Sheffield Gaols

[Bayleaf]

This article first appeared in the Transactions of the Hunter Archaological Society and is reproduced here by kind permission of the Society.

SHEFFIELD GAOLS.

By J. B. HIMSWORTH, F.R.S:A.

IN the preplanning of our City of Sheffield, Thomas Street, running north-west from The Moor, opposite Hereford Street, seems destined to disappear, for a modern factory is now (1947) being erected right across it. South-east of the factory still stands the dilapidated building or "buildings formerly used as the Court House for the Manor of Ecclesall" and "Prisons for debtors".

That is the description given to the property when offered for sale by auction on "Tuesday the Sixth day of June 1865". Attached to these notes is a reproduction of the auctioneer’s plan with a photograph of what is said to be a cell key (photograph 1A). The photograph of the old envelope (photograph lB) indicates that at least by 1870 the premises had been turned into a factory. "Mr. Gotherd", whose correct name was Goddard, was engineer, engine tenter and general machinist for the manufacture of sheep shears at that time. The maker's name was Shearer.

Although in very bad repair, the cells shown on the plan can still be identified to-day. Only the upper storey of No. 1 is still more or less intact, as an engine room for the factory was made under it.

No. 2 is a two-storied building which still shows evidence, especially in the interior, of its former use.

Underneath where the plan is marked No. l, is the view looking north-west as seen in photograph No. 3. Here was the factory engine room. View No. 4 is an extension to the left of No. 3.

No. 5 is a picture of one of the original cell doors re-erected in another part of the factory.

No. 6 is a general interior view of the upper storey of cells marked No. 2 on the plan; they are reached by stone steps. The roof is a series of arches; it will be noted that it is built of brick resting on iron girders. From the plan, too, it will be gathered that this was the original Tudor Street and that South Street is a former name for Sheffield Moor, or, as it is known to-day, The Moor.

Earl Fitzwilliam appears to have given the land in 1791 and the gaol was erected by subscription. Robert Rodgers is described as "solicitor to the Magistrates for the West Riding" as well as "Deputy Steward of the Court of the Manor of Ecclesall".

We hear of the "fraudulent practice" of persons contracting debts in one manor and removing to another to evade their creditors. By an Act of 1808 the bailiff of one court was empowered to follow the debtor and "attach the goods or body" of anyone who tried to escape in this way, by removing from one court's jurisdiction to another, if proof of such an act was first made before a magistrate. (I wonder whether the "Heeley Duff-'em" cry often heard fifty years ago originated in connection with some such,practice?)

At Thomas Street Gaol, the "Court of Requests for Earl Fitzwilliam's Manor of Ecclesall" sat every third Monday in 1837 at "Little Sheffield", and is described in that year as a Gaol adjoining the Court House with five wards in which there were sometimes as many as fifty prisoners. The general average was twenty-five. On the premises, in Court Room and Offices, were hung or displayed on the walls printed lists of fees payable by offenders, as follows :

Amount of Debt Steward's Fee. Bailiff's Fee.

If 10s 3s. 7d. ... ls. ld.

40s 5s. 3d. ... ls. 1d:

£5 9s. 4d. .., 3s. 0d.

On 10th August, 1844, it was enacted that imprisonment for debt under £20 should be abolished, and eighty prisoners were liberated from Scotland Street gaol (the gaol for Sheffield Manor).

On the 19th August, seven prisoners were set free from Ecclesall Gaol on the same grounds. Noting this, event, J. M. Furness in his Records of Municipal Affairs in Sheffield states that during two years of the working of this Act, "£83,135 debts were cancelled by imprisonment in these gaols".

It is recorded that in 1818 a merchant's house in Scotland Street was purchased by the Duke of Norfolk for use as a gaol when the old one in King Street was taken down. The report of Elizabeth Fry and J. J. Gurney upon Sheffield prisons for debtors revealed some interesting details.

The Scotland Street gaol for the Liberty of Hallamshire, which was the property of the Duke of Norfolk, was not too bad, but the court was only about ten feet square, and the keeper had no salary. He rented a public house next to the prison, and no doubt found it a good investment, for prisoners could send for food, drink and other necessaries for their own use but not to sell.

The Town Gaol consisted of two small rooms under the Town Hall, the larger eight feet square and six feet high with an aperture, six inches square, in the door. Each cell contained a raised platform with straw and rugs to sleep on. Prisoners could not take exercise, but ventilation and heating were tolerable. At times, however, the rooms were filthy and innocent persons were kept there for several days in these conditions

After the tours of John Howard, the prison reformer, in 1773-5, the awakening of the public conscience brought about some changes in the corrupt and unequal methods of charging prisoners for their lodging.

A list of orders and fees was fixed by the Justices of the Peace of the several Ridings, which were to be observed by gaoler and prisoners alike. A knight was to pay thirteen shillings and fourpence for "his weekly commons at table", an esquire ten shillings and fourpence, a gentleman, eight shillings, a yeoman, tradesman or artificer, six shillings and eightpence ; but if the latter was committed by warrant in a civil action the fee was three shillings and fourpence.

The nightly charge for a bed: knight or esquire, sixpence; gentleman, fourpence; yeoman, tradesman or artificer, twopence; and if two slept in one bed, they divided the cost. Upon discharge the gaoler was to take a fee of six shillings and eightpence, -and "the turnkey and no more, two shillings".

Author's Note.-I wish to thank Mr. C. H. Lea for taking the photographs for me, and the late MT: George Launders for lending me "Annals of Wakefield House of Correction", by J. Horsfall Turner, 1904, which contains much material regarding John Howard's visitation of prisons in 1773-5.

[RichardB]

Excellent, our Thanks to HAS and to you.

[RichardB]

Sheffield Prison, for debtors.

Gaoler, Godfrey- Fox ; salary, none. Fees, in the High Court, for commitment, and turnkey, £1 5s.

In the Low Court 6d. Garnish 2 s. 6d. High Court debtors; Low Court debtors 1s. 2d.

(This is expended for coals, candles, and soap, for their mutual benefit.)

Chaplain none, nor any religious attention paid to prisoners, surgeon: Mr. Moorhouse attends

the sick in prison as surgeon for the overseers of the poor, from whom he has a salary.

Allowance : None, but casual relief from the overseers of the poor to those who cannot work;

in which case High Court debtors have 3s. and Low Court 2s per week.

This gaol for the liberty of Hallamshire is the property of the Duke of Norfolk,

and is for debtors only, and those of two descriptions, commonly called the High and Low Court prisoners,

viz. the High are detained for debts above ten pounds, by virtue of a process from the courts at Westminster,

directed to the chief bailiff of the liberty of Hallamshire, &c.: and are entitled to the same privileges

in the law as prisoners in York castle. They have a day-room about five yards square, which has two windows

that look into the street, and four rooms up stairs, two for men, and one for women to steep in;

the fourth is a workshop.

The keeper furnishes beds at 10d. per week each, and two sleep in a bed.

Prisoners, 14th Nov. 1801. four; 14th August 1802, five.

The Low Court prisoners are detained for debts under 40s. by virtue of a process from the court-baron of

the manor of Sheffield, held under a particular act of parliament obtained for that purpose,

directing that three months imprisonment shall discharge the prisoner from debt and costs,

it the same be not sooner paid or satisfied.

They have two rooms, about 5 yards by 4 each, with fire-places; the iron-grated windows look into the court.

In these they work and sleep, which makes them filthy beyond description ; and four rooms are lately

added at the top of the house, one of which is for the women at night.

Prisoners find their own straw and firing. The court yard has a damp earth floor, and is 12 yards by 6.

It is the only one, and where both sexes associate together.

At my visit, Sunday, 15th August 1802, the low-court prisoners were busy sifting cinders in it;

the ashes of which they sell for three shillings per load.

There were then about two cart loads, which were to be fetched away next day.

Upon conversing with the civil and communicative gaoler, I found their debts were frequently for the

non-payment of alehouse scores ; and this I have observed to be the case in most large manufacturing towns,

where idleness and drunkeness prevail.

It would operate a good effect, if, in the bills for the recovery of small debts, there was a clause to

prohibit arrests for those contracted in public houses.

The actions entered in Sheffield Court every three weeks are on an average 300 ; and, the gaol being small,

it frequently happens that there are more warrants against the persons of defendants than can be executed

between court-day and court day.

There is no difference in the length of time of commitment between one penny damages and 39s 11d; to either

of which the costs are always added, and are, of the same amount, viz. 11. 3s. 6d. on trial, and 17s. 6d. on enquiry.

Water is accessible to all during the day, and to fill their pitchers at night.

Prisoners, 14th Nov. 1801, fourteen ; August 14, 1802, seventeen.

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Don't quite understand how there are two, different sets of figures for the number of prisoners ...

[RichardB]

Sheffield Town Gaol

The Lobbies under the Town-hall; three dark cells, which open into a narrow passage, the largest eight feet square, and six feet high. Each door has an aperture of six inches diameter. Plank bedsteads, with straw. An offensive sewer in the corner of each cell. When the quarter-sessions are held at the town, offenders are locked-up a night or two in this prison. I went into it (though in day-time) with a lighted candle.

Prisoners, 14th August 1802, none.

[RichardB]

Sheffield Gaol, for the Manor of Ecclesall

The property of Earl Fitzwilliam, built about ten years ago; Gaoler, William Needham ; salary, none. Fees on discharge, 6d.; garnish, 1s. 2d. Allowance and regulations, the same as the Low Court Debtors in the town.

A court. 18 yards by 15, with a pump in it; a day-room, about 14 yards square, in which debtors work ; two lodging rooms, 6 yards' by 3 yards, with two large glazed windows ; the rooms are partitioned off, to receive six debtors singly, who find their own beds, or straw. The average number of prisoners here, is five; but there was none at my visit, the 14th of August, 1802.

In none of the Sheffield prisons, is the Act for the preservation of health, or the clauses against spirituous liquors, hung up ; neither is there any chaplain, or any religious attention whatever paid to the prisoners.. It was, therefore, without surprise I found the Low Court debtors employed in sifting cinders on a Sunday.

[RichardB]

To Dr. Lettsom.

Mv dear Sir Wakefield, Sunday evening Aug15, 1802.

It is scarcely possible to form a greater contrast than between the two places I have just been visiting. Before I got into the chaise this morning, 1 thought I would take another peep into the gaol at Sheffield, to see how they spent the Sunday. I found the Low Court debtors as black as chimney-sweepers, and as busy as bees, sifting cinders, to make up the ashes two Loads, which are to be fetched away tomorrow morning.

I arrived at this place (Wakefield) just as divine service had begun, and was surprized not to see a single beggar or vagrant, or even an idle lounger, about the streets. The church was filled within, and peace and order dwelt without. 1 was pleased to be informed this was not a casual circumstance, but that 1 should always find it 16 whenever I visited it on the Sabbath day. I rather think the police is so regulated, that some of its respectable inhabitants perambulate the streets alternately, otherwise it would he impossible to keep so large a town in such decent observance of the Sabbath.

The account of this prison will give a little salt or relish to my letter ; for I must own they have (with a few exceptions) been very unsavory articles; I fear as unpalatable to you as painful to myself; but to you, my good friend, who are so well acquainted with the miseries and infirmiries of human nature, all apology will he needless from

James Nield

P.S. It is my custom to attend prison service, but the new chapel is not finished.

[RichardB]

1807

We inspected two prisons in this populous town.

One of them is for debtors only and was formerly a merchant's warehouse. It contains a good court yard and a number of convenient apartments and it appears on the whole well suited for the purpose to which it is applied. There is however in its arrangements one important fault namely that there is no separation during the day between the men and the women debtors.

The other prison is a lock up house under the Town Hall, consisting of a small court in which on account of its insecurity the prisoners are not allowed to take exercise and four cells measuring respectively ten feet square.

These cells are fitted up with raised platforms on which is placed the bedding that is some straw and two rugs in each cell they are tolerably ventilated and warmed by flues but were when we saw them in a state of very great filth.

Persons are locked up in this little prison immediately on being taken up, and as the sittings of the magistrates are sometimes deferred, frequently continue here for several days before their discharge or committal to York or Wakefield. Such persons, it may be remembered, are very often innocent of the offences imputed to them. Whether innocent or guilty, they ought to be provided with a more comfortable and cleanly lodging. For this purpose, their cells should be carefully kept in a state of neatness, and provided with proper bedding. The court yard also might, at a trifling expense, be rendered so secure, as to afford to these unfortunate persons the opportunity of air and exercise.