The Old Gaol, Lynn Road, Ely (2002)

The Old Gaol, 4 Lynn Road, Ely

History of 4 Lynn Road

Listed Building

A C17 Building, possibly incorporating an earlier structure, considerably altered in the C18 and later. It was used as a Jail from the end of the C17 when the Bishop’s jail was transferred from Ely Porta in 1836 when the Bishop lost his jurisdiction. In 1768 Bishop Manson partly reconstructed the building. A prison report of 1804 reports on this prison:- “This goal not being secure is the reason why felons are so securely chained down. The irons used 18 or 19 pounds weight and one pair 43 pounds which in 1799 one John Gothard, a transport, had on for 3 days……” There is only one iron collar with spikes now left and the last time it was used was on James Thomson in the year 1798″