During 1647, owing to the low price of the only staple, tobacco, having fallen into a state of great poverty, the General Assembly was led to modify its former regulations as to what should be considered a "sufficient prison". By the first order adopted, a certain amount of iron work had been required, but the iron became too expensive. So, they decided that any structure built in the form of the Virginia houses should be accepted as a sufficient jail. Source: Hening's Statues, vol. i, p. 340.
Pictured is the old Williamsburg jail.
"
Virginia Historical Videos" "
Find your Ancestors on Virginia Pioneers.net"
Subscribe now and view wills online
VirginiaPioneers.net
- Option One. 3-months subscription to Virginia Pioneers.net - $30.00 (automatically expires in 3 months).
- Option Two. 1-year subscription to Virginia Pioneers.Net - $75.00
