Bastardy, Guns, Assault, Burglary, Threats, and More Law and Order in Antebellum Pennsylvania 1853

This docket of criminal cases was kept by Justice of the Peace Henry Reed in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, from 1853 to 1855. It includes cases of assault, domestic abuse, burglary, disturbing a school, and bastardy, among other offenses.

[LAW.] Henry Reed, Manuscript Document Signed, Justice of the Peace Docket, April 1853 – July 1855, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. 228 pp., first 60 pp. with text, 7.5" x 12.75". Leatherbound volume; spine missing; back board detached; several loose leaves; several leaves removed; minor scattered stains.

Excerpts
April 29, 1853: "Parr Phillips for Frances Macdonel of the Township of Branch in the said County [? ?] upon oth according to Law Saith that on the night of the 28 of Aprill 1853 Mark Lamp William Thornwell Robert Patterson Emeline Felton all of the Township of Branch in the said County foresebley Enterd and Detained into the House of this Deponand at the Place Cald Paterson Sawmill Broke in the Dor and Windos with Clubs and Stones and toock Poseshion of the above House Contrary to the act of assembly."

May 19, 1853: "Mary Willson of Branch Township who upon Her Solem Oth according to Law saith that Thomas Willson of the Township of Branch this Day being the 19 Day of May 1853 thredened this Deponand to take Her Life if she wood Come inside of the House so that this Deponand is affraid he will Do Harm in body or Estate."

September 8, 1853: "Jacob Yount of the Township of Branch take upon his sole moth according to Law saith that on Sunday last Being the 4 Day of September Between 8 or nine O Clock wen on his Rod going home from Llewlyn Jacob Clauser David Richt & Henry Shower had assembled together with a Gun in the Puplick Road and swor that the wood Shoot him & his dog so that this Deponand is afraid that the will Do him Harm in Body or Estate and furter saith not."
Reed issued a warrant to the constable to arrest Clauser, Richt, and Shower, and they posted $300 bond for their appearance at the next court of quarter sessions. On November 21, according to a note, the complainant and defendants requested that the case be dismissed.

December 15, 1853: "W. A. Fries Teacher whoe upon his Sole moth according to Law saith that on the 12 Day of December 1853 Patrick Morris of the township of Branch in the said County Came to the School House No 1 in Lewellyn for the purpos of Disturbing said School By Plasing som slabs on Bords to the windows and Loocking in and By abusing the Children wen out Doors in a Milichous and Disturbing Maner Contrary to the act of assembly and furter saith not."
Reed later discharged the defendant on "acount of Being an Orpen [orphan] Child."

October 25, 1854: "George Reaman of the Township of Branch who upon His Solem Oth according to Law saith that he suspects that Peeter Frank of the Township affaresaid on Thursday night Last Being the 25 of October Did take and Carey away 1 Chicken & 2 Rooster from the stable of the said George Reaman Contrary to the act of assembly and furter saith not."

November 27, 1854: "Luckriescha Barkellet of the Township of Branch in the County aforesaid Whoe upon her sollem oth according to Law saith That she is Perglent with a Bastird Child and that William Baun of the Same County is the father of the said Child and furter saith not."

Historical Background
In antebellum Pennsylvania, local justices of the peace had civil jurisdiction over issues of contract where the sum involved did not exceed $100. They also had criminal jurisdiction over unlawful actions that took place within their county. They could order the arrest of those accused of crimes and set bail for their appearance in court.

Henry Reed was a justice of the peace for Branch Township in Schuylkill County from at least 1853 to 1855.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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