Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register, Chapter 14: civil History., page 215

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January the 7th 1655. Wee, whose names are underwritten, being appoynted by the County Cort of Middlesex to provide a house of Correction, with a fit person to keep the same, do make our return to the honored Court as followeth: Impr. Wee have bargained and bought of Andrew Stevenson of Cambridge his dwelling house with about half a rood of land adjoyning to the same, being bounded with Mr. Collines on the north and east, and the highway on west and south,¹ with all the appurtenances and privileges thereoff; the said Andrew hereby covenanting and promising, for him and his heyres to make legal conveyance thereoff to the County when thereunto demanded. In consideration whereoff we do covenant with the said Andrew Stevenson, his heyres and assignes to pay and satisfie to him or his assignes sixteen pounds in cattle or 18li in come, at or before the first of May next; and at the same time the said Andrew to deliver his house in as good repaire as now it is for the use of the County. Also wee have agreed with our brother Edward Goffe to errect an addition thereunto, in length 26 foote and in proportion to the other house, and a stack of chimneys in the midle, and to finish the same as may be most sutable for the work and end proposed. Also, wee do desire the honored Court to allow unto our brother Andrew Stevenson (who hath willingly at our request yelded himselfe to the service of the County in that place) such an annual stipend as may be due incouragement to continue the same with all diligence and faithfulnes, according as need shall require.

Ephraim Child, Edward Jackson, Ralph Mousell, Edward Goffe.

On the other side is endorsed,—

This witnesseth that I, Andrew Stevenson, do consent to the within named propositions and covenant, as witnes my hand this 7th. 11mo. 1655.²

Andrew A. S. Stevenson.

1 The House of Correction stood on the easterly side of Holyoke Street, about two hundred feet northerly from the present location of Mount Auburn Street. After the erection of a jail, this estate was reconveyed to Stevenson, whose heirs sold it to Jonathan Nutting, March 25, 1695.

2 By the Court Records and Files, it appears that the House of Correction or Bridewell was erected in 1656. Andrew Stevenson was the prison keeper from 1656 to 1672; William Healy, from 1672 to 1682, when he was removed from office; Daniel Cheever, from 1682 until he was succeeded in office by his son Israel Cheever about 1693. In 1691, the prison-keeper presented a petition for relief, which is inserted, as characteristic of that period:—

To the honored Court for the County of Middlesex, holden in Cambridge by adjournment this 11th day of May 1691, the petition of Daniel Cheever, keeper of the Prison in Cambridge humbly sheweth, That your poor petitioner is in great straits and want at present, by reason that his salary hath not been paid him for some considerable time past, and having a considerable family depending on him for maintenance, he is compelled to make his complaint to this honored Court, hoping to find relief, begging some order may be taken speedily for his supply, which otherwise cannot be done without great loss and damage to your petitioner; and he would further inform this Court, that George Newbe, who is under bond to pay a fine imposed on him by this Court, hath a pair of young oxen which he would part with, in order to said payment; which oxen your petitioner desires he may have, and then would put off his old oxen to help supply him with necessaries for his family. Also he further desires to add that Sylvester Hayes hath lain upon him this many months, without any consideration from Charlestown, which your petitioner is not able to bear, therefore desires redress of this honored Court in this particular also. But not further to be troublesome, your petitioner earnestly requests your serious consideration of what is premised, and remains your Honors' most humble servant.
Court Files.

Boston. Houghton and Mifflin. 1877.

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Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

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