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Benjamin Fairbanks

Released
Gender:Male
Race:White
Era:1700s
State:Massachusetts
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Biography

Benjamin Fairbanks was a Dedham farmer prosecuted over an anti-government liberty pole under the Sedition Act. Arrested in 1798, he pleaded guilty in 1799 and received a six-hour jail sentence and a five-dollar fine plus costs. The six hours describe the sentence, not a verified total including pretrial detention.

Case

Charges: Sedition Act prosecution over the Dedham liberty pole
Arrested: 1798
Sentenced: June 1799
Sentence: Six hours in jail and a $5 fine plus costs; total custody duration unverified
Judge: Samuel Chase
Plead: Guilty