Massachusetts Bay, James Nichols, Berkley,

The Government & People of The Massachusetts Bay in New England. To The Sheriff Greetings:You are hereby Required in the name of The sd Government & Peoples to make an Diligent Search within your Precinct for The Body of of James Nichols of Berkley Gentleman and Him Apprehending you are to have before one of our Justices of The Peace that He may become Bound by Recognizance with Two Sufficient Sureties for His Personal Appearances at The next Court General Sessions of The Peace to be held at Taunton within and for The County of Bristol on The 2nd Tuesday of December next Then and There in our sd Court to answer To a Presentment of The Grand Jury for that The sd James on The Eleventh day of July in The Year of Our Lord Christ Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Five at Berkley IN UPON ONE LIBEL BRIGGS THE WIFE OF DAVID BRIGGS OF FREETOWN YEOMAN THEN & THERE BEING IN THE PEACE OF GOD WITH FORCE & ARMS AN ASSAULT DID MAKE ON HER THE SAID LIBEL BRIGGS THEN & THERE DID BEAT. WOUND & EVIL ENTREAT AND THEN & THERE TO HER OTHER ENORMITIES THINGS DID TO THE GREAT DAMAGE AND HURT OF HER THE SAID LIBEL TO THE EVIL EXAMPLE OF ALL OTHERS OFFENDING IN THE LIKE THINGS & AGAINST & TO DO NECESSARY WHAT BY HER ASSAULT THEN BE IN AFORESAID OF DIRECTIVE AND DEPART WITHOUT LEAVE OF THE PEACE OF THE KING THAT THEN WAS. Fail Not to Make return with your Doings herein unto sd Court Dated at Taunton the Seventh Day of May 1778 On Verso John Porter Signs and States Bristol May 18th 1778 By Virtue of this Warrant I Apprehended The Body of The Within Named Nichols and Brought him before Samuel Tobey Jr Esq one of The Justices of The Peace for The County to be Bound by way of Recognizance according to The warrant and Notified The Complainer of Time and Place.

This great old Massachusetts document can be found for sale on Ebay,Item number: 230313132687.

Port of New York, 1849

Letter to Hugh Maxwell, U.S. Collector, Port of New York is dated May 14th, 1849 and reads in part:

"The subscriber would respectfully present his name as one of the applicants for the office of Weights and Measures, which may be made vacant under your administration and refer you to the accompanying names as to his character and capability in discharging the duties of either office.
I have always been a resident of this city and now reside in the 9th Ward and have always voted the Whig ticket.

I have for the past six years been striving to maintain my family doing service as a Weigher and Measurer ...Hoping you will be pleased to give my application a favorable consideration and result in the consummation of my wishes

Signed by Charles S. Oakley.
The other original signatures on the document are:
(as the best I can make out: )

Silas C. Herring
Charles Crane
W.K. Beebe
Joseph F. Lippett
James R. BAll
....Mitchell
Schiffeling Brothers (?)
Stokes Gilbert
Wm K. Strong
Bleecker & Oothoul
Wm. Halsey & Co.
Abraham Van Orden "member of state legslature"
Thomas H. Brown
Blackwell
J. Howard & son
L.W. Stevens
Hyslop & Brother
David Graham.
(& others...)

"I fully concur....George Briggs, M.C. District New York (Member of Congress)
W. Gerard...

Exeter, New Hampshire and Newmarket, New Hampshire

Group of 4 documents from Exeter, New Hampshire and Newmarket, New Hampshire. #l. estate settlement 1843. #2. 1822, an IOU to Clark Dean. #3. 1789, an estate of Nicolus Doe ??? settlement for a yoke of oxen. #4. 1761, Frances Durgin pay Andrew Burleigh for thatch. These 2 men were from Newmarket.

Circleville Ohio 1846 John Valentine

Circleville Ohio April the 18th 1846. The document says a payment was received of the administrator of a deceased person named John Valentine, there is also mention of a guardian of a minor.

This great old document is for sale on Ebay Item number: 310105186955

Andover Massachusetts 1783 Joseph Ballard

Document from Andover Massachusetts, dated 1783. Joseph Ballard has sold to Isaac Blunt, feltmaker, also of Andover a piece of swampland ......signed on back by Joseph Ballard, Hanna Ballard, Nathan Ballard, Nathaniel Lovejoy and Nathaniel Lovejoy, Jr.

You can find this great old Andover Massachusetts document for sale on Ebay Item number: 120330310487.

Circleville Ohio 1853 Henry Rudy

Circleville 14th Oct. 1853. This document says that a payment of six hundred and thirty two dollars and twenty cents was received of Jacob Ludwig of the Estate of Henry Rudy decd. It also mentions his widow who signs at the bottom who's name is Elizabeth Rudy.

This document is for sale on Ebay Item number: 120339077650. If you are interested just follow one of the links to Ebay on this Blog.

Granville County, North Carolina 1826

James Wortham 1826, Slavery Document from Granville County, North Carolina being a Bill of Sale / Transfer for one “negro girl named Netty about five years old” from a father to a son. This Slave Sale document appears to be written in the hand of James Wortham, one of the witnesses to the Document. The document reads “Know all men by these presents that I Edward Wortham of the County of Granville and State of North Carolina for the love and affection which I bear unto my son Thomas P. Wortham and for the further consideration of one cent to me in hand paid the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged. That I do give unto him the said Thomas P. Wortham one negro girl named Netty about five years old to him and his heirs forever, against the claim or claims of all persons whatsoever and I do bind myself my heirs and warrant and forever defend unto the said Thomas P. Wortham all the rights title and interest of the said negro girl Netty to him and his heirs forever. In testimony of which I have here unto set my hand and seal this the eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six”. The Document is signed by Edward Wortham and witnessed by James Wortham and William D. Wortham.

Moses Huntington Lebanon, Connecticut.

18th century paper document from Connecticut dated "Norwich the 10th day of November Anno Domini 1760". This paper document is a Summons/Sheriff's Writ from the Town of Lebanon, Connecticut, for one Moses Huntington to appear at His Majesty's Court for non-payment of debt. Signature at bottom; endorsed on back.

I found this document for sale on Ebay Item number: 190267667409.

Thomas Spain 1849

Thomas Spain has sailed with a person for two weeks. It looks like it says he sailed on the or Sloop Edwin H Filter. It is dated September 12, 1849 from Bridgeport, NJ.

1780; Salem, Massachusetts

1780; Salem, Massachusetts; where Eleazer Lake Jr. and his wife Mary have agreed to take Thomas Talbert as an apprentice..to feed him and teach him the trade of shoemaker....signed by Thomas Mason, John Hodges,Richard Manning, Nathan Goodale, William Peckman, William Vans and Nathan Ward.

Hartford, Connecticut 1777

Original 1777 manuscript from Hartford, Connecticut, during the Revolutionary War. It reads: "Sir Pay by the hand of Jonathan Palmer Esqr to Cap.t John Breed Seventeen pounds Eleven Shillings & Seven pence 1/2 & to Lieut. Ichabod Brown Seventeen pounds fourteen Shillings & one penny for Wages & Subsistance of the Militia Companies under their respective Commands in Service to Stoningtown & Groton in Alarms as pr their Rolls - & charge the State Hartford May 12, 1777. [signed] Jesse Root [signed] O. Ellsworth [signed] Jn.o Lawrence Esqr Treas." Note that Oliver Ellsworth, who signed it, was a member of the Constitutional Convention and a Supreme Court justice. He is supposedly credited with coming up with the name "United States of America."

This document can be found for sale on Ebay.

William Harris of Ipswich, Massachusetts

Dated 1742. In this document, William Harris of Ipswich, Massachusetts gives away a plot of land to his sons. Dated March 18, 1742. The document is signed by William Harris.

John Milan Barto

John Milan Barto, U.S. Merchant Mariners Document

Newtown, Rockingham County, New Hampshire 1838

Partly printed land document, Newtown, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, January 29, 1838.
A quitclaim deed. The text reads, in part: "I, Sargent Heath of Newtown in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire ... for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and twenty dollars ... well and truly paid by Walter Bailey of West Newbury in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts .... do hereby acknowledge, have given, granted, bargained, and sold ... unto the said Walter Bailey ... [a] certain piece of land situated in Newtown, State and County aforesaid and bounded as follows viz. beginning at a stake and stones on land of Capt. Joub Peaslee's, thence on said Peaslee's and North about thirty three and a half degrees East fifty nine rods and thirteen links to a stake and stone, thence on land of Samuel Carr South forty seven degrees east sixteen rods and fifteen links to a stake and stone, thence on land of the said Sargent Heath South thirty three and a half degrees West fifty seven rods to a stake and stone, thence on land of Benjamin Chase's heirs North fifty four degres West sixteen and a half rods to the bound first mentioned, containing six acres of land by measure...."

The document is signed at the conclusion by Sargent Heath and Ruth Heath [his wife], by Thomas Carter and Benjamin F. Carter as witnesses, and by John Hart as justice of the peace. The reverse bears a handwritten clerical docket signed by Francis D. Randall as recorder. The lower right corner bears two paper seals

Judith Winsor Smith

A great Correspondence Archive (1844-1853) of Judith Winsor Smith is up for sale on Ebay.

Judith Winsor Smith (1821-1921) - An American abolitionist and woman's suffragist, born in Marshfield, MA. During her long lifetime, Smith was involved in many social and politicial causes. She was a member of the Standing Committee of Theodore Parker's 28th Congregational Society; a founder and first president of the Home club of East Boston (women's club) and an officer in state and national women's suffrage associations. Daughter Zilpha Drew Smith (1852-1926) became a prominent Boston social worker.

Handwritten archive of (32) personal letters from Smith, the majority while she living in Pembroke, Massachusetts, 1850-53 and sent to her husband, Silvanus Smith, a shipbuilder in East Boston, but a few earlier 1844-45. Plus (4) from other correspondents, including Silvanue. See below. (36) letters total.

Although the letters are mainly domestic in nature, Judith W. Smith commented in 1920 when she voted for the first time, "For 70 years I have been in the fight for woman suffrage...", and the candid letter content contain possible seeds of her discontent. Silvanus apparently bought their farm in Pembroke without her consent and left her isolated there with small children - overflowing cistern, scarlet fever, crops and livestock - while he went to work in East Boston as a shipbuilder. She comments frequently that she wishes she was in East Boston and regrets a few times that she can't join him to hear Theodore Parker. She also asks him to bring her one of Horace Mann's speeches.

Brief excerpts:

June 9, 1850 - "Martin Ford Jr. has a child two years old sick with the small pox. Dr. C attends him and he is going well. I don't know as I ought to wait till Dr. Wilde come had I? I mean about inoculating the children. Did yours take and is there much of it in South Boston?; My will is good to do a great deal more than I do but I suppose I ought to be content with all I can do. I feel impatient with myself often."

May 22, 1852 - "I like Capt. Manter's plan of bringing his wife here. I think it is much better than to buy the farm without even asking her how she should like it - as I once knew a certain man to do."

June 13, 1852 - "Seth and his two apprentices begun on the barn Friday. Thomas is coming tomorrow. They eat dinner here so your Judy feels as though she was helping you a little. I have felt better the last week than I have before since Zilpha was born - have taken an egg every day and am in hopes to get strong again some time. My last upper tooth broke off on day...and I pulled out the remaining false one - so I look worse than ever.

November 7, 1852 - "I thank you kindly for your very kind letter...Not that I doubt your good feeling at all - I know you have them - but we women are such queer creatures that we need sympathising words and when you say or write any, it does me lots of good."

December 5, 1852 - "I think as you do about Parker and wish I could hear him preach often. I think it would help me but how differently people think of the same thing. Dr. Wilde called here on his way to and from H for Kate. I asked him if he had read Parkers sermon on D W [Daniel Webster]. Part of it he said - and I questioned him about it till he said he thought the sermon unjust and hipocritical...that his (Parkers) malignity was equal to Horace Mann's.

Other content - quaker meeting; preparations for Washington's Birthday parade; wagon trip; more.

Other letters: (2) 1851,1853, Silvanus Smith, with some ship content; (1) 1850 from Zilphah (no surname); (1) H. Collamore.

Letters primarily quarto, two filled pages, a few longer. Legible ink. Six with covers, two postally sent. Overall VG+ condition.

This is a fantastic find if you are related to Judith Winsor Smith.

Taunton 1776

To The Sheriff or Constables of The Town of Taunton Whereas Job Chase of Middleborough in The County of Plymouth Yeoman has this Day made Complaint on His Majesty's Behalf to me The Subscriber One of His Majesty Justice of The Peace for The County of Bristol against Benjamin Chace of Taunton Yeoman and Silva Chase His Wife for that The sd Benjamin Chase and Silva at Taunton aforesaid on the 5th Day of November last past Did Feloniously Take Steal & Kill a White Horned Sheep Marked with ahalf crop in one Ear and an a Half Penny in The other Ear being The Property of Job Chase & in His Possession & of The Value of 13 Shillings & 4 Pence Contrary to The Law and Peace. These are therefore to Require You forthwith to make Diligent Search within your Precinct for The Body of The said Benjamin Chase and Silva Chase and Them Apprehending you are to convene before me The Subscriber or other of His Majestys Justices that they may be proceeded with as the Law Directs also Summon Cooper & John Perkins of Middleborough and Anne Burden The Wife of Justice Burden of sd Taunton and Job Chase The Complainant that they appear at The same Time and Place to give evidence of what they know. Richard Godfrey Signs and states Taunton Jan 26th 1776 I then apprehended The Bodies of The Within Named Benjimin Chase and Silva his wife and convened them before Benjamin Williams Esq and Summoned the Evidences and Time and Place 1776 On Verso it States Warrant Job Chase against Benji Chase & Wife.

Newmarket New Hampshire 1773

November 1773, John Wingate received from Jacob Burley one pound four shilling and eight pence lawful money for taxes on the Second Division of forty acres. Township East Town.

This document is up for sale on Ebay Item number: 220285348106

Reading, Massachusetts, 1730

Massachusetts, 1730.

To Mr. John Harnden Constable for Reading Greeting You are Revely Required in his Majesty’s Name forthwith to Warn the freeholders & other Inhabitants in your precinct Qualified in the Law Direct to meet at the South Meeting house in Reading upon Tuesday Second day of february Next at one of the clock in the afternoon then & there to Elect & Depute one or more person or persons to serve for & Represent them in a great & General Court or assembly, appointed to be convened held & kept for his Majesty’s Service at the Court house in Boston upon Wednesday the Tenth day of february Next Ongoing? the Date hereof & to know whether the Town will take up with any other of Cpt Flints? proposal, about the way going over his meadow in the North precinct, or whether they will choose a commity to agree with him farther about the Same or what they will do Referring to that matter hereof xxx Not & make Return of thy Warrant & your doing therein to the Town Clerk at or before the meeting.
Dated in Reading January the 19 1730/1
By order of the Select men Peter Emerson Town clerk

Joseph Kimball, New Hampshire and Rowland Powell, Vermont

Document entitled 'AN ACT GRANTING A NEW TRIAL", passed by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, October 21, 1788. A copy from the office of the Secretary of State, June 11, 1790. Involves a 1785 action of debt between Joseph Kimball of New Hampshire and Rowland Powell of Vermont whereby Powell was acquitted of any obligation. Kimball subsequently entered an appeal to the General Assembly which has granted a new trial.

Item number: 190252568284

Windsor and Springfield Vermont 1783

Windsor, Vermont, December 16, 1783, and signed by Court Clerk B. Brown, rendering a jury decision of not guilty in a case of trespass involving the sum of 20 Pounds, between Jonathan Barrett and Nathaniel Weston, both of Springfield, Vermont.

This great old document about Jonathan Barrett and Nathaniel Weston is for sale on Ebay Item number: 190252566053.

Eliakam Caril, County of Salem Province of West New Jersey

In the name of God Amen I Eliakam Caril of Alloways Creek in the County of Salem Province of West New Jersey yeoman being very...weak in body but of peaceful mind memory for which I desire to be very thankful to God who is the...of all god and calling to mind...in manner & form following that....my Soul to Almighty God who gave it to me my body to the dust to be buried in a Christian manner...bequeth unto my dear & loving wife Elizabeth Carell all my personal or moveable Estate to disposed as she shall...half part of my Plantation...for and during her natural life...bequeath unto my son Phineas Caril...in charge of cuting and ...all the firewood that my said loving wife Elizabeth Caril shall want during her natural life...where I have known to set my hand & seal this fifth day of March anno Domini 1749 (1799?) Eliakam Caril

Ebay Item number: 200254420709

John Laighton of Ipswich, Massachusetts

The last will and testimony of John Laighton of Ipswich, Massachusetts is up for sale on Ebay. The will is dated 4th of December 1730. The will contains John Laighton's signature and seal. If John Laighton was your ancestor this will is a great find.

1859 Charlotte County, Florida

1859 Charlotte County, Florida documents detailing the results of a Coroner's Inquest into the death of “a negro woman slave Nancy” the property of William H. Gaines at the time of her death.

It appears that the body of "Nancy" was discovered on Saturday April 9th, 1859 on the side of a public road by a free man of color named Washington Bird. On Monday April 11th, 1859 a Coroner's Inquest was held "on the land of Mrs. Susan Elliott (who owned the property near where the body was found). The first Document is the official findings of the Inquest which is signed by the County Coroner, Thomas Pugh, and each of the 12 jurors. This document reads in part: "An inquisition taken on the land of Mrs. Susan Elliott in the County of Charlotte on the 11th day of April in the year 1859 before Thomas Pugh a Coroner of the County upon the view of the body of the negro woman slave Nancy the property of Wm. H. Gains, then lying dead. The jurors sworn to inquire when, how and by what means the said negro woman slave Nancy came to her death, upon their oaths do say: That on examination of the body there were no marks of violence, that on a surgical examination of the body the heart was considerably diseased, therefore the jurors come to the conclusion that the woman died a natural death caused by over exertion in walking acting on a diseased heart, they are of the opinion that she died on Saturday night last on the side of the public road near the residence of Mrs. Susan Elliott at the place where she was found...". This Document is signed by the Coroner and the 12 jurors and is docketed on the reverse "Inquisition on the body / Nancy a Slave" / "Filed 23 April 1859".
Of special interest is a second ancillary Document related to the Inquest which contains the evidentiary statements of a male negro slave named "Thompson", a free man of Color named Washington Bird and the physician who did the autopsy on the body of Nancy. While the Doctor has written signed his statement in his own hand, the statements of the two negro witnesses are written in the same hand as the previous Document and signed by the witnesses with "their mark" - in each case a simple "X". The negro slave Thompson testifies to the fact that on Saturday evening he spoke with Nancy who told him she was going to Mr. Daniels' to collect some money that one of Mr. Daniels' men owed Mr. Gains, her master. Thompson testifies that Nancy left between 8 and 10 PM on Saturday night to go to Mr. Daniels'. Washington Bird, a free man of Color found the body of Nancy on the side of the road at about 3AM on Sunday morning. He testifies that he was passing along the public road near the plantation of Mrs. Susan Elliott and discovered a negro woman lying dead near the roadside. He states that he continued on his way to the residence of Mr. Hannah where he informed Mr. Hannah that he had "seen a woman dead on the road side and informed him of the place. He saw no one about the place where the woman lay. He did not touch her.". Dr. Ferguson testifies to the condition of the body and the extent of the heart disease.

This set of documents is for sale on Ebay Item number: 280261275453

Frederick County, Maryland 1813

1813 Frederick County, Maryland Manuscript Legal Brief Documents in a court case involving the death of a male Negro Slave named Harry for sale on Ebay Item number: 280261275456.

These rare, Slavery related legal documents from Frederick Co., Maryland are variously dated between February and June of 1813. They are a portion of the record a fascinating slavery case in which Roger B. Taney served as attorney for the defendants. The case involved the purchase of a slave who, unknown to the purchaser, was in poor health and died of consumption shortly after the purchase was completed. The slave, named Harry, was sold by George French (who were represented by Roger Taney) to Peter Brengle, who testifies that on the first day after the purchase he observed “(Harry) to be weak and sick (and) asked him what ailed, Harry answered that he was weak and had a pain in the breast...had been so for a year or two...”. A doctor's deposition (included here) states that he was called by Brengle “to visit his negro who they called Harry...and found his case desperate, (telling Brengle) you will lose Harry in a few days as he is in the last stage of a deep consumption of the Lungs and cannot survive many days“. Another witness testified that in a tavern conversation with George French (after the sale of Harry) French said Brengle would have to pay for (Harry), though the negro never was worth a damn, and during the lifetime of Mr. Scott, his old master, he was constantly Sick or complaining of a sore throat head ach, and pain in his neck.”. The 2 Documents present include the include the original Appointment of one Ezra Mantz to obtain depositions in the case of Brengle vs French and to deliver those depositions to the Frederick County Court. It is this Document that identifies Roger Taney (the future Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court) as attorney for George French. The second document consists of 4 pages written by Ezra Mantz relating the information taken as depositions from various witnesses produced by the plaintiff and the defendant.

Lawrence County Alabama Slave Valuation 1856

This document from Alabama, Lawrence County Alabama is dated the 22nd of December, 1856. The document is addressed to and signed by C. McDonald, judge of probate, dividing a group of slaves between a father and son, Tomas J. Tweedy and Jos. M. Tweedy. Witnessed and signed by Lewis Dunlop, justice of the peace and three commissioners, Thos Ashford, Jas N. Crow, and Frs. W. Sykes who were chosen “to value & divide certain negros”. Contains the names, value and ages of seven slaves, the oldest, Nancy, 60 years old, valued at $300, and the youngest, Robert, a 6 month old child is valued together with his 23 year old mother Lizzy at $1,225. Another six month old boy, James and his 35 year old mother, Louisa, are valued at $1,025.



“After valuing said negros they were divided into two lots as nearly equal in value as the commissioners could divide there having due regard to law…” “Two pieces of paper with No 1 & 2 were placed in a hat & Jos M Tweedy was appointed to draw from the hat a number … he drew No 1.” “That T. T. Tweedy having the least valuable lot by two hundred and twenty five dollars, is intitled to that amount from …Jos W Tweedy.”

This great old document is for sale on Ebay Item number: 200249381750.

John Laighton of Ipswich, Massachusetts

The last will and testimony of John Laighton of Ipswich, Massachusetts is for sale on Ebay. The will is dated 4th of December 1730.

Clyde River Paper Mill, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia

I found this great batch of documents on Ebay. Circa 1925 historical documentation of Clyde River Paper Mill, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia. Complete with lease of right -of -way agreement from Etta M. Greenwood, witnessed by Alwilda Thomas. Invoices from machinery firms in Halifax, Yarmouth, and Weymouth. Payroll documents from A.H. Harlow. Info on Mersey and Sissiboo Mills. Signed letter from R.L. Seabourne, manager of Woodlands Department, 1929, to Stillman Jones confirming discontinuance of watchman services at Clyde Mill. Has lease document concerning Sissiboo Mill. Documents signed by Secretary Treasurer Alfred H. Harlow. WU document Frank Greenwood dated Jan. 21st/ 1928. Clyde River payroll letter for $150.20, Nov.18th, 1927. Personal letter from James Sperry, West Green Harbour, dated Oct. 7th, 1929, to Clyde Pulp Mills. Clyde River tax bill for $640 from W.A.Thomas, Collector. Letter from Harlow to Jones: Would you please send us the wood purchase book which you will find in the safe. We want this to look up the logging operations for pine and hemlock for 1925 and 1926. You might telephone to Mr. Miles and ask him if the book is in order before sending it along. Letter dated April 13th, 1927: I have ordered the three pieces of Lignum Vitae from W.G. Utley, Machinist, Yarmouth, to go by freight to Port Clyde. Letter: We sold recently to Dunfield Lumber Co. three cars of pine amounting to $1,443.57 in total. Other letters from oil and insurance companies. Great historical documentation of Clyde River, Sissiboo, and Mersey Paper Mills.

Dublin New Hampshire 1772

Colonial American document about creating a Church in Dublin, New Hampshire......Dated Dublin, June 19, 1772, the minutes of an Ecclesiastical Meeting of the Churches of Lincoln, Groton, Monadnock, Number 4 and Swanzey, meeting at the home of Thomas Morse in Dublin, New Hampshire. "Proceeded to Embody a Church in Said Dublin....voted unanimously to proceed to Ordination". Other information about plans for service.

Ebay Item number: 200245309495

Estate of Joseph Nash Commonwealth of Masachusetts

19th century document from the Commonwealth of Masachusetts: a partly-printed/partly-handwritten PROBATE DOCUMENT, dated "the 10th day of November in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen" (1818). This document apparently appoints an executor for the Estate of Joseph Nash (the Executor is his son, Zichni Nash).

This would be a great genealogy find if you are a desendant of Joseph Nash. The item is for sale on Ebay Item number: 190242094388

A B Manston Northfield, Vermont 1865

Selectmen's Office, Northfield, Vt., Feb 27 1865." It says to pay to the order of A B Manston thirty five dollars 17 cents for errors in footing of tax bills.

This old Civil War era document is up for sale on Ebay Item number: 120290652014

Calvin Goddard, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts 1799

Calvin Goddard of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, writes to his uncle Reverent Edward Goddard of Swanzey, New Hampshire, April 26, 1799. Content involves financial matters, settling of a family estate, the Reverend's removal from his pastoral duties at Swanzey, the probate case being heard in Worcester Courts, and would Uncle please pay his debt to settle the estate.

This old letter would be a great find if you are a Goddard descndant. It is for sale on Ebay if you want to take a look. Item number: 190240109363

Baltimore County, State of Maryland 1818

May 14, 1818. To the Sheriff of Baltimore County, State of Maryland, to arrest David DeForest, to answer to Daniel James, Administrator of estate of Harden Keys for trespass. Signed by William Gibson, Clerk of the Court of Judge Walter Dorsey. Docketed on reverse with Sheriff's attestation. This document is for sale on Ebay Item number: 200231020810. If you think it may have belonged to your ancestor you might want to place a bid. Just follow one of the links to Ebay on this Blog if you want to take a look or make a bid.

Caroline Gertrude Webb 1861

Hand written antique 1861 Will. This is stamped through to both pages marking as a Will. This is signed Caroline Gertrude Webb and dated 1861. Ebay number: 180250435733

1799 New York City James Griffiths

Original 19th century BAIL DOCUMENT from New York City issued by the New-York Mayor's Court, dated "10th day of June 1799". It is a Bail Document for one Fortescue Cumingu (?) involving a suit by James Griffiths for four hundred and fifty dollars. Ebay Item number: 200225835508

Baltimore County Maryland 1802

Order of arrest dated August 2, 1802. To the Sheriff of Baltimore County, State of Maryland, to arrest David Wilson to answer to Alexander Mitchell for trespass. Signed by William Gibson, Clerk of the Court of Chief Justice Henry Ridgely.

I found this item for sale on Ebay Item number: 190221228528.

Bethel Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania,

1783 Bethel Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Water Rights, Articles of Agreement.

Articles of Agreement between Daniel Shnider and Daniel Hoffman pertaining to the sale of land - a small parcel of one acre, to be used for "taking the water out and diging or ditching out the same in a race through the said Shnider's land and to make a dam thereon for the use of a water saw mill...."

Has a number of signatures: Daniel Snider w/ seal [2x]; Daniel Hoffman w/ seal [2x]; John Ludwig; Rachel Ludwig; Jacob Walborn. Plus, three hard to decipher (appear to be Germanic names.)

Item number: 170211512153

New York 1798

A document signed by John Leigh and Port of New York officials, and others, dated July 31, 1798, for importation of wearing apparel from the Island of Jamaica, landed from brig "David & George", Captain Charles White, Master.Item number: 200215504837

1793 Benjamin Mumford & James Gregory

1793 Benjamin Mumford & James Gregory both of Exeter, Weavers enterer the workshop of Samuel Hopkinson and and Made an Assault... "did then and there beat wound and abuse & other enormities...against the Peace." Hopkinson "prays they may be apprehended"

The second half of the document is a summons to the Sheriff to apprehend Mumford & Gregory "to be dealt with." Summons notes by the Constable he had "taken the bodys (sic)." Also Summoned Joseph Flood, Joseph Safford, Richard York Jun., And Hezekiah Smith.

Third page is a detail of the Court proceeding and notes the two Justices
found them Guilty. They were ordered to pay a fine of Six Shillings "and committed till this sentence be performed." Signed by Samuel Hopkinson, William Parker Samuel Brooks & Shackford Bennett.

This letter is for sale on Ebay Item number: 370039051864

Clerk of the Superior Court's Office 1768

"Minutes taken out of the Clerk of the Superior Court's Office 1768

Zachary Trescott, Sarah Wells, John Spooner Sell the Farm to Lewis 20 March 1731
Lewis Mortgage to John & Joanna Simpson for L2000 Sterling

Alexander Campbell or Elder Campbell, Swears that he held Lewis's Farm & Marsh all except 8 Acres
Salt marsh on the East side of the Creek which Job Lewis, Assigned to Mr. Joseph Heath** as he understood by said Lewis was for Service done him.
Thomas & Margaret Stephens Deed to Thomas Kellog & William Hobbs dated
6 September 1681 not recorded until May 1739.
J Coleman's Deed to Aaron Hinkley, Humphrey Purrington for Land former E. Side Stephens's Creek
dated 21 March 1756
John & Jona Simpson's Quit Claim of the Farm to S. Gardiner & William Bowdoin dated 21 Septm 1754 which Simpson's recovered of Job Lewis by Judgement of Superior Court at York
June 1748 & delivered Possession by Execution 7 Feb 1748/9.
Bowdoin's Quit claim to S. Gardiner dated 7 February 1759
N.B. Barnabas Seabury was the Sheriff who delivered Possession.
N.B. To Get Jones Plan & Oath to laying out Land
N.B. Ham[Or Thom?] Smith & Thompson's Grant from Plymouth Company."

Massachusetts Civil War Document William Scott

Civil War document at the top it says, "Certificate To Be Given To Volunteers At The Time Of Their Discharge To Enable Them To Receive Their Pay,&c." Right below it says William Scott of the 21st Regiment of the State of Massachusetts born in Worcester, 18 years old, 5 feet 11 inches with blue eyes, brown hair, by occupation a carpenter is entitled to a discharge. At the bottom it is dated April 25, 1862, by Command of Gen Wadsworth.

Ebay Item number: 310036914219

ENGLISH INDENTURE 1777

ENGLISH INDENTURE LEGAL DOCUMENT LAND DEED HAND WRITTEN AND WITNESSED IN 1777. SEVEN SHEET OF PAPER WRITTEN ON ONE SIDE, THE FIRST SHEET BLIND STAMPED WITH CROWN TAX OF ONE SHILLING, ALSO INK STAMPED WITH CROWN MARK OF THE COLLECTOR. DOCUMENT TITLED: THIS INDENTURE TRIPARTITE (THREE PARTIES), ABOUT FARM LAND. LAST SHEET STATES THIS TO BE A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL DEED (AN 1806 HAND WRITTEN COPY OF THE 1777 DOCUMENT (?) THE OUTER COVER SHEET IS WRITTEN: ATTESTED COPY OF THE CONVERANCE FROM MESSR. THOS. JONES AND EDWARD COSTARD TO MESSR. CROSBIE AND WIMSON OF THE ESTATE IN FRODSHAM CALLED THE BRIDGE FARM. DATED THE 18th OF OCT. 1777.

Letter dated Miami Missouri 1882

"Miami Mo, Jan, 30th, 1882

Mr. Milton Ferrill,

Dear Friend,

Your letter of the 23rd to hand and contents duly noted. Well Milt I am glad to hear that you are still living and having a boss time. You speak of tramps being in town. That just suits you. You can get with your kind. Yes Carry Williams is at Los Vegas, New Mexico running a barber shop making $80 a month clear of expenses but as you say he won’t stick very long…..Well Milt it looks like we was going to have a railroad. They commenced the survey from Marshall running to this point this morning so you can just look out for Miami is just going to be the boss town in the country. The road will run from Sedalia to Laclede and a new road will start from this point running to Kansas City through the plains by Malta Bend. I will let you know when I hear the cars whistle. You hold your breath until I let you know. Just closed up the saloon. A mob of about 50 or 75 men went down there and played hell with it. Some parties are trying to get their backs up about it. They gave the saloon keepers 48 hours to get away from town. His time is up and look out we are going to have little hell here in a few hours if he don’t skip. He went to Marshall Sunday after a lawyer to defend him against the mob. The mob notified his lawyer to come to Miami if he wanted to. If he did they would put him in the river but he failed to come. They have been running without a license for some time and the people got tired of it. You just bet they raised hell for sometime……..Yours truly, Jas.F. Vaughan

Bristol County 1742 Japheth Bicknell

Document of 1742. Know all men by these presents that I Japheth Bicknell of Rehoboth in Ye County of Bristol Blacksmith DO HAVE BY AND CONSTITUTE AND APPOINT RICHARD TREE OF REHOBOTH YEOMAN TO BE MY TRUE AND LAWFUL ATTORNEY FOR ME IN ALL CAUSES REAL PERSONAL OR MIXT MOVED OR TO BE MOVED FOR ME OR AGAINST ME TO APPEAR PLEAD AND PROCEED TO FINAL JUDGEMENT AND EXECUTION AS ALSO POWER OF SUBSTITUTION AS WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL THIS Thirteenth Day of October 1742. ON VERSO IT STATES JAPHETH BICKNELL POWER TO TREE.and also Peres Bradford Justice of The Peace Signs and States Rehoboth December 16th 1742 The within named Japheth Bicknell personally appeared and acknowledged the within written Instrument to be his Free Act and Declared before me. Has A Papermakers Watermark and Japheth Bicknell's Personal Papered over Seal. John Wheeler and Daniel King Sign as Witness's.

This Bristol County 1742 Japheth Bicknell document can be found on Ebay Item number: 230232306955

1729 Samuel Besely Of Bristol

1729 document with Samuel Besely Personal Seal. Know all Men by These Presents that I Samuel Besely Of Norton in The County of Bristol Am Holden and Stand Bound & Obliged unto Richard Waterman Esq of Providence in Ye Colony of Rhode Island in The Full and Just Sum of Forty Eight Pounds Lawful Money of New England to be Paid unto Richard Waterman Dated 19th Day of May 1729 Witnessed by Mary Chandler & Ann Newson. On the back it States Sam Besely's Bond to Mr Waterman.

This County of Bristol document is for sale on Ebay Item number: 230232061837. If you want to have a look or place a bid just follow one of the links on this blog.

Nathaniel Sherman 1719 Dartmouth Document

Colonial American Document fron 1719. This is a Warrant for Mary The Wife of Nathaniel Sherman of Acushnet Village in Ye Dartmouth that she appear at The Court of The General Sessions of Ye Peace to be Held at Bristol for Ye County on ye Second Tuesday of January next to answer to a Presentation of Ye Grand Jury. Exhibited against Her FOR HAVING A CHILD BORN OF HER BODY WITHIN 5 MONTHS OF HER MARRIAGE to do and perform what by sd Court shall be ordered and not to depart therefore without a License failnot to make return hereof with your doings thereon sd Court. Dated at Bristol The 13th Day of October in The 6th year of His Majesty's Reign 1719. Signed by Ebenezer Brenton.

This Dartmouth document is for sale on Ebay Item number: 230230402967.

John Burridge, London 1669

Handwritten English Acquittance dated 1669 during the reign of King Charles II whereby John Burridge, Taylor and Bricklayer of London aclnowledges satisfaction of a debt on real estate from Charles Plomer, a Merchant Taylor of London.

Raynham in The County of Bristol in New England

Colonial American Document of 1743. This Document has John White of Raynham in The County of Bristol in New England House-Carpenter Sueing Pendleton Brittain of Raynham Husbandman Seven Pounds One Shilling and Eight Pence and One Pound & Fifteen Shillings & Nine Pence COST OF SUIT as to us appears of record, Whereas Execution Remains to be Done. We Command you therefore that of The Goods Chattles or Lands of The sd Pendleton Brittain you cause to be Paid and if None We Command you to Take The Body of The sd Pendleton Brittain and Commit them unto Our Goal in Bristol and detain in your custody until They Pay The Full Sums. On Verso Sam White Sheriff Signs and States No Collection

Miami Missouri In 1882

"Miami Mo, Jan, 30th, 1882

Mr. Milton Ferrill,

Dear Friend,

Your letter of the 23rd to hand and contents duly noted. Well Milt I am glad to hear that you are still living and having a boss time. You speak of tramps being in town. That just suits you. You can get with your kind. Yes Carry Williams is at Los Vegas, New Mexico running a barber shop making $80 a month clear of expenses but as you say he won’t stick very long…..Well Milt it looks like we was going to have a railroad. They commenced the survey from Marshall running to this point this morning so you can just look out for Miami is just going to be the boss town in the country. The road will run from Sedalia to Laclede and a new road will start from this point running to Kansas City through the plains by Malta Bend. I will let you know when I hear the cars whistle. You hold your breath until I let you know. Just closed up the saloon. A mob of about 50 or 75 men went down there and played hell with it. Some parties are trying to get their backs up about it. They gave the saloon keepers 48 hours to get away from town. His time is up and look out we are going to have little hell here in a few hours if he don’t skip. He went to Marshall Sunday after a lawyer to defend him against the mob. The mob notified his lawyer to come to Miami if he wanted to. If he did they would put him in the river but he failed to come. They have been running without a license for some time and the people got tired of it. You just bet they raised hell for sometime……..Yours truly, Jas.F. Vaughan

John R. Atwater Civil War Document

Civil War document written, August 13, 1863 the camp of the 15th Connecticut Voluteer Regiment was located at Portsmouth, Virginia. The purpose of the document was to make an installment payment of 10 dollars due to John R. Atwater on a bounty of a $100.00 that was promised him from the state of Connecticut as an incentive to enlist in company 'K' of the 15th Connecticut volunteer regiment. The voucher is signed by Atwater and his commanding officer Henry H. Stiles.

Amherst, New Hampshire 1801

David Swett of Amherst, New Hampshire & Levi Dearborn of North Hampton
& a case in Exeter in 1801 involving money. Signed by William Parker, Justice of the Peace.

1799, Maryland court document

Maryland court document dated 1799, Maryland, where Upton Beall has signed as court clerk in a case that resulted in a fine of 250 lbs of tobacco.

This great old Maryland court document for Upton Beall is on Ebay Item number: 180213647487.

Rhode Island 1785 Document

Simeon Crumb of Westerly in the County of Washington, State of Rhode Island...
paid Robert Dixon of Providence..to sell assign, set over, and transfer unto Robert Dixon a certain Balance reported due to Mr. Simeon Crumb by a Committee appointed by the Legislature of Rhode Island, and on Account of the the Depreciation of my Pay as Soldier in the late Regiment, Commanded by Col. John Topham..October Session A.D. 1785...

Signed by Simeon Crumb, March 1792. Countersigned by Hugh (?) Goodmand and Joseph Clarke. Signed on verso by Robert Dixon and Witnessed by William Hall.

New Haven Connecticut 1836

An original land document. William Buckingham of the city of New Haven state of Connecticut for the consideration of six hundred dollars received to full satisfaction of Stephen Perkins of Woodbridge does grant the said Perkins a lot of land situated in the city of New Haven and bounded easterly by Hamilton Street fifty feet, southerly.....

At the bottom it is dated June 21, 1836.

This New Haven Connecticut document is for sale on Ebay. If you want to have a better look just follow one of the links to Ebay on this blog.

Receipts from Epping New Hampshire

Group of early receipts from Epping NH. 1807 Anna Davis receives from from estate of Moses Davies of Epping. 1831 Jacob Burley pays money. 1824 Anna Davis as executrix pay Moses Davis from the will of Joseph Lawrence. 1822 Widow Lois Burley settles taxes on estate. This group of Epping New Hampshire documents is for sale on Ebay Item number: 220201587946.

Brady Ritter 1907 Lycoming County, Pennsylvania,

Criminal document from Lycoming County, Pennsylvania dated July 26, 1907. The paper is titled, "Commonwealth versus Brady Ritter."

The paper says that Brady Ritter, "...hath been arrrested on charge of Having intercourse with....on oath of Fannie A Jones with child and that he is the Father of said child."

Item number: 310022315999

County of Bristol, New England, 1785 Document.

1785, Daniel Carpenter's Justice of The Peace for The County of Bristol in New England Papered Over Seal. Be It Remembered that on The Nineteenth Day of September in The Year of our Lord Lemuel Wyat was Convicted before Me one of The Justices of The Peace OF SWEARING ONE PROFANE OATH!

Ruttland County Vermont 1861

Court Order from the State of Vermont, Ruttland County, dated "April 24, 1861". This document is a Summons, ordering C.C. Taske to appear at the law offices of Briggs & Nicholson in Brandon to resolve some financial differences with Andrew B. Gordon.

If you want to take a closer look or place a bid on this Vermont document just follow one of the links to Ebay on this blog.

OLD 1801 COURT DOCUMENT FREDERICK COUNTY MARYLAND

OLD 1801 COURT DOCUMENT FREDERICK COUNTY MD

Frederick County, Maryland Court document.

“TO THE CONSTABLE Frederick County Towit. Have John Stringer before some Justice of the Peace for said County to answer Joseph Pilar & Adam Marckel, of a Plea of Debt & make return hereon on this present day, and have you then & there this precept, given under my hand & seal the 24th day of March 1801.
John (?)
On the reverse is stated: Pilar and Marckel vs. Stringer. Returned same day, not served & signed by the Constable (illegible name).

This great old Frederick County, Maryland Court document is to be found on Ebay. If you want to place a bid just follow the links to Ebay on this Blog.

1810 Franklin County

“Franklin County to wit
Joel Walker plaintiff complains of William Smith & Dennis Pullman defendants in custody of a plea of debt, that they render unto him the just sum of fifty-five dollars which to him they owe and from him unjustly detain for that the said defendants did on the first day of January 1810 at the parish of in the County aforesaid, by this certain writing obligatory sealed with their seals the date whereof is the same day and year aforesaid, and now by the plaintiff to this court there shown, promised to pay the aforesaid Joel Walker, the just sum of fifty-five dollars in twelve months after date of said writing and the plaintiff in fact doth own that the said defendants the said sum of fifty-five dollars in twelve months after date of said writing obligatory to the same plaintiff did not pay which they ought to have done according to the form & effect thereof, but the same to pay hath hitherto agreed and (?) doth affirm to the damage of said plaintiff ten dollars wherefore he sues (?). DS”

1700s documents New Hampshire

March 1791,Jacob Burleigh and Sam Pickham. 1767, Jacob Burley and Benjamin Powen. March Jacob Burley and Mary Hilton. Jacob Burleigh 1828, George ?. Portsmouth 1792 Mr. Bartlet and another receipt on the back side from constable Rich Hilton. 1776 Wm. Burley and Joseph Alcock. 1768 Jacob Burley and Nathan Hoag. December 1793 Nicholas Doe. March 1799, Henry Burleigh. Second from bottom, December 1786 Jositha Burleigh. 2 survey slips in one 1795 W. Shammon.

This fantastic group of old New Hampshire documents is for sale on Ebay.

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 1863

Document from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, dated Sept. 4, 1863, in which Daniel B. Bergey of Company L. 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, of Lower Salford, gives Michael B. Bergey power of attorney to collect fifty dollars for him from the county as a bounty for volunteer enlistments made the previous year. Signed on the first page by Daniel B. Bergey, witnessed by two others.

This Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Civil War document is on Ebay Item number: 200193942501. If you want to see it just follow one of the links on this page.

1887 VELLUM MORTAGE DOCUMENT - MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND

1887 VELLUM MORTGAGE AND SATISFACTION DOCUMENT BETWEEN CHARLES HARLING COMYNS OF FAIRVIEW HOLLY PARK, NEW SOUTHGATE IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX OR SILVERSMITH AND THE IVY BUILDING SOCIETY OF THE PRINCE ALBERT TARERN WHARFEDALE ROAD KINGS CROSS IN MIDDLESEX,

Plympton Massachusetts 1831 - 1840 Item number: 120210527305

General Accounts of the Plympton Sabbath School from May 22, 1831, to November 10, 1839. Included are many of the old names of Plympton which were descendents of the Mayflower such as Dexter, Bumpus, Bradford, Chase, Barrett, Bryant, Sherman, Sturtevant, Fuller, Soule. Wright and many more.

This Plympton Sabbath School document is a great genealogical find. If you want to place a bid just follow one of the links on this page to Ebay.

EARL OF LAUDERDALE DOCUMENT ON EBAY

Dated 'the yeire of god Jas. vi and threttie yeires', [1596/97?], being a grant of two mills from John, Earl of Lauderdale, Viscount Maitland, Lord Thirlstane and Bolton [d. 1645], who was their hereditary proprietor, to James Robertson, described as indweller in Brunstonne [?Brownstone] Mill, several 'takismen' [tacksmen] are recorded as having an interest in a third part each, on behalf of Richard Maitland for one third, Walter Bronne [Brown?] and John Wernor [Warner?], 'bailyies', and Henri Calderwood, 'thesaurar', of Musselburgh for another third, and Thomas Smyth and the aforesaid James Robertson for the remaining third, the mills being 'auld mill of Gilbertonne also callit Brunstonne mill', formerly let to Sir James Richardson of 'Smetonne'; and 'our new mill of Gilbertonne' lately built beneath the old mill 'besid the Magdalen brig', the sums payable to be 400 and 200 marks respectively, signed by 'Lauderdaill' and witnessed by Christopher Cokburne and Allan Cathcart.

This is a interesting Scotland document that is for sale on Ebay. The Item number is : 230211416793 if you want to take a closer look. It has some great genealogy potential.

1909 Lycoming County, Pennsylvania document

Criminal document from Lycoming County, Pennsylvania dated May 1, 1909. The paper is titled, "Commonwealth vs Thomas J English."

The paper states that Thomas J English, "...did then and there feloniously steal and carry away thirty five chickens of the goods and chattels, of the said C C Walker...value of twenty dollars...."

This old Lycoming County, Pennsylvania document is for sale on Ebay. Item number: 120207273209. If you would like to bid just follow on of the links to Ebay on this Blog.

U.S. CITIZEN DOCUMENT 1897

AUDREAS BAETTGER, A NATIVE OF GERMANY, ON JUNE 28, 1897 WAS SWORN AND ADMITTED A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.

DOCUMENT SIGNED AND DATED BY THE CLERK OF THE QUARTER SESSIONS, J.L. WAGNER ON JUNE 28, 1897

This old Document can be found on Ebay Item number: 140196424777.

Maine Revival Meeting Account Document

1865 -1882 West Gardiner Centre, Maine Revival Meeting Account Document.This Baptist Revival Document lists all the people baptised, taken into the church,deaths of church members and even one name of a woman [ Mary E.Fogg[ who withdrew herself from the church on Sept.21st,1867. The document lists revival dates with Rev.A.F.Hutchinson in 1865, Rev.G.Page in June,1866 and Rev. W.Cunningham in 1881 & 1882

This document is for sale on Ebay. Just follow the links if you want to bid.

1908 High School Diploma Brunswick High School Frederick County, Maryland

1908 High School Diploma Brunswick High School Frederick County, Maryland

Diploma Reads as Follows:

Be it known that Jessie Alma Webb has honorably completed the Academic Course of Study as prescribed for the High Schools of the State of Maryland and particularly for the High Schools of Frederick County, Maryland, as evidenced by the grades made in the various branches of enumerated in Certificate #24 and is hereby declared a Graduate of the BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL In Witness thereof are hereunto affixed our signatures and the Seal of the Board of County School Commissioners of Frederick County, Maryland this fifthteenth day of June, 1908

Signed by: Oscar M. Fogle- Principal. Isaac M Motter - President. Oscar B. Coblentz - Secretary and Superintendent.

This Brunswick High School Frederick County, Maryland Item number: 160194361096 is for sale on Ebay.

1854 Gallia County Ohio Election Poll Book

1854 Gallia County Ohio Document for Election Poll Book Ebay Item number: 190186160422

Oct. 11th,1854 Gallia County,Ohio Receipt Document for The Poll Book of The General Election, Used In This Township Of Ohio. The document says that John Alsbury turned in the poll book and the receipt is signed by Jos.Drowilland,Clerk.