A History of the County of Westchester, Vol. I
Clean underclothes are* placed in their cells each week. At night they are carefully 'watched by a keeper and four armed guards, who pace the galleries noiselessly with socks on their feet -- observe that all is safe -- notice every noise, and are prepared to quell any disturbance that might possibly arise. This latter is, however, almost impossible, as each prisoner is in a small cell by himself, and secured by powerful bolls and bars.
"The moral and religious condition of the prisoners is also carefully attended to. Prayer generally at night, and a sermon and prayers every Sabbath morning by the claplains in the chapel, a bible and latterly other religious books in the cells,
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constitute a portion of their spiritual privileges. A Sunday school attended by some two hundred and fifty convicts as pupils, and a bible class of one hundred and twenty or more of them, are also in active operation each Sabbath in the chapel. The effects of these united means of mental and moral culture in many of the convicts, are highly beneficial and promissory of good fruits at a future day. They render the convicts more orderly and sober-minded, and divert their attention from less profitable subjects."
Zion Hill in the vicinity of the prison, the properly of Mr. Peter Weatherby, is famous as being the scene of Matthias' impositions.
A few Revolutionary incidents connected with Sing Sing deserve to be recorded here.
In the year 1774, a regiment under the command of Colonel James, (director of the silver mines in this place,) was stationed at Sing Sing. Upon the breaking out of hostilities it was ordered to Boston.