Archive Record
Metadata
Title of Record Series |
Veteran Destitute Burials |
Year Range from |
1885 |
Year Range to |
1901 |
Collection/Office |
Commissioner |
Catalog Number |
CO-3 |
Description |
Records are for Civil War veterans. In accordance with Pennsylvania legislation enacted in 1885, county government furnished the amount not exceeding $35.00 for veteran burial expenses and $15.00 for a headstone. Records provide the name of veteran, residence, military unit, rank, date mustered out, occupation before death, date of death, place of burial, burial expenses, and signatures of witnesses. The records also include bills from local undertakers across the County which provided the burial services. |
Finding Aids |
Index filmed at front of each microfilm roll. Compiled index available on the archives website: www.co.lancaster.pa.us/archivesdivision |
Admin/Biographical History |
Beginning in 1722, the Office of County Commissioner was a three year elected term consisting of three members. Since this time Commissioners were given additional duties which originally belonged to the court system. The statute which created Lancaster in 1729 provided for two persons to be chosen as commissioners for raising taxes and levies. The Commissioner's office is also responsible for the building and maintenance of all County bridges. Through the early twentieth century this office was required to furnish bounties for the destruction of all undesirable wild animals. Some of their earliest responsibilities were caring for the poor, providing polling places, and securing appropriate taxes. The Commissioner's Minutes detail some of the earliest duties performed during the establishment of Lancaster County in the early eighteenth century. |