The History Punched Through the Ceiling of an Upper Corridor Cell Prison Life Female Inmates, and the Keeper Was to Execute The
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One notable escape occurred in 1875. A hole was The Keeper’s wife was expected to supervise the The History punched through the ceiling of an upper corridor cell Prison Life female inmates, and the Keeper was to execute the to gain access to the roof and the escape of four men “rules of the jail” as devised by the Prison Board, When the prison was Burlington City, founded in 1677, was the first was made good by climbing down a woodpile next to which was composed of members of the freeholders. originally designed, each settlement in Burlington County, the capital of the the prison yard wall. A fifth accomplice, too large to The Keeper and his family lived in these quarters until Province of West Jersey and the county seat until “guest” of Burlington Handcuffs, the adjacent brick house, connected by a passageway, fit through the hole and incensed at being left behind, circa 1900’s 1796. The first jail was located in the basement of the County Prison was to was constructed on the corner of Grant and High reportedly sounded the alarm. Despite a quick have his own cell with a courthouse. This was replaced in 1767 by a separate response by the warden, it seems that at least some of Streets. stone structure that was used until 1811 when the fireplace and a narrow window placed above eye these escapees were never caught. level. The rules of the jail directed that prisoners Burlington County Prison in Mount Holly was In keeping with the intent designed into the structure, completed and ready for use. When the county seat were to be bathed, deloused, and have their clothing the basement level contained a workshop where Many criminals were destined to spend their last days fumigated and that each cell should have a bible or was moved to Mount Holly in 1796, the federal-style on earth in the Burlington County Jail. State law prisoners were expected to learn some useful trade – courthouse was built in the same year. It took another prayer book “to improve the soul.” Individual cells, how to make brooms, baskets, or shingles. Another, mandated that criminals convicted of a capital crime intended for felons or criminals, were arranged in sets fifteen years, however, to purchase land for the prison were to be executed in the County in which they less supervised pastime of the inmates that endured site and have plans drawn up and approved by the of four, opening off a short hall at each end of the through the ages was prisoner graffiti. Depicting were found guilty, and Burlington County was no building. These “blocks” of cells were to house freeholders. The purchase price of the land was humor, despair, and a belated piety, several fine exception. Numerous public hangings were separate groups, e.g. habitual criminals, first $2,000 in 1807 and, when finally completed, the new examples of this art have been photo-conserved and conducted in the prison yard on a gallows erected for offenders, and women. prison’s construction cost a grand total of are on display throughout the building. The felons’ each occasion. The last such execution was the $24,201.13. eating room, also in the basement, permitted double hanging of Rufus Johnson and George Small. The larger rooms on the main hallways were to controlled access to the exercise yard with its twenty- The two men were convicted of murdering Florence accommodate the debtors, imprisoned for owing foot wall. Outside, prisoners could tend to a small The outside of the building has changed very little. Allinson of Moorestown, an English-born governess at money. These were common rooms, sometimes The massive front door, the large hinges and the lock garden of fresh vegetables. In one corner of the yard a refuge for homeless children. Solved within days by holding three or four men at a time. During the day, there was a set of leg stocks to punish unruly inmates, are original. The interior vaulted ceilings of poured the celebrated Burlington County detective Ellis H. debtors were to be allowed to move about the jail, concrete, and the brick and stone construction are and an area was set aside for the gallows which were Parker, the men were hanged on March 24, 1906, working at various cleaning chores or employed in the dismantled and stored between hangings. also much as they were when the facility first opened. two months after the crime. basement workshop. The interior is whitewashed, as it would have been Solidly built, this prison was in constant use until when first occupied. The cell doors are also original November 1965. Originally designed to house The “dungeon”, or maximum-security cell, was in the and many were fabricated in place. approximately 40 center of the top floor. That location was carefully prisoners, the Burlington chosen to prevent escape by digging, to minimize As formidable as the County Prison held over communication with criminals in the cell blocks, and This blackjack was taken from a prisoner by prison seems, it was 100 inmates when they to ensure constant surveillance by guards making not escape-proof. The rounds. This was the only cell without a fireplace. It Chief of Detectives, Ellis Parker, in the years were moved to a between 1915-1919. walls were scaled and converted armory that is flanked by niches for guards or visitors and has one Staple foods, linens, cleaning supplies, and craft the roof penetrated formerly stood behind the very high, very small window and an iron ring in the center of the floor to which the prisoner could be materials were stored in the basement near the numerous times in its jail. Overcrowded chained. As one might expect, tradition states that kitchen, baking, and washing facilities. Once a day, history. The preferred conditions required yet this cell is haunted. the prisoners were to be served a main meal of meat routes to freedom another, larger prison, and vegetables. The other two meals were usually seem to have been which was erected in Supposedly, the ghost of Joel Clough, a murderer cooked cereals or grains. They had milk and cider to through the roof of the 1983. jail and the passageway who spent his last night there, has paid tribute to his drink, as well as water. Until 1928, the prisoners to the warden’s house last earthly residence and to the vigilance of the prison prepared their own meals. One of the inmates was next door. guards in later years. made chief cook and slept in a basement cell next to Robert Mills’ Sectional rendering of the North the kitchen. Large wash tubs were provided for wing and rear of jail Originally, two rooms on the main floor were set laundry and regular baths for the prisoners. aside as living quarters for the “Keeper” and his wife. In 1803, Mills drew the attention of President CELEBRATING 200 Welcome Thomas Jefferson who asked him to assist in the design of Monticello, Jefferson’s plantation home in YEARS!! The Burlington County Prison Museum is a National the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. He Historic Landmark located in the heart of historic resided there for two years during which he Mount Holly, New Jersey. Designed by Robert developed a very deep friendship with Jefferson. Mills, one of America’s first native-born and trained With letters of introduction from Hoban and architects, the Burlington County Prison was Jefferson, Robert Mills began practice in 1805 under completed in 1811. As one of Mills’ first independent Benjamin Latrobe, the celebrated English-born architectural designs, the interior vaulted ceilings of architect responsible for, among other projects, the poured concrete and brick and stone construction interiors of the U. S. Capitol. Mills continued under made the building virtually fireproof. Not only is the Latrobe until 1808, when he struck out on his own in structure well suited to its purpose and virtually private practice. maintenance free, it also incorporates the philosophies of penal reform that were advocated during the During this period (1808-1830), Robert Mills period. In short, this structure was a fine example of married and moved to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Est. 1811 innovative interior planning, fireproofing, heating and Charleston, and finally settled in Washington, D.C. A National Historic Landmark ventilation systems and the growing notion of social It was during his tenure in Philadelphia that Mills was located in the heart of historic responsibility to rehabilitate criminals. In fact, it was awarded the commission to design the Burlington so well constructed that it remained in constant use Mount Holly, New Jersey County Prison that was constructed in 1810-11. The The museum is open until 1965. building was one of Robert Mills’ first designs as an Thursday - Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and independent architect and is a fine example of his We hope you enjoy your visit. As you tour this Sunday from 12 pm – 4 pm. ability to identify and solve some of the most difficult museum we remind you that this building was a structural, safety, and utilization issues of the day. prison for 154 years…at the time of its closing it was For more information, please call the Burlington Burlington County County Parks System at 609-265-5858. the oldest continually used prison in the United In 1836, President Board of Chosen Freeholders States. That is no mean feat for any building! Andrew Jackson Being a tour guide is easy, fun, appointed Mills to the and you will meet many position of Federal The Architect interesting people.