[an error occurred while processing this directive] Town Lock-up, Totnes, Devon
Ancestry UK

Town Lock-up, Totnes, Devon

The Guildhall in Totnes may date back as far as the 13th century and was originally located on the town's High Street. In about 1533, it moved to a former priory building at the north side of St Mary's Church, on what became known as Guildhall Yard. From 1624, the building was used as a magistrate's court and cells were added to the building.

In 1818, it was reported that:

This Prison is used generally as a Lock-up-house for a night, or whilst any prisoners are under examination, or for the use of His Majesty's troops in passing deserters, Prisoners are seldom tried at the Borough Sessions; the Magistrates generally sending them to the County Gaol.

In 1835, it was recorded that:

The Gaol consists of two small cells, neither properly lighted nor ventilated, under thesame roof with the Guildhall, altogether unfit for the confinement of prisoners, except fora very short period of time, as when committed for re-examination.

By 1841, the prison appears to have been enlarged, or remodelled, as reported by the Inspectors of prisons:

TOTNESS.—Lock-up House.

Adjoining to the town-hall are four cells, which are used for this purpose. One is very small the other three are considerably larger, and two of these latter have privies attached them. In three of the cells there are bedsteads with straw and some rugs. The friends of the prisoner are allowed to bring bedding for him, and also to provide food for him with a very few exceptions. The smaller cell is used for charges of drunkenness and the like, brought in at night by the watchmen; the watchmen keep the key of the outer door leading to this cell for this very purpose: and on the following morning the constable places the prisoner in a larger cell until the magistrates have seen him. As soon as the borough prisoner is committed he is removed to the county prison at Exeter, by the town-serjeant, in a car or some similar conveyance, but never on foot. The borough magistrates sit usually every Thursday; the county magistrates every Saturday. If the latter have occasion to send a prisoner to the lock-up house, they make a special application to the mayor for permission in each such case. The county magistrates remove their prisoners to Exeter by contract. The keys of the cells are kept by the senior town-serjeant, who does not reside on the spot. Two of the cells are dark, but roomy, and sufficiently ventilated for a stay of only one or two nights. The cell which communicates with the guildhall is an exception to this remark: although well sized it is badly ventilated; this one is never used when the others are disengaged. The same is the case also with the small cell used for night-charges. The straw in the cells was moderately clean, and the whole in rather better condition than is usually the case with lock-up houses, although not deserving commendation.

The constable presents a bill to the borough authorities for all which is supplied to the prisoners; he has no difficulty in getting it paid; it is paid out of the borough funds, and not out of the poor-rates.

The constable supplies the prisoner with a threepenny loaf of bread daily, and with water: at his discretion he may supply something more, such as milk, table-beer, or tea. If a woman is confined here the constable generally calls on the wife of one of the sextons to attend to her. If a prisoner is confined here he generally calls at the cell three times a-day. No one was confined at the time of my visit m the summer of 1940. The last prisoner had been confined here about 5 weeks previously. Since January 1, 1840, no one has stayed longer than one night. During 4 years that the constable has had charge of the cells he (fees not recollect any prisoner, except a deserter, to have remained 8 days here. The greatest number confined at once during 4 years has been 12; there were then several vagrants together. There has been no death in that time, and only 2 cases of illness. There hare been 3 escapes in 4 years; 1 man only was retaken.

The prison is believed to have continued in use until 1887. The Guildhall, now a Grade 1 listed building, is still used as the town's council chambers. Visitors can also explore the building, including the old lock-up.

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