Joseph Brammer - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
Image by permission of the Library of Birmingham. MS 244/6/2.
| No. in Admissions Register: | 931 |
| Age: | 13 |
| Whence received: | H M Prison Nottingham |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Light brown |
| Eyes colour: | Grey |
| Height: | 4 ft 1ΒΌ ins |
| Particular marks: | Scar on both thighs |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission: | 5 October 1889 |
| Late residence: | 4 Cherry Street, Nottingham |
| Parish he belongs to: | St Mary's, Nottingham |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Schoolboy - has been employed last 2 years at rag sorting |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly, Standard 4 |
| Writes: | Imperfectly, Standard 4 |
| Offence: | Stealing a cap from a shop |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | - |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 16 September 1889; J Renals and J Manning |
| Where imprisoned: | H M Prison Nottingham |
| Sentence: | 21 days in prison, 5 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | 1 |
| Length: | 10 strokes with birch and discharged |
| For what: | Stealing needles, housebreaking |
| Father's name: | Samuel Brammer |
| Occupation: | Hawker |
| Mother's name: | Elizabeth Brammer |
| Occupation: | Factory hand |
| Parents dead? | Neither |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | The whole family has a very bad character. The father and mother have just been released from prison, also the elder brother, who has just had 1 month recently, besides several previous convictions. Another boy is now an inmate pf Wandsworth Reformatory, and one in an Industrial School |
| Character of parents | See above |
| Parents' wages: | Not reported |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | - |
| Parents address: | 3 Cherry Street, Nottingham |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | - |
| Notes: | |
| 9 September 1889 There is a report of a previous offence in the Nottingham Evening Post Monday 9 September 1889 p.4 col.6: THEFT BY BOYS. - A BAD RECORD.- William Dykes, 4, Sheridan-street; William Smith, 3, Virginia-street; Albert Dykes, 4, Sheridan-street; John Smith. 1, King's-yard, Walker-street; Joseph Brammer and Elizabeth Brammer, 4, Cherry-street, were charged, the male prisoners with stealing a number of garments and other articles, the property of William Henry Henwood, 8, All Saints'-street, and the female prisoner with receiving the same, knowing them to have been stolen. Mr. H. P. Day appeared for Mrs. Brammer. From the evidence of Elizabeth Watson, domestic servant in the employ of the prosecutor, it seemed that while she was alone in the house and was upstairs the back kitchen window was broken open, the house entered by someone, and the articles mentioned stolen. John Pownall, marine store dealer, of Colwick-street, stated that he purchased three pairs of trousers from the male prisoners, and Elizabeth Brammer, daughter of the female prisoner, stated that her mother handed her two of the brushes, which she sold to her aunt for 3d. P.c. Haywood apprehended the prisoners, who admitted the thefts. The female prisoner said, "I know you had got those articles from an empty house, and knew that something was wrong." There were still some articles missing. Mr. Day, on behalf of the woman, appealed for a light sentence, as she had a large family to support, and a drunken husband. Mr. Swinbourne (chief School Board officer) stated that this was William Smith's first appearance, and he had a fair character. Albert Dykes appeared for the first time, but he was not good lad. He frequently stayed out at nights, and kept bad company. Brammer was a bad boy, and had been before the Magistrates previously. His home surroundings were evil. He had a brother in the reformatory, and another brother had been sent to gaol that morning by the Bench. The father was in prison at the present time for not contributing to the maintenance of his son. who was in the reformatory. John Smith had a bad character, for that was his fifth appearance in the dock. He was a confirmed thief and a ringleader of mischief. Wm. Smith and Albert and Wm. Dykes were discharged with a caution; John Smith and Joseph Brammer were sentenced to three days' imprisonment, the former to receive ten strokes with the birch rod. and the latter six; and Mrs. Brammer was fined 20s., or 14 days. | |
| 16 September 1889 There is a report of the crime that sent him to Saltley in the Nottingham Evening Post Monday 16 September 1889 p.3 col.3: ALLEGED THEFT BY A BOY. - Joseph Brammer, a boy, of 4, Cherry-street, was charged with stealing a cap, the property of William Henry Johnson, hatter, of Bridlesmithgate. P.c. Walton stated that he was called in to the prosecutor's shop to apprehend the prisoner, who, it was alleged had stolen cap. The prisoner admitted the theft. Mr. Swinburne (chief School Board officer) said the prisoner was not a good lad. He was birched only last week by order of the magistrates. Prisoner was sent to gaol for three weeks, and was ordered to be kept in a reformatory for five years. | |
| 1 September 1893 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Brammer was licensed to work for Mr Fox, Nottingham | |
| 12 September 1893 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brammer, Nottingham | |
| 27 January 1894 Becoming unemployed, returned to Saltley | |
| 4 October 1894 Sentence expired, discharged from Saltley | |
| 30 April 1895 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brammer, Nottingham | |
| 10 December 1895 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brammer, Nottingham | |
| 11 February 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brammer, Nottingham | |
| 11 August 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brammer, Nottingham | |
| 13 October 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brammer, Nottingham | |
| 8 December 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brammer, Nottinghsm | |
| 9 February 1897 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brammer, Nottingham. (Doing well. Promises to visit School. Also promises to see Tyndall [boy 944]) | |
| 23 April 1897 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brammer, Nottingham. (Says that it is reported that P Tyndall has enlisted. In constant employment. Hopes to visit at Easter (visit paid)) | |
| 10 August 1897 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brammer, Nottingham. (Speaks of preparation for [Queen Victoria's Diamond] Jubillee. Was pleased with a recent visit to the School) | |
| 8 December 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brammer, bricklayer's labourer, Nottingham. (Doing well. Plenty of work. Kind regards to all) | |
| 6 February 1900 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brammer, Nottingham. | |