Comparing Clark And Robinson

Clark was a troubled lad who had been prone to acts considered to be mischievous acts in light of the standards of early nineteenth-century rural Massachusetts life. The crime of arson was explained by the judge and prosecution explained that arson, in the Puritan society of wooden housing, was a greater capital offense than robbery, murder and treason. According to Clark, he and his alleged accomplice, Joe Lawrence, lit a candle in the barn of one William

Hannah Downes and Sally Chase had both been placed in the Corrective House for being “nightwalkers” and persons of “lascivious behavior.” These general terms could be labled onto any girl who deviated from societal standards slightly. From the beginning of the trial they were refered to with fear and indignity. Clark’s father said that he feared no other mischief in his son than the association with these girls. Apparently the lot of a prostitute, loose-woman, or nightwalker in nineteenth century was one deserving of condemnation and discrimination.

James Bennett, a newsman who had founded the New York Herald, said of Helen Jewitt, “This beautiful woman has done more harm to the youth of New York than anything that has ever come to our city.” The testimonies of all prostitutes were ignored. Did their position of “employment,” negate their ability to tell the truth? Popular media and religious morals of the time would have us believe so.

Another startling difference between these cases lies in each outcome. Both prisoners had pile of evidence against them, but only one was convicted. Clark, convicted only of arson, was killed in accordance of the law. Despite his malicious and vile intent (according to prosecutors), no one died in the fire he set; there was only a loss of property. The destruction of a few houses and a stable was equal in value to the life of a young boy to these Puritans nineteenth century rural Massachusetts. This seems contradictory to our ideas of human life today. Putting a minor to death for the crime of arson seems outrageous by modern standards.

Despite the heavy evidence against him, Robinson gained the support of many New Yorkers. The respectable men and women of New York City saw all of this as a representation of the evils of promiscuity, a threat to their morals. Churches held services in support of Robinson and at the same time condemned prostitution. During the first day of the trial, Robinson’s supporters fo

Some topics in this essay:
Helen Jewitt, York City, Corrective House, Sally Chase, Hannah Downes, Rosina Townsend, Salem Massachusetts, Clark Robinson, William Cross, House Clark, nineteenth century, helen jewitt, hannah downes, hannah downes sally, night murder, corrective house, lit candle, candle barn, york city, rural massachusetts, crime arson, downes sally chase,