Our exhibit, Making Connecticut, showcases over 500 objects, images, and documents from the CHS collection. “What is this?” posts will highlight an object from the exhibit and explore its importance in Connecticut history every other week. What is this object? What is the story behind it? To find out more, Continue reading
Sir
you will gow to room Number
three & as you gow in, on your
right – hand you will find an
old pillow on an under birth
Where you may find concealed the
contents, etc – etc Between the case
& tick that holds the feathers.
This unsigned note is one of several documents, in the latest Newgate Prison collection to cross my desk (Ms 74355), that refers to escaping from East Granby, Connecticut’s copper mine-turned-prison.
It is not clear whether they all related to the same escape, or if there were separate affairs. One letter appears to be from an inmate, apprising the guards of a pending escape. The author’s reason for informing the guards is that, “we are strictly commanded to preserve Our own lives – & that of others. And did I not deem life sweeter than liberty gained at the peril of ones own life.” Another echoed that concern. “If mens intentions were only to obtain their Liberty in a humane manner I should not think it my duty as a prisoner, to inform you,” the prisoner began, and then continued to describe the escape he was aware of.
(Click the above images to view in more detail)
Thomas K. Brace, in Hartford, spread the word to Captain Griswold at Newgate in another letter. “[T]he white Prisoners in the New Building have it in contemplation to effect their escape,” Brace wrote. He encouraged Griswold to “Look out! be vigilant! be watchful!!”
There is no indication in the collection as to the success rate (or lack thereof) of the escapes. The other pieces included are minutes from a guard meeting and a list of certificates paid.
Escape the heat and come study this collection or any other. Our library and museum are quite cool places to spend the day! Visit our website for more information.
Newgate Prison, in East Granby, Connecticut, began as a copper mine in the 1700s. It became a prison during the Revolutionary War, and continued in that capacity until 1827. In 1976 Newgate became a National Historic Landmark, and remains a very popular museum in the state.
Perhaps you can imagine my surprise when I found the following entry in the autograph album I was cataloging:
Autograph album, 1860, Ms 65539. Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, CT
The owner of the album is unknown, though it appears she was a student at the Hartford Female Seminary. Many of her classmates signed the book, as did Hartford resident and activist Lydia Huntley Sigourney.
What do you think this was about?? Send us your ideas. Maybe we can even scare up a prize for the best answer! Enter via the comments section below, Facebook, or Twitter by 9AM Monday, March 14. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
You are welcome to come view the album, any of our manuscripts relating to Newgate Prison, Hartford Female Seminary, Lydia Sigourney, or any other Connecticut history subject. More information about visiting and researching is available on our website.
As the year ended we continued cataloging materials for our NHPRC project. Here are some of the treasures we were able to add to our online catalog last month:
The Greene & Park minute book is a small booklet recording an 1806 “cheese” voyage by the Sloop Lady Washington for the firm Greene & Park of Norwich, Connecticut (yum!). The voyage, to Baltimore, Maryland, was captained by Roswell Roath. The minute book, as they called it, includes entries for repairing the vessel, loading the cheese, ship’s stores, nails, and other expenses. The bulk of the small pamphlet is a record of the expenses incurred on a trip to Baltimore and back, probably taken by Ebenezer Greene of Preston, whose name is written on the back cover. (Account Books/2009.367)
Abner Gilbert of Ridgefield and Danbury, Connecticut, kept a journal while purchasing items in London. Gilbert’s purchases included tobacco, canary, and several other types of wine. The last page contains a drawing of a tavern sign. CHS maintains the largest collections of tavern signs in New England, so this is quite interesting to us. (Account Books/Ms 59198)
Abner Gilbert account book, 1787, MS 59198. Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, Connecticut
Newgate Prison, in East Granby, Connecticut, began as a copper mine in the early 18th century. In 1773 it was first used to house criminals. Of the three account books in our collection, the earliest volume (1796-1801, unbound) is a record of materials received and sold. Many loads of wood and coal were delivered, and the prison was selling nails. The second volume is a daybook from 1824. Entries are for shoe making, blacksmithing, and carpentry work. The entries in the latest volume (1826-1828), an account book, are similar to those in the daybook. Shoes were being made for both people and horses, and tools were being mended. Bills received were for iron, steel, and timber. The first few pages of the latest volume have been covered with newspaper clippings. Newgate received nail stock from Forbes and Adam, an iron manufacturing firm in East Canaan, Connecticut, and is listed as one of Forbes and Adam’s customers in the the account books of Dr. William Adam (Ms 100044). Today Old Newgate Prison is operated as a historic site by the State of Connecticut. (Account Books/Ms 60236)
For the Civil War buffs out there, an online record has been added for the Michael Kelly Civil War diary. In addition to the diary, the collection includes Private Kelly’s military papers, a transcription of the diary, and an index. Kelly was from Sharon, Connecticut, and served with the 25th Connecticut Infantry Regiment. (Ms 62097)
One of the goals of our project is to match manuscript materials with objects in our museum collections. A great example this month is courtesy of Ebenezer Mix. An account book was kept by Ebenezer H. Mix aboard the Schooner Ann. One portion of this volume, contains personal accounts. Mix sold a variety of clothing items aboard ship. He also recorded Richard Salter’s method of lunar observations and determining distance. The other portion of the volume contains a journal from aboard ship. Most of the entries date between 1817 and 1820. Later, in 1837, Dr. Theodore H. Wadsworth recorded items he presented to his aunt, Ebenezer Mix’s wife, Sally Mix. Additionally, Wadsworth recorded an inventory of articles which belonged to Martha H. Mix of Farmington, Connecticut. The items were being sent to Ohio. In our museum collections we have platters, a soup tureen, a bowl, dinner plates, soup plates, and a tray originally owned by Mix and his family. These items originated in the Jiangxi Province of China, and could have been acquired by Mix during one of his voyages. (Ms 64109 and 1956.3.11-.27)
All of these materials are available for research. Come visit!
inside the CHS 