NEW YORK CITY, 1836: In the early morning hours of April 10, 1836, the madam of a New York City brothel awoke to find 22-year old Helen Jewett's bedroom filled with smoke and flames.

Helen Jewett, born Dorcas Doyen in Augusta, Maine, was considered a well-known sex worker in New York City. As her case became sensationalized and publicized around the world, it brought the taboo subject of sex into the prudish public sphere of the 1800s, inviting commentary, opinion and bias, even among those tasked with the pursuit of justice on Helen's behalf. 

Helen Jewett's Known Aliases: Maria Benson, Maria Stanley, Helen Mar, and Ellen Jewett

Richard R. Robinson's Known Aliases: Frank Rivers, Richard Parmalee

To learn more about sex work issues and advocacy, visit decriminalizesex.work. 

View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com

Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

To suggest a case, email hello@darkdowneast.com

Support Dark Downeast on Buy Me a Coffee

Shop Dark Downeast merch at darkdowneast.com/shop