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Ancestry UK

County Bridewell, Oundle, Northamptonshire

A County Bridewell, or House of Correction, stood on Mill Road, Oundle.

In 1742 John Southwell was appointed Keeper; and in 1772 , George Ball, of Oundle, Fellmonger, was appointed Keeper, his salary was £12 a year and the prison fees were 3s. 6d.

In 1784, John Howard described the establishment as comprising:

Separate work-rooms, lodging-rooms, and courts for men and women; the whole is in a ruinous insecure state. It is rented by the county at £12 a year. Keeper's salary, £12. Fees, 3s. 6d. no table.

1779, Sep. 22,Prisoners 0.
Oct. 12,0.
1782, May 4,1.

In 1791, Howard reported that:

The house is now purchased by the county. It is in a ruinous condition: never white-washed : no possibility of keeping the prisoners, but in heavy irons : no employment. Allowance in bread &c. 6d. a day.

1788, Aug. 8,Prisoner 1.

The Bridewell subsequently became a short-term lock-up, finally closing in about 1842.

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.

  • No individual records identified for this establishment — any information welcome.
  • The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU. Has a wide variety of crime and prison records going back to the 1770s, including calendars of prisoners, prison registers and criminal registers.
  • Find My Past has digitized many of the National Archives' prison records, including prisoner-of-war records, plus a variety of local records including Manchester, York and Plymouth. More information.
  • Prison-related records on Ancestry UK include Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951, and local records from London, Swansea, Gloucesterhire and West Yorkshire. More information.
  • The Genealogist also has a number of National Archives' prison records. More information.

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.