Chelmsford House of Correction

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

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

Critical Remarks

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.

Prison Info

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

Critical Remarks

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.

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1818

Annual Committed   -   846

Daily Greatest number   -   195

 

Year 1823

Annual Committed   -   801

Daily Census   -   166

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.122
  • Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.12
  • [Second] Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1820), p.13; The Third Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1821), Appendix, p.19; Fourth Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1822), Appendix, p.15
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1824, XIX.359), p.88

Secondary Sources

  • http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1099871&sort=2&type=&rational=a&class1=11&period=&county=&district=&parish=&place=Chelmsford&recordsperpage=10&source=text&rtype=&rnumber=&p=3&move=n&nor=120&recfc=0

Management

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


Finance

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


Staff

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


Prisoners

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


Land & Buildings

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