Logo Banner440x150
Ask a Question or Submit Information

Joseph William Lawes - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register: 367
Date of admission: 8 October 1867
Whence received: Warwick Gaol
By whom brought: -
On what terms: -
Friends interested in him: -
Description:
Height: 4 ft 7¼ ins
Figure: Slender
Complexion: Fair
Hair colour: Brown
Eyes colour: Grey
Perfect vision? Yes
State of health: Good
Able-bodied? -
Sound intellect? Yes
Use of all limbs? Yes
Had cow or small pox? Cowpox
Particular marks: Scar on little finger left hand
Cutaneous disorder? Not
Scrofulous or consumptive? No
Subject to fits? No
Age last birthday: 12
Illegitimate? -
Birthday: -
Birth place: -
Has resided: Birmingham
Parish he belongs to: -
Customary work and mode of life: -
Schools attended: -
By whom and where employed: -
State of education:
Reads: Imperfectly
Writes: Imperfectly
Cyphers: -
General ability: -
Offence: Stealing cigars
Circumstances which may have led to it: -
Date of sentence: 11 September 1867
Where convicted: Aston before S L Lloyd and C Ratcliff
Who prosecuted: -
Where imprisoned: -
Sentence: 28 days prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions: One
Father's name: Joseph Lawes
Occupation: Shoemaker
Residence: 89 Branston Street, Birmingham
Mother's name: Maria Lawes
Occupation: -
Residence: -
Father's character: Good
Mother's character: Good
Parents dead? -
Survivor married again? -
Parents' treatment of child: -
Character of parents Good
Parents' wages: -
Amount parents agree to pay: Not decided
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):      -
Relatives to communicate with: -
Person making this return: -
Estimate of character on admission: -
Character on discharge: -
When and how left the Reformatory: -


Notes:

14 September 1867 There was a report of the crime in the Birmingham Journal Saturday 14 September 1867 p.8 col.2: A GANG OF INCORRIGIBLE YOUNG THIEVES.-On Wednesday, at the Aston Petty Sessions, before Messrs. E. S. Evans, C. Ratcliff, and S. S. Lloyd, five boys-named Alfred Downes, James Feeney, Joseph William Laws, Andrew Holsten, and William Henry Mills-were charged with having stolen a bundle of cigars, of the value of 8s. 6d., from the shop of B. Aldu, tobacconist, Hunter's Lane. The prisoners, who are well-known young thieves, sent one of their number into prosecutor's shop, where he assisted himself to the bundle of cigars and some pipes. Adjourning to a favourite retreat, they divided the cigars amongst them according to their usual fashion, and congratulated themselves at the clever manner in which they had accomplished the theft and avoided detection. Unfortunately for them, however, another boy who saw the theft gave information, and the cigars being missed by the prosecutor, the police were communicated with, and they were apprehended. There was a second charge against Downes, Laws, and Feeney for stealing three caps from a school at the Lozells, and they pleaded guilty to this as to the other charge. All five of the prisoners were under fourteen years of age, but though so young, Downes had been three times previously in custody for robbery, Mills four times, and Laws once, and were, in appearance, hardened young ruffians, having evidently commenced their career of crime at a very tender age. With the view of reforming the three-if possible-the Magistrates sentenced Downes, Mills, and Feeney each to three weeks' imprisonment, with a whipping at the end of that period, five years' confinement in a Reformatory. Holsten and Laws, not having been convicted before, were each sentenced to seven days' imprisonment, with a whipping.

 

Moses Taylor - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register: 318
Date of admission: 30 October 1865
Whence received: Stafford
By whom brought: -
On what terms: -
Friends interested in him: -
Description:
Height: -
Figure: -
Complexion: Pale
Hair colour: Light brown
Eyes colour: Blue
Perfect vision? Yes
State of health: Good
Able-bodied? Yes
Sound intellect? Yes
Use of all limbs? Yes
Had cow or small pox? Cowpox
Particular marks: Scar on right eyebrow
Cutaneous disorder? No
Scrofulous or consumptive? No
Subject to fits? No
Age last birthday: 13
Illegitimate? -
Birthday: -
Birth place: -
Has resided: Burslem
Parish he belongs to: Burslem
Customary work and mode of life: Potter
Schools attended: Newton Reformatory
By whom and where employed: -
State of education:
Reads: Imperfectly
Writes: Imperfectly
Cyphers: -
General ability: -
Offence: Stealing money
Circumstances which may have led to it: Bad company
Date of sentence: 16 October 1865
Where convicted: Stafford Quarter Sessions, Lord Lichfield chairman
Who prosecuted: -
Where imprisoned: -
Sentence: 14 days prison (hard labour), 3 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions: One: 21 days and 5 years at Newton Reformatory
Father's name: Henry Taylor
Occupation: Potter
Residence: Club Buildings, Burslem
Mother's name: Sarah Taylor
Occupation: -
Residence: -
Father's character: Honest and sober
Mother's character: -
Parents dead? Neither
Survivor married again? -
Parents' treatment of child: Good
Character of parents Health bad
Parents' wages: 12s a week
Amount parents agree to pay: Not known
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):   -
Relatives to communicate with: -
Person making this return: -
Estimate of character on admission: -
Character on discharge: -
When and how left the Reformatory: -


Notes:

21 October 1865 There is a report of the crime in the Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 21 October 1865 p.7 col.2: JUVENILE OFFENDERS AT HANLEY. GEORGE BENNETT, 12, crate maker, JOHN SHERRATT, 13, potter, and MOSES TAYLOR, 14, potter, were charged with having stolen a half-crown, the money of James Knight, Hanley. - Taylor pleaded guilty. The other prisoners were defended by MR BRINDLEY. Mr DAVENPORT conducted the prosecution. - The prosecutor is a tobacconist in Hope Street, Hanley. On the 6th of October, Taylor went into the shop and took the half-crown from the till, the other prisoners watching outside. Their movements were observed, and when they rasn away they were pursued by Ann Greatbach, one of the prosecutor's neighbours, who caught Sherratt. The other prisoners were afterwards apprehended Sherratt and Bennett accused Taylor of having taken the money, and he did not deny it. Sherratt and Bennett were acquitted. Taylor was ordered to be imprisoned for three months and to be sent to a reformatory for three years.
 
10 September 1866 Absconded. Brought back next morning
 
28 September 1868 Absconded
 
June 1870 At Burslem. Doubtful [character]
 
January 1871 In prison

 

George Kent - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register: 866
Age: 12
Whence received: H M Prison Stafford
Description:  
Complexion: Fresh
Hair colour: Brown
Eyes colour: Brown
Height: 4 ft 1 in
Particular marks: Cut in centre of forehead
State of health: Good
Able-bodied? Slender
Date of admission: 2 December 1887
Late residence: 6 Mill Street, Bucknall, Stoke on Trent
Parish he belongs to: Stoke on Trent
Customary work and mode of life: None
Whether illegitimate: No
State of education:  
Reads: Imperfectly
Writes: Imperfectly
Offence: Stealing woollen gloves
Circumstances which may have led to it: Bad company
Date of sentence, by whom and court: 3 November 1887; J Bromley and J A Jones; Hanley Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Where imprisoned: H M Prison Stafford
Sentence: 1 month hard labour in prison, 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals:  
Number: -
Length: -
For what: -
Father's name: John Kent
Occupation: Miner
Mother's name: Ann Kent
Occupation: -
Parents dead? Mother
Survivor married again? No
Parents' treatment of child: "Well treated"
Character of parents Father good?? [question marks in original]. John Kent now has three sons in institutions, 2 at Saltley and 1 at Werrington Industrial School
Parents' wages: 16s per week
Amount parents agree to pay: 1s per week
Parents address: 6 Mill Street, Bucknall, Stoke on Trent
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):                               Arthur Hill, Chief Superintendent, Burslem
Person making this return: -
   
Notes:
   
[brother to William (boy 847) - to see his record click here ]
   
1 December 1891 Sentence expired, discharged from Saltley
   
9 October 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Kent, Hanley

Charles Wilkes - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register: 1122
Age: 11 (born 3 April 1884)
Whence received: Walsall Petty Sessions
Description:  
Complexion: Fresh
Hair colour: Dark brown
Eyes colour: Light blue
Height: 4 ft 2¼ ins
Particular marks: None
State of health: Good
Able-bodied? Yes
Date of admission: 6 February 1896
Late residence: 9 Short Acre Street, Walsall
Parish he belongs to: -
Customary work and mode of life: Nil
Whether illegitimate: No
State of education:  
Reads: Imperfectly
Writes: Imperfectly
Offence: Stealing a bundle of stockings value 3s 9d
Circumstances which may have led to it: The Chief Constable of Walsall reports that this boy has been neglected by parents. Has a brother in a reformatory
Date of sentence, by whom and court: 29 January 1896; R J Jupp; Walsall Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned: Not
Sentence: 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:  
Number: 1 (15 November 1895, Walsall)
Length: 6 strokes
For what: Stealing spectacles and spectacle cases
Father's name: George Wilkes
Occupation: Chain maker
Mother's name: Agnes Wilkes
Occupation: Filer at Mr Harvey's buckle factory
Parents dead? Neither
Survivor married again? -
Parents' treatment of child: Boy says he was treated well
Character of parents Good
Parents' wages: Father about 16s per week, mother 10s per week
Amount parents agree to pay: -
Parents address: 9 Short Acre Street, Walsall
Superintendent of police (to collect payments): -
Person making this return: Christopher Taylor, Chief Constable
   
Notes:
   
16 November 1895 A previous offence was reported in the Walsall Observer and South Staffordshire Chronicle Saturday 16 November 1895 p.8 col.1-2: THEFTS BY BOYS. - James Morris (16), Martin Adams (16), William Wilkes (14), and Charles Wilkes (11) were charged with stealing a quantity of spectacles from a stall in the Market on Tuesday night. - Michael Connally, William Morgan, James Morris, and Charles Wilkes were charged with stealing a box of sweets and a quantity of old coins, valued 2s. 6d. -Adams, Connally, and Morris were sent to prison for fourteen days' hard labour. William Wilkes was fined 5s., or seven days' hard labour; and Charles Wilkes and Morgan were ordered to receive six strokes with the birch rod.
   
1 February 1896 The crime that sent him to Saltley was reported in the Staffordshire Advertiser Friday 1 February 1896 p.7 col.4: Charles Wilkes, aged 13, Short Acre-street, was charged with stealing a bundle of stockings, value 12s. 4d.. the property of Frederick Phillips, 13, Stafford-street. Proof of the robbery was given, and it was stated that when apprehended soon after by Detective Clark, the lad admitted the offence, and declared that a bigger boy had taken the stockings from him and run off down Hateley's-lane. The boy had previously been convicted, and a brother of his had been sent to a reformatory for five years. He was remanded, with a view to his being sent away also.
   
19 January 1901 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Wilkes was licensed to go out and work for Messers Shannon and Sons, clothing, Walsall
   
28 January 1901 Sentence expired whilst out on licence, discharged from Saltley
No. in Admissions Register: 205
Date of admission: 18 March 1861
Whence received: Birmingham Gaol
By whom brought: -
On what terms: -
Friends interested in him:
Description:
Height: -
Figure: Slight
Complexion: Pale
Hair colour: Brown
Eyes colour: Hazel
Perfect vision? Yes
State of health: Good
Able-bodied? Yes
Sound intellect? Yes
Use of all limbs? Yes
Had cow or small pox? Vaccinated
Particular marks: Pock pitted and scars and marks on body
Cutaneous disorder? No
Scrofulous or consumptive? Delicate looking
Subject to fits? No
Age last birthday: 12
Illegitimate? No
Birthday: -
Birth place: -
Has resided: 132 Brearley Street, Birmingham
Parish he belongs to:
Customary work and mode of life: Glass button making
Schools attended: None
By whom and where employed:
State of education:
Reads: Not at all
Writes: Not at all
Cyphers: -
General ability: -
Offence: Stealing 12 lbs of iron
Circumstances which may have led to it: Bad company
Date of sentence: 29 January 1861
Where convicted: Moor Street
Who prosecuted: -
Where imprisoned: -
Sentence: 21 days prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions: Stealing a pair of boots (1 day and whipping)
Father's name: Elijah Burkitt
Occupation: Labourer
Residence: 132 Brearly Street, Birmingham
Mother's name: -
Occupation: -
Residence: -
Father's character: -
Mother's character: -
Parents dead? Mother
Survivor married again? -
Parents' treatment of child: -
Character of parents -
Parents' wages: 3s per day when in work
Amount parents agree to pay: Will probably be ordered to pay 1s 6d or 1s per week
Superintendent of police to (collect payments):       G Glossop, Moor Stree
Relatives to communicate with: -
Person making this return: T C S Kynnersley
Estimate of character on admission: -
Character on discharge: -
When and how left the Reformatory: 18 May 1865 - Emigrated to Canada


Notes:

30 January 1861 There is a report of his crime in the Birmingham Daily Post Wednesday 30 January 1861 p.3 col.5: STEALING SCRAP IRON. - Two lads, named Samuel Birkett [surname spelled thus], aged 13 years, and John Shaw, 12, were charged with stealing a quantity of scrap iron, the property of William Hopkins, On Monday morning last. Police constable Knight said that about three o'clock on Monday morning he saw the prisoner Birkett standing with some scrap-iron outside the palings of Mr. Heath's coal-yard, and Shaw was inside the palings, handing over some iron. Mr. Shaw had let the upper yard to Mr. Hopkins, who kept some scrap-iron there, and whose property the iron found in the possession of the prisoners was. Sergeant Teggins said that last summer Birkett had been flogged and sent to gaol for stealing a pair of boots, and that Stow had only come out eleven days ago from serving a term of three months for sleeping out of doors. The prisoners were each sentenced to twenty-one days' imprisonment, after which they were to be sent to a Reformatory School for five years,
 
13 February 1864 Absconded
 
26 May 1864 Brought back from Chesterfield
 
18 May 1865 Emigrated to Canada
 
June 1866 In Birmingham at work shoemaking
 
January 1867 Wrote from the Implacable training ship
 
HMS Implacable, Devonport, Devon
 
Dear Sir, I write to let you know that I am now on board HMS Training Ship Implacable, 24 guns, at Devonport, but I shall not be there much longer for I go up to pass for Rating on the first of May
 
Dear Sir, I often told you that I should like to join the Navy. I have done so and have no cause to be sorry yet, and I do not think that I ever shall be, for it is a profession that I always thought I should like, and so I do, and mean to stick at it. I hope you will please to excuse me not writing to you before, for it was intention not to write until I left England, for I did not like the thought of letting you know that I am only a 2nd class Boy, for I wanted to be more than that before I let you know that I was in the Navy.
 
Dear Sir, I shall not say any more in this letter, for I am thinking perhaps you may have left the School.
 
From Sam Burkitt, HMS Implacable, Devonport, Devon.
 
Please to write soon. Excuse bad writing for I expect my boat to be called away every minute.
  1. Henry Lawless - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
  2. William Taylor - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
  3. Thomas Proffit - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
  4. Walter Scott - Saltley Reformatory Inmate