When was it published?

February 6, 1767 in The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Domestic News February 6, 1767

The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Q: What keywords are associated?

Jail Fire, Prisoner Escape, Arson, Jail Demolition

Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

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What is this article about?

Arson fire at the old town jail extinguished with minimal damage; prisoner Sharp and a debtor escaped but Sharp was recaptured and secured in the new jail. Same day, workmen began demolishing the old wooden jail as the new stone one nears completion.

Clipping

OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

Last Thursday Morning just at Day-light the old Goal in this Town was discover'd to be on Fire, but the Inhabitants being soon alarm'd, it was happily extinguished without doing much damage.--One Sharp who was confined for Theft with the Assistance of a Debtor in the same Room perpetrated this Crime, and made their Escape before the Discovery.--Sharp was apprehended & brought to Town the next Day, and is now well secur'd in the new Goal.

The same Day the Workmen began to take down the old wooden Goal, the new Stone one being near finished.

What sub-type of article is it?

Fire Crime Infrastructure

What keywords are associated?

Jail Fire Prisoner Escape Arson Jail Demolition

What entities or persons were involved?

Sharp

Where did it happen?

This Town

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

This Town

Event Date

Last Thursday Morning

Key Persons

Sharp

Outcome

fire extinguished without much damage; sharp apprehended and secured in new jail; debtor's fate unknown.

Event Details

Old jail set on fire by prisoner Sharp (confined for theft) and a debtor, who escaped before discovery; fire quickly extinguished by alarmed inhabitants. Same day, workmen started demolishing old wooden jail as new stone one nears completion.