Miscellaneous data found in newspapers relating to Almshouses or Poor Houses or other institutions.

Caution to the Public-
Broke from confinement in the Poor House in this town (Salem) on Tuesday night last, an Indian fellow named John LEWIS, formerly belonging to Norwhich Landing. He is about 27 years of age and has a large scar on his check. He was taken up and confined on suspicious appearance and such has been his conduct that it was found expedient to chain him; and braking his chain he has carried away a part of it about his leg.

Also- an Irishman by the name of Thomas ROBINSON, who taking up a few days suspected, from the irregular account he gave himself, of being one of the gang who lately broke out of jail in Baltimore. He appears to be about 35 years of age; one eye appears to have been lost in a fight and one of his legs has a large and bad sore. He said he was bound to Machias, to sea a brother by the name of David Robinson.

Pub. by Order of the Overseers of the Poor- Salem, Aug. 10, 1797 [Source: Salem Gazette, Aug. 25, 1797 - submitted by C. Horton]


A Lost Man -
Left the Poor-House in Pittsfield some time in Oct., one Seth ALLEN, an idiot, of middle size and stature, about 45 years of age.
He may be known by having lost his toes some years since, by freezing.
If any one will give information to the subscribers of such a person they will confer a favor and perhaps relieve the sufferings of a human being.
William COLEMAN and Hosea MERRILL, Jn. - Overseers of the Poor - Pittsfield, Dec. 11, 1829
[Source: Pittsfield Sun, Dec. 31, 1829 - C. Horton ]

Notice-
Went away from the Poorhouse in Petersham on Sunday last, Daniel GROSVENOR, an insane man, of middling size about 32 years old; he is offensive and boarding on idiocy.
He has on when he left a white cotton shirt, mixed cotton pantaloons, no hat, coat or shoes. Whoever will return said Grosvenor to the Poor House in Petersham or give information where he may be found, shall be suitably rewarded.
By the Overseers of the Poor Town of Petersham, Aug. 30, 1844 [Source: Barre Patriot, Sept. 13, 1844 - submitted by C. Horton]


Ran away from the Poorhouse in Worcester, George BROOKS, a boy of color, a Town Pauper, age 16.
- All persons are forbid harboring, keeping, employing or in any way or manner whatever to aid him.
The town of Worcester will not pay any expenses of aid boy may cause or make and any person giving aid will be made to answer, agreeable to the provisos of law.
Abraham LINCOLN, Nathan STOWELL, John FLAGG, Peter SLATER and William Eaton - Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Worcester - April 25, 1820
[Source: Worcester Gazette, Wed. May 10, 1820 - submitted by C. Horton]


On Sunday last Mr. HAYES, keeper of the Poorhouse in Groton, murdered his wife and three children and afterwards cut his own throat.
[Source: The Pittsfield Sun., Thursday, Dec. 29, 1853 - submitted by C. Horton -2007]


A contract to supply the Poor-house in Plymouth with beef and (mutten) was taken on the 22nd ult, by Mr. HARRIS of that place, at less than 31/2d per. lb.
[New England Palladum and Commercial Advertiser, June 18, 1816 - submitted by C. Horton]


New Poor House-
It was agreed in a Town meeting on Monday last, to have a New Poor House erected in this town (Salem). A committee of seven was chosen to fix upon some eligible situation and to superintend the building of the house which is to be commenced forthworth. The committee consists of:
Hon. Judge STORY, Nathaniel SILIBEE, Jona. NEAL, Icabod TUCKER, Gideon TUCKER, Stephen PHILLIPS and John WINN.
It is expected the building will be erected on the neck. The committee are authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding $30,000 to defray the expense of the building, etc..
[Essex Register, June 14, 1815 - submitted by C. Horton]

A New Poorhouse has been built by the Town of Salem. It is a calculated so that virtuous poor are to be separated from such as are vicious.It is accommodated with a number of acres of land on which the tenants of the house are to laborer according to their strength.
[New England Palladum and Commercial Advertiser, Nov. 29, 1816 - submitted by C. Horton]

Boston- A valuable pleasure boat, of small size, was seized at Marblehead, on Tuesday morning last, under suspicious circumstances by police-offers. She was found in possession of a man named Thomas NEWMAN, who is committed in the Poor House for safe keeping. Newman is about 5 ft 3 inches high, had a large old hat drawn in by a cord and old mixed costee- a dark vest-no shirt high nankeen pantaloons and no shoes. [New England Palladum and Commercial Advertiser, Friday, Aug. 8, 1817 - submitted by C. Horton]

Committed to the Poor-House in Salem, on Saturday last, a women, in a deranged state of mind, having swung around her neck a bag containing about 1/2 peck of cents; which appears much callused by caring it. She is of a middling stature, was in a tailored garb. Calls herself Hette WILSON, 39 years old and says she comes from Mapelton. The overseers of the Poor request of any person who may have knowledge of the said lunatic, to forward the information.
[Source: Salem Gazette, Oct. 16, 1809 - submitted by C. Horton]

John GABRIEL, a colored man, wishes us to state for the information of his children, that he is in the Poor House at Lanesboro, Mass.
[Pittsfield Sun., Mass May 25, 1837 - submitted by C. Horton]


Early on Tuesday morning last, the Poorhouse in Scituate and a barn adjacent, were destroyed by fire. Damages est. at $4000. The fire originated in the barn and is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary.
[New Bedford Mercury, Tues. Sept. 29, 1820 - submitted by C. Horton]

A fire broke out in the poor house in Charlestown, yesterday morning and a part of the building, which there was a large amount of oakum was consumed. [Boston Daily Advertiser, Monday Morning, Jan. 17, 1820 - submitted by C. Horton]

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