New York House of Refuge Minutes of the Acting Committee

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Overview of the Records

Repository
New York State Archives
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230
Summary
This series contains minutes of the House of Refuge's Acting Committee, later Executive Committee. Minutes include discussions of maintenance, finances, education, employment, and other matters and also contain resolutions; lists of bills presented for approval; and reports of committees of the Managers. Routine inmate census data includes number of males, females, whites, and blacks; total number of inmates in each division; number discharged; and starting at mid-19th century, number indentured and in hospital.
Title
New York House of Refuge minutes of the Acting Committee
Quantity
4 cubic feet; 13 volumes
Inclusive Dates
Series Number
A2052
Creator
Arrangement

Chronological.

Administrative History

The Board of Managers appointed the first Acting Committee at a meeting in November 1824, shortly after the first inmate was admitted.

The first Chairman of the Acting Committee was former mayor of New York City, Stephen Allen. According to the 1849 "Rules and Regulations," the Acting Committee consisted of 7 members of the Board of Managers, who served on a rotating basis. The Bylaws of 1854 changed its name to Executive Committee and reduced its membership to 3. At first the Committee met bi-weekly, then weekly, later monthly.

Scope and Content Note

The minutes relate to the institution's maintenance, finances, education, employment, and other matters and contain: resolutions of the committee; list of bills presented for approval; and reports of committees of the Managers. Routine inmate census data include: number of male/female, white/black; number in each division; number discharged and indentured (starting at mid-19th century); and number in hospital (starting at mid-19th century).

Custodial History

The Dept. of Correction placed these records on loan to the Syracuse University Library from 1960-1977.

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.

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