Morpeth County Gaol and House of Correction

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Morpeth County Gaol, Morpeth Prison

Prison Type   Local Prison -  Common Gaol & House of Correction/Bridewell

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1828

Date closed   1881

Location   Castle Bank (south side of Wansbeck in township of Catchburn)   Morpeth

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Northumberland

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Morpeth County Gaol, Morpeth Prison

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1828

Date closed   1881

Location   Castle Bank (south side of Wansbeck in township of Catchburn)   Morpeth

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   55.1643206  Long.   -1.6837569

County   Northumberland

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   189

Daily Census   -   76

 

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   145

Daily Census   -   37

 

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   400

Daily Census   -   74

 

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   347

Daily Daily average   -   51

 

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   509

Daily Daily average   -   77

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   490

Daily Daily average   -   74

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   625

Daily Greatest number   -   135

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   706

Daily Daily average   -   103

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   1492

Daily Daily average   -   123

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   831

Daily Daily average   -   84

Principal Primary Sources

  • Eighth Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1832), Appendix, p.34
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.183; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.176; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.176; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.190; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.176; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.173; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.114; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.114; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.119; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.115; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.123; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.128; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.130; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.131; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.133; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.161; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.156; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.169; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.171
  • Abstract Return of Establishment and Expenditure of Gaols and Houses of Correction in England and Wales (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.241), p.46
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Third Report (Parl. Papers, 1837-38, XXXI.299), p.119; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXII.449), p.167; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXV.721), p.29; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1841 Session 2, V.413), p.16; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXI.369), p.34; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1843, XXV. & XXVI.441), p.88; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXIX.973), p.59; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Tenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXIV.399), p.64; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Eleventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1846, XX.461), p.79; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Northern District, Fourteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1849, XXVI.167), p.16; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1850, XXVIII.793), p.71; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Sixteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1851, XXVII.837), p.73; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Seventeenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1852-53, LII.265), p.85; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Eighteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1852-53, LII.361), p.77; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Nineteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1854, XXXII.1), p.78; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Twentieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1854-55, XXVI.123), p.55; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Twenty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1856, XXXIII.657), p.61; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Twenty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1857 Session 1, VII.505), p.60; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Northern District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1857-58, XXIX.209), p.56; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Northern District, Twenty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1859, Session 1, XI.213), p.47; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Northern District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.381), p.37; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Northern District, Twenty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1863, XXIII.109), p.76; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Twenty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1864, XXVI.89), p.43; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.257), p.75; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.233), p.81; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.1), p.75; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.1), p.69; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.529), p.106; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.169), p.55; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.337), p.106; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.389), p.132; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.417), p.137; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.417), p.137; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.421), p.137; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.417), p.133
  • Commissioners of Prisons, Second Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1878-79, XXXIV.1, 97), p.49; Commissioners of Prisons, Third Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1880, XXXV.1,73), p.62; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1881, LI.441, 521), p.65; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1882, XXXIII.443, 541), p.71

Secondary Sources

  • http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/WAMDocuments/1E9E1391-78BF-4477-B300-24E92B3FC2C2_1_0.pdf?nccredirect=1

Management

Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: EP/132/61

Collection: Alnwick, St Michael's parish records

Description: Includes voucher for carpeting manufactured by prisoners at Morpeth Gaol

Dates: 1843


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: NRO CS 35  

Collection: None

Description: Morpeth Gaol

Dates: 1840-1846


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: Q/A/G

Collection: Northumberland Quarter Sessions

Description: One box of papers survived and should include papers relating to Morpeth Gaol and House of Correction

Dates: 1829-1884


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: Q/A/G/6/3

Collection: Northumberland Quarter Sessions

Description: Papers regarding the average number of prisoners / available cell accommodation at Morpeth Gaol

Dates: 1872-1876


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: Q/C/R

Collection: Northumberland Quarter Sessions

Description: Parliamentary returns, including Prisons

Dates: 1877


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: Q/S/O

Collection: Northumberland Quarter Sessions

Description: Order books. Highly likely to contain material on the administration of the county prisons

Dates: 1680-1971


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: QCD/45/3

Collection: Northumberland Quarter Sessions

Description: Bundle of letters relating to the new Gaol

Dates: 1821-1822


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/BEQ/28/1/5/172A & B

Collection: Papers relating to the history of Morpeth, Northumberland

Description: Newspaper reports on unsatisfactory management of Morpeth Gaol

Dates: 1845


Finance

Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: ZSW/631

Collection: None

Description: Memorandum on the expense of building the new Gaol at Morpeth

Dates: 1825


Archive name: Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland

Catalogue ref: DE 3168/410-414

Collection: None

Description: Letters from Newmarch Sons & Co of Newcastle, including Gaol rate for new Gaol, House of Correction and Court House at Morpeth

Dates: 1827-1828


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: NRO 10842/4

Collection: None

Description: Clerk of the Peace. Calf-bound ledger covers the costs for an Act for a new Gaol at Morpeth. Also, expenses and details of prosecutions of prisoners, general Bills, and a Bill against County getting a new Commissioner of the Peace (1820).

Dates: 1820-1826


Staff

Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/BEQ/28/1/5/142C

Collection: Papers relating to the history of Morpeth, Northumberland

Description: Newspaper advert from a Chaplain for Morpeth Gaol

Dates: 1843


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/BEQ/28/1/5/231D

Collection: Papers relating to the history of Morpeth, Northumberland

Description: Newspaper notice to creditors of Lieutenant Brunton deceased, Governor of Morpeth Gaol

Dates: 1848


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/BEQ/28/1/5/291G

Collection: Papers relating to the history of Morpeth, Northumberland

Description: Newspaper sale notice in respect of pony, phaeton and harness of Governor of Gaol, Morpeth

Dates: 1853


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: ZCE/F/1/4/1/274

Collection: None

Description: Letter from P.G. Ellison, reports that he attended the Quarter Sessions at Morpeth, Northumberland, to meet Lieutenant Brunton, the new governor of the County Gaol there.

Dates: 1845


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/BEQ/28/1/4/462I

Collection: Papers relating to the history of Morpeth, Northumberland

Description: Newspaper notice of Mr Cousins appointment as Keeper of Morpeth County Gaol

Dates: undated


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/BEQ/28/1/5/259C

Collection: Papers relating to the history of Morpeth, Northumberland

Description: Newspaper notice for Matron of female prisoners at Morpeth Gaol

Dates: 1850


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/BEQ/28/1/5/285B

Collection: Papers relating to the history of Morpeth, Northumberland

Description: Newspaper advert for a Matron and Schoolmistress for Gaol at Morpeth, Northumberland

Dates: 1852


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/BEQ/28/1/4/457C

Collection: Papers relating to the history of Morpeth, Northumberland

Description: Newspaper letter from Robert Hawdon on being appointed Morpeth County Gaol Surgeon

Dates: 1837


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/BEQ/28/1/5/31C

Collection: Papers relating to the history of Morpeth, Northumberland

Description: Newspaper obituary of Robert Hawdon, Surgeon at County Gaol, Morpeth

Dates: 1855


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/BEQ/28/1/5/173C

Collection: Papers relating to the history of Morpeth, Northumberland

Description: Newspaper advert for Rat Catcher for Morpeth Gaol

Dates: 1845


Prisoners

Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/BEQ/28/1/5/217D & E

Collection: Papers relating to the history of Morpeth, Northumberland

Description: Newspaper reports of George Leighton's escape from Morpeth Gaol

Dates: 1846


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: NRO 2590

Collection: J. W. Peters, Undertakers

Description: Sale agreement, including a plan of Morpeth Prison

Dates: 1893


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: NRO ZAL 89/37 

Collection: None

Description: Plan of groin arches in new Gaol

Dates: 1824


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: Q/A/G/3

Collection: Northumberland Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence regarding deficiencies in some of the cells at Morpeth Gaol

Dates: 1870


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: Q/A/G/4

Collection: Northumberland Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence and plan relating to proposed new kitchen fittings and baths at Morpeth Gaol

Dates: 1874


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: Q/A/G/7/1

Collection: Northumberland Quarter Sessions

Description: Bundle of papers relating to dispute between the Prison Commissioners and the County regarding their respective rights in the Morpeth Gaol /Court buildings

Dates: 1880-1882


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: Q/A/G/7/3

Collection: Northumberland Quarter Sessions

Description: Small plan of HM Prison Morpeth showing the property of the Prison Commissioners and the property of the County

Dates: 1880


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: Q/R/D/10,p128

Collection: Northumberland Quarter Sessions

Description: Prison Commissioners to the County Council, conveyance of property at Morpeth, with plan

Dates: 1893


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: Q/R/D/9,p684

Collection: Northumberland Quarter Sessions

Description: Award between the Justices of the Peace and the Prison Commissioners, as to Morpeth Prison and Court House

Dates: 1884


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/BEQ/28/1/5/326

Collection: Papers relating to the history of Morpeth, Northumberland

Description: Ground plan of County Gaol, Morpeth

Dates: undated


Images

Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/PHO/ALB/21/32

Collection: None

Description: Photograph of Morpeth Gaol

Dates: 1870


Other

Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/BEQ/28/1/5/256B, 278A, 282C

Collection: Papers relating to the history of Morpeth, Northumberland

Description: Newspaper reports on numbers of prisoners at the County Gaol, Morpeth in 1850-1851

Dates: 1850-1852


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: SANT/BEQ/28/1/5/300B

Collection: Papers relating to the history of Morpeth, Northumberland

Description: Newspaper report re problems at Gaol in Morpeth

Dates: 1854