Research

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of affidavits of special bail for defendants. Each affidavit states that the special bail is worth double the amount demanded by the plaintiff in the writ of capias ad respondendum, after payment of all his debts, and that he is a freeholder or housekeeper in the county where the defendant resides. The affidavit is signed by the bail and acknowledged before a judge of the Court of Common Pleas, a Supreme Court Commissioner, or other court officer. On the dorso of each affidavit are the title of the cause, the name of the defendant's attorney, and the filing date. A few of the affidavits are accompanied by orders for allowance of bail, signed by a Supreme Court Commissioner or other court officer.