Debtors Records: Insolvency Papers
Many people in Maryland had problems that forced them to apply for the benefit of the various laws for insolvent debtors. The Maryland State Archives has a number of record series dealing with this problem. Various Insolvency Bonds, Claims, Deed, Dockets, Papers, and Records are but some of these series.
The files of the Insolvency Record of the Chancery Court contains the petition of the debtor, which usually included the fact that he was a citizen of the United States and had resided in the state for at least two years. Sometimes the petitioner would state that he had been arrested for debt, or that he had served a certain amount of time in the "gaol" would also be included.. Schedules of the petitioners, creditors (if any, and the trustees appointed to oversee the sale of his property, would also be included.
While the files generally contain little genealogical data, they do shed light on the life and problems of many Marylanders.
Search the Maryland State Archives Guide to Government Records for more information on insolvency proceedings and records.
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