Noxious Animals Papers
Noxious Animals Papers, 1902-1919.
Description: In the early part of the twentieth century, a function of the county commissioners was to pay residents a bounty for the destruction of noxious animals and birds. Residents were required to kill the noxious animal or bird and take the remains to the local Justice of the Peace or Alderman who would file an affidavit as to the date and time the animal was destroyed. The Justice would then destroy the animal so another bounty could not be drawn on it. A certificate was issued to the resident so he could collect the amount for the animal as defined by law.
Content: The papers include either an affidavit and certificate or a bounty blank. These records include the name of the individual, where he lived, the number of animals destroyed, the type of animals destroyed, and the date and the township or borough where the animal or bird was killed. The document will also include the individuals' signature, the signature and seal of the Justice and a brief description of what was done with the animal. The document will provide the individual with the claim and the amount of the claim for the animal. Usually this reward was $0.50-$1.00 per animal.
