Three Stolen Historic Documents on Display Nine Months in York Town exhibit

Artifacts that were recently stolen from the Historical Society Museum and other objects from the museum's 18th Century collection have been added to the exhibit "The Pen is Mightier…": Documents from York Town and the American Revolution and will be on display until July 4. The three documents that were recently stolen but successfully recovered thanks to Internet-savvy patrons include: - A letter to Continental Congress from the York County Committee of Safety, signed by James Smith, Thomas Hartley, and other local patriots. It is dated 1 July 1775 and concerns a company of rifleman to be raised locally and names their officers. - A blank enlistment form for 1775 company of York County Minute Men. - A document with two notices dated 27 June 1782 and signed by Timothy Matlack, Secretary of Congress, concerning British prisoners of war, most likely those housed at Camp Security. They require that anyone employing the prisoners register them with the nearest Justice of the Peace and order that anyone hawking or selling, contrary to law, will be arrested, especially British prisoners and dependents. Also on display are three small receipts for York County Militia dated July 1776 : Receipt for Peter Dinkle for thirteen shot pouches, signed by Captain John Wright 16 July 1776. Receipt for Michael Hahn for eight cartridge boxes, signed by Captain Samuel Nelson 22 July 1776. Receipt for Peter Dinkle for a cartridge box for Captain Samuel Nelson 22 July 1776. Incased together are items that represent how the Anglican (English) church in America became "Americanized" as the Episcopal church: A book entitled Psalms carefully suited to the Christian Worship of the United States of America, published in Philadelphia in 1787. A book of poetry presented to Miss Bartow, a student at the Young Ladies Academy of Philadelphia in 1787 with the signature of Bishop William White. A miniature portrait of Anglican Bishop William White, who served as one of two Chaplains of Congress while they met in York, was also the first presiding bishop of the Episcopal church. Joining in the Nine Months in York Town celebration, most of the present governors of the original thirteen states issued and signed proclamations and commendations, which are currently on display. These documents recognize York as the meeting place of Continental Congress from September 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778 and that the Articles of Confederation were adopted, the first national Thanksgiving proclaimed, and the French Treaty of Amity and Commerce and Treaty of Alliance were ratified during that period. House Resolution 572 introduced by US Representative Todd Platts, and read into the Congressional Record October 10, 2002 is also included in this unique exhibit. The Historical Society Museum, located at 250 E. Market Street in downtown York, is open Tuesday - Saturdays, 10 am - 4 pm. "Nine Months in York Town" is a celebration of the Continental Congress' stay in York 225 years ago. Information on the exhibit and other events is available on the "Nine Months in York Town" website by logging on to www.yorkheritage.org and clicking on the Nine Months in York Town logo or by calling the York County Heritage Trust at 848-1587.

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