
State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Records
Mss.365.P381p
Series I. Admission ledgers and bound volumes | 1830-1892 | 7 vols., 0.25 lin. feet | ||
The seven bound volumes in the Eastern State Penitentiary Collection contains records of prisoners admitted to the prison from its opening until 1892, along with records of foodstuffs purchased for the prisoners (1841-1842) and an overseer's record of work performed by them (1843). At least three of the five admissions ledgers (A, B and D) appear to have been kept by the Moral Instructor at the Prison, Rev. Thomas Larcombe. Each prisoner is represented in these books by a single brief entry, recording name, age, gender and race, religious affiliation, the crimes for which they had been found guilty, the sentence, and often a note on when they were freed (or died). Most interesting of all, in the three earliest volumes, Larcombe provided brief comments on the moral condition of each prisoner, whether they were repentant, resistant, religious, or recalcitrant. The completeness of the volumes makes possible some basic statistical analysis of the early prison population, and Larcombe's running commentary affords fascinating insight into cultural attitudes toward crime, criminality, race and gender, and incarceration. Women and men, black and white, are intermingled in the volumes. Each volume contains an apparently complete record of prisoners admitted during a given period, however there is no record of prisoners 1-19 or 1678-1940 (1843-1845) or for the years 1850-1853 or 1858-1876. The last entry is dated 1892. | ||||
Volume A: Admissions (no. 20-1124) | 1830-1839 | ca. 260p. | volume A | |
Record of admission of prisoners number 20 through 1124, including name, crime, sentence, place of origin, race/ethnicity, time in and time out, and comments on moral and educational condition. Some also include notes on previous convictions or progress made while incarcerated. A typical entry: "No. 58, Dec. 14, 1830. Saml Davis, Mulatto, Rape 12 yrs. Exceedingly excited, Enraged at the Judge & threatened revenge, Swore if knife or Pistol could be had, would revenge his wrongs upon his prosecutor also had sold himself to the Devil & meant to rush on to hell for revenge -- did not wish to hear of religion. Pardoned Nov. 21, 1842." Access digital object: | ||||
Volume B: Admissions (no.1125-1677) | 1839-1843 | ca. 250p. | volume B | |
Similar to above. Includes list of books received for prisoners from J.J. Barclay, as well as a list of Germans in the Penitentiary. Access digital object: | ||||
Volume D: Admissions (no. 1941-2600) | 1845-1850 | ca. 250p. | volume D | |
Similar to above. Concludes with passage on "Difficulties of the Moral Instructor": "Overseers conceive hostility against him for trivial causes of for none at all -- sometimes for the obvious discharges of duty. They either speak to their prisoners against him or insinuate something to his disadvantage & their prisoners to court the good will of those who can make their situation pleasant of afflictive, misrepresent him or having their imaginations imperfect, they watch him closely and often wrongfully interpret his language." Access digital object: | ||||
Memorandum of Prisoners | 1853-1858 | ca.150p. | ||
Briefer record of admissions, including name of prisoner, racial identity, age, nativitry, trade, number of convictions, parents (living or dead), "learning habits," crime, sentence, county of origin, religious education (denomination), plea, and location (cell number). Occasional additional comments. Access digital object: | ||||
Memorandum of Prisoners | ca.1876-1892 | 288p. | ||
Similar to above memorandum. Access digital object: | ||||
Daily rations | 1841-1842 | ca.75p. | ||
Accounts for foodstuffs purchased for prisoners. Bound with Beef Book. Access digital object: | ||||
Beef Book | 1841-1842 | |||
Accounts for foodstuffs purchased for prisoners. Bound with Rations Book. Access digital object: | ||||
Overseer's Roll | December 31, 1843 | 9p. | ||
Record of labor performed by prisoners (listed by inmate number), arranged by block. Access digital object: | ||||
Series II. Miscellaneous Records | 1819-1835 | 5 items, 0.25 lin. feet | Box 1 | |
The miscellaneous records appear largely to have come through the hands of Thomas Bradford, a member of the state commission charged with overseeing the construction and operation of the prison. The most important among these items is a 70 page manuscript comprising the records of the joint commission charged with investigating management of the prison in 1835, including a partial transcript of testimony. | ||||
1 Notes on expenditures | 1819-1833 | 3p. | ||
Notes on various categories of expenditures at Eastern State Prison, primarily between 1832 and 1834. The second sheet, possibly unrelated, includes notes on expenditures for provisions, clothing, cordwainers, and medicine, 1819. Access digital object: | ||||
2 Pennsylvania. Board of Prisons.
Resolution | March 24, 1823 | D. 1p. and end.; 1p. | ||
Resolution of the board of inspectors of prisons to erect a "stepping mill" at the Arch Street and Prune Street prisons in Philadelphia. Concerning the cost of a new jail. Signed T.Bradford, Esq. Access digital object: | ||||
3 Bradford, Thomas.
Letter to Vincent Lovekennan Bradford | November 6, 1826 | 2p. | ||
Dover, A.L.S. 2p.and add.,end. Requests Vincent, his son, to attend Council for him and look at the minutes for Nov. 1825 for the election of Inspectors of the Prison; other personal matters. Access digital object: | ||||
4 Steel, Silas S..
"Statement of the quantity of wheat, bread and tea consumed by the penitentiary" | May 21-August 21, 1833 | D. 2p.and end. Copy.; 2p. | ||
Copy of accounts of wheat, bread, and tea consumed at Eastern State Penitentiary, presumably associated with the joint legislative committee investigation of that institution. Access digital object: | ||||
5 State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Committee.
Minutes | 1835 | 64 pp.; 70p. | ||
Minutes, containing reports of Dr. Franklin Bache, physician, and Thomas Bradford, Jr., Inspector, etc.. Detailed record of minutes and testimony relating to the joint legislative committee inquiring into the running of Eastern State Penitentiary, 1835. Access digital object: | ||||
Bache, Franklin, 1792-1864.
Letter to Thos. Bradford, Jr. Esq. | 04/27/1831 | Letter was originally found tucked in the Memorandum of Prisoners, 1876-1892. This letter, along with the Letter to Dr. Franklin Bache, are now located in their own archival folders inside the same box. | ||
Reminds Thomas Bradford Jr Esq., Building Commissioner and Inspector, of his medical directions regarding patient No. 10, who Dr. Bache believes to be insane and requests that he be released to him in order to properly care for him as the physician of the Penitentiary. Access digital object: | ||||
Bradford, Thomas.
Letter to Dr. Franklin Bache | 04/28/1831 | Letter was originally found tucked in the Memorandum of Prisoners, 1876-1892. This letter, along with the Letter to Thos. Bradford, Jr. Esq., are now located in their own archival folders inside the same box. | ||
Reminds Dr. Franklin Bache of the extent of his authority as the physician of the Penitentiary and assures him that he will communicate with the warden and execute his instructions so far as they are not contrary to the provisions of the law or inconsistent with the safe custody of the prisoner and until the next meeting of the Board who will inquire into the case and make orders accordingly. Access digital object: | ||||
Series III. Elizabeth Velora Elwell Correspondence | 1862-1965 | 2 folders | ||
Background note: On September 12, 1861, a 17 year old servant, Elizabeth Velora Elwell, was arrested in Bradford County, Pa., on charges of taking merchandise from a store and stealing mail. Convicted of larceny, her first offence, on Dec. 3, she was sentenced to one and a half years confinement in Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. When she was admitted to the prison as inmate no. 4587, Elwell was described as having a swarthy complexion, blue eyes, light hair, 5' 7", scar over left eyebrow and one on upper lip. Elizabeth Velora Elwell's correspondence is the rarest of the rare: an intact series of letters from a female prisoner in the mid-nineteenth century. Elwell was literate, though not highly so, and her letters are written in a rough hand and rough prose. If they are to be taken at face, they suggest that Elwell carried a passionate love for a fellow prisoner at Eastern State, Albert Green Jackson, with hints that they may have met clandestinely on more than one occasion. It appears that the two had plans to marry when their terms expired. Elwell's letters are lively, affectionate, and often joking, filled with romantic longing, and in some cases, they veer between despair at imprisonment and an almost light hearted wish for the future: It is with in my lonsome sell that I take my pen in hand to in form you that my heart was very sad after leaving you to Night but hope to see you every day but my dear Albert there is atime Coming when we will not have to run when eny one is coming But my dear we can be like cats to play hide and seek and run When the dogs come to bark at us it is hard to be in hear and My dear if I can do anything to make the time slipe away I wood be very glad to do it you nead not be afraid of my telling eny thing I wood cut my one throat first for I do not like them well enough... I wish I could take them slat of the gate so I could see.... There is but one thing that you met be carfull not to let them cetch you standing at the gate for they will mistrust us. And another: Dear Caledonian I will never for sake you when we are out Dear love I have seen White men and colord men and could have had plenty of rich men but you are the one I do love and what I say I mean and out as Well as in hear. The series includes two letters from Mrs. Hollinger, apparently Elwell's sister and an acquaintance (perhaps only in correspondence) of Jackson. In one revealing letter, Hollinger describes her own dire marriage, even as she hopes for a better married future for her sister: I hope libey will live with me if she do git married I still want hir to stay with me if I must have sum one I am shire if you come to see us we will all ways make you welcome it is for me having any nocin [notion] of gitting married yes I remember the fun one man had kicking me like a foot ball and blacking my eyes and pulling the hair out of my head oh my friend if I was to tell you all I sufferd with a man for five years I was his lawful wife oh how I loved that man and I love him in his grave after all the punishment he brought on me so now I think I will remain a sporting widow... I lived in west Philadelphia 8 years if you know where the grave yard is I was married out of it and I kep house for 4 years on marys street my husband was a Butcher and we had a happy home once and he was a good man tell he took to drinking. He would not abuse me only when he was in liquer... The letters include a few brief poems by Elwell and one by Jackson. Typescripts have been made for all of the letters. The second folder of material in this series contains correspondence between the Temple University anthropologist Jacob W. Gruber relating to his efforts to obtain more detailed information on Elwell and the circumstances of her arrest and to his attempts to have the letters published. | ||||
Elizabeth Velora Elwell letters | 1862 Apr. 13-May 12 | 20 items | ||
Elwell, Elisabeth Velora, b. circa 1843.
To Elizabeth Velora Elwell | 1862 April 13 | ALS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
Includes note from E.V. Elwell to Albert G. Jackson Access digital object: | ||||
Elwell, Elisabeth Velora, b. circa 1843.
To Albert G. Jackson | 1862 April 18 | ALS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
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Elwell, Elisabeth Velora, b. circa 1843.
To Albert G. Jackson | 1862 April 22 | ALS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
Includes poems "The Bride" and "Lilley of the West" Access digital object: | ||||
Elwell, Elisabeth Velora, b. circa 1843.
To Albert G. Jackson | 1862 April 24 | ALS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
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E.V.E..
To Albert G. Jackson | 1862 April 25 | ALS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
Includes poem "Poetrysies" Access digital object: | ||||
Elwell, Elisabeth Velora, b. circa 1843.
To Albert G. Jackson | 1862 April 28 | ALS, 1p. | folder 1 | |
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Elwell, Elisabeth Velora, b. circa 1843.
To Albert G. Jackson | 1862 May 1 | ALS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
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E.V.E..
To Albert G. Jackson | 1862 May 2 | ALS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
Includes poem: "For my love" Access digital object: | ||||
Miss H, Queen of Love.
To Royal Sir | 1862 May 4 | ALS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
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Miss He.
To Peter James | 1862 May 5 | ALS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
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H., Miss.
To Peater [sic] James | 1862 May 6 | AL, 2p. | folder 1 | |
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E.V.E..
To Albert G. Jackson | 1862 May 6 | ALS, 1p. | folder 1 | |
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E.V.J..
To Albert G. Jackson | 1862 May 7 | ALS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
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Jackson, E. V..
To Albert G. Jackson | 1862 May 9 | ALS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
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E.V.E..
To Albert G. Jackson | 1862 May 11 | ALS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
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Hollinger, Mrs..
To Albert G. Jackson | 1862 May 11 | ALS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
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Jackson, Albert Green.
To Elizabeth V. Elwell | 1862 May 12 | AMsS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
Poem/letter. Access digital object: | ||||
Elwell, Elisabeth Velora, b. circa 1843.
Songs: "Evening star" and "Good Bye Sweetheart" | n.d. | AMs, 2p. | folder 1 | |
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Hollinger, Mrs..
To dear sister | n.d. | AN, 2p. | folder 1 | |
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Hollinger, Mrs..
To dear sister | n.d. | AN, 2p. | folder 1 | |
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Correspondence about Elizabeth Velora Elwell | 1955-1965 | 9 items | ||
Gruber, Jacob W..
To Bradford County (Pa.). Clerk | 1955 June 22 | TLS Cy, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Kingsley, Gilbert I..
To Jacob W. Gruber | 1955 June 28 | TLS, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Gruber, Jacob W..
To Bruce Catton | 1956 April 23 | TLS Cy, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Gruber, Jacob W..
To John Fischer | 1956 May 14 | TLS Cy, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Harper's Magazine. Editor.
To Jacob W. Gruber | 1956 June 11 | TLS, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Wainwright, Nicholas B..
To Edwin B. Bronner | 1957 Jan. 11 | TLS, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Iwanicki, Edwin.
To Jacob W. Gruber | 1965 May 21 | TLS, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Iwanicki, Edwin.
To Jacob W. Gruber | 1965 June 6 | TLS, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Gruber, Jacob W..
To Edwin Iwanicki | 1965 May 24 | TLS Cy, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Records, Folder 1 | ||||
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Series IV. Prisoners' Correspondence | 1845-1955 | 2 folders | ||
The nine letters in Series IV include two long letters from prisoners James Brister and James Bennard (or Baynard), 1845, two letters addressed to prisoners (also 1845), a petition from a prisoner convicted of murder for a retrial, and letter from Congressman William F. Smith on the advantages to be gained in constructing a third prison in the state. Brister's letter gives a hint of repentance of the kind that would have appealed to Thomas Larcombe, while still maintaining the tough edge of a hardened prisoner: I have seen things which do come to pass in this place daily and I have seen a great light now there is other person that has that understanding and there could by some people and set of men those person are better of[f] than the great mass who them to Christian and are not they are not they are not all acknowledged ones they ought to be better than what they are but the time is come when they will have to come to more in full or otherwise they not be able to abide the indignation it will try the hearts of all the people upon all the earth. James Brister, May 26, 1845 James Bennard is a different case entirely. Bennard had been a copperplate printer from Delaware before he was convicted of forgery and admitted to Eastern State as prisoner no. 1979. The admission books records Bennard in the following terms: "Cause covetousness. Great concern for his wife only 9 mo. Married left her poor & gave his property to 2 gentlemen (rogues perhaps in co.). Wishes to see an Episcopalian minister, wants Bible large print. Professes to be a Rel. changed man too oily & to much self esteem no humble peniture manifest." Amelia Clark wrote to he husband "Direct your letter to Amelia Horsford north Canaan my name hant Clark no more till we are marriage over again you may say Clark if you are aimin[g] to send me something." As in Series III, the prisoners' letters are accompanied by Gruber's correspondence, in this case seeking -- partly successfully -- for information on Thomas Larcombe. | ||||
Prisoners' letters | 1845-1871 | 6 items | ||
Brister, James.
To Sarah Brister | 1845 May 26 | ALS, 4p. | folder 1 | |
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Bennard, James S..
To Rebecca E. Bennard | 1845 July 14 | ALS, 4p. | folder 1 | |
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Horsford, Amelia.
To Harvey Clark | 1845 July 20 | ALS, 2p. | folder 1 | |
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Williamson, Barbary.
Eshelman, Hiram.
To Henry Williamson | 1845 Aug. 15 | ALS, 3p. | folder 1 | |
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McCulley, James S..
ALS to State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Board of Inspectors | 1869 April 3 | ALS, 1p. | folder 1 | |
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Smith, William F..
To Richard Vaux | 1871 Mar. 3 | ALS, 3p. | folder 1 | |
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Correspondence about the prisoners' letters | 1953-1955 | 10 items | ||
Gruber, Jacob W..
To Raymond Larcombe | 1953 Nov. 11 | TLS Cy, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Marin, Norman H..
To Jacob W. Gruber | 1953 Nov. 14 | TLS, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Gruber, Jacob W..
To Edward C. Starr | 1953 Nov. 17 | TLS Cy, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Starr, Edward C..
To Jacob W. Gruber | 1953 Nov. 19 | TLS, 2p. | folder 2 | |
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Gruber, Jacob W..
To Edward C. Starr | 1953 Nov. 20 | TLS Cy, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Starr, Edward C..
To Jacob W. Gruber | 1953 Nov. 23 | TLS, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Larcombe, Ray.
To Jacob W. Gruber | 1955 Jan. 6 | ALS, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Gruber, Jacob W..
To Rose Larcombe | 1955 Feb. 28 | TLS Cy, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Larcombe, Rose.
To Jacob W. Gruber | 1955 Mar. 5 | ALS, 1p. | folder 2 | |
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Gruber, Jacob W..
"Jews in the Eastern State Penitentiary in the 19th century" | n.d. | TMsS, 6p. | folder 2 | |
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Prisoners' Correspondence, Folder 1, 1825-1871 | ||||
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Prisoners' Correspondence, Folder 2, 1953-1955 | ||||
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