Pennsylvania Archives–Ninth Series—1797
These abstracts are from the published ninth series of the Pennsylvania Archives, which is not indexed. This is not an index of that material, but rather gleanings from the data which appear to be of interest to the genealogist. It includes fines remitted, pardons, guardianships, private acts, licenses for peddlers, etc.
January 4, 1797: Pardoned the following now confined within the jail of the city and county of Philadelphia: Elizabeth Simmonds convicted of Larceny; John Smith for like offence; Jacob Simmons of same; Jonathan Bears convicted of assault and battery.
January 7: Remitted fine imposed upon Joseph Harris, James Chambers, James Patton, John Dehuff, William Riddle, Thomas Freely, John Wolff and Andrew Maris imposed upon them in Washington in Co. for seditious behavior in assisting at raising a liberty-pole and making use of improper language.
January 10: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Archibald Davis. Remitted fine imposed by County Court of Philadelphia upon James McHaffn or Mahaffey, for keeping a Tippling-house.
Jan: 14: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Willilam Boyle.
January 16: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Simon Donnolly.
Remitted fine imposed by the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the County of Northampton upon James Barton for a Riot, and Assault and Battery.
January 18 Remitted fine imposed by the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the County of Philadelphia upon Adam Wetzel for Fornication and Bastardy.
January 27 Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to James Small.
Signed an act of relief of Henry Pensinger.
January 28: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to John Maurer.
January 30: Remitted fine imposed by the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the County of Northumberland upon William Miller convicted of Fornication and Bastardy.
Feb 7: Remitted forfeiture of £150 from William Irvine of Allegheny County, who became bound by recognizance for the appearance of Francis Kendrick charged with Larceny, but Kendrick not appearing.
February 9: A Pardon was granted to Bernard Schaffer, now confined in the Jail of the County of Philadelphia for Assault and Battery on condition of his leaving the State forewith not to Return.
An escheat to the Commonwealth of real and personal estate by the death of Peter Bonadventure D’Artis, without heirs or known kindred.
February 14: Pardons were granted to the following persons, now confined in the Jail of the City and County of Philadelphia, on condition of leaving the State forthwith not to return: Henry Grimm, Job Beff, Richd Hill, Peter Grant, Rose Thornton, all convicted of Larceny.
An act for the relief of Robert Semple.
A Certificate of Citizenship of George Sibbald of City of Philadelphia, Merchant was signed.
February 18: A certificate of citizenship of George Frederick Stume of Philadelphia was issued under the Great Seal and signed by the Governor.
February 22: An escheat to the Commonwealth of real and personal property within the City of Philadelphia by the death of Andrew Brown, intestate without heir or known kindred; also Peter Bonadventure D’Artis, Dartois or Dartwaw; also Elizabeth D’Artois, otherwise called Darois; also Vanakins and Elizabeth Vankins otherwise called Elizabeth Martin, without heirs or known kindred.
February 23: Remitted fine of £9 imposed upon Isaac Beer in the County of Northampton for not performing his tour of Militia duty in 1794.
February 27: Pardoned Robert Baker, John Williams, alias Paris, Cato Williams, and George Welsh, all convicted of Larceny.
February 28: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Aaron Levy, junior.
March 3: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Laurence Connelly and Peter Hoffman.
March 4: Pardoned William Williams and William Brown, convicted in County of Chester for Forgery.
Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Thomas Moode upon recommendation of Bedford County.
March 7: Remitted fine imposed upon George Crosley, Bucks County, for keeping a Tippling-house.
March 9: Remitted fine imposed upon Peter Foddle, Philadelphia County, for keeping a Tippling-house.
March 10: Pardoned Godfrey Belcher, alias Pilgrim, convicted of Larceny in Berks County.
March 11: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to William Dee.
March 15: Escheat to the Commonwealth of real and personal estate caused by the death of intestate and without heirs or kindred.
Pardoned Pierre (a Negro) convicted of receiving Stolen Goods.
March 18:Escheat to the Commonwealth of real and personal estate caused by the death of Rachel Griffith, intestate, and without heirs or kindred.
March 21: An act to enable the administrators of the estate of James Paterson, deceased, by leave of the Court of Common Pleas in Franklin Co. to convey land to George Crider.
March 23: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Christ Haurse.
March 24: An Act to provide for education John Konkapot, junior, a Youth of the Stockbridge tribe of Oneida Indians and for the relief of John Konkapot, senior.
A pardon was granted to John Johnston, Rachel Harman, Thomas Fitzimons, Joseph Barnsely, Jane Cash, Patrick Kaighn, John Conner, John Thomas, convicted of Larceny
Remitted fine imposed upon Peter Emmery of Franklin County imposed Decmeber 1796 for keeping a Tippling-house.
March 27: Remitted fine imposed upon Elizabeth Hyton by the County of Lancaster, upon being convicted of Horse stealing.
March 28: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to James Ward upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
March 29: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Edmund McLaughlin.
March 31: Remitted fine imposed upon by the County of Delaware, upon Thomas Hinkson being convicted of Fornication and Bastardy.
April 3: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Michael McGuire upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
A pardon was granted to John Creighton, convicted of counterfeiting french crowns and dollars or pieces of eight, in Dauphin County.
April 4: Remitted fine imposed upon Adam Stone by the County of Montgomery, upon being convicted of not performing tour of militia duty in 1794.
Remitted fine imposed upon Ambrose Fitzgerald by the County of Chester, upon being convicted of Assault and Battery.
April 5: A pardon was granted to Patrick McMullan, convicted of stealing a Bull, in the County of Montgomery.
April 11: A pardon was granted to John Young, convicted of Larceny, Toby Morris convicted of “the crime against nature,” John, alias Thomas Smith McCloud, convicted of Larceny in County of Delaware, William Davis convicted of Horse stealing in Philadelphia County, John McMacken, convicted of Larceny, Richard O. Daniel, convicted of Horse stealing, George Johnston, convicted of Larceny, John Seifner, convicted of Forgery in County of Northampton, Anthony Murray, convicted of Larceny in Philadelphia county, and John Phillips convicted of entering the House of Christopher Slearheart.
Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Charles Brugier.
April 13: Escheat to the Commonwealth of real and personal estate caused by the death of Lawrence Borgeson, intestate, without heirs or kindred.
April 15: Remitted fine imposed upon James McCutcheon by the Mayor’s Court upon being convicted of Assault and Battery.
April 17: Escheat to the Commonwealth of real and personal estate caused by the death of Samuel Drew, intestate, in County of Philadelphia without heirs or kindred.
April 20: Pardons were granted to John Dixon, convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Bucks County and James McMullen convicted of Larceny in county of Philadelphia.
April 21: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Daniel Camronupon recommendation of General Quarter Sessions.
April 26: Pardons were granted by Susanna Nells, convicted of Larceny in Philadelphia County, John Loree convicted of assaulting and wounding Abraham Lewis Decomen and Cyprian Wallimer and sentenced by the Mayors Court, and Barbara Young convicted of concealing the death of her bastard child.
April 27: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to David McKenny upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
May 3: A pardon was granted to James Wallace, late Sheriff of Cumberland County, convicted of misdeameanor in office.
May 4: Patent issued to Right Rev’d Doctor William White for 301 acres in Northampton County which was forfeited by the attainder of Christian Hook of High Treason under the Act dated 6 March 1778.
May 9: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawkers and pedlers to James Henry and Christopher Arputh upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
May 11: Remitted fine imposed upon James Anderson by the County of Philadelphia, upon being convicted of fornication and bastardy.
May 13: Remitted fine imposed upon Laurence Otto by the Mayor’s Court, upon being convicted of fornication and bastardy
Peter Bambridge, having been charged with committing a felony in Bucks County, and having fled from the Justice of that State, the Governor makes requisition to the Executives of Stages of North and South Carolina and Tennessee for delivery of the Fugitive if found with either the said States.
May 25: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to James Clark upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
May 26: Pardons were granted to the following persons, now confined in the Jail of County of Philadelphia: John McDaniel convicted of horse stealing , Richard Cunningham convicted of Larceny and Thomas Johnston, convicted of Adultery and Bastardy.
May 29: A copy of an Affidavit charging Dr. James Tilton of Wilmington, Delaware, with fornication committed in City of Philadelphia was transmitted to him, with a request from the Secretary of the Commonwealth that he take immediate steps for compromising the complaint to prevent a requisition to the Executive of Delaware claiming him as a fugitive.
June 3: Remitted fine imposed upon Peter Weaverline, late of the County of Bedford, deceased, upon being convicted of keeping a tippling-house.
June 9: Escheat to the Commonwealth of real and personal estate caused by the death of Peter Bonadventure D’Artois, intestate, without heirs or kindred.
Pardons were granted upon the recommendation of the Inspectors of the Jail of the City and County of Philadelphia on condition they forthwith leave the state not to return: John Ryan, convicted of Larceny in the County of Philadelphia, William Kerrer, convicted of Larceny at Cumberland County in August 1796, John Burd, convicted of Larceny in Dauphin County in June 1796, Joseph Disberry, convicted of Burglary at Court of Oyer and Terminer in Dauphin County in March 1794, Margaet McGill, convicted of Larceny by the Mayor's Court, John Shane, convicted of Larceny by Mayor's Court, Lucretia Roberts, convicted of Larceny, Ben (a Negro) convicted of Larceny in Lancaster Co. in Feburary 1795, Louis blank, Lebe, Castro and Cheveblanks, (four french negroes (convicted severally of Larceny by the Mayor's Court, Catherine Shannon, convicted of Larceny in Dauphin Co., Catherine Stukins, convicted of Larceny in Lancaster Co., John Clark, convicted of Larceny by the Mayor's Court, and James Gemmill, convicted of Adultery in York Co.
June 10: Remitted fine imposed upon Elias Foy of Lower Dublin Township in the County of Philadelphia for not performing his tour of militia duty when called out in 1794.
A pardon was granted to Daniel Ridge, convicted of Larceny, in Chester County in August 1795.
June 13: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Thomas Niven upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
June 15: Granted licenses to follow the occupation of Hawkers and pedlers to John Lynch and Bernard Dougherty, upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
Remitted fines imposed upon Basil Neely. Thomas Neely, Lucina Neely and Elinor Neely, by the County of Westmoreland in 1794 and 1796 , upon being convicted of Assault and Battery.
June 17: A pardon was granted to Jacob Rudolph, convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter, in Delaware County. A pardon was granted to Hugh Paxton, convicted of Arson, in York County in September 1795.
June 19: A pardon was granted to Henry Wessel, convicted of Larceny in Philadelphia County.
Remitted fine imposed upon Henry Whiteman by the County of Philadelphia , upon being convicted of Assault and Battery.
June 20: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to John Alford upon recommendation of Lancaster County.
June 22: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to William Murray upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
June 23: A pardon was granted to Thomas Edwards and Joseph Price, the former convicted of Larceny and the latter for uttering and counterfeiting notes of the US Bank. Also pardoned Samuel McKisson, convicted of horse-stealing in York County, on condition of leaving the State forewith not to return.
June 28: A pardon was granted to Mary Brown, convicted of Larceny, in City of Philadelphia.
July 6: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Joshua McKee upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
July 12: Pardons were granted to Jonathan Bears, Michael Dougherty and Priscilla Davis, the former two upon the recommendation of the Inspectors of the Jail of the City and County of Philadelphia, and the latter from the Attorney General. Jonathan Bears was convicted of Assault and Battery upon Benjamin Scott and John Wilson in the City of Philadelphia, Michael Dougherty convicted of Assault and Battery upon Andrew Given in County of Philadelphia in September 1795 and Priscilla Davis for keeping a Tippling-house.
July 15: A pardon was granted to John Haymaker and Hannah (a negress), convicted of Larceny, and to John Davis convicted of Highway Robbery in Philadelphia County, on condition of leaving the State forthwith not to return.
A pardon was granted to Thomas Arms, convicted of Horse-stealing, in Lancaster County. A pardon was granted to Henry Harpur, convicted of Larceny.
July 17: Remitted fine imposed upon Charels Pryon, upon being convicted of Assault and Battery, and James Carey who was convicted of fornication and bastardy.
Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to George Connelly upon recommendation of General Quarter Sessions.
July 18: A pardon was granted to Mary Stump, convicted of Forgery, by the Mayor's Court.
July 20: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Michael Nicholas upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
July 22: Granted licenses to follow the occupation of Hawkers and pedlers to Henry Halback, Simon Philipson and John Spires upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
July 27: Remitted fine imposed upon Benjamin Strother by the Mayor's Court, upon being convicted of Assault and Battery upon Jacob Weiser, with a respectable recommendation and at the request of the person injured.
August 2:A pardon was granted to Mary McAllister, Catherine Forfeit, Mary Quinn and David (a Negro), now confined in jail at the City of Philadelphia, in compliance with a recommendation from the Inspectors of the Jail of the said City and County, and on condition of their leaving the State forthwith not to return.
August 3: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Hugh Service, upon recommendation of Quarter Sessions.
August 14: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Thomas Bailey upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
August 18: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to John Jacobs upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
August 19: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to James Strong upon recommendation.
August 23: Remitted fine imposed upon John Wardner by the County of Bucks, upon being convicted of ____.
August 24: A pardon was granted to Isaac Harris, convicted of Larceny, in Delaware County.
August 28:A certain ____ Harper, who stand charged with passing base metal in the likeness of Spanish dollars and parts of dollars, having fled into the state of Maryland, demand was made to the Executive of the State to deliver him to take his trial in this State.
August 29: A pardon was granted to William Farrow, convicted of Larceny, in County of Northampton in August 1797 and sentenced to hard labour for two years.
September 1: Pardons were granted to Langford Herring and McGee the former convicted of forgery on County of Philadelphia in March last and latter convicted in County of Northampton for larceny.
September 13: A pardon was granted to William Ewing, convicted of perjury, in Chester County.
September 14: A letter received form John Meyer, J.P. for County of Berks giving information of a murder recently committed in the said County was communicated to the Executive of New Jersey to take cautionary steps to identify the person of the murderer, who is supposed to be a certain Benjamin Bailey whose place of residence is said to be Morris County, New Jersey.
October 2: A pardon was granted to Elizabeth McGee, convicted of Larceny, in County of Northampton.
October 9: Remitted fine imposed upon Abraham Harmony by the County of Northampton, upon being convicted of neglecting to perform his tour of Military duty.
November 6: Pardons have been granted by the Governor upon recommendation of the Inspectors of the Jail of the City and County of Philadelphia:
Robert Smith, convicted of Larceny in County of Philadelphia in March 1797; and sentenced to six months imprisonment.
William Langdon, convicted of forging and uttering a check of the Bank of the United States and sentenced to one year at hard labor.
Edward Gray, convicted of Fornication & Bastardy in the County of Huntingdon and fined ten pounds and costs.
Thomas Evans, convicted of Larceny and sentenced to hard labour for 3 months.
John Holland, convicted of Larceny upon two Indictments and sentenced to hard labour for 18 months...
Solomon Driggs, convicted of Larceny, and sentenced to two years at hard labour...
Thomas Divine, convicted of Larceny and sentenced to one years hard labour...
John Handy, convicted of Larceny and sentenced to three months hard labour...
Daniel Sullivan, convicted of Larceny and sentenced to three months hard labour...
Eleanor Higgins convicted of Larceny and sentenced to one year, 6 months hard labour...
Thomas Fell, convicted of Larceny and sentenced to one years hard labour..
James Barry, convicted of Larceny and sentenced to one year, 6 months hard labour...
Matthew Dawsy, convicted of Larceny at the Mayor’s Court and sentenced to one year, 6 months hard labour.
A pardon was granted to Lewis Osmont, convicted of intention to cheat and defraud the Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania
A pardon was granted to John Poyk, convicted of Assault and Battery.
November 10: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Alexander Philips upon recommendation of the Quarter Sessions in Philadelphia County.
November 18: A pardon was granted to Jacob Miller, convicted of Adultery, in Berks County.
The application of Mark John Biddle and Daniel Clymer in favor of Benjamin Bailey, convicted of Murder of the first degree in the County of Berks, for a stay of execution....having been referred to the Attorney General, his opinion that the exceptions are not valid, and this was communicated to the said Gentlemen.
November 27: A pardon was granted to Shacob Schaffer, Frederick Singlin and Andrew Willour, convicted of Riot and Assault, in Northampton County.
A pardon was granted to James Sceely, convicted of Larceny, in the City of Philadelphia.
A pardon was granted to Charles Cassady, convicted of Larceny in City of Philadelphia.
A pardon was granted to Ned Caton (a Negro), convicted of Larceny, in Dauphin County.
A pardon was granted to Fanny Cummings, convicted of Larceny.
A pardon was granted to James Brady, convicted of Larceny.
November 29: Granted licenses to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Solomon Levy, Thomas Orr, and Arthur ONiehl, upon recommendation of the Quarter Sessions of Philadelphia County.
November 29: The forfeiture incurred by James Gibson’s non-appearance of his son Alexander Gibson at a Court of Quarter Sessions of the peace of Chester County in November 1797, to take his trial for Larceny, the said James having become bound of reappearance, was this day remitted by the Governor.
December 1: A pardon was granted to William Poston, convicted of Riot and Assault and Battery, in Chester County.
December 4: The Governor granted pardons to the following persons confined in the Philadelphia Jail:
Charles McNiff, convicted of receiving the property of Duncan McPhail, knowing the same to be have been stolen...
Patrick Kell, convicted of Larceny and sentenced by the Mayor’s Court to one year’s hard labour.
Isaac Haffa, convicted of Larceny and sentenced in the County of Berks to one year’s imprisonment at hard labour...
Cornelius Sullivan, convicted of Larceny by the Mayor’s Court and sentenced to four months hard labour.
December 5: A pardon was granted to Edward McClosky and Patrick McClosky, convicted of Assault & Battery in Chester County.
A pardon was granted to Patrick Caveny, convicted of Horse-stealing, in Washington County.
A pardon was granted to Elisha Taylor, convicted of Larceny, in Chester County.
A pardon was granted to John Third, convicted of keeping a Tippling-house, in the city of Philadelphia.
A pardon was granted to James Duberry , convicted of two indictments of Larceny, in Philadelphia.
The Governor issued a Noli Prosequi being issued in favor of Peter Banbridge now confined in Bucks County Jail on a charge of cheating Henry Wynkoop and others of said County.
December 11: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Thomas Forrest upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
December 12: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Hannanel Pereya upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
December 13: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Henry Schlime and Pierre Pereya upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
A pardon was granted to John Dougherty, convicted of Assault & Battery upon Hugh McDownell, in Philadelphia County.
December 14: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Henry Corren upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
The cases of Owen O’Hara and Benjamin Bailey both convicted of Murder in the first degree; the former in the County of Philadelphia, and the latter in the County of Berks, being under consideration by the Governor…ordered by the Governor that execution of the sentences be made and done; the former executed on Saturday the twenty third day of the present month; the latter on Saturday the sixth day of January 1798 in the usual place of execution in said Counties, between the hours of ten o’clock and tow of the Clock in the afternoon.
Pardons were granted to William Roland (alias Rollings), convicted of Larceny, to Rebecca Gofroth convicted of Larceny, Mary Carlisle convicted of Larceny, Susannah Ennis convicted of receiving Stolen goods, to Elizabeth Wilson (a Negress) convicted of Larceny in Delaware County, John Pratt convicted of Perjury in Fayette County, to Joshua Williams convicted of three Indictments in Fayette County viz: of negligent escape and willful escape.
A pardon was granted to Major Murray, convicted of Larceny.
A pardon was granted to John Bumbaugh, convicted of Assault & Battery in Dauphin County.
A pardon was granted to John Jackson and Steven Oliver, convicted of erected a nuisance or fence across a public highway, in Lycoming County.
December 15: Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to Barnett McFall upon recommendation of Philadelphia County.
December 19: Remitted fine imposed upon Benjamin Barefoot by the County of Berks, upon being convicted of Fornication and Bastardy.
Granted license to follow the occupation of Hawker and pedler to James Roseborough upon recommendation of Franklin County.
December 22: A pardon was granted to William Byrne, convicted of Larceny, in Mayor’s Court in Philadelphia, recommended by the Sheriff for undertaking to execute Owen O’Hara, now under sentence of death for murder.
December 23: Governor granted reprieve to Owen O’Hara under general and very respectable recommendation by the Jury and a great number of Citizens. (He reprieved him again on January 23 to 28 July next).