The Norfolk County Jail was a wooden jail located on Highland Street in Dedham, Massachusetts. [1] Following the creation of Norfolk County in 1792, Timothy Gay deeded land to the county for the creation of the jail in October 1794. [2] Construction began that year but it was not complete until 1795. [2] [3] The donated land, next to Gay's tavern on Highland Street, was on the corner of Court Street next to the present day St. Paul's Church. [2] [4]
It received its first prisoner in February 1795. [1] It housed Jason Fairbanks after his murder conviction, but he escaped. [5] Timothy Gay, Jr. was the jail keeper and was indicted, but acquitted. [5]
It was replaced by a new Norfolk County Jail in 1817. [6] [7]