Pennsylvania Archives: 3rd ser

The third series of the Pennsylvania Archives was compiled and edited by Dr. William Henry Egle, who served as the State Librarian of Pennsylvania during the late 19th century. Authorized by the state legislature, this series was part of a larger, long-term project to organize, preserve, and publish the scattered colonial and revolutionary records of the Commonwealth, ensuring that the foundational documents of the state were accessible for historical research and public reference.

The collection consists primarily of land records, including tax lists, warrantee maps, and proprietary documents, which were crucial for documenting early land ownership and state development. Egle, a physician and prolific historian, approached the compilation with the intent of creating a standardized primary resource. The series remains highly regarded by genealogists and historians for its inclusion of previously unindexed tax rolls and land warrants that provide a granular view of Pennsylvania's demographic and economic growth during the 18th century.