New Mills Town Jail

Overview

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Overview

Alternative Names   Drunkard's Reform Cottage

Nation   England

County   Derbyshire

Location   117 Dye House Lane,  New Mills

Map location   exact or closely approximate

Year opened   unknown

Year closed   c.1854

Century of Operation   1700-1799, 1800-1899

Building Type   Lock-Up

Remarks   Called the 'town jail', but presumably used as a lock-up. Located next to the Cock Inn, and at the end of a row of drinking establishments. Became the Drunkard's Reform Cottage when acquired by Thomas Handford, a former drunk, in the mid 19th century, and was replaced by a police station with cells in Hall Street (https://www.prisonhistory.org/lockup/new-mills-constabulary/).

Descriptions

'Outside what used to be the town prison in Dye House Lane, is one of the most unusual notices that you are ever likely to read. It relates to Thomas Handford, who was never sober for the space of a whole week. He was out drinking with his friend Stafford, in the Cock Inn, next door to the prison, when his friend fell down dead. He walked out of the pub and resolved never to drink again. The notice entitled ‘The Drunkards Reform Cottage’, tells the rest of the story. ‘A working man, a teetotaler for ten years, who was formerly a notorious drinker and a notorious poacher has recently invested his sober earnings in the purchase of the town prison which he has converted into a comfortable dwelling house. Frequently an inmate of the prison whilst a drunkard and poacher, he is now owner of the whole and occupier of the premises. Thomas Handford 1854’. '

http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk/newmills.htm

'Contains a photo dating from c.1899, showing Thomas Handford's widow standing in the doorway of the Drunkard's Reform Cottage.'

Roger Bryant and John Symonds, 'New Mills and District: A Look Back' (New Mills Local History Society, 1987)

''A Drunkards Reform. A working man, a teetotaler for ten years, who was formerly a notorious drinker and a notorious poacher, has recently invested his sober earnings in the purchase of the town prison, which he has converted into a comfortable dwelling house. Frequently an inmate of the prison whilst a drunkard and a poacher, he is now owner of the whole, and occupier of the premises. Thomas Handford. AD. 1854.'

Plaque on the exterior wall of the Drunkard's Reform Cottage

Featured Images

  • Exterior of the Drunkard's Reform Cottage (September 2019)© Derek Brumhead (with kind permission)
  • Plaque on the exterior wall of the Drunkard's Reform Cottage, telling the tale of Thomas Handford© Derek Brumhead (with kind permission)
  • Exterior of the Drunkards Cottage in c.1899, showing Thomas Handford's widow standing in the doorway.From New Mills Local History Society's Photographic website (n00255) © With kind permission of New Mills Local History Society

Description: Exterior of the Drunkard's Reform Cottage (September 2019)

Photo by: © Derek Brumhead (with kind permission)

Description: Plaque on the exterior wall of the Drunkard's Reform Cottage, telling the tale of Thomas Handford

Photo by: © Derek Brumhead (with kind permission)

Description: Exterior of the Drunkards Cottage in c.1899, showing Thomas Handford's widow standing in the doorway.

Photo by: From New Mills Local History Society's Photographic website (n00255) © With kind permission of New Mills Local History Society

SOURCES

    Roger Bryant and John Symonds, 'New Mills and District: A Look Back' (New Mills Local History Society, 1987)
  • 'New Mills', Discover Derbyshire and the Peak District, website

  • http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk/newmills.htm
  • 'A Short Walk around Historic New Mills'

  • http://nmwaw.org.uk/walks/HistoricNewMills.pdf

Comments

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