NEWGATE OF CONNECTICUT, Its Origin and Early History

128pp. Dustjacket, several dozen photos and illus, extensive prisoner lists, 988 entry Every Name Index. 1996 (1876, 1901) #1765 $12.95

Newgate was the original colonial prison, established in 1770 in a copper mine in Simsbury, Connecticut. Long a major tourist attraction, the prison and mine can easily be visited today. In 1827 the prison was closed, but during the 1770-1827 period several thousand prisoners were held here, including many during the American Revolution.

The first half of this book is a reprint of the history of the prison, first published in 1876. The remainder consists of verbatim transcripts of the surviving prisoner lists, never before published, currently held by the Connecticut Historical Commission, which maintains the prison today. These lists include the prisoners' names, ages, birth place, crime and date of conviction, sentence, costs of trial, and often other data such as height, complexion, etc., etc.

This is a unique book, offering us an unusual look into the seamier side of colonial and early American life. We hesitate to suggest that genealogists will find ancestors here; let's leave it that this is a reference source all of us will want to check for possible collateral cousins. Highly recommended; one of my personal favorites!