Collection of 12 legal documents pertaining to early Oil industry in Venango County, Pennsylvania

Twelve manuscript legal documents, concerning leases, agreements, statements, and court opinions. Two pro-forma notices competed in manuscript, the rest full manuscript, likely copies. Between one and four pages each; old folds, generally very good. Venango county was the epicenter of the US oil boom. In 1859 Edwin L. Drake made the first successful use of a drilling rig there, and was soon able to surpass the cumulative output of oil in Europe since the 1650s. The following boom attracted many new companies and speculators, until most collapsed or were absorbed into the Standard Oil Trust. The materials in this collection concern St. Nicholas, Dalzell Petroleum, Ocean Oil, Miller Oil, Curtain Oil, and North American Petroleum. Documents include leases, as well as notices of lease violation due to failure to initiate boring within the timeframe given. One page is an account of barrels produced and their price. In the year 1869 172 barrels were recorded with the total value received coming to $9539.22, approximately $202k in today's money. Documents include: Nov 20, 1865. William M. Carter, Sec & Treasurer of the Ocean Oil Co. stating did sign articles of agreement and lease. (Copy) 1 p.; Bond of Indemnity E.M. Davis & S. Ackley for Austin Scott and Miller Oil Co. n.d. (copy) 2 pp.; Lease to S.H. Hughes from St Nicholas Oil Co. Lot no. 21 in Cherry Run n.d., 3 pp.; Lease from Curtin Oil, North American Petroleum Co., J. T. Johnson, of land in Corn Planter Township to P.D. , B.F., F.C. Slingerland for 99 years. 186(?) 4 pp.; Notice to W.C. Anderson, lessee, failed to commence boring for oil on land in Cherry tree Township, Venango County and his lease is rescinded. Dec 23, 1867. J.N. Phillips, Pres. (copy) 1 p.; Statements of Oil in Account with Zane's Wells. 1866-1870. 2pp.; James Stewart Jr Lot 95 April 6, 1868 violation of lease with Ocean Oil Co J.N. Phillips, pres. (copy) 1 p.; St Nicholas Oil Co v B.H. Hulseman et al Opinion of the Court in the matter of the Demurrrer to the Company's bills in Equity, April term 1872. 4 pp. (copy); Articles of Agreement bet. Ocean Oil Co and John F. Phillips of New Castle. March 20, 1872. Lease for $1 of 108 acres in Corn Planter Township, Venango County (copy) 7 pp.; Report of Committee Appt. Dec 6, 1872 to call on Mr. Jones Atty, St Nicholas Oil Co. 2 pp.; St. Nicholas Oil Co v B.H. Hulseman et al Opinion of the Court in the matter of the Demurrrer to the Company's bills in Equity, nos. 4, 5, & 6 April term 1872. 4 pp. (copy); Ocean Oil Co. Lease of Atkinson farm to George Darr for 2 years from April 1, 1876. 2 pp.; Agreement between the Dalzell Petroleum Co and L.L. Benedict for working the Hebert lease for 3 years from Nov 19, 1879. Signed S.F. Hansell and Prest (?) Dalzell, L.L. Benedict. 1 p.…