Repository

Heinz History Center

Title

Washington County (Pa.) Wolf Bounty Records

Collection Number

MFF 4983

Extent

.1 linear feet Two folders

Date

1780-c.1800

Abstract

In response to the ongoing threat of wolves, the Pennsylvanian government established a colony-wide bounty system in 1683, which encouraged the destruction of wolves by offering a monetary reward for wolf scalps to be paid at the county level. The Washington County (Pa.) Wolf Bounty Records include approximately 100 receipts for wolf scalps, a majority of which were issued in the 1780s.

Language

English .

Author

The guide to this collection was written by Sarah Donovan.

Publisher

Heinz History Center

Address

1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchase from Caliban Book Shop in 2016. Archives accession # 2016.0061

Biographical / Historical

As early as 1683, the Pennsylvanian government placed a priority on controlling the wolf population. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, wolves posed a serious threat to the well-being of sheep and cattle, which in turn threatened the livelihoods of settlers throughout the colony. In response to this ongoing threat, the Pennsylvanian government established a colony-wide bounty system, which encouraged the destruction of wolves by offering a monetary reward for wolf scalps. Originally established in 1683, Pennsylvania continued to update the bounty system throughout the 18th century. Colonists and Native Americans alike could present wolf scalps to the justices of the peace within the county in which they killed the wolf to collect their bounty. Although each county funded its own wolf bounties, the Pennsylvania government allowed counties to raise their rates and levies in 1729 specifically to cover the cost of wolf bounties. When Washington County was established in 1781 from the western sections of Westmoreland County in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania, the newly appointed justices of the peace became responsible for providing bounties for wolf scalps procured within the bounds of Washington County. State endorsement of killing wolves continued into the 19th century and remained codified into law as late as 1819.

Preferred Citation

Washington County (Pa.) Wolf Bounty Records, 1780-c1800, MFF 4983, Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center

Processing Information

Preliminary processing by Sarah Donovan in 2019.

Scope and Contents

The Washington County (Pa.) Wolf Bounty Records consist of approximately 100 receipts for wolf scalps, a majority of which were issued in the 1780s. The wolf bounty receipts follow a fairly standard format that notes information such as the bounty collector's name, the size of the scalp, and the total sum to be paid, and the name of the county official approving the payment. Names of the county officials that appear on the receipts include Henry Vanmatre, Levi Harrod, and Andrew Swearingen among others.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Copyright may be retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.

Subjects

Geographic Names

• Washington County (Pa.)

Other Subjects

• Wolf hunting
• Bounties

Container List