Sentenced for Life

68-year old John Leavitt of Amherst, New Hampshire sold a cow on the 21st of September, 1854, for 13 dollars. The buyer gave him a $10 and a $5 bill, with John handing back a $2 bill for change. Son George A., upset that "he had sold the cow without saying anything to him about it", approached his father and demanded the money, pulling out a jack-knife and threatening to put it through him if he didn't give him the cash. His father handed over the $15., and contacted the authorities.

George would be arrested, and his case soon went to trial. On Friday, 10 Nov. 1854, the jury found him guilty. He was sentenced to one day of solitary confinement, and to hard labor at the State Prison...for LIFE. 

From the Congregational Journal, 16 Nov 1854

A life sentence for George Alladin Leavitt however, was rather short. He died in prison just one year later, on 30 Nov 1855.

From the NH Prison Records, 1812-1968

This family is found in the Descendants of Samuel Leavitt, on page 119-120. The court case, as reported in the Farmer's Cabinet, can be found HERE. 

A burial place for George A Leavitt has yet to be found. He is not listed among the other family members buried in Amherst's Meadow View Cemetery.