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Basil Dorsey - Thomas H. Jones House

The Basil Dorsey / Thomas H. Jones House in the Florence section of Northampton, Massachusetts, was the home of two fugitives from American slavery. The escapes of both are fully documented and were also well known in their own time. While in national terms Jones was by far the more prominent in abolitionist circles, Dorsey affiliated himself in Florence with the founders of a utopian community that opposed the slave system in word and deed and both sheltered and otherwise assisted fugitives from that system. After the community dissolved in 1846, Dorsey bought land from one of its founders and had this vernacular Greek Revival-style house built upon it. After selling the house in 1852, he remained in Florence for the rest of his life. Two years later, the wife of fugitive orator and Methodist minister Thomas H. Jones bought the house for their family while he continued on the abolitionist lecture circuit; the family remained there until 1859. No other property associated with Jones is known to survive.

Visitor Information: Currently not open to public.

Location: 191 Nonotuck St, Florence, 01002

National Park Unit: No

Ownership: Richard Costello

Location Type: Site