Wilton (Taunton) County Gaol and House of Correction

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Taunton County Bridewell, Wilton Bridewell, Wilton County House of Correction, Taunton County Gaol, Taunton Prison

Prison Type   Local Prison -  House of Correction/Bridewell

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1756

Date closed   1884

Location   Upper High Street, Shuttern, Taunton   Wilton

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Somersetshire

Critical Remarks

First opened in 1754. Became the County Gaol in 1843 following the closure of Ilchester County Gaol (ID 64).

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Taunton County Bridewell, Wilton Bridewell, Wilton County House of Correction, Taunton County Gaol, Taunton Prison

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1756

Date closed   1884

Location   Upper High Street, Shuttern, Taunton   Wilton

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   51.011735  Long.   -3.1065699

County   Somersetshire

Critical Remarks

First opened in 1754. Became the County Gaol in 1843 following the closure of Ilchester County Gaol (ID 64).

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1818

Annual Committed   -   285

Daily Greatest number   -   74

 

Year 1823

Annual Committed   -   366

Daily Census   -   366

 

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   345

Daily Census   -   77

 

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   587

Daily Census   -   103

 

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   617

Daily Census   -   95

 

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   1026

Daily Census   -   137

 

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   1199

Daily Daily average   -   180

 

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   897

Daily Daily average   -   125

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   614

Daily Daily average   -   117

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   675

Daily Greatest number   -   222

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   654

Daily Daily average   -   163

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   531

Daily Daily average   -   101

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   692

Daily Daily average   -   160

 

Year 1883

Annual Committed   -   328

Daily Daily average   -   27

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.555
  • Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.42
  • Fifth Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1823), Appendix, p.98; 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.121; 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.128; 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.38
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1824, XIX.359), p.200; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.228; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.226; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.203; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.240; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.210; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.209; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.206; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.205; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.219; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.207; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.199; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.134; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.134; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.139; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.135; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.142; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.149; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.151; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.151; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.153; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.180; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.176; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.190; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.195
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Third Report (Parl. Papers, 1837-38, XXXI.177), p.107; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXV.721), p.116; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXI.193), p.1; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXIX.391), p.378; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Eleventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXI.565), p.360; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Twelfth Report (Parl. Papers, 1847-8, XXXV.1), p.358; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Thirteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1847-8, XXXVI.133), p.178; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1850, XXVIII.579), p.1; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Eighteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1852-53, LII.113), p.114; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Twentieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1854-55, XXVI.1), p.53; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1857-58, XXIX.69), p.96; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.153), p.52; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1862, XXV.5), p.66; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1864, XXVI.1), p.63; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.1), p.193; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.1), p.173; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.203), p.235; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1868-69, XXIX.1), p.164; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1870, XXXVII.1), p.176; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.241), p.223; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.1), p.128; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.1), p.260; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.1), p.310; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.1), p.332; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.1), p.329; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.1), p.332; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.1), p.331
  • Commissioners of Prisons, Second Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1878-79, XXXIV.1, 97), p.74; Commissioners of Prisons, Third Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1880, XXXV.1,73), p.98; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1881, LI.441, 521), p.97; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1882, XXXIII.443, 541), p.105; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1883, XXXI.445, 579), p.108; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884, XLII.461, 551), p.105; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884-85, XXXVII.527, 651), p.104

Secondary Sources

  • Peter Parrish, The History of Wilton Gaol, Taunton, Somerset (Somerset & Dorset Family History Society, 2002)

Management

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: A/DIF/91/9

Collection: None

Description: Notes on Taunton Bridewell and other Gaols, Houses of Correction and Lock-ups. Collected by Leslie Brooke.

Dates: c.1965


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: C/PO/1/7/3

Collection: None

Description: Reports on the condition of County buildings in Somerset, including Taunton Prison

Dates: 1891-1894


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: C/PO/2/2/4

Collection: None

Description: Correspondence concerning unsatisfactory arrangements for prisoners at Taunton waiting to appear in the dock (1893), and to unsatisfactory state of the cells etc in Taunton Gaol (1895)

Dates: 1893-1895


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/116

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. William Oakley at Taunton concerning the Wilton County Gaol (22 March 1856-5 April 1856).

Dates: 1855-1857


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/15/2/89

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Further account for Middlesex prisoners in Taunton Prison

Dates: 1863-1865


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/15/2/97

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Questions, with replies, concerning Middlesex prisoners held in Taunton Gaol

Dates: c.1867


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/12/1

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Tenders and contract for supply of bread, Court orders relating to prisoners, minutes of Gaol Sessions

Dates: 1816-1820


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/12/1a, 3

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Documents relating to maintenance of prisoners from other jurisdictions

Dates: 1832-1872


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/12/4

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence relating to the manner of drawing up a calendar of prisoners

Dates: 1882


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/12/5-5-7

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence relating to proposed closure of the gaol

Dates: 1884-1886


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/13/1-2

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Gaol returns

Dates: 1809-1820


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/16/11

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Papers relating to Prison Act, 1877, including daily average number of prisoners in custody

Dates: 1867-1878


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/9/1-3

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Reports on the state of the gaol

Dates: 1813-1852


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGZ/1/1

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Drafts of deed of arrangement and associated papers relating to transfer of Wilton and Shepton Mallet Prisons to the Home Office, under the terms of the Prison Act (1877)

Dates: 1878


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGZ/10/11-12

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Printed dietaries, and associated papers, Wilton and Shepton Mallet.

Dates: 1850-1872


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGZ/12/2

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft order of court that Ilchester be maintained only as a common Gaol, and that Wilton and Shepton Mallet remain Houses of Correction

Dates: 1823


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/SR/368-797

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Sessions Rolls. Contain material relating to the administration of the county prisons, in particular regular Visiting Justices' reports, and governor, chaplain and surgeons' reports, but also special reports on the condition of the prisons, and orders.

Dates: 1800-1900


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/142

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Includes William Oakley at Taunton concerning the expenditure of the Somerset County Gaols (22 September 1860). and the visiting JPs to Taunton Gaol (26 January 1860).

Dates: 1858-1860


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SAS/H/281/1

Collection: Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society

Description: Taunton Prison. Order Book of Visiting Justices

Dates: 1837-1867


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SAS/H/281/2

Collection: Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society

Description: Taunton Prison. Minute Book of Visiting Committee

Dates: 1878-1884


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/11/10

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Letter book, correspondence with secretary of state, visiting justices etc

Dates: 1859-1870


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/7/1

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Magistrates' journal. Observations of Visiting Justices etc.

Dates: 1820-1843


Finance

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SAS/H/281/4

Collection: Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society

Description: Taunton Prison. Abstract of costs

Dates: 1868-1872


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SAS/H/281/8/1

Collection: Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society

Description: Taunton Prison quarterly and yearly abstracts of expenses

Dates: 1875-1877


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/12/2

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Expenses in conveyance of prisoners

Dates: 1836


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/6/1

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: General account book

Dates: 1847-1849


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGZ/5/2

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft return of expenses of repairs to Shepton Mallet, Ilchester and Wilton Gaols sent to Secretary of State (1810-1831)

Dates: 1831


Daily Business

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SAS/H/281/3

Collection: Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society

Description: Taunton Prison. Visitors Book

Dates: 1866-1878


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/11/1-9

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Letter books, general correspondence.

Dates: 1841-1872


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/5/4

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Accounts relating to treadmill, flour mill, etc

Dates: 1854-1856


Staff

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/14

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Includes C. Deedes (at Sherborne) providing a reference for Mr Laker, Curate at Martock, who has applied for the position of Chaplain at the County Gaol in Taunton (26 February 1845).

Dates: 1840-1845


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/156

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Including on the position of Oakley as Governor of Wilton Gaol

Dates: 1864


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGZ/8/1

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Statements of governors' enoluments, Wilton and Shepton Mallet

Dates: 1817-1819


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/104

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence with William Oakley at Taunton concerning the Wilton County Gaol (18 January 1853-14 December 1853). Includes the staffing of the Gaol (4 March 1855), and details on the remuneration of Principal Officers in County Gaols, with copy letters of William Oakley concerning the investigation into wages, 1855

Dates: 1853-1855


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/15/2/81

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Memorandum on Officers' salaries at Taunton Gaol

Dates: 1851


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/17/6/12

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Includes 'Instructions for the guidance of the subordinate officers of Taunton prison' (1867)

Dates: 1848-1891


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/3736

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Includes Taunton Prison Officer's instruction book (1867)

Dates: c.1851-1892


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/4187

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Paper relating to Gaol Salaries. These are rough notes of proceedings at two Committee meetings, one at Taunton and Highbridge.

Dates: 1860s


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/8/1-9

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Papers relating to appointment of prison Officers, salaries etc

Dates: 1819-1890


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGZ/8/3

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Printed statement of salaries in the county prisons

Dates: 1843


Prisoners

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/11/11-21

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Register of prisoners' letters posted and received

Dates: 1841-1879


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/14/1-3

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Register of prisoners

Dates: 1810-1847


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/14/4

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Summary register of prisoners

Dates: 1826-1831


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/14/5

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Register of prisoners summarily convicted

Dates: 1865-1879


Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: HO23/13

Collection: Home Office

Description: Registers of Prisoners from national prisons lodged in County Prisons, Somerset

Dates: 1864-1865


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/15/2/64

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Part of list of commitments and discharges from Wilton Gaol (June 1816-July 1816)

Dates: 1816


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/2752

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Part of list of commitments and discharges from Wilton Gaol (June-July 1816)

Dates: 1816


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: 168-DDXPLPS/3

Collection: None

Description: Transcript of admissions details

Dates: 1824-1831


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: A/ALA/1

Collection: None

Description: Census returns for Wilton Gaol. Transcript of 1841-1881.

Dates: 1841-1881


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: D/P/stogm/13/10/4

Collection: Stogumber parish records

Description: Office and function of Churchwardens and Overseers of Poor. Letter from prisoner in Wilton Gaol. Promise to maintain mother.

Dates: 1835


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/102

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Includes King Meade King at Taunton concerning plans for Wilton Gaol and Shire Hall (27 June 1851-27 June 1854).

Dates: 1853-1854


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/135

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Papers received by Francis Henry Dickinson. Includes a return of prisoners, numbers of prisoners, nature of crime, and later notes (1827-1856).

Dates: 1827-1857


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/48

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Including printed calendars of prisoners. Details of prisoners held at Wilton Gaol who have been sentenced. Rough portraits of unidentified individuals in ink.

Dates: 1846-1850


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/18/2/7

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Includes a poem entitled 'The Death of the Old Year and Birth of the New', written in Taunton Gaol by a prisoner.

Dates: 1640-1867


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/15/1-6

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Description books (For transcription, see PAM 1667, 2004, 2264, 2308)

Dates: 1807-1859


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/16/1-8

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Receiving books

Dates: 1838-1866


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/16/9-10

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Male prisoners' effects books

Dates: 1855-1870


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: A/AQD/1

Collection: None

Description: Sketch of the town of Taunton by Ralph Ham (1821). Some major buildings depicted and named (eg Cox's foundry, Wilton Gaol, Assize Hall, Taunton and Somerset Hospital, St Mary Magdalene church, St James's church etc).

Dates: 1821


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: A/AZI/1

Collection: None

Description: Leases relating to a house and cottages adjoining Wilton lodge

Dates: 1858-1862


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/ASC/13/1

Collection: Avon and Somerset Constabulary

Description: Photocopy deed for the land on which the house of correction was to be built (1754), photocopy picture of two people on a treadmill (c 1820), and photocopy plans and elevations of Wilton Gaol (1841).

Dates: 1754-1841


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/11

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Including Richard Carver at Taunton concerning building works at the County Gaol, and his resignation from position as County Surveyor (12 January 1856-29 November 1856).

Dates: 1855-1857


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/129

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Including notes concerning building or repair work in connection Somerset County Gaol (3 November 1857).

Dates: 1856-1858


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/140

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Includes printed letter from Thomas Fisher of the Taunton Gas Light and Coke Company, as to the supply of gas and coke to Taunton Gaol (19 March 1859).

Dates: 1858-1859


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/52

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Includes printed Quarter Session order that a report concerning the enlargement of Wilton Gaol be sent to all Magistrates (19 October 1852).

Dates: 1846-1857


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/15/2/83

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Printed report on a proposed gasworks, the additional cultivation of vegetables for Prison use, and the building residences for guards at Taunton Gaol

Dates: 1859


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/1/1-10

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Deeds, abstracts of title and associated legal papers

Dates: 1738-1913


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/2/1-22

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Contracts, specifications etc relating to building work

Dates: 1813-1859


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/3/1-17

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Plans and elevations

Dates: 1807-1888


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/4/1-2

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Inventories, prison fixtures and equipment

Dates: 1820-1822


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/5/1

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Accounts relating to building work

Dates: 1814-1843


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/5/2-3

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence relating to land and building work

Dates: 1852-1857


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/5/5-6

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Correpondence relating to building work and heating equipment

Dates: 1854-1881


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGW/5/7

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence relating to garden of former gaol

Dates: 1911-1913


Other

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/17/2/40

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Includes 'A Merry Christmas' a song written by Taunton Prison (1868)

Dates: 1827-1949


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/17/6/16

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Includes lyrics to 'A Christmas Carol' as performed in Taunton Goal (December 1867).

Dates: 1866-1899


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/X/BRO/2/144-161

Collection: None

Description: Songs, including County Gaol

Dates: 1800-1900


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/18/3/8

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Includes 'To the Visiting Justices of Somerset County Prison at Taunton this Burlesque is humbly and respectfully inscribed by the author'. Based on the story of Pocahantas (February 1868).

Dates: 1868-1888