Bristol New Gaol alongside the cut on Cumberland Road

historybuff, on August 2, 2007, said:

The New Gaol was a great advance on the buildings that it superseded and was held up as a model to be emulated across the country.

It was designed to hold 197 prisoners, all to be kept in single cells measuring 6 feet by 9 feet. Facilities were such (and this was unusual) that the prisoners were expected to be able to wash their hands and faces and comb their hair daily - and even bath once a month.

Both sexes were catered for in the prison - but were to be strictly segregated. The female prisoners were supervised by a matron and no male warders were allowed to visit the female prisoners unless accompanied by the matron or another female officer.

Shortly after the new building became operational, Alderman Fripp reported to the Committee that Mr Wilmot, the carpenter, had been sent to Gloucester to examine the 'Drop', and that a model of the 'Drop' from Gloucester had been made available and a 'Drop' for the Bristol New Gaol had been ordered at a cost of £30.

This appears to have been built by April 13th, 1821, for on that date John Horwood, a boy of 18, was hanged outside the prison in the presence of hundreds of spectators, being the first execution at the Gaol. Horwood had thrown a stone at his sweetheart, from the effects of which blow she had died.

So great was the crowd that notices were set up warning of the danger of being pushed into the New Cut, there being no railings along its banks at that date.

The Somerset magistrate Thomas Hassel - who presided at the Bedminster Sessions. held at the Star Inn, North Street, Bedminster, attended the hanging. After death, the body was handed over to Richard Smith, Surgeon, for dissection and he had Horwood’s skin tanned and bound with a book containing all the records of the trial and execution.

This book is now in Bristol's Records Office.

Guapito1973, on January 22, said:

Having spent some time researching my family history, I believe that the Mr wilmot mentioned here is an ancestor of mine from my Grandmothers' side. The Wilmots were, throughout the 19th century, carpenters by trade and had businesses based in the Castle Ward area of Bristol, including Queen Street and Lower Castle Street.

It's great to be able to finally find something about them that is of historical significance. Thanks!