Alternative Names Chelmsford County Bridewell
Prison Type Local Prison - House of Correction/Bridewell
Jurisdiction County
Date opened 1806
Date closed 1824
Location adjoins county gaol, Moulsham Street Chelmsford
Map location exact or closely approximate
County Essex
Although the Chelmsford County House of Correction was located next to the Chelmsford Gaol (ID 16), they were considered separate institutions until 1823 when they officially merged.
Alternative Names Chelmsford County Bridewell
Prison Type Local Prison
Jurisdiction County
Date opened 1806
Date closed 1824
Location adjoins county gaol, Moulsham Street Chelmsford
Map location exact or closely approximate
Lat. 51.73115 Long. 0.47334
County Essex
Although the Chelmsford County House of Correction was located next to the Chelmsford Gaol (ID 16), they were considered separate institutions until 1823 when they officially merged.
Year 1818
Annual Committed - 846
Daily Greatest number - 195
Year 1823
Annual Committed - 801
Daily Census - 166
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: Q/ACM 1-9
Collection: Essex Quarter Sessions
Description: General Committee minutes. Include reports of the Gaol Committee and much relevant material on the administration of the county gaols and houses of correction (including improvements, staffing, labour)
Dates: 1796-1897
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: Q/ACp 2
Collection: Essex Quarter Sessions
Description: Reports of committees as to Gaols (including additional Gaol) and Houses of Correction
Dates: 1819-1828
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: Q/AGp 4
Collection: Essex Quarter Sessions
Description: Reports of committee on proposed alteration to County Gaol in Moulsham (Chelmsford), and Houses of Correction
Dates: 1817-1819
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: Q/CR 4/1-3
Collection: Essex Quarter Sessions
Description: Returns. Of expenses of prisons and houses of correction (1815-1838)
Dates: 1815-1849
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: Q/SBb 378 onwards
Collection: Essex Quarter Sessions
Description: Quarter Sessions bundles include individually catalogued reports of the Keepers, Chaplains, Surgeons and Visiting Justices of the County's Gaols, including Colchester and Newport Houses of Correction, the Gaol, House of Correction and Convict Gaol at Chelmsford, Ilford House of Correction, and Springfield Gaol. The records also include accounts, staff appointments and dismissals, dietaries and labour accounts, and correspondence on prison conditions and prisoners. Up to mid 1840s, contents described in great detail.
Dates: 1800 onwards
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: Q/FAC 5/1-15
Collection: Essex Quarter Sessions
Description: County Treasurers' Special Accounts: Gaols and Houses of Correction
Dates: 1767-1849
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: Q/AGp 13
Collection: Essex Quarter Sessions
Description: Information, reports etc concerning charges of fraud and general misconduct laid against Keeper of Moulsham (Chelmsford) House of Correction
Dates: 1822
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: Q/ALl 9
Collection: Essex Quarter Sessions
Description: Includes return to Government of number of criminal lunatics in Gaol and five Houses of Correction, with original returns from Gaol etc (1808). Copy of lists of lunatics in the Gaol and Houses of Correction within the previous 10 years, giving names, ages, crimes, and observations (1819).
Dates: 1808-1841
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: D/DRa/F75
Collection: None
Description: Includes correspondence (1815, 1820) relating to the purchase of a site in Moulsham 'several years ago' (c.1802) on which to erect a new House of Correction.
Dates: 1815-1829
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: D/DXD 2-15
Collection: None
Description: Deeds of land in Chelmsford, site of proposed House of Correction, including conveyances and mortgage
Dates: 1806-1858
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: Q/AGb 1/3/1
Collection: Essex Quarter Sessions
Description: Plans, signed by Thomas Hopper, County Surveyor, for alterations to Moulsham (Chelmsford) Gaol and House of Correction
Dates: 1819
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: Q/AGb 1/5-6
Collection: Essex Quarter Sessions
Description: Plans. Thomas Hopper. Chelmsford Gaol and House of Correction, and new gaol at Springfield
Dates: 1820-1828
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: Q/AGb 2
Collection: Essex Quarter Sessions
Description: Draft contract and bonds for brickwork for new House of Correction at Chelmsford
Dates: 1802
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: Q/FAc 6/2/3
Collection: Essex Quarter Sessions
Description: Further vouchers to the account of Mr Johnson (John Johnson, County Surveyor) to present time. Includes detailed account of works at new House of Correction, Chelmsford.
Dates: 1806-1808
Archive name: Essex Record Office
Catalogue ref: Q/RDm 2/1
Collection: Essex Quarter Sessions
Description: Letters of Attorney. Deeds relating to properties for Chelmsford House of Correction and land of Turnpike Trust.
Dates: 1820
