History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1773] POLITICAL MATTERS—CENSUS—JAIL—NEW TOWNS. 337
tion of the homestead of Robert Bartlett, one of tlie first
settlers, and was situated at the lower end of Pleasant
Street. The old dwelling-house was moved back and fitted
up for the use of the jailer. It was called the " Mansion
House," and was demolished in 1833. The new jail was
built of squared logs which were cut on the commons in
the west part of the town. The entire cost of the build-
ing, including interest, was £672, equal to $2,240.
Description of" the This buildiug, like all of its class then in
New Jail.
^^gg^ ^^g very insecure, and from it many
prisoners escaped. It was badly constructed,
although in all probability one of the best of its kind in
this part of the Province. " The cells were scarce four
feet high, and filled with the noxious gases of the privy
vaults through which they were supposed to be ventilated.
Light came in from two chinks in the walls." ^ The noto-
rious Stephen Burroughs, convicted of passing counterfeit
money, was removed from the jail in Springfield to this
one, in 1796. No sooner were the prisoners placed within
the building than they began the work of breaking out of
it. On the night that Burroughs had been placed in the
gaol at Springfield, several prisoners made their escape,
consequently he was removed. Though he was not concerned
in the Springfield jail delivery, he had hardly
reached his new quarters before he commenced the same
game himself. His first attempt was by undermining the
chimney, but he was caught before his labors were completed.
A short time after, while chained to the floor, he
set the jail on fire ; on still another occasion in company
with a companion, he succeeded in digging under the
foundation of the building, breaking ground outside of it
onlj^ to fall into the hands of the officers, who had discov-
ered the attempt and were waiting to greet him, -
A New Jail Built. This structurc auswcred its purpose for
about twenty-seven years, holding securely
all prisoners who were willing to remain within its walls.
In the year 1800 a new one of stone was built on its site,
1 McMaster's History of the American People, vol. 1, p. 99.
2 Life of Stephen Burroughs.