| Citation |
NHG-P.774.019
4 Mar 1774:23 (906)
Salem, March 1. Last Friday in the forenoon, Mr. Brown, of
this place Deputy Sheriff, went on board a fishing vessel,
at Marblehead, and arrested John Watts and John Guillard, in
an action of damages for 3000 L. commenced by the gentlemen
who were proprietors of the late Essex Hospital, on
suspicion that the said two persons were concerned in
burning that building on the 26th of January last.----The
prisoners were committed to his Majesty's Goal in this town
about 2 o'clock, P.M. Almost as soon as the keys were
turned upon them, the people began, in small companies, to
enter the town from Marblehead, and continued coming over in
this manner till near night, rendevouing near the goal. The
Magistrates were busy in consulting upon measures for
preferring the peace, and for dispersing the people who were
assembling from Marblehead; from when a still greater number
was expected after dark. About sunset, on application to
the Colonel of the Militia, the drums were ordered out, and
beat To Arms----Immediately upon hearing this, the mob to
the number of 4, or 500, arming themselves with clubs,
sticks of wood, &c. and while it was yet daylight, made a
furious attack upon the gaol. They first burst open the
doors, and broke most of the lower windows in that part of
the building which is the Prison-Keepers's dwelling, and
then, with iron crowd, axes &c. they soon beat their way
through four of the prison doors, each of which was very
strong, and well secured with many large locks. Then,
having got into two apartments of the prison, in less than
10 minutes, from the first order, carried off the
abovementioned two prisoners in triumph, and went
immediately to Marblehead, where they soon dispersed. They
assembled again the next day, & obliged the gentlemen
above-mentioned to declare, that no prosecutions should ever
after be commenced on account of burning the hospital.
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