About This Collection
Affidavits signed by inmates received at Eastern State Penitentiary acknowledging the property in their possession at the time of admission. Information provided is affidavit number, name of inmate, date received, crime and county of conviction, description of any property in his possession, and signature of the warden. Also included are documents found within affidavit book (1839-1850), including bills of goods sold to the Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP); a list of promissory notes owed to the prison fund as reported by treasurer John Bacon; Court of Quarter Session documents outlining crimes and punishments for men being committed to ESP; extracts from Report of the Chief of the Detective Police and the minutes of the Board of Inspectors, as well as several letters. Correspondence includes a letter from night watchmen to ESP Board of Inspectors requesting a pay increase and a letter from Governor Curtin's personal secretary requesting information on a prisoner's behavior and health in relation to an application of pardon on his behalf. Images are arranged chronologically by date signed by inmate. Miscellaneous documents unarranged. This collection is part of the Department of Justice which administers the state correctional institutions for the Commonwealth.
