Originally appointed by Gen. John F. Hartranft, then Governor of Pennsylvania, to edit the Second Series of Pennsylvania Archives, it might be perfectly proper in laying down the work of twenty years, to briefly summarize the work to its close, but the forty-five volumes of its rich and important historical data must suffice. Had the records of the State been under the control of one department, and assistance been rendered to arrange all the documents in chronological order, the task of the Editor would have been lightened, and much of what remains be ready for publication. No approriation was ever made for the transcribing of paper--and this was paid for by the Editor from the amount received for editing the same. Anxious to preserve for futurity the more valuable of the State Archives--to keep them from the autograph-hunter and despoiler--with a love for the work, have been the principal motives for having this accomplished. As State Librarian, the Editor has suggested that when the new Capitol Building is completed, fire-proof rooms be set apart for the arranging and placing of all documents not required for present purposes in the various departments--these to be under the control of a reliable archivist--where they may be consulted at all times by the historian and genealogist. As they now are, this cannot be done--and much less, owing to the frequent changes of political administration, no one department has any knowledge of the various documents in its care. The Editor would like to see this done. Our Archives are rich in historic lore, and Pennsylvania has not been wholly unmindful of their preservation.
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Corrections -- Attention is once again called to the fact, that the Editor is not responsible for the orthography of names. The names of the Warrantees are given as found on the records. An important error noticeable is that of "Ex." and Exs.," indiscriminately employed for "Executors" and "Excess."
Transcribers Notes:
L seems to be incomplete Some listings within an alphabet were out of chronological order, and I put them in chronological order. Some pages within an alphabet were duplicated; I did not duplicate them here.Source: Pennsylvania Archives, Series 3, Volume 26. "Provincial Papers: Warrantees of Land in the Several Counties of the State of Pennsylvania. 1730-1898," edited by William Henry Egle, Harrisburg: Wm. Stanley Ray, State Printer of Pennsylvania, 1899, pp. iii, v.
Submitted by: Nancy.
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