New York State Provincial Congress Credentials of Delegates

These are mainly statements verifying the election of representatives to the first and second Provincial Congress. The statements, referred to as "credentials," are often in the form of resolutions copied from minutes of town meetings. Delegates presented their credentials when the Provincial Congress convened.

The credentials provide: name of delegate(s) elected; scheduled date and location of congress to which elected; purpose of the congress (sometimes); signature of town clerk or other person certifying the delegates' election; and date signed (sometimes).

A few records concern elections of town militia officers. These elections were held at the recommendation of the Provincial Congress.

Names of delegates who attended the Provincial Congresses are published in Journals of the Provincial Congress, Provincial Convention, Committee of Safety and Council of Safety of the State of New York (Albany, 1842).

Microfilm is available for use at the New York State Archives or through inter-library loan.

Rough alphabetical index to names and locations.

The records were at one time bound by the Secretary of State's office as Volume 24 of a series titled "Papers Laid Before the Provincial Congress." The records suffered severe burn damage in the State Capitol fire in 1911.

Records are in fragile condition due to burn damage and use is restricted. Microfilm is first use copy.