Alternative Names Newgate Gaol, Newgate City Gaol
Prison Type Local Prison - Common Gaol, Lock Up
Jurisdiction Municipality
Date opened 1188 [1783]
Date closed 1882 [1902]
Location corner Newgate Street and Old Bailey London
Map location exact or closely approximate
County Middlesex
Founded in 1188, Newgate’s most recent rebuilding before the nineteenth century was in 1783. Also functioned as a county gaol for Middlesex. Newgate ceased to function as a local prison in 1882 but continued to be used as a lock up when the Old Bailey court was in session until 1902.
Alternative Names Newgate Gaol, Newgate City Gaol
Prison Type Local Prison
Jurisdiction Municipality
Date opened 1188 [1783]
Date closed 1882 [1902]
Location corner Newgate Street and Old Bailey London
Map location exact or closely approximate
Lat. 51.515692 Long. -0.101919
County Middlesex
Founded in 1188, Newgate’s most recent rebuilding before the nineteenth century was in 1783. Also functioned as a county gaol for Middlesex. Newgate ceased to function as a local prison in 1882 but continued to be used as a lock up when the Old Bailey court was in session until 1902.
Year 1818
Annual Committed - 2326
Daily Greatest number - 591
Year 1823
Annual Committed - 2066
Daily Census - 297
Year 1828
Annual Committed - 3085
Daily Census - 338
Year 1833
Annual Committed - 2414
Daily Census - 288
Year 1838
Annual Confined - 3315
Daily Census - 323
Year 1843
Annual Confined - 3968
Daily Census - 129
Year 1848
Annual Confined - 3436
Daily Daily average - 236
Year 1853
Annual Confined - 1957
Daily Daily average - 114
Year 1858
Annual Committed - 1584
Daily Daily average - 106
Year 1863
Annual Committed - 1770
Daily Greatest number - 205
Year 1868
Annual Committed - 1574
Daily Daily average - 103
Year 1873
Annual Committed - 1518
Daily Daily average - 76
Year 1878
Annual Committed - 1709
Daily Daily average - 77
Archive name: British Library
Catalogue ref: Eg MS 3802
Collection: Manuscripts
Description: Newgate Prison, London, report on state of Gaol
Dates: 1816-1819
Archive name: Lambeth Palace Library
Catalogue ref: Jackson 2/561, Creighton 1/50
Collection: None
Description: Newgate Prison, London, Diocesan Visitation returnsÂ
Dates: 1883, 1900
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/032/01/037
Collection: Prisons and Compters
Description: Returns as to state of Prisons and prisoners' healthÂ
Dates: 1812-1819
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/035/02/025
Collection: Newgate Prison
Description: Minutes of an enquiry before the Gaol Committee concerning the communication to a prisoner, Sarah Stroud, who was under sentence of death, of a free pardon
Dates: 1843
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/035/02/027
Collection: Newgate Prison
Description: Reports of the Ordinary of the Gaol of Newgate
Dates: 1850-1859
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/035/02/043
Collection: Newgate Prison
Description: Return as to State side of Newgate Gaol
Dates: 1873
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/035/02/047
Collection: Newgate Prison
Description: Minutes of Evidence as to the treatment of Prisoners in the Gaol of Newgate. Taken before a sub-committee of the Whole Court of Aldermen. Also notes of evidence (full but not verbatim) endorsed 'Mr Ald' Brown's Memoranda'.
Dates: 1836
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/035/02/048
Collection: Newgate Prison
Description: Rough minutes and letters and papers relative to an enquiry before a Committee of the Court of Aldermen concerning prisoners' grievances
Dates: 1813
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: COL/CA/GAC
Collection: Court of Alderman: Gaol Committee
Description: Responsible for the administration of London prisons. Minutes, papers and reports contain material relevant to the administration of Newgate
Dates: 1794-1878
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: COL/CC/NGC
Collection: Court of Common Council: Newgate Gaol Committee
Description: Minutes, rough minutes, papers and journals of the Committee for rebuilding Newgate (1767-1831), including certificates of work done, financial accounts, bills, proposals and letters
Dates: 1767-1831
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: PCOM2/467
Collection: Prison Commission
Description: Newgate Prison, Middlesex: miscellaneous correspondence
Dates: 1832-1883
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: PCOM7/42
Collection: Prison Commission
Description: Newgate Prison: disposal of old records and articles of interest or antiquity
Dates: 1881-1913
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/035/02/050-052
Collection: Newgate Prison
Description: Visiting Justices minutes, with gapsÂ
Dates: 1814-1877
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/008/EM/01/003
Collection: City Lands Estates
Description: Contract for delivery to Newgate, coal
Dates: 1815
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/035/02/004
Collection: Newgate Prison
Description: Copy Return of Fees authorized to be taken from prisoners civil and criminal
Dates: 1809
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/035/02/055
Collection: Newgate Prison
Description: Vouchers for wages and petty disbursements
Dates: 1817
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: COL/CC/FNG
Collection: Court of Common Council: Gaol Expenses and Finance Committee
Description: Responsible for the financial administration of those prisons owned by the Corporation. Minutes and committee papers contain evidence relating to Newgate
Dates: 1816-1834
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: T 1/15669
Collection: Treasury
Description: Charity Commission, charitable annuities, draft agreement for redemption on consolidated fund, and grant for poor prisoners in Newgate prison, London.
Dates: 1883
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: PCOM2/159
Collection: Prison Commission
Description: Unnamed Prison [Newgate Prison], Governors' Order Book
Dates: 1860-1879
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: PCOM2/160
Collection: Prison Commission
Description: Newgate Prison, London: journal or report book of Chaplains', Surgeons' and Sheriffs' visits and inspections
Dates: 1837-1839
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: PCOM2/161
Collection: Prison Commission
Description: Newgate Prison, London. Journal or report book of Chaplains', Surgeons' and Sheriffs' visits and inspections.
Dates: 1825-1829
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/035/02/053
Collection: Newgate Prison
Description: Visitors' book - entries made by the Chaplain and Surgeon on each visit to the prison under the provisions of George IV
Dates: 1823-1825
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: COL/OF/02/027
Collection: Corporation of London: Officers
Description: Notes re Chaplains of the House of Correction, Borough Compter and NewgateÂ
Dates: 1816-1825
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: HO 47/37/27 folios 209-211
Collection: Home Office
Description: Letter from A. Newman, Keeper of Newgate Gaol, to Lord Hawkesbury requesting the speedy removal of women convicts from Newgate Gaol to the House of Correction
Dates: 1805
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/032/01/029/A
Collection: Prisons and Compters
Description: Returns of duties, names and ages of Officers
Dates: 1847
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/035/02/018-020
Collection: Newgate Prison
Description: Documents relating to post of governor (appointment, dismissal, lists)
Dates: 1449-1833
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: C 108/337
Collection: Chancery
Description: Cotton v Cotton: catalogues of books and furniture of the Reverend H C Cotton, Ordinary of Newgate.
Dates: 1848
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/035/02/005-017
Collection: Newgate Prison
Description: Registers of and receipt books for felons' goods
Dates: 1849-1870
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: PCOM2/191-221
Collection: Prison Commission
Description: Newgate Prison, London: register of prisoners
Dates: 1817-1882
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: PCOM2/222-228
Collection: Prison Commission
Description: Newgate Prison, London: index to register of prisoners
Dates: 1817-1881
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/035/01
Collection: Newgate Prison
Description: Lists of prisoners
Dates: 1423-1983
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: PCOM2/180, 183, 185, 188
Collection: Prison Commission
Description: Newgate Prison, London: lists of felons (prisoners) on the Master's Side
Dates: 1794-1815
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: PCOM2/182, 184, 186, 187, 189
Collection: Prison Commission
Description: Newgate Prison, London: lists of felons (prisoners) on the Common Side
Dates: 1798-1816
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: MJ/SB/T/001
Collection: Middlesex Sessions of the Peace: Court in Session
Description: Transportation orders. Orders to Keepers of prisons (the majority to the Keeper of Newgate Gaol)
Dates: 1834-1847
Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre
Catalogue ref: 152M/C1820/OH33
Collection: Addington family, Viscounts Sidmouth
Description: Cato Street Conspiracy. Importance of Recorder's report as Newgate Prison crowded and Cato Street Conspirators need to be kept separate when moved there on Wednesday - H.A. to Sir B. Bloomfield (1820).
Dates: 1820
Archive name: East Sussex Record Office
Catalogue ref: PAR511/35/1/260, 267 and 274
Collection: Parish of Winchelsea
Description: Letters from John Eagles, prisoner in Newgate Prison, to the overseers of Winchelsea (1827)
Dates: 1827
Archive name: Gwynedd Archives, Caernarfon Record Office
Catalogue ref: XQS/1806/171
Collection: Caernarfonshire Quarter Sessions
Description: Sessions, statement of the number of prisoners committed to Newgate Prison in the previous five years (1806)Â
Dates: 1806
Archive name: Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre
Catalogue ref: BG99/1/9
Collection: Southall Family archive
Description: Copy of letter from a young man in Newgate Prison under sentence of death
Dates: 1800
Archive name: Liverpool Record Office
Catalogue ref: 920 ROS/5291
Collection: Roscoe letters and papers
Description: Copy letter from Jane Wild to Mrs Elizabeth Fry from a former prisoner in Newgate. Sends £2 to add to the subscription for carrying on Mrs. Fry's work at Newgate.
Dates: 1818
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/041/PI/001-018
Collection: City of London Coroners Court
Description: Inquests into death of prisoners, with gaps
Dates: 1783-1839
Archive name: Plymouth and West Devon Record Office
Catalogue ref: 126/1
Collection: Alfred Rooker, Mayor of Plymouth
Description: Letters about T. W. Toby in Newgate prison
Dates: 1823-1827
Archive name: Plymouth and West Devon Record Office
Catalogue ref: 126/1/2
Collection: None
Description: Alfred Rooker, Mayor of Plymouth. Letters about Thomas Whitby Toby. Letter from Thomas Whitby Toby in Newgate Prison to Mrs Angas of Newcastle upon Tyne thanking her for her efforts on his behalf.
Dates: 1824
Archive name: Surrey History Centre
Catalogue ref: 8924/1
Collection: None
Description: George Nutt, prisoner, Newgate Gaol. Letter
Dates: 1827
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: PCOM2/190
Collection: Prison Commission
Description: Newgate Prison, London: prisoners under sentence of death
Dates: 1817-1837
Archive name: Tower Hamlets Local History & Archives
Catalogue ref: 100 PEG
Collection: None
Description: William Kelly - a narrative of a visit to John Pegsworth while under sentence of death in Newgate for the murder of John Holiday Ready.
Dates: 1837
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: CLA/035/02/041-042
Collection: Newgate Prison
Description: Papers on the defensive state of Newgate Gaol. Include a sketch plan for rebuilding part of the prison wall.
Dates: 1867
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: COL/CCS/PL/02/051, 095A-B, 553
Collection: Comptroller and City Solicitor
Description: Plans
Dates: c.1750-1902
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: COL/PL/01-02
Collection: Corporation of London: Plans
Description: Newgate Prison plans, first and second floors
Dates: 1824, 1836, 1840s
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: COL/PLD/PL/02/CCC/GEN/779
Collection: Corporation of London: Planning Department
Description: Central Criminal Court. Proposed new Sessions House (Central Criminal Court). Plan of site showing site of Newgate Gaol, intended site and building lines of new building
Dates: 1899
Archive name: London Metropolitan Archives
Catalogue ref: COL/SVD/PL/08/0001-0086, 0352-0367, 0457-0542
Collection: Surveyor's Department: Plans
Description: Plans
Dates: c.1750-1902
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: HO 45/9993/A46562
Collection: Home Office
Description: Papers relating to the sale of Newgate Prison, re-building of Central Criminal Court
Dates: 1887-1906
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: PCOM8/219
Collection: Prison Commission
Description: Burial ground, Newgate Prison
Dates: 1892-1896
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: TS 18/431
Collection: Treasury Solicitor
Description: Newgate Prison, sale of to City of London. The Prison Commissioners and the Corporation of London. Copy correspondence, conveyance etc.
Dates: 1880-1901
Archive name: Bishopsgate Institute
Catalogue ref: D6.2
Collection: London collection photographs
Description: 1) Newgate Street and Newgate Prison (c.1900) 2) Newgate Prison, exterior view (c.1900) 3) Chapel, Newgate Prison (S. H. R. Salmon) (c.1900) 4) Chapel, Newgate Prison (S. H. R. Salmon) (c.1900).
Dates: 1900
Archive name: Bishopsgate Institute
Catalogue ref: LAMAS/B670-1
Collection: London and Middlesex Archaeological Society
Description: Newgate Prison, glass slides of the exterior
Dates: c.1890
Archive name: Bishopsgate Institute
Catalogue ref: LAMAS/C295
Collection: London and Middlesex Archaeological Society
Description: Newgate Prison Chapel, glass slide of the exterior
Dates: c.1900
Archive name: Bishopsgate Institute
Catalogue ref: LAMAS/C297-8
Collection: London and Middlesex Archaeological Society
Description: Newgate Prison Chapel interior, 2 glass slides
Dates: 1900
Archive name: English Heritage Archive
Catalogue ref: AL0032/028/01
Collection: Gerald Cobb, series of albumsÂ
Description: Album on London churches. Published illustration showing the interior of Newgate Chapel. Del. and sculp. by Pugin and Rowlandson (interior view).
Dates: 1809
Archive name: English Heritage Archive
Catalogue ref: AL0148/062-065
Collection: Phillip E. Norman, series of albums of photographs and files
Description: Album of photographs, City of London, G-Z. Newgate Prison - interior and exterior views.
Dates: 1860-1910
Archive name: English Heritage Archive
Catalogue ref: CC97/00507
Collection: None
Description: EXTERIOR STEREO VIEW Exterior stereo view of Newgate Prison. Photographer - York and Son.
Dates: 1870-1900
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: COPY 1/418/878
Collection: Copyright Office
Description: Photograph of Newgate Prison showing woman sitting beside small stall beside lamp at corner of Newgate Street, three men standing right at corner of Prison.
Dates: 1894
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: COPY 1/441/96, 97, 99, 100
Collection: Copyright Office
Description: Photograph of chapel and other views of Newgate Prison
Dates: 1899
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: COPY 1/442/253
Collection: Copyright Office
Description: Photographs of Newgate Prison
Dates: 1899
Archive name: Cornwall Record Office
Catalogue ref: BMZ/10/1/10
Collection: Borough of Marazion
Description: Letter from Reverend J. Townsend, Hackney, refers to Mrs Fry reading to the prisoners at Newgate
Dates: 1823