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Ancestry UK

County Bridewell, Horsham, Sussex

A Sussex County Bridewell, or House of Correction, was established by 1586 although its location is uncertain. In about 1641, the establishment became annexed to the Horsham Gaol, with both under the same keeper. Not long after, however, the bridewell, along with two others in the county, was replaced by a new bridewell at Arundel. In 1700, magistrates ordered that one of the former gaol buildings in Horsham be adapted as a house of correction for the borough and parish of Horsham. This may have stood on the west side of London Road, Horsham.

In 1777, John Howard described it as:

Only one room; about ten feet and a half by six and a half, not six and a half high. In it the Prisoners are always locked up. Allowance two pennyworth of bread a day: no employment. Keeper, a Widow, whose Husband died of the Gaol-Fever : Salary £10 : Fees £0 : 3 : 4 : no Table.

1774, Sept. 29,Prisoners, none.
1776, Feb. 22,"  none.

In the 1780s, this establishment was replaced by a new house of correction at Petworth.

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.