Month: September 2024

Mason-Dixon Line Talk is Available Through Delaware Humanities

Mason-Dixon Line southwest corner of Delaware
A Mason-Dixon marker at the southwest corner of Delaware (Source: Delaware Public Archives)

I am pleased to announce that Delaware Humanities has selected my new talk, “The Mason-Dixon Line: An Enduring Boundary in American History,” for inclusion in the 2024-25 Speakers Bureau and Visiting Scholars program. This lecture delves into the fascinating and complex history of the Mason-Dixon Line—an enduring boundary that is deeply etched into the American landscape and our nation’s collective memory.

In this talk, I explore the original story of the Mason-Dixon Line, which began as a survey aimed at resolving a contentious territorial dispute over royal land grants. From there, we examine how the line’s significance has evolved over time and its lasting influence on popular culture.

The Delaware Humanities Speakers Program provides scholars who engage with community groups, organizations, libraries, and K-12 classrooms throughout the state. These program presents an opportunity for those with expertise in various humanities-centered fields to bring enriching and informative presentations to local audiences.

Presentations are offered in two formats:

  1. Speakers Bureau Presentations – designed for public audiences.
  2. Visiting Scholars Presentations – tailored specifically for elementary and secondary school students.

If you want to book this engaging talk through the Humanities, click this link for more information.

The Clerk of the Court’s Office: Unlocking History’s Treasures

Over the years, I have come to appreciate the immense value of the Clerk of the Court’s office as a repository of historical information. This sentiment was greatly reinforced during my recent visit to the Atlantic County Courthouse in May’s Landing, where I had the pleasure of meeting County Clerk Joseph J. Giralo.

When I stepped into the Clerk’s office, I was struck by his passion for local history and commitment to preserving the rich tapestry of the past in the Jersey shore county. Rather than simply handing me a stack of dusty files and sending me on my way, Clerk Giralo took the time to personally guide me through the meticulously organized records housed within his office.

Atlantic County Clerk of the court Joseh J. Giralo
Atlantic County Clerk of the Court Joseph J. Giralo discusses an official volume.

As I pored over the aging bound volumes, I found his expertise and deep knowledge of Atlantic County’s public records invaluable. He pointed out hidden gems that would have otherwise eluded my search and offered insightful explanations about the significance of these often-overlooked documents.

Clerk Giralo’s enthusiasm and commitment to his role as the custodian of public records transformed what would have been a routine research experience into an enlightening and energizing journey. His guidance helped me uncover connections and insights I would have likely missed had I not had the privilege of his expertise.

By the way, a few years ago, I discovered that the clerk had digitized Atlantic County newspapers and provided free access to them online.

 When tackling challenging research questions, remember that the Clerk of the Court’s office can be a source of elusive traces. Within these constitutional offices, the public records custodians maintain official documents, naturalization papers, land records, court proceedings, and other historical records. Of course, practices vary from state to state and county to county, so having a public official orient you to the practices of the jurisdiction is helpful.

The Hangman’s Noose: Unraveling a Piece of Material Culture

While researching the history of capital punishment in New Jersey, a peculiar artifact in the catalog of collections at the Atlantic County Historical Society caught my attention:  the hangman’s noose with its twisted fibers and knots.1 This seemingly simple object, a piece of material culture, embodies a complex history that intersects directly with the evolution of capital punishment in the State. 

As part of my research into the history of judicial executions, I have visited courthouses, jails, historical societies, and archives. Yet no artifact has captured my attention like this rope, a stark symbol of the ultimate punishment once wielded by New Jersey Sheriffs.

hangman's noose
This is an artifact in the collection of the Atlantic County Historical Society. It was donated in 1961, and the record notes that Sheriff Daniel E. Iszard used it.

According to the Historical Society, the noose was used during the tenure of Sheriff Daniel E. Iszard and was involved in three executions in Atlantic County. For centuries, the noose has served as a potent symbol of the ultimate authority of the state, an instrument of execution that evokes strong emotions.

The presence of this grim artifact raises additional questions for research about the lawmen who used it, the prisoners who faced the gallows, and the criminal justice system that grappled with its use. It serves as a tangible link to an era when sheriffs were tasked with carrying out judicially ordered death sentences in New Jersey.

Understanding the history of capital punishment requires more than a chronological account of laws and executions. It demands an exploration of intricate primary sources, court records, and material culture. This noose, preserved among the collections of the Atlantic County Historical Society, is a grim artifact that is representative of the legal, social, and cultural shifts in state-ordered executions.

Among the countless artifacts of local history at the Atlantic County Historical Society, the hangman’s noose stands out as physical evidence of the evolution of capital punishment in the state and nation. While I often see photographs of executions and even preserved gallows in my research, this is the first time I have encountered the actual instrument, although I see newspaper stories about spectators taking pieces of the rope as souvenirs.

Notes

  1. John Estell Iszard, Hangmen’s Noose. (Somers Point, NJ: Atlantic County Historical Society) 1961.018.001-.002-.003, artifact in collection. ↩︎