication of conclu-
sions, the recommendations not being compulsory and the publication
of its conclusions not required, save at the request of a party to a
dispute unable to bring the other party to terms.

BOARD OF STATE CHARITIES.

This board, established in 1867, abolished in 1872, again organized
in 1876, is composed of six members, appointed by the governor. Its
duties are to supervise the whole system of public charities and houses
of correction. The term of office is three years. The board submits
an annual report to the legislature and makes recommendations
touching the management of State institutions coming under its care.

STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.

This board was organized in 1886, and has for its object the build-
ing up of a complete health organization for the State. It is in
close touch with all local boards in the State and makes regular
reports for the benefit of public and private health. The working
force of the board, aside from its members, are a secretary, a chief
clerk, two stenographers, an engineer, a chemist, and a bacteriologist.
It publishes a monthly journal. The attendance upon its annual
meetings has in the last few years risen to the hundreds.

STATE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS.

This board was established in 1892, and has for its duties the pre-
vention, as far as it may have power, of illegal practice and to secure
for the public good the competent dentists who are qualified by
their licenses to practice in the State.

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES. 181

BOARD OF MEDICAL REGISTRATION AND EXAMINATION.

This board was established in 1896, and is composed of seven
members, and, like the board just named, it endeavors to regulate the
practice of medicine and to protect the people of the State against
illegal practioners. All applicants for registration are now required
to appear before the board for examination. Records of work are
duly kept.

STATE BOARD OF PARDONS.

This board was established in 1888 for the purpose of relieving the
governor of the task of examining manifold papers and documents,
and, except in specific cases mentioned in the statutes, it must consider
cases before the action of the governor. Annual reports are made
and printed.

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

Organized in 1877, this board collects, systematizes, and publishes
all statistics relating to various branches of labor in the State.

STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.

The public works of the State at present comprise 581.82 miles of
navigable canals, about 30,000 acres of reservoir area, and the rivers
of the State. In the year 1827 the State opened for use a system of
canals connecting Lake Erie with the Ohio River by two systems,
east and west. In 1894 the general assembly ordered the abandon-
ment of that part of the eastern system known as the Hocking Canal,
56 miles, and in 1896, 19 miles of the " Walhonding " Canal. Various
leases have been made, but in 1878 the State board took possession of
the public works of Ohio. The board had been established in 1836.
By act of April 28, 1906, it was authorized to take over the work of
the canal commission, which had been organized in 1888. The work
of the old canal commission is limited. Its duties are mainly to re-
cover lands unlawfully occupied by individuals and corporations.
Nothing of the management of canals goes through the hands of this
subdivision of the board of public works. When it began work it
had nothing of the original surveys, which had been lost along with
the books showing awards of damages for lands taken for canal pur-
poses. Fortunately a half dozen were found in a consignment of old
paper shipped to a paper mill, and then restored to the State, and
are now on the shelves of the office. Twenty-three large volumes of
maps have been completed and bound in convenient form, and others
are in process of completion.

182 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

COMMISSIONER OF COMMON SCHOOLS.

The office is a statutory, not a constitutional office, being estab-
lished by act of March 12, 1836, at which time the present system of
State schools was started. In 1840 the office of State superintendent
was" abolished, and the duties of the department were placed in the
hands of the secretary of state, this continuing until 1853, when the
present office was again created. The archives of the office are lim-
ited, as practically all the items of official control are given to the
public in the annual reports.

COMMISSIONER OF RAILROADS AND TELEGRAPHS.

This office was created by act of ^legislature April 5, 1867, and has
general authority over roads and lines operating within the limits of
the State of Ohio. All its transactions appear in the form of printed
reports.

DAIRY AND FOOD COMMISSIONER.

By act of legislature, 1886, this office was erected, the first com-
missioner being appointed until 1891, when he was elected by popu-
lar vote. The term is two years. The reports are printed regularly.

EXAMINER OF STEAM ENGINEERS.

The law creating this department was passed March 1, 1900, and
provides for the better protection of life and property against injury
resulting from handling of boilers and engines by incompetent en-
gineers. The examiner had power to give and to revoke license.

THE OHIO GAME AND FISH COMMISSION.

This bureau was created in 1886, and is composed of five members
appointed by the governor.

THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL.

This official was authorized by act of April 16, 1900, and has the
duty of. investigating all fires in the State.

THE INSPECTOR OF BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS.

This bureau was authorized by act of legislature May 1, 1891, and
has the duty of supervising associations under the above title. This
office is under the control of the superintendent of insurance, who,
by his deputies, secures the ends of the law.

THE INSPECTOR OF MINES.

This bureau of inspection was created in 1871, and now numbers
seven members.

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES. 183

INSPECTOR OF OILS.

This bureau was created in 1878, and in 1892 the duties were
divided between two.

INSPECTOR OF WORKSHOPS- AND FACTORIES.

In 1885 the legislature created this office, with power to visit shops
and factories, to make all necessary inspections in all buildings of
public character, and to secure, as far as possible, a betterment of all
conditions of labor.

SUPERVISOR OF PUBLIC PRINTING.

This officer is appointed by the governor for a term of two years.
In the early history of the State he was elected by the general as-
sembly. In 1860 the present office was created by act of the legisla-
ture, the appointing power being in the hands of the commissioners
of printing. In 1864 the governor was invested with power to
appoint. Records are kept and annual reports are made to the
governor.

STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.

In 1825 the legislature abolished the early method of separating
lands into different classes for taxation and introduced the present
method. Land appraisers assess the tax value upon the land in
their wards and townships. They make report to county boards of
equalization. This body has power to raise or lower the values.
The finding of the county board goes to the State board, which is
elected by the people of the several senatorial districts of the State.
The board equalizes valuations between counties and cities, but has
no jurisdiction over individual valuations. Records are kept and
findings returned according to law.

HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.

This is the most recent of the various departments, and was created
April 18, 1904. It issues bulletins and makes annual reports as pre-
scribed by law.

BOARD OF LIBRARY COMMISSIONERS.

The State library was established in 1817 by Governor Thomas
Worthington. In 1844 the library was placed in commission. In
il, 1896, a change was made by which a board was to be appointed
>y the governor, and this body elects the librarian.
Beginning with the year 1839 reports were printed, but not with
jgularity until the year 1845, from which time it has been a matter

184 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

of annual printing. It occupies quarters in the second floor of the
capitol. It is open to the public, both for reading in the rooms and
for taking volumes home.

Of late years there has been an increasing interest in the purchase
of rare books having to do with the history of the State of Ohio,
and the collecting of manuscripts, whether through gift or purchase,
bearing upon the early years of the State.

Perhaps the most valuable of such collections are the papers of
Governor Arthur St. Clair. At the session of the legislature of 1870
$2,000 was appropriated for the purchase of his letters and procla-
mations covering a space of years exceeding the limit of his service
as governor, from 1778 to 1802. These are boxed, classified in envel-
opes, and in some cases bound in large substantial leather volumes.
The boxes number fifteen. The volumes are as given below. The
whole collection is in the private room of the librarian, yet not as
thoroughly protected from serious fire as might be desirable. In all
the papers number over 1,000 letters and other material.

1. One folio volume, 4 inches thick, 620 pages. Bears the title, " St. Clair
Papers, 1789-1795."

These papers form the " Journal of the Proceedings of his Excellency, Arthur
St. Clair, Governor and Comrnander-iu -chief of the Territory of the United
States, Northwest of the River Ohio."

The records in this volume are a copy of the official records, preserved in the
Department of State at Washington, D. C., and duly attested by the signature
of Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State, June 10, 1873. The volume ends with
the statement of the copyist, " No records of the government of the territory
northwest of the Ohio are found in the Department of State of the United
States of a date subsequent to June, 1795."

The contents of this volume have been freely drawn upon by William Henry
Smith, formerly secretary of state of Ohio, and appear in his " Life and Public
Services of Arthur St. Clair." Two volumes, with date 1S82.

The folio volume bears the statement on page 620 : " True copy of the
records, by Winthrop Sargent, secretary. To the President of the United
States."

2. Another set of four volumes folio, bound in red leather, about 300 pages
each, in which are pasted original autograph material, correspondence, and

. official documents. Titles, " St. Glair's Papers.'.' Volume I includes dates
1772-1781. Volume II includes dates 1781-1785. Volume III includes dates
1773-1779. Volume IV includes dates 1780-1790.

3. In his preface to "The Life and Public Services of Arthur St. Clair,"
above referred to, W. H. Smith gives an account of the purchase of the originals
in possession of the administrator, Judge K. St. Clair Graham, by the State of
Ohio. In 1881 the general assembly directed the publication of the papers,
which had been carefully arranged by Miss Mary C. Harbaugh, assistant
librarian. The board of library commissioners placed the papers in the hands
of Mr. Smith for publication. He found them " badly defaced and fragmentary,
but that the letters in the handwriting of St. Clair were original drafts
which frequently differed from the perfected letters as transmitted to his
correspondents."

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES. 185

In his collection of the St. Clair papers, Mr. Smith has printed from these
four volumes nearly all the material, with now and then omissions, which are
named as below:

Thomas Smith, June 10, 1772, Yorktown.

James , November 29, 1772.

W. Smith, no date, must have been 1772.

R. Peters, September 28, 1776.

Pay rolls.

Copy of letter of St. Clair to Colonel Morgan, 1776.

Gen. William Thompson to St. Clair, April 12, 1777.

Gen. Anthony Wayne, April 25, 1777.

Saint McKenzie, July 23, 1777.

St. Clair to John Hancock, September 1, 1777. The following are the con-
tents of this letter :

" SIB : I have been informed that Monsieur De Rock Fermoy has written to
Congress denying his having advised and given his assent to the evacuation of
Ticonderoga. If the case is so, he has acted a very unworthy part, degrading
the character of an officer and an honest man. I beg the favor that I may be
furnished with a copy of his letter that I may be able to inform Congress how
far it agrees with his statement delivered in council, from which, if he has de-
parted, his rank ought not to protect him from the punishment due to such
duplicity.

" I have the honor, etc.,

"ARTHUR ST. CLAIR.

" SEPTEMBER 1, 1777.

" The Hon. JOHN HANCOCK."

Maj. P. Scull to St. Clair, January 3, 1778.

Trevor Newland to St. Clair (duplicate), July 26, 1778.

Joseph Reed, January 9, 1779.

Memorial to board of war by St. Clair, July 19, 1779.

General Reading, January 23, 1779.

Judge Thomas Smith, March 27, 1779. (W. H. Smith quotes a few sentences
from this.)

This is one-half of volume 1 of about 75 letters. I judge that the same pro-
portion holds for the rest of the volumes. Now and then one is missing.

Other manuscript collections follow according to numbers below,

II. Papers of Governor R. J. Meigs.

These were deposited in the State library from the governor's office, and
include letters from nearly two hundred persons in number, each from one to
a dozen.

III. Papers of Governor Thomas Worthington.

This is a large collection and includes nearly two hundred names, and in
some cases the number of letters amounts to twenty-nine, as in the case of
Gen. Lewis Cass, and in the case of ex-Governor Tiffin to ninety-eight.

IV. Papers of Governor Ethan Allen Brown.

The names in this collection amount to about one hundred and fifty and the
letters under each name from one to fifteen, as in the case of Judge J. McLean.
Besides this is a list of letters from the governor to others, in number about
forty.

186 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

V. Miscellaneous.

This list includes affidavits, addresses, correspondence, resolutions touching
settlers from Connecticut, material relating to the war of 1812 (Hull's copy of
articles of capitulation at Detroit), reports, petitions from militia and frontiers-
men, proclamations, etc.

VI. Presentations.

From different persons of letters from distinguished characters, in amount
numbering about twenty-five.

VII. Governor Samuel Huntingdon.

In addition to the papers listed in the pamphlets published by the State
librarian there have been lately filed :

1. Papers signed by Governor Samuel Huntingdon. Two boxes.

2. Miscellaneous papers. One box.

3. Letters addressed to Huntingdon. Two boxes.

Huntingdon was " district paymaster " of the Army in the war of 1812, and
most of these papers have some reference to operations in Ohio.

There have been lately received the papers of Micajah Williams, one of the
first board of canal commissioners of Ohio. Many of the letters relate to the
canals.

The reproduction of the proclamation of Governor St. Clair possesses enough
interest to justify insertion, if only for sake of the seal of the Territory, over
which there has been much discussion.

SEAL OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.

The accompanying reproduction of a proclamation of Governor St. Clair has
lately been secured by the State library. Of especial interest is the seal. Its
origin is obscure, if not entirely unknown. It is first mentioned in St. Glair's
proclamation of July 2G, 1788. Authorities at Washington aided Governor
English, of Indiana, and President Harrison in the examination of old impres-
sions of the seal and made a sketch which is considered " an exact reproduction
in every respect of the original." The photograph from which this print is
made failed to bring out some of the finer details of the seal, but the size and
the main features are still distinguishable in the old document. The symbolism
is capital ; the coiled snake and the boats, the wild forest tree cut up, and the
apple tree, the inscription, "Heliorem lapsa locavit" " he has planted a better
than the fallen," are highly expressive of the entering in of a finer civilization.

HISTORICAL SOCIETIES.

In his report to the American Historical Association, 1905, Dr.
Reuben G. Thwaites gave a list of the publications of the various
historical societies of the old Northwest. Under the head of Ohio he
named the following: The Historical and Philosophical Society of
Ohio, organized in 1831, the oldest in the five States comprising the
old Northwest ; the Ohio ArchaBological and Historical Society, organ-
ized in 1885, though sprung from one of earlier date, 1875 ; the Old
Northwest Genealogical Society, organized 1897; the Ohio Church
History Society, Oberlin, 1889; the Daughters of the American
Revolution; the Sons of the American Revolution; the Society of

V J

*-*- &jfr&tT^6*t^ f

16827 VOL 208. (To face page 186.)

'**- JL~ J^+^-f ^

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES. 187

Colonial Wars; the Western Reserve Historical Society, 1867; the
Firelands Historical Society, 1857; the Clark County Historical
Society.

Of the first, important manuscript collections exist as follows :

Oran Follett Papers, containing about two hundred letters written by
Follett and responses thereto. Sketch of Follett's life ; Follett's letters ; politi-
cal letters and circulars to committees ; letters addressed to Follett ; Vance
controversy, 1843-1846; battle of New Orleans, by a Frenchman; battle of
New Orleans, anonymous; New York politics of 1824; political songs, 1822,
1827, 1832; Follett's certificate of election, and kindred papers; national loan
of 1861; United States Treasury, 1861.

Aaron Torrence Papers; fifty-seven boxes and fifteen bound volumes of
miscellaneous but highly important material. The Torrence family were
related to the Harrisons, Whitemans, Irvins, and others prominent in the de-
velopment of Cincinnati. Among those whose papers are included in the col-
lection are President Harrison, Smith, and Findlay (army sutlers), Anthony
Wayne, General Findlay, and others concerned in frontier development at the
close of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth centuries. The ex-
tent and variety of the material social, political, military, mercantile strongly
remind one of the famous Thomason tracts in the British Museum. Twenty-
nine boxes are devoted to miscellaneous letters. There is a box of miscellaneous
manuscripts, numerous bills and receipts, printed circulars and handbills, legal
documents, land contracts and entries, land certificates of the John Cleves
Symmes tract (1804), account book of receiver's office at Cincinnati, army
orders (1794-1820), militia orders, vouchers, returns, etc., Hamilton County
(Ohio) plats, miscellaneous account books, daybooks, ledgers, etc.

The Robert Clarke Papers, containing documents bearing date from 1777 to
1809; history of Illinois Territory; evidence in Illinois Territory and war of
1812-1815 ; documents relating to prices, 1779-1819 ; Filson papers ; John Cleves
Symmes and family, letters and documents ; Short family ; Ludlow family ; mis-
cellaneous legal documents; miscellaneous documents, mainly historical; mis-
cellaneous letters ; Cincinnati maps, early history, etc. ; miscellaneous news-
paper clippings ; maps, certificates, and commissions ; Revolution, facsimiles and
documents; newspapers; Kentucky broadsides; Lyman C. Draper's letters to
R. B. McAfee; S. P. Hildreth's letters to R. Buchanan; Isaac Lea's letters to
R. Buchanan; John Jay Smith's letters to same; "Act," 1791; autographs, and
Cist's correspondence about them.

John Sites Gano Papers; papers relating to the army in the Revolution and
war of 1812-1815; maps of Detroit, 1792-1815; maps of south shore of Lake
Erie, 1806-1817; Burr, Smith, and others; Deerfield, Ohio; clerkship of court;
conveyances, bills, deeds ; miscellaneous letters.

William Cranch Papers, containing letters from Abigail Adams, John Adams,
Thomas B. Adams, Charles H. Appleton, Edward Pease Cranch, Richard Cranch
(sr.), Richard Cranch (jr.), William Cranch to T. B. Adams, William Crauch
to William P. Ferrand, Nat. Nutting, Peter V. Daniel, G. Duval, John C- Fitz-
patrick, James Greenleaf, John Hopkins, Hugh Nelson, Josiah F. Folk, Samuel
Putnam, Josiah Quincy, J. J. Ricketts, James Smith, W. Thornton, Bushrod
Washington, and Noah Webster (jr.) ; letter book of William Cranch. Other
documents, viz, importation of slaves, newspaper clippings, legal documents,
notices, and miscellanies.

Gallipolis (Ohio); general sketches of Gallipolis history; prospectus, maps,
and "Avis " ; agreements, transfers, etc. ; French grant ; French settlers ; notices,
contracts, and miscellaneous notes; numerous pamphlets.

188 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Timothy Walker Papers; collection of letters from eminent men and women,
from 1825 to 1855 ; different miscellaneous papers.

Lawler Family Papers, public documents (wills, deeds, etc.) ; journal of
Davis B. Lawler; Bryant letters; letters, etc.

Susan Walker Papers, manuscripts of South Carolina, 1862; Washington,
1865-1868 ; miscellaneous papers.

Chalfant Papers, journal; commission as chaplain; documents of Longview
Asylum; newspaper clippings; deeds.

Charles Scott Todd Papers, correspondence, seventy-three letters addressed
to Charles Scott Todd, and nine letters addressed to his father, Thomas Todd ;
miscellaneous letters.

Pitcairn Letters, 1795-1821; collection of letters from John Quincy Adams,
Thomas B. Adams, Rufus King, Alexander Lameth, John Jay, R. R. Livingston,
Charles C. Pinckney, and others; other documents.

William Stanley Hatch Papers, map of vicinity of Fort Jefferson, near Ohio
River; large collection of early deeds in Ohio; miscellaneous maps; letters to
William Stanley Hatch ; memoirs of the same ; diary of a convert under
Lorenzo Dow; several other diaries; orderly book of Captain Slough's com-
pany, Legion V, March 1, 1793.

The following items are also in the library of the Historical and
Philosophical Society of Ohio, Van Wormer Library Building^ Cin-
cinnati, Ohio:

Volume 1, "Journal of the House of Representatives, General Assembly of
the Territory of the United States Northwest of the River Ohio from the
16th of September to the 27th of October 1799." Volume 2, " from the 28th of
October to the 27th of November 1799." This is all that is recorded of the
first session; from our printed copy the legislature closed December 19, 1799.
Volume 3, "Journal of the House of Representatives at the session of 1801,
from the 9th of January 1802." The last record in this book is " Friday, Janu-
ary 22, 1802." The session adjourned Saturday, January, 23, 1802. These are
all the volumes of journals. The miscellaneous papers contain the acts to
incorporate Cincinnati, Athens, Marietta, Chillicothe, and the University of
Athens, and many letters and messages of St. Clair, various bills, receipts, etc.

" Journal of the Legislative Council of the Territory of the United States,
Northwest of the River Ohio, at their Second Session, begun and held at
Chillicothe on the third day of November, Anno Domini, MDCCC." This
journal comprises 77 pages, 2 of which are devoted to the standing rules and
orders. The other copy of this is in the Ohio State library.

NOTE ON PUBLIC RECORDS OF HAMILTON COUNTY.

The writer was unable to make a complete survey of the offices.
Future investigation will bring, it is hoped, much to light. The same
is true of other counties, more or less fully examined.

Probate judge. The records in this office are complete, but without much
historical interest.

Recorder's office. Records are complete and in good shape, except that some
of the oldest books are nearly worn out from use. There are no original
papers here, only copies of deeds. The oldest record is the copy of patent by
the United States to John Cleves Syrnines.

County clerk. Nearly everything was destroyed by the fire of 1884, when
the mob took possession for a while of the halls. Records have been partially

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES. 189

restored from fragments and other sources. In the court-house cellar are
several bushels of partially burned and badly charred documents, but the
county clerk is in doubt of the possibility of the substantial recovery of matters
of interest.

City Clerk. This office has a complete record of council proceedings. A
description of the oldest material is contained in a pamphlet published by the
present clerk.

WESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, CLEVELAND, OHIO, FOUNDED 1867.

In handsome and commodious quarters are to be found, in addi-
tion to various antiquities representing life and customs among the
American Indians and kindred collections, the following :

Originals and copies of originals of the papers of the Connecticut Land Com-
pany, consisting of the minutes of meetings, reports, drafts of land allotments,
and instructions to agents and correspondence with agents. Mounted and
unmounted, 1796-1810.

Originals of the papers of the surveyors and their assistants on the lands
of the Connecticut Land Company and fire lands, with field notes, sketches,
accounts, and correspondence. Mostly classified, 1796-1815.

Originals of sketches and surveys for maps of townships and other layouts
made by surveyors and signed, 1796 to 1806. Mounted.

Originals of business papers of first settlers on the reserve, consisting of
accounts, deeds, records, correspondence, receipts, etc. Unclassified and un-
arranged, 1796 to 1820.

Original Heckwelder report and map of the Western Reserve (published in
the Magazine of the Western History, volume 1).

Originals and copies of originals of military papers relating to Indian
troubles in Ohio. Capt. William Trent (copies), 1752; published. Gen. J.
Harmar (copies), 1789-1791; unpublished. Captain Heart (copies), 1789-
1791 ; partly published. Captain Heart (originals) ; scattering. Arthur St.
Clair ( originals ); scattering; unpublished. Anthony Wayne (originals ); letters
unpublished. George Tod (originals), war of 1812; partly published. Scatter-
ing (originals), war of 1812; partly published. John Fitch Papers (copies),
1770-1784, from originals in Philadelphia.

Originals of papers deposited by descendants of first settlers, deeds, records,
etc.; unclassified.

Writings of pioneers, giving their reports on the first years in northern
Ohio; partly published.

Memoranda of Col. Charles Whittlesey, in a large collection of pamphlets
and marginal notes on same referring to economic questions in Ohio and the
Northwest (Lake Superior) ; unclassified.

Field books and notes of surveys of Colonel Whittlesey on geology and
railroad and mining in Wisconsin and Ohio; unclassified.

Scrapbooks of C. W. Butterworth on Americana, with memoranda and
marginal notes and revisions in manuscript.

In the public library, Cleveland, are the following :

Drafts of lands belonging to Connecticut Land Company in Connecticut
Western Reserve, 1798.
Cartes Geographie * * * de 1'Ohio, 1825.

190 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

MARIETTA COLLEGE, WASHINGTON COUNTY.

There are in possession of the college the following :

The Putnam Papers, five volumes, containing autograph letters from Wash-
ington, Hamilton, Burr, Wolcott, Cutler, Wayne, St. Glair, Worthingtou, and
many others. There are also rough drafts of the letters that General Put-
nam had written to those persons himself. (Abstracts made by Putnam him-
self.)

The Hildreth Papers, five volumes, containing nearly all the material from
which Doctor Hildreth compiled his Pioneer History. One volume con-
tains a number of letters from General Greene to his cousin, Griffin Greene,
of Marietta.

Minutes of the Muskmgum Academy, from which Marietta College grew.

Diary of John Matthews, while surveying the First Seven Ranges.

Papers of Col. William R. Putnam, the grandson of Gen. Rufus Putnam.
Abstracts or copies of these are to be found in the State library in two
volumes in typewritten material presented by Prof. Martin R. Andrews, of
Marietta College. He is also preparing another volume of loose manuscripts
for the same place.

Capt. Gage Barker, of Marietta, has many papers left by his grandfather,
Col. Joseph Barger, who built the boats for Blennerhasset. Among these is a
pamphlet by Jo Daveiss, the United States attorney for Kentucky in 1806-7.

Miss Maria Woodbridge, of the city, has a number of letters from Blenner-
hasset to his friend Dudley Woodbridge.

ROSS COUNTY.

Special opportunity and peculiar interest in the old capital of the
State made the drudgery of examination of the records of this county
less burdensome, and produced results of some value.

Ross County was formed by proclamation of Governor St. Clair
August 20, 1798, the sixth county in the Northwest Territory. It
got its name from a Pennsylvania Federalist, by name James Boss.
Nathaniel Massie, explorer, surveyor, settler, and first citizen appears
there in 1792. He is soon followed by immigrants from Virginia and
Kentucky, among them Dr. Edward Tiffin and his brother-in-law,
Col. Thomas Worthington. August, 1796, Chillicothe was laid out
on the east side of the Scioto River. In 1800 it became the seat of the
Territorial government, the change from Cincinnati being made not
without protest. In 1801 the sessions of the Territorial legislature
were held in the town in a small two-story, hewed-log house.

In 1800 the old statehouse was begun, and finished the next year.
It is believed to, have been the first public stone edifice in the Terri-
tory. In it were held the sessions of the Territorial legislature and
of the convention that framed the State constitution. In it also were
held the sessions of the assembly until 1810, when the removal of the
capital was ordered.

Chillicothe was duly incorporated January 4, 1802. The old court-
house is not in evidence, but the new one offers to the student of the
early documents, both of the county and of the State documents

A PEELIMINABY REPORT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES. 191

rare opportunities for unearthing material of special value. In the
present court-house may be seen the old table on which the first con-
stitution was written, the top of black walnut, the legs of cherry, an
oval, 6 feet by 3J.

MATERIAL FROM THE OFFICES OF PROBATE JUDGE, COUNTY CLERK, AND RECORDER,

ROSS COUNTY, OHIO.

Office of Probate Judge.

The records of the office are well kept and unbroken. The material of inter-
est and value is as follows :

One volume, Patent Records, Boss County.

One volume, Inspector's Report.

One volume, Examiner's Report.

Eleven volumes, Certified Bill Records. (From August 24, 1881-1906.)

Three volumes, Naturalization Records. The three following cases were re-
corded on the 24th of October, 1851: Patrick Mogmilun (Ireland), John Follay
(Ireland), Cornelius Bastabad (Ireland). The next four cases were from
Ireland. Then one from Wurttemberg, one from Switzerland, and two from
Baden.

Four volumes, General Index. Has all save marriages, births, and deaths.
Volume 1. Initials A to L, 1798-1887. Volume 2. Initials M to Z, 1798-1887.
Volume 3. Initials A to L, 1888-1906. Volume 4. Initials M to Z, 1888-1906.

Six volumes, Administrator's Docket.

Five volumes, Appearance Docket.

Seven volumes, Records of Appointments of Administrators.

Five volumes, Records of Appointments of Executors.

Five volumes, Records of Appointments of Guardians.

Four volumes, Guardians and Trustees Docket.

Thirty-seven volumes, Journals.

Eighteen volumes, Will Records.

Thirty-nine volumes, Account Records.

Forty-one volumes, General Records.

One volume, Feeble-Minded Records.

Four volumes, Lunacy Records.

One volume, Blind Register Records.

Six volumes, Printers Affidavits Records.

Two volumes, Epilepsy Records.

Twenty-three volumes, Real Estate Records.

One volume, Record of Appeals from County Commissioners on road matters.

Five volumes, Births from January 1, 1867, to July 3, 1906.

Four volumes, Deaths from 1867 to 1906.

Twenty-five volumes, Marriages. The records from 1803 to 3852 have been
rebound in three volumes. The first marriage occurred April 7, 1S03. The
parties were William Rudie and Rachel Cox.

One volume, " Record Book " of various ordinances. The records extend from
January 22, 1824 to April 12, 18hS. In the first three years the spelling of the
name of the city was Chillacotha. Its ending in " e " dates from April 7, 1817.
The following are the ordinances for the year 1814 :

1. An Ordinance Regulating the Market in the town of Chillacotha and defin-
ing the duties of the Clerk thereof.

Section 1. Be it ordained and enacted by the Mayor and Commonalty of the
town of Chillacotha that markets shall be holden in the market house of the

192 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

town of Chillacotha on Wednesdays and Saturdays of each and every week;
that it shall be the duty of the Clerk to remove, or cause to be removed, any
filth or dirt that may have accumulated, or may hereafter accumulate in the
market house, and to have the same properly cleaned at such times as he may
decide necessary; and he is hereby authorized and directed to provide suffi-
cient benches for the accomodation of the market people, and to place or
cause to be placed good substantial gates on turnpikes at the entrance of the
market house, with locks, chains or some other sufficient fastening to prevent
the domestic animals of the town from entering therein ; and to have the fence
enclosing the same put and kept in a proper state of repair.

Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Clerk to provide and examine govern-
ment scales and weights.

Section 3. It shall be the duty of the Clerk to see that waggons and carts do
not obstruct the way.

Section 4. Be it further ordained and enacted, that it shall be the duty of
the Clerk of the Market to attend the market regularly every market morning
from daylight until ten o'clock from the first day of November to the first day
of May, and from daylight until eight o'clock from the first day of May until
the first day of November in each and every year; and diligently to examine
every article offered for sale, and if merchantable, the owner may proceed to
sell the same; but if any article offered for sale shall be deemed by the Clerk
of the Market unwholesome, or unfit for use, he shall direct the owner, or own-
ers thereof, forthwith to remove the article out of the limits of the corporation,
and on neglect or refusal to do so, the owner, or owners, shall be fined by the
Mayor not less than the sum of one dollar nor more than five dollars, agreeably
to the nature of the offence.

Section 5. That in order the better to prevent fraud being practiced, either in
offering light or unwholsesome provisions for sale, or in passing base money
before daylight, it shall not be lawful for any person or persons to buy or sell
any provisions or other articles in the market house before daylight, nor before
the Clerk of the Market House shall give notice that market has begun. (On
margin " the ringing of the bell " ) .

Section 6. Prohibits buying or selling of articles during market hours out-
side of market house.

Section 7. Makes it the duty of the clerk to provide stalls for the different
venders.

Section 8. Prohibits nuisances.

Section 9. Provides for sale of articles forfeited to the corporation.

Section 10. Be it further ordained and enacted, that every person who shall
offer butter for sale during market hours shall have the same put up in prints
or rolls containing some specific weight. Provided that each print or roll shall
not contain more than five pounds nor less than half a pound

Section 11. Secures proper penalties for neglect of the above.

II. Ordinance dealing with public shows. Enacted February 5, 1814.

III. Ordinance dealing with rate of speed for horses, carts and wagons. Sec-
tion two prohibited any cart or wagon from going faster than a walk. This
was not repealed until 1828.

IV. An ordinance providing for fire buckets. Every person owning or occu-
pying a house shall provide one or more buckets in ratio to size of dwelling;
any person owning house valued at over $600 shall provide four buckets, each
to hold at least two gallons. This ordinance was passed March 1, 1814, and
repealed May 7, 1819.

A PKELIMTNARY KEPORT ON THE OHIO AECHIVES. 193

Records of Court of Common Pleas, Cleric's Office.

The following is the report from this office :

Nine volumes, General Index.

Fifty-five volumes, " Order Book." One volume deals with the Territorial
court for the years 1789-1800. The first page has this preface : " By virtue of
a general commission from his Excellency, Arthur St. Clafr, General and Com-
mander-in-chief of the Territory of the United States Northwest of the Ohio
River, Thomas Worthington, James Scott, Samuel Finley, William Patton and
Elias Langham, Esquires, were constituted Justices of the Court of Common
Pleas for the County of Ross, by commission bearing date, Cincinnatti the elev-
enth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
ninety-eight, and of the Independence of the United States the twenty-third,
whereby they or any three of them were empowered and authorized to hold and
keep a Court of Record in the said County, to be styled the County Court of
Common Pleas, and therein to hold pleas of Assize, Scire Facias, Replevin, and
hear and determine all manner of pleas, actions, suits and causes of a civil
nature, real, personal and mixed, according to the Constitution and Laws of this
Territory, and were all of them duly sworn according to law for the faithful
discharge of their duties accordingly." At the same time Edward Tiffin was
duly commissioned and sworn prothonotary of the said court and authorized to
keep the seal and records thereof. One volume marked "A" bears dates of
April 26, 1803-1806. It contains this record : " The first Court held under the
Constitution of the State of Ohio, for the County aforesaid." The volume
marked " B " is missing. The volume marked " C " holds record for 1807-8.
The volume marked " D " bears dates of 1808-9.

One volume, Journal " E," 1807-8.

One volume, Journal, 1811-1813.

One small volume, Issue Docket, June, 1799-January, 1803.

One small volume, " Permits to keep Tavern," 1804-1809.

Two volumes, Records of Negroes. In volume 1, page 1, June 1, 1906, Thomas
Hicks entered the following : " Toby Bias, aged forty. Rachel Bias, aged thirty-
five. Eli Bias, aged two and one-half. Eva Bias, aged four months. Charles
Adkinson, aged twenty-one. On May 31, 1804, a black man named Lewis Cook
entered himself. Bourbon County, March Court, 1804."

An instrument of writing under the hand and seal of Jesse Hitt emancipating
a negroo (sic) man named Harry was produced in court and acknowledged by
the said Jesse Hitt as his act and deed, hand and seal, in the following words
and figures, which were ordered to be recorded, to wit :

Being convinced of the injustice of holding in the state of slavery our fellow
creatures, I do hereby emancipate and set free a black man by the name of
Harry, and do for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, re-
linquish all right title and claim to the said Harry from this nineteenth day of
March as witness my hand and seal. .

JESSE HITT. [SEAL.]

I do certify that the foregoing deed of manumission from Jesse Hitt to negroo
Harry is a true copy from the records in my office. In testimony whereof I
hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of my office this twenty-eighth day of
March, eighteen hundred and four.

WILLIAM GARBABD Jr. C. B. C.

[BOURBON COUNTY SEAL.]

Received and recorded in my office on the second day of July, 1811.

HUMPHREY FULLERTON.

C. C. C. P. R. C.
16827 VOL 2 08 13

194 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

Volume II covers records from 1810-1853. Deeds of manumission from the
founder of Chillicothe :

To all whom these presents may be presented, That whereas Clerander, a
black girl, was in the year 1800 brought into this State an infant by me and
since has arrived at the age of eighteen, which by the law of this State has
entitled her to her freedom, these are therefore to certify that the said Cle-
rander, now known by the name of Clerander Green, is entitled unt her free-
dom agreeable to the laws of the State. In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand at Chillicothe in the County of Ross and State of Ohio this fourth
day of September, eighteen-hundred and eleven.

NATHANIEL MASSIE.

Another from the same hand :

CHILLICOTHE, June 10, 1811.

I do hereby certify that the bearer hereof, Mike, was raised by me from his
infancy and that I brought him to this County. During residence with me he
was honest and never thought a willful lye nor have I ever lernt since he left
me that he was charged with either and I do also certify that he came with me
to this State then the North West Territory in the year 1792 and been absent
but a short time.

N. MASSIE.

Entered according to the act, entitled, "An act to regulate black and mulatto
persons."

Entries similar to these ran on to August 21, 1853.

In "Executors Document" of April-June, 1802, is an original order of
Edward Tiffin, prothonotary, to the sheriff of the county. The amount was for
$193.72 and was signed the last day of the June term.

One volume, Minute Book, 1813-1817.

One volume, Minute Book, 1818-1843.

One volume, Witness Book, 1819-1838.

One volume, Appearance Docket, 1801-1815.

Numerous volumes of Execution Docket bearing the following dates :

1802-1806. 1821-1826. 1843-1848. 1859-1862. 1878-1880.

1807-1809. 1826-1835. 1848-1853. 1862-1866. 1880-1890.

1810-1815. 1835-1840. 1854-1857. 1866-1870. 1890-1893.

1815-1821. 1841-1843. 1857-1859. 1874-1878. 1893-1896.

One volume, Order of Sale Docket, 1884-1888.

" Rule Docket." Two volumes marked "A." Volume I, October, 1810-April,
1818. Volume II, July, 1818-August, 1821. Volume marked " B " is missing
Volume marked " C " bears dates September, 1827-July, 1836.

Several volumes, Complete Records, bearing these dates :
April, 1803-October, 1804. November, 1819-November, 1820.

October, 1804-July, 1805. November, 1820-February, 1822.

December, 1805-January, 1807. February, 1822-June, 1823.

March, 1807-June, 1807. November, 1823-November, 1826.

February, 1808-November, 1808. .October, 1826-Jurie, 1828.

March, 1809-September, 1809. November, 1828-August, 1830.

January, 1810-October, 1811. September, 1830-June, 1832.

February, 1812-April, 1814. October, 1832- June, 1834.

September, 1814-May, 1816. June, 1834-October, 1835.

May, 1816-April, 1817. March, 1836-July, 1837.

August, 1817-April, 1818. July, 1837-July, 1838.

April, 1818-October, 1818. July, 1838-July, 1840.

April, 1819-November, 1819.

These continue thus down to No. 71.

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OHIO ARCHIVES. 195

Material in Cleric's Office pertaining to District Court.

An act of Congress provided that a district court of the United States should
be held three sessions annually, the first to begin the first Monday in June, 1803.

Three volumes, Complete Records, are in this office and bear these dates:
October, 1853-September, 1869; September, 1870-September, 1882; September,
1882-September, 1884.

One volume, Apperance Docket, September, 1866-January, 1S85.

One volume, Order Book, September, 1876-September, 1884.

One volume, District Court Judgments, 1858-1883.

Material in Clerk's Office pertaining to Supreme Court.

The constitution of 1802 organized a supreme court, consisting of three judges
to be elected by the legislature for the term of seven years, " if they so long
behave well." In 1804 a fourth judge was added by the legislature. In 1810
the number was reduced to three. In 1816 the number was again increased
to four.

Supreme Court Journal. Two volumes, bound in pasteboard. Volume I,
1803^. Volume II, 1816-1822.

One volume, Supreme Court Docket, November, 1805-November, 1823.

One volume, Appearance Docket, 1801-1805.

One volume, Minute Book, quarter sessions of peace for Ross County, 1798.

One volume, Order Book C, May, 1806-June, 1807.

One volume, Order Book, 1823-1839.

One volume, Order Book, 1840-1843.

One volume, Order Book, 1843-1875.

One volume, Issue Docket, November, 1805-November, 1808.

One volume Issue Docket, 1821-1841.

Records of supreme court are in volumes bearing these dates :
1803-1804. 1817-1819. 1822-1830. 1835-1837. 1841-1843.

1805-1808. 1819-1820. 1830-1832. 1837-1841. 1844-