Legal Affairs

    Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions

Letter from the Pennsylvania Assembly to the Governor
May 25, 1764

Isaac Norris, the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly, writes to Governor John Penn regarding legislation and the taxation of  property. "And as these Objections do not appear to use justly founded," Norris notes that "we have returned the Bill and request your Honour would give your...

Location: I-SpahrB-1963-8

Subject: Economics and Finance, Legal Affairs, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1760-1779

Legal Opinion of John Dickinson on Joseph Yard’s Will
September 21, 1765

Attorney John Dickinson writes this legal opinion regarding Joseph Yard's will .

Location: I-SpahrB-1958-18

Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Time Period: 1760-1779

Deed for Land Sold by John Dickinson to William Killen
August 12, 1766

John Dickinson sells the tract of land, "Brothers Portion," near Dove, Kent County in Delaware to William Killen on August 12, 1766. Dickinson signs the deed with his personal seal and Caesar Rodney signs it as the Recorder.

Location: O-SpahrB-1965-3

Subject: Economics and Finance, Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Time Period: 1760-1779

Legal Opinion of John Dickinson on George Churchman case
June 16, 1770

Attorney John Dickinson writes this legal opinion regarding George Churchman's case, which is centered on a disagreement over land. "I have concluded ... that Churchman's title to the Land in Dispute, is good in Law," as Dickinson notes.

Location: I-SpahrB-1958-18

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Time Period: 1760-1779

Legal Document, Stevenson & Thompson v. Ross & Cole
May 28, 1773

Attorney James Wilson prepares this legal document about auditing accounts for the case of Stevenson & Thompson v. Ross & Cole. Both sides agree that "matters of account between them" will be referred to John Potts, John Patton, and Ephraim Blaine. The issue of Ross's discharge from...

Location: I-SpahrB-1959-11

Subject: Economics and Finance, Legal Affairs

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Time Period: 1760-1779

Legal Document, Robert Urie v. Joseph Hudson
July 24, 1773

This legal notice, which is related to the case of Robert Urie v. Joseph Hudson, calls for the Sheriff of Cumberland County to collect the debt that Hudon owes Urie. Judge James Wilson signed this document and John Armstrong witnessed it.

Letter from James Wilson to Jasper Yeates
March 25, 1774

Attorney James Wilson writes to Jasper Yeates and discusses upcoming cases he will try in Cumberland, York, and Northumberland counties. Wilson also announces the birth of his son.

Location: I-SpahrB-1966-21

Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1760-1779

Legal Notice Signed by James Oliver
January 10, 1776

James Oliver writes this notice of judgment against Thomas Buchanan for debt to "the Constable of East Pennsborough and to the Keeper of the Gaol of said county."

Location: I-Original-1776-1

Subject: Economics and Finance, Legal Affairs

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Time Period: 1760-1779

Letter from James Wilson to Francis Hopkinson
February 18, 1781

James Wilson, United States Supreme Court Justice and signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to Francis Hopkinson, Judge of the Court of Admiralty of Pennsylvania, regarding the Brigantine Ariel. Transcript included.

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-14

Subject: Legal Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Last Will and Testament of William Thompson
August 27, 1781

A copy of the Last Will and Testament of Revolutionary War General William Thompson, certified on October 6, 1781.

Location: I-MoyermanS-1963-1

Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Time Period: 1780-1799

Legal Document, Authorization for Survey of Joseph Martin’s Land (Copy)
May 17, 1785

President of Pennsylvania John Dickinson authorizes John Lukens, Pennsylvania Surveyor General, to survey the land that Joseph Martin purchased in Northampton County. This document is a copy of the original, created in September 1820 by Surveyor General Jacob Spangler. Transcript included.

Location: MC 2001.13, B1, F12

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from John Dickinson to Robert Magaw
December 9, 1786

John Dickinson writes Robert Magaw and asks him to conduct a "strict Enquiry" into "a [mortgage] by James Wilson Esquire on my Land near Carlisle." Transcript included.

Location: I-ValeM-1947-69

Subject: Economics and Finance, Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from John Dickinson to Robert Magaw
January 15, 1787

John Dickinson asks Robert Magaw to have representatives of George Stevenson search for a particular survey that might be among his papers. If they find it, Dickinson requests that they "send it to the survey or general's office." Transcript included.

Location: I-ValeM-1947-71

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from John Dickinson to Jasper Yates
June 27, 1787

John Dickinson writes to Jasper Yates regarding financial issues and encloses copies of two bonds. Dickinson expresses his wish "to have the debt perfectly secured as soon as possible," and asks for advice on the best way to proceed with these affairs. Transcript included.

Location: MC 2001.13, B1, F3

Subject: Economics and Finance, Legal Affairs

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from William Bingham to William Irvine
February 26, 1789

Continental Congress delegate William Bingham writes to William Irvine, discussing the funding and future of Dickinson College. Irvine serves on Dickinson's Board of Trustees. Transcript included.

Letter from John Armstrong to George Thompson
February 27, 1790

John Armstrong writes to George Thompson stating that he is "going to the woods and will be absent for some months".  Armstrong also explains his intention to bring a suit against Meyer McCully on account of a small debt.  Transcript included.

Location: I-ValeM-1947-70

Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Benjamin Rush to Thomas Fitzsimons
August 5, 1790

Benjamin Rush writes to Thomas Fitzsimons about a recent funding law and business conditions in the United States. While "lands sell and settle rapidly," Rush argues that "our vitals are unsound and we must finally perish under the weight of Mr. Hamilton's 'public blessing." In addition, Rush...

Letter from William Irvine to John Nicholson
January 14, 1792

William Irvine, a member of the Dickinson College Board of Trustees, writes to John Nicholson regarding a letter from an unspecified Mrs. Spring. Transcript included.

Location: I-Purchase-1964-11

Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Thomas Smith to Alexander Dallas
October 11, 1792

Thomas Smith, a Pennsylvania Judge, writes to Alexander James Dallas, the Secretary of the State of Pennsylvania, about the prosecution Colonel John Montgomery's son. "The prosecution is truly disagreable to me, as besides the long acquaintance and mutual regard between me and the Defendants...

Letter from James Wilson to James Meredith
August 27, 1793

James Wilson writes James Meredith to request that his salary be paid to his son, William Wilson, who, as noted by Meredith's comments on the back, has power of attorney. Transcript included.

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-17

Subject: Economics and Finance, Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Transfer of "Annexed Deed Poll" from Benjamin Rush to Joseph Priestley, Jr.
February 18, 1794

Benjamin Rush writes and signs this legal document, which transfers a deed to Joseph Priestley, Jr. Transcript included.

Location: I-Original-1794-3

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Time Period: 1780-1799

Deed for Land Sold by James Wilson
April 19, 1794

After James Wilson sells land in Pennsylvania (tract no. 5055) to Dr. Benjamin Rush on April 19, 1794, Dr. Rush sells that property to a Richard Stockton of New Jersey on May 28, 1794. John C. Otto, one of the witnesses to the transaction in 1794, later confirms on October 23, 1830 that "he was...

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-13

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letters from Alexander Nisbet to William Young
1799-1801

Alexander Nisbet writes four letters to William Young, a bookseller and printer in Philadelphia, on issues that include Young's suit involving a Mr. Webber and a payment made by the Estate of Webber for a parcel of books. Nisbet also mentions a conversation regarding "United Irish Citizens" who...

Legal Document, George Schley v. John Deloshmutt
1800

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney prepares this document for a lawsuit against John Deloshmutt. Taney's client, George Jacob Schley, argues that Deloshmutt has failed to pay 3 pounds, 11 shillings, and 10 pence half penny for various services, including food and  lodging, between November 4, 1799 to...

Location: I-Friends-1982-8

Subject: Business and Industry, Legal Affairs

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from William Thompson to James Hamilton
November 16, 1800

William A. Thompson writes to James Hamilton and informs him that he must proceed to Philadelphia "to take charge of [St. Leger D'Happart's] farm" and will be unable to visit as a result. Thompson also asks for legal advice on pursuing several claims and notes that a letter with "papers of...

Location: I-ValeM-1948-1

Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

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