Saltley Reformatory

Joseph Curry - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	789
Age:	14
Whence received:	H M Prison Warwick
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Visage:	Height 4 ft 8 in
Particular marks:	Small Dot left forearm; small scar back of neck; wart on left ear
State of health:	-
Able-bodied?	Slight
Date of admission:	25 November 1885
Late residence:	Penn Street Industrial School, Birmingham
Parish he belongs to:	-
Customary work and mode of life:	-
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Arson - setting fire to Penn Street Industrial School
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	12 November 1885; George Dinmore; Warwick Assizes
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Warwick
Sentence:	14 days hard labour in prison, 3 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	-
Length:	-
For what:	Committed to Penn Street Industrial School by the School Board. Was before the magistrates in March 1883 but discharged
Father's name:	Henry Curry
Occupation:	Painter
Mother's name:	Sarah Curry
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Not known
Character of parents	Supposed to be of acceptable character
Parents' wages:	Not known
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	7 Rawlin Street, Ladywood, Birmingham
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

21 November 1885 The crime that sent him to Saltley was reported in the Leamington Spa Courier Saturday 21 November 1885 p.7 col.5: ARSON AT PENN STREET INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. - Harold Pownall (14), tailor, and Joseph Curry, labourer, were charged with feloniously setting fire to a room in the Penn-street Industrial Schools, Birmingham, on the 27th. August. Mr Soden appeared for the prosecution; Mr. Nathan defended. - The two prisoners were inmates of the institution named, and on the evening of August 27th, shortly after the whole of the boys had retired to their dormitories, one of the number gave information to the superintendent that the building was on fire. Upon his going upstairs he discovered that it had occurred in the attic above dormitory No. 1, but he was unable to get inside, as the door was locked, and water was thrown underneath it. The Fire Brigade was sent for, the door was broken open, and after considerable difficulty the flames were extinguished. An examination of the room was afterwards made, and showed that two distinct fires had been kindled. Enquiries were subsequently set on foot, and these led to the prisoners being accused. They then admitted their guilt; Curry stating that he struck the match and that Pownall lit the fibre. - The Superintendent of the school, in answer to Mr. Nathan, said had reason to believe that the prisoners were made the catspaws of some of the other boys, but he had been unable to obtain sufficient evidence to bring a charge against them. - His Lordship sentenced each of the prisoners to a fortnight's imprisonment, and ordered them to be sent to a reformatory for three years.

4 February 1888 The Register of Boys on Licence reports Curry as being licensed to go out and work for Messers Lloyd, Birmingham. [The Reformatory Committee Log Book records Curry as working for J Pile, Edgbaston, Birmingham. [These are not necessarily contradictory, if Pile is, say, the manager, and Lloyd the company]

1 April 1888 The Register now records Curry as working for Barnard Clarke & Co, Moor Street, Birmingham

November 1888 Sentence expired, discharged from Saltley whilst out on licence

11 June 1889 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Curry, Birmingham

14 April 1890 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Curry, Birmingham

10 February 1891 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Curry, Birmingham

George Pearce - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1049
Age:	13 (born 1 June 1880)
Whence received:	Stafford Police
Description:
Complexion:	Sallow
Hair colour:	Dark brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Height:	4 ft 6 ins
Particular marks:	None
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	25 January 1894
Late residence:	19 New Street, Stafford
Parish he belongs to:	Stafford, St Mary's
Customary work and mode of life:	-
Whether illegitimate:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing a watch and chain
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Entirely beyond the control of his parents
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	18 January 1894; G Crosmall and C A Dudley; Stafford Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned:	Stafford Workhouse (detained at workhouse until a school could be found)
Sentence:	5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	3
Length:	1) (5 October 1891) pay costs; 2) (23 November 1891) pay costs; 3) (11 May 1892) 5 strokes
For what:	1) Stealing potatoes; 2) stealing sausages; 3) stealing a watch and chain
Father's name:	George Pearce
Occupation:	Boat fitter
Mother's name:	Elizabeth Pearce
Occupation:	Housewife
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	£1 per week when in work. No employment for 3 months and 6 children to maintain
Amount parents agree to pay:	1s per week
Parents address:	19 New Street, Stafford
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	George Crosmall

Notes:

28 November 1891 A previous offence was reported in the Staffordshire Chronicle Saturday 28 November 1891 p.7 col.3: DARING THEFTS BY LADS. - John Bromley (16), 12, Sash Street, and George Pearce (11), New Street, lads, were charged together with stealing a tin of salmon from the Star Tea Stores, on Saturday night. - Frederick Blythe, manager of the Star Stores, deposed that on Saturday night he was told that someone had taken a tin of salmon. He examined the stock and found one tin missing. - John McNanine, shoe fitter, 1, New Street, said that about 5.30 p.m. he saw the lad Bromley receive a tin of fish from a smaller boy and put it under his coat. There were four lads together at the time, close to the post-office. - P.c. Peake said that later on Saturday night he arrested the lads Bromley and Pearce at their father's house. Pearce said that Bromley sent a little lad named Faulkner, aged seven, to fetch a tin of fish from the Star Tea shop, and when he brought it they all three went into the Bank Passage and broke it open on the palings and ate the fish. He also said that he (Pearce) threw the can into Mr. Mitchell's yard in Craberry Street. Bromley said Faulkner stole it and they all three ate it; and Faulkner said Bromley sent him for the tin. - One of the fathers said the fish was so placed as to be a great temptation to little children. It was right in the street. - The Mayor said the Bench thought things should not be placed unprotected outside doors. The magistrates would take a lenient view of the matter, and the defendants would be discharged, but the magistrates hoped the parents would teach them better. - Defendants were then discharged, on payment of the costs by their parents.

14 May 1892 Another previous offence was reported in the Staffordshire Chronicle Saturday 14 May 1892 p.6 col.5: THEFT OF EGGS. - Patrick Shields and Geo. Pearce, two boys of no fixed abode, were charged with stealing eggs, the property Mr. R. Arthers, farmer, of Rickerscote, on May 5. - P.c. Shaffery said he arrested the two prisoners that morning and charged them. Prisoner Shield told witness on the evening of May 4, he in company with Pearce end some other lads went to complainant's farm and slept there. A boy named Frederick Follows woke at 3 a.m. the following morning and looked in the fowl pen for some eggs. He found eight and distributed them among the prisoners and the other boys. They all went into Rickerscote village, and a man named Jones saw them. They ran off and threw the eggs away. Complainant was called and stated that early on the morning of May 5 he missed seven eggs. He saw the prisoners with other boys pass his house and go in the direction of Stafford. The prisoner Shield had been in his employ for about nine weeks. Complainant had fetched him out of a wagon the night before. - The magistrates, after hearing the evidence, adjourned the case until today.

20 January 1893 The remand hearing for the crime was reported in the Staffordshire Chronicle Saturday 20 January 1893 p.7 col.6: ALLEGED THEFT. - George Pearce (13), living at 19, New Street, James Follows (15), Grey Friars Place; and Paul Godwin (17), Friars Street, were charged with stealing a silver lever watch and chain, the property of Henry John Branfield, on Monday. - The prosecutor who works at a Blake machine in a shop in Shepherd's Bush Street, indentified the watch produced as his property. He left it hanging in his shop on Monday at about twenty minutes past twelve and upon going to look at it later he missed it. - P.c. Peake arrested the prisoners Pearce and Follows on the Stone Road at Whitgreave on Monday evening. In answer to the charge, Pearce said he stood by Kent's factory, and when Mr. Branfield had gone home he stole the watch. Godwin stood in Fancy Walk while he fetched it, and afterwards said he would go to Stone with him for the purpose of pawning the watch. Follows said he met Pearce and Godwin on the Stone Road, and he went with them to Stone to pawn the watch. Godwin told witness that Pearce fetched him out of Messrs. Peach's shop in the afternoon and asked him to go to Stone with him to pledge the watch. The watch was offered at a pawnbroker's shop in Stone by Godwin, who was detained. - He had the chain in his possession when handed over to the police. - On the application of Police Inspector Stretton, the case was adjourned until Thursday, bail being allowed.

In the same column of the same newspaper, the next hearing is also reported: THE THEFT OF A WATCH. - The three lads, Pearce, Follows, and Godwin, charged with stealing a watch and chain, the property of Henry John Branfield, who were remanded on Tuesday, were again brought before the Bench. - Mr. Smith Shaw, pawnbroker of Stone, proved that the defendant Godwin went to his shop and offered the watch produced to pledge. Witness asked him where he obtained it, and he said he had brought it at an auction sale in the Market Place. Witness asked several other questions, and Godwin's answers not being satisfactory, he sent for the police. - The defendants consented to be summarily dealt with. Pearce pleaded guilty, and the other defendants not guilty. - Follows was discharged with a caution. - Godwin was charged with receiving the watch, knowing it to have been stolen, and was fined £1 and costs, or in default one month's imprisonment. - Pearce, who had been three times previously convicted of theft, the magistrates decided to send to a reformatory for five years. - Mr. Shaw had previously assisted the police in cases of theft, and the magistrates complimented him upon his action.

5 February 1894 There is a remarkable letter attached to the the Admissions Register: 5 February 1894, Dear Sir, Re: George Pearce, this boy was committed 6 years Reformatory by a mistake, as appears by enclosed Order of Justices of the borough of Stafford, dated today, made pursuant to the Reformatory Schools Act 1866 section 16. Will you please take the necessary steps for removal of the boy to St Edwards Reformatory School, Upton Park, Essex, and inform me when this has been done, Yours failthfully, Charles Henry Twynam

Also attached is a formal declaration from the Borough of Stafford: To the Managers of the Saltley Reformatory School, Small Heath, Birmingham, and to the Managers of the Saint Edwards Reformatory School Boleyn Castle, Upton Park, near Plaistow, Essex. Whereas George Pearce, late of 19 New Street, in the borough of Stafford, aged 13 years and 10 months (whose religious persuasion appeared to be Church of England), was on the 25th January 1894, by an order made pursuant to the Reformatory Schools Act 1866 sent to the certified Reformatory School at Saltley, and he is now detained therein. And whereas George Pearce the elder, the parent of the said George Pearce, has applied to us and requested us to remove the said George Pearce to a certified Reformatory School which is conducted in accordance with his religious persuasion, namely to the St Edwards Reformatory School, Boleyn Castle, Upton Park, in the county of Essex, the managers of which said last mentioned School being willing to receive the said George Pearce therein (and religious persuasion being Roman Catholic), of which due proof has been given to us. Now therefore, we the said Justices, pursuant to section 16 of the said Act, having complied with the said request do hereby order that the said George Pearce be removed forthwith from the Saltley Reformatory School to the said last mentioned Reformatory School at Upton Park, Essex, aforesaid. Given under our hands and seals this fifth day of February 1894 at the Guild Hall, Borough of Stafford. George Wormal and Frederick Greatre

A later note in the Admissions Register adds that Pearce was sent to St Edwards on 9 February 1894

No. in Admissions Register:	231
Date of admission:	7 February 1862
Whence received:	Stafford
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	Sallow
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Hazel
Perfect vision?	Yes
State of health:	-
Able-bodied?	Yes
Sound intellect?	Yes
Use of all limbs?	Yes
Had cow or small pox?	Vaccinated
Particular marks:	-
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	Not apparent
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	11
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	Wallbrook, Sedgley, Staffordshire
Parish he belongs to:	Sedgley
Customary work and mode of life:	Collier
Schools attended:	None
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Not at all
Writes:	Not at all
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing a loaf
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Neglect of parents and destitution
Date of sentence:	8 January 1862
Where convicted:	Bilston, before J M Bagnall and A Sparrow
Who prosecuted:	-
Where imprisoned:	Stafford
Sentence:	1 month prison, 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	Several
Father's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Mother's name:	Ann Bayley
Occupation:	Lives with one Richard Lowe
Residence:	The Bear, Wallbrook, Sedgley, Staffordshire
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	Father dead
Survivor married again?	No
Parents' treatment of child:	Bad
Character of parents	Bad as to morality and honesty
Parents' wages:	None
Amount parents agree to pay:	No order made at present
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Hugh McCrea, Bilston
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	J W Hall, Bilston
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	Discharged on 6 Feb 1866

Notes:

7 August 1861 There is a report of his offence in the Wolverhampton Chronicle and Staffordshire Advertiser Wednesday 7 August 1861 p.5 col.2: A YOUNG INCORRIGIBLE. A notorious little thief, named James Bailey [surname spelled thus], was brought up at the Police Court yesterday on a charge of having robbed the till of Mr. William Skeldon, Princes End. The offence was committed on the day previous, when the prisoner was caught in the act, Strange to say the lad had but just returned from prison, whither he had been sent on a charge by the same prosecutor for a simiiar offence. He was committed for a month's imprisonment and at the termination of that period to be confined in a Reformatory for five years.

6 February 1866 Discharged

5 January 1867 In prison

James Hill - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	89
Date of admission:	1 August 1855
Weekly payments:	-
Age:	12
Education:	None
Previous employment:	On the road
Crimes, how often and in what prison:	2
Training in reformatory:	22 May 1857
When and how left reformatory:	3 Jun 1857 - Emigrated to Australia but is said to have drowned when his ship, the Dunbar, sank on the approach to Sydney Harbour
Parentage and family:	Both living
Residence:	-
Trade of father:	-
With whom the boy is placed:	Captain Tyndal
Address:	Sydney, Australia
Trade:	-

Notes:

7 July 1855 A report of the crime was given in the Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 7 July 1855 p.7 col.1: JAMES HILL, 12 years of age, was indicted for stealing 24lbs of brass, the property of Messers Ashdown and Company, at Wednesfield; and MICHAEL MACINALTY, aged 58, was indicted for receiving the brass knowing it to have been stolen. Hill pleaded guilty, and sentence was deferred. Macinalty, a labourer, was convicted of receiving the stolen brass, and sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. Hill was subsequently sentenced to one month's imprisonment in the house of correction, and three years confinement in the Saltley Reformatory School.

20 April 1857 The Reformatory Minute Book reports: 454. Mr Humphreys stated that Hill, one of the boys, having disobeyed orders, he instructed the Assistant Schoolmaster to keep him in the schoolroom till the work was done, and to give him bread for dinner; that Mr Brookes wanted the boy to go on an errand and was angry because he could not have him; that Mr Brookes afterwards gave the boy meat to his dinner. Mr Humphreys stated that the boys were too much in the habit of going on errands and that he had sent a message to Mr Brookes requesting to speak to him, intending to discuss the whole subject. [The Minute goes on to the effect that two of the teachers resigned]

3 June 1857 The Minute Book records: As to Minute 442, the Visitors have sanctioned the sending out of the boys William Beech [boy 62] and James Hill who have gone to Australia.

[No date] A note in the Admissions Register says he was drowned in the Dunbar. [The Dunbar sank approaching Sydney Harbour on 20 August 1857. 121 people died. James Hill is not named in the list of passengers killed, but there is a John Holl, a steerage passenger, plus three unnamed servants].

John Salt [645] - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	645
Age:	13
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Blue
Visage:	Long
Particular marks:	-
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	3 July 1880
Late residence:	Denstone, Staffordshire
Parish he belongs to:	Uttoxeter
Customary work and mode of life:	Farm work
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing a rabbit
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Neglect of parents
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	4 June 1880; J C Phillips and A S Bolton; Cheadle Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Stafford
Sentence:	1 month in prison, 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	None
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	Joseph Armstead (step-father)
Occupation:	Tailor
Mother's name:	Hannah Armstead
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Father
Survivor married again?	Yes
Parents' treatment of child:	Very bad
Character of parents	Very little known here
Parents' wages:	About 15s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	I cannot say - doubtful if able
Parents address:	Joseph Armstead at Mr Robert Robacks, Upper Hoyland, near Barnsley. A later addition says has a relative, William Smith, Goss Street, Cheadle (26 November 1882)
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

8 July 1881 Birched and confined in cell 2 days on bread and water for attempting to abscond (ss Punishment Book)

6 June 1883 Emigrates with Mr Middleton