Derby Gaol

New County Gaol (Vernon Street Prison)

The term Derby Gaol historically refers to the five gaols in Derby, England. Today, the term usually refers to one of two small ‘tourist attractions’, the gaol which stood on Friar Gate from 1756 to 1846 and the cells of which still exist and are open to the public. Their possible location, size and function have been assigned for the attraction, alongside a modern kitchen and bar. The 1843 to 1929 Vernon Street Prison whose frontage can still be seen today, has been redeveloped for modern commercial use.

Derby Gaols Hangings, 1732 to 1847. This sheet was (apparently) made available to satisfy the interest of Derby residents on the occasion of the hanging of John Platts the previous day. (Click image to enlarge and read)

History

In 1652 the Cornmarket Gaol (no longer extant) was the site of the imprisonment of George Fox on charges of blasphemy. Fox became the founder of the Christian denomination the Religious Society of Friends, perhaps better known as the Quakers. It has been alleged that Judge Bennett of Derby first used the term Quaker to describe the movement, as they bid him to 'quake for fear of the Lord', but the phrase had already been used in the context of other religious groups so the etymology is dubious.

Friar Gate Gaol

The Friar Gate Gaol was site of many hangings, and the small attraction today displays reproduction newspaper accounts of the executions on the walls, a replica of a gallows which stood in front of the building can be located in the small garden of the gaol. The police museum has subsequently closed.

The New County Gaol (Vernon Street Prison)

The Vernon Street Prison served as the County Gaol from 1843 to 1919. The last public execution at Derby of Richard Thorley for the murder of Eliza Morrow took place here in 1862. The last person to be hanged was William Slack on 16 July 1907 for the murder of Lucy Wilson.

From 1919 to 1929 the prison acted as a military prison. It was then decommissioned. Following demolition, the site served as a Derby Greyhound Stadium, and today contains offices, though the historical facade still remains.

Notable prisoners

• Jeremiah Brandreth - High Treason
• Humphrey Berisford - Recusant

External links

• History of Derby County Gaol from theprison.org.uk
• Derby Gaol website Archived 4 April 2005 at the Wayback Machine