Petworth House of Correction

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Petworth County Bridewell, Petworth Gaol, Petworth County Gaol

Prison Type   Local Prison -  House of Correction/Bridewell

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1788

Date closed   1878

Location   Rosemary Lane, west of Grove Street   Petworth

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Sussex

Critical Remarks

In 1845 became the County Gaol for West Sussex.

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Petworth County Bridewell, Petworth Gaol, Petworth County Gaol

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1788

Date closed   1878

Location   Rosemary Lane, west of Grove Street   Petworth

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   50.9846024  Long.   -0.6084374

County   Sussex

Critical Remarks

In 1845 became the County Gaol for West Sussex.

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1818

Annual Committed   -   199

Daily Greatest number   -   61

 

Year 1823

Annual Committed   -   210

Daily Census   -   265

 

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   266

Daily Census   -   41

 

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   318

Daily Census   -   53

 

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   395

Daily Census   -   53

 

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   479

Daily Census   -   51

 

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   527

Daily Daily average   -   80

 

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   521

Daily Daily average   -   81

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   426

Daily Daily average   -   66

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   616

Daily Greatest number   -   120

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   623

Daily Daily average   -   90

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   444

Daily Daily average   -   66

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   211

Daily Daily average   -   0

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.477
  • Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.46
  • Sixth Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1824), Appendix, p.142; Seventh Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1827), Appendix, p.146; 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.43
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1824, XIX.359), p.224; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.274; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.264; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.242; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.278; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.246; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.245; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.241; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.241; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.264; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.248; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.240; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.160; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.159; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.166; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.162; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.180; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.191; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.195; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.194; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.187; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.222; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.225; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.230; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.236
  • Abstract Return of Establishment and Expenditure of Gaols and Houses of Correction in England and Wales (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.241), p.62
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Third Report, Supplement (Parl. Papers, 1837-38, XXX.367), p.101; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXI.1), p.339; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXV.1), p.394; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1841 Session 2, IV.1), p.365; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Tenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXIII.1), p.627; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1851, XXVII.1), p.6; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1857-58, XXIX.69), p.124; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.153), p.70; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1862, XXV.5), p.81; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1864, XXVI.1), p.81; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.1), p.231; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.1), p.206; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.203), p.283; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1868-69, XXIX.1), p.195; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1870, XXXVII.1), p.202; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.241), p.259; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.1), p.147; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.1), p.303; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.1), p.349; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.1), p.376; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.1), p.377; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.1), p.381; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.1), p.377

Secondary Sources

  • Michael Royall, The Petworth House of Correction: A history of the West Sussex bridewell (M. Royall, 1999)

Management

Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W20

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Governor's annual report

Dates: 1852-1855


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: Add Mss 13133

Collection: Petworth Prison

Description: Letters from R. D. Hilton. On behalf of John Edgington & Co of London, tent-makers, giving orders, specifications and patterns for the making up of canvas by prisoners in Petworth Prison.

Dates: 1875-1876


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: GOODWOOD Mss 1477b

Collection: Goodwood Estate Archives

Description: Letters and papers relating to Horsham and Petworth Gaols

Dates: 1832


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: PHA 106

Collection: Petworth House Archives

Description: Papers relating to prisons at Horsham and Petworth

Dates: 1813-1835


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAF/3/5/W5

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Petworth Gaol under George IV (1823). 20 mortgages (numbered 1-20) and a rough draft (1859).

Dates: 1823-1859


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAF/3/5/W6

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Petworth Prison chapel, under the Prison Act (1865), 2 mortgages

Dates: 1868-1869


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W11

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Minutes of the Committee for converting House of Correction into Common Gaol

Dates: 1843-1852


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W12

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Committee minutes and accounts

Dates: 1843-1859


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W13

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Letters from Secretary of State concerning plans, rules and maintenance of prisoners etc. Also a letter from Dover Town Council and other papers.

Dates: 1846-1880


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W15

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Various papers (gaol administration)

Dates: 1782-1880


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W16

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Reports and returns under schedule B of 1823 Gaol Act

Dates: 1823-1857


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W19

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Annual general report

Dates: 1833-1857


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W4

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Papers on carrying into execution 1823 Gaol Act

Dates: 1823


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QR/W628-W1035

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Sessions Rolls. Includes documents relating to the administration of Horsham Gaol and Petworth House of Correction (eg. bills, returns of prisoners etc)

Dates: 1800-1900


Archive name: Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre

Catalogue ref: A1/516/4

Collection: Wiltshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Printed papers concerning Gaol administration in other counties, including rules for Horsham, Lewes, and Petworth (1824). Also, hints for the improvement of prisons (1817).

Dates: 1807-1824


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W18

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Reports of Visiting Justices, Chaplain, Surgeon, Keeper, and Keeper's certificates

Dates: 1832-1878


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W14

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Appointment of Visiting Justices

Dates: 1862-1878


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: AM 16/2/20

Collection: None

Description: Letter to Hasler Hollist from W. K. Langridge. Regarding Hasler Hollist's retirement from the position of Chairman of the Visiting Justices of Petworth Gaol.

Dates: 1871


Finance

Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: PHA 2319

Collection: Petworth House Archives

Description: Weekly wage accounts. W. Mills, Jun (1881-?). Seven weeks' wages for looking after Gaol.

Dates: 1873-1883


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: PHA 9077

Collection: Petworth House Archives

Description: Correspondence and copy debenture, concerning money loaned for repairs and alterations to Petworth House of Correction

Dates: 1846


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAF/2/2/W 233

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Treasurers' statements of accounts, with vouchers. Includes statement of account and vouchers for work at Petworth House of Correction.

Dates: 1868


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAF/2/4

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Treasurer's payments (western division). Amounts set out in columns, headings include County Gaol

Dates: 1812-1889


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W10

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Accounts for improvements

Dates: 1834-1836


Daily Business

Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: PHA 10569

Collection: Petworth House Archives

Description: Letter to Lord Egremont from Reverend John Crosthwaite, regarding the latter's wish to provide a dinner to prisoners in Petworth Bridewell.

Dates: 1821


Staff

Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: PHA 693

Collection: Petworth House Archives

Description: Letters chiefly of the first Lord Leconfield and Reverend T. Sockett. Includes references to water supply and prison chaplaincy at Petworth.

Dates: 1836-1842


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: PHA 731

Collection: Petworth House Archives

Description: Correspondence chiefly of the first Lord Leconfield and Rev. T. Sockett including on prison chaplaincy

Dates: 1837-1847


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W5

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Papers concerning Officers - applications and testimonials for post of Keeper (1824, 1857), Chaplain (1838, 1840, 1849), resignation of Chaplain (1840), and Chief Warder (1867). Application for increase of salary of Keeper (1828).

Dates: 1824-1867


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: PHA 10575

Collection: Petworth House Archives

Description: Printed application by William Edwards for the position of Keeper to the House of Correction, Petworth, with copies of testimonials

Dates: 1824


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W3

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Bonds of Keepers, William Starkes (1788), William Phillips (1791), John Mance (1824)

Dates: 1788-1824


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: Add Mss 13134

Collection: Petworth Prison

Description: Draft bill-heading or advertisement. S. Penfold, manufacturer of sacks, ropes etc. Previously Trade Instructor at Petworth Prison, and lately appointed to Portsmouth Prison.

Dates: c.1875-1900


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: Kevis 1/R31

Collection: None

Description: Photograph of Mrs Ranson, Prison, Petworth. Part of a collection of glass negatives, many of Petworth estate staff.

Dates: c.1876-1908


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W17

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Statement of Increase or Diminution of Officers and Servants.

Dates: 1824-1864


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: RC 11/3/3/1

Collection: Duncton, St Anthony & St George 

Description: Letter from Fr T. J. Capel, requesting permission to take boy to serve Mass at Petworth Prison

Dates: 1866


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: RC 11/3/3/2

Collection: Duncton, St Anthony & St George 

Description: Letter from Fr Augustus Bethell requesting travel expenses for Prison visits

Dates: 1869


Prisoners

Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: Add Mss 49829

Collection: None

Description: Petworth Prison nominal register

Dates: 1871-1877


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: PHA 10583

Collection: Petworth House Archives

Description: List of persons committed to Petworth Bridewell

Dates: 1830


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: OBIT/1/37/101

Collection: None

Description: Obituaries / reports of inquests of prisoners, including at Petworth. From the Sussex Agricultural Express.

Dates: 1870s-1880s


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: Add Mss 51522

Collection: None

Description: Petworth Prison nominal record

Dates: 1877-1878


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: Burrell Mss Acc 5927/1/2/26

Collection: Burrell Manuscripts

Description: Letter from Burrell. Describes the behaviour in Prison of the 'four Petworth rioters' and some smugglers.

Dates: 1843


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: PHA 10561

Collection: Petworth House Archives

Description: Correspondence concerning the treatment of Richard Woods (prisoner) in Petworth House of Correction

Dates: 1815


Land & Buildings

Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: Add Mss 6279

Collection: West Sussex Council property deeds

Description: Deeds of Petworth court house and House of Correction

Dates: 1783-1938


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: MITFORD MSS 1361

Collection: Mitford Archives

Description: Vouchers for accounts paid by William Mitford or his executors. Includes bill for drawing and for copper plates of plans, elevations and sections of Petworth Gaol by William Faden (1819).

Dates: 1813-1827


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/4/WE1

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Proceedings respecting the Building of Horsham Gaol (1775), and on enlarging the same (1819)

Dates: 1775-1820


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W6-8

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Gaol improvements (orders, minutes, tenders etc)

Dates: 1834-1849


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/5/W9

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions (Western Division)

Description: Contracts for building and supplies, including drafts

Dates: 1834-1859


Images

Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: PH 3368

Collection: None

Description: Petworth - from Grove Street, photograph

Dates: c.1860