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Ancestry UK

Town Bridewell, Buntingford, Hertfordshire

A Town Bridewell, or House of Correction, was in operation in Buntingford by at least 1638. By 1742, its operation had moved to the former Waggon and Horses Inn, a timber-framed building on Wyddial Road, Buntingford.

In 1784, John Howard reported on his visits to the establishment:

Two rooms; one for men, 19 feet by 8; the other a new one for women, 13 feet by 10. No fire-place. Offensive sewer. No court: no water. The keeper has a large garden. Salary, £9 : 1 : 4.

1779, Sep. 27,Prisoner 1.
1782, May 6,1.

In 1812, James Neild gave his account of the bridewell:

Keeper, — Bullen. Salary, 12l. Consists of two rooms, for Men, of about 19 feet by 8, and one for Women, 13 feet by 10; having straw for bedding, but no fire-place. They both look into the Keeper's large garden, out of which a court-yard (which is now wanting) might conveniently be made. Allowance, one pound of bread per day.

No water, but what is brought in by the Gaoler. An offensive sewer. Neither Act nor Clauses hung up; and the whole Prison dirty.

1802, Feb. 4th, and 1803, July 15th, no Prisoners.

The bridewell, along with all the others in the county, was closed following the expansion of the County Gaol in 1842. The building still exists, now known as Bridewell House.

Records

Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.

Bibliography

  • Prison Oracle - resources those involved in present-day UK prisons.
  • GOV.UK - UK Government's information on sentencing, probation and support for families.

Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.