| No. in Admissions Register: | 136 |
| Date of admission: | 15 January 1858 |
| Whence received: | Warwick House of Correction |
| By whom brought: | Officer Edward Gill |
| On what terms: | - |
| Friends interested in him: | - |
| Description: | |
| Height: | - |
| Figure: | - |
| Complexion: | - |
| Hair colour: | - |
| Eyes colour: | - |
| Perfect vision? | - |
| State of health: | - |
| Able-bodied? | - |
| Sound intellect? | - |
| Use of all limbs? | - |
| Had cow or small pox? | - |
| Particular marks: | - |
| Cutaneous disorder? | - |
| Scrofulous or consumptive? | - |
| Subject to fits? | - |
| Age last birthday: | 12 |
| Illegitimate? | No |
| Birthday: | 22 Jul 1845 |
| Birth place: | Hampton in Arden |
| Has resided: | Hampton in Arden |
| Parish to which he belongs: | Hampton in Arden |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Farm work |
| Schools attended: | Meriden Workhouse school |
| By whom and where employed: | Thos Wilday, Hampton in Arden |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Fairly |
| Writes: | A little |
| Cyphers: | |
| General ability: | |
| Offence: | Stealing turnips |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | - |
| Date of sentence: | 2 January 1858 |
| Where convicted: | Solihull before H H Chattock and W James Esqs |
| Sentence: | 14 days in prison, 3 years at Saltley |
| Where imprisoned: | - |
| Previous committals and convictions: | - |
| Father's name: | Joseph Blick |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Residence: | Hampton in Arden, Solihull |
| Mother's name: | Mary Blick |
| Occupation: | Farm work |
| Residence: | - |
| Father's character: | - |
| Mother's character: | - |
| Parents dead? | - |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Kind |
| Character of parents: | - |
| Parents' wages: | Father 15s, mother 5s per week |
| Weekly amount parents will pay: | 6d |
| 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: | 29 June 1860 |
Notes:
| 3 May 1860 The Reformatory Minute Book records: 674. The following boys were reported by the Superintendent as suitable for recommendation to situations or emigration though their term of detention is unexpired: Drake [boy 138], Smith [boy 123], Blick, Finn [boy 101], Bentley [boy 139], Francis [boy 130] |
| 676. An application has been made by Mr Wallis of Willenhall to take Blick as an indoor apprentice to the key trade. Upon which Mr Bagnall kindly promised to obtain information as to the suitableness of such offer. If satisfactory, an order to be obtained for the dismissal of Blick. |
| 19 June 1860 Took him on trial to Mr Charles Marston, bolt maker, Union Street, Willenhall, who is recommended by G Bagnall, Esq. |
| September 1861 heard of doing well |
| November 1862 heard of doing well |
| 16 February 1863 saw him at his master's, at Willenhall, looking well and well-reported of. |
| 1 January 1864 doing well |
Charles James - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 580 |
| Age: | 13 |
| Whence received: | Stafford |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Brown |
| Eyes colour: | Grey |
| Visage: | - |
| Particular marks: | Scar on right cheek |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission and term: | 29 June 1877 5 years |
| Late residence: | Leek |
| Parish he belongs to: | Leek |
| Customary work and mode of life: | None |
| Whether illegitimate: | - |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Not at all |
| Writes: | Not at all |
| Offence: | Malicious damage |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | - |
| Date of sentence, by who and court: | 30 May 1877, Leek Petty Sessions, J Brough and W Sleigh |
| Where imprisoned: | Stafford |
| Sentence: | 1 month prison (hard labour), 5 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | None |
| Length: | - |
| For what: | - |
| Father's name: | Joseph James |
| Occupation: | Silk worker |
| Mother's name: | Sarah James |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | - |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Good |
| Character of parents | Honest |
| Parents' wages: | 18s per week |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | 1s per week |
| Parents address: | Rudyard, Leek (December '81 11 Albert Street, Leek) |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | - |
| When and how left reformatory: | 28 Apr 1882 - Discharged on expiration of sentence |
Notes:
| 31 May 1877 There is a report of the offence in the Staffordshire Sentinel Thursday 31 May 1877 p.3 col.3: A YOUNG SCAPEGRACE.-Charles James, a rough-looking boy of twelve years, was charged with breaking into the residence of Mrs. Wood. Harper's Gate, on Sunday. It appears that the boy got into the house while the inmates were at church, and did a great deal of damage, but was unable to find any food, except a pie, of the value of one shilling. -The defendant's father was called, and said that the boy was always wandering about, and gave him a great deal of trouble. -Superintendent Williams said that the boy was constantly giving trouble, and had broken into Rudyard on the previous Sunday.-He was sentenced to a month's imprisonment, afterwards to be sent to a reformatory for five years. |
| 12 July 1877 His father was summoned for non-payment of maintenance, as briefly reported in the Staffordshire Sentinel Thursday 12 July 1877 p.3 col.1: Joseph James, labourer, Horton, was ordered to contribute Is. 6d. per week towards the maintenance of his son a reformatory in Birmingham. |
| 16 December 1881 Licensed this day to work for Messrs Hammersley and Co., Silk Dyers, Leek |
| 28 April 1882 Very satisfactory report from employer |
| 28 June 1882 C James sentence expires (and is discharged) |
William Smith [78] - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 78 |
| Date of admission: | 10 August 1855 |
| Weekly payments: | - |
| Age: | 12 |
| Education: | None |
| Previous employment: | Brass founder |
| Crimes, how often and in what prison: | First offence |
| Training in reformatory: | |
| When anhd how left reformatory: | 5 Jun 1857 - transferred to Peckleton Reformatory |
| Parentage and family: | Both living |
| Residence: | Moseley Street, Birmingham |
| Trade of father: | Coal yard jobber |
| With whom the boy is placed: | Transferred to Peckleton, Leicester |
| Address: | - |
| Trade: | - |
Notes:
| [No date] Committed at the Warwick Assizes for 5 years.6 August 1855 In a detailed report of the crime by William Smith and his brother Thomas, Aris’s Birmingham Gazette Monday 6 August 1855 p.1 col.3 said: Thomas Smith, aged 13, and William Smith, aged 11, were charged with burglary. It appeared that on the night of the 26th of June last, Francis Porter, a mechanic, residing in Alcester Street, went to bed at an early hour, having previously secured the doors and windows of his dwelling. Early in the morning a man named William Bushell, who lodged in the house, went to work, having previously locked the door and put the key under it. In a short time afterwards William Kelly, a police constable, on going his round, found in an outhouse adjoining the prosecutor's house a clock and sundry small articles of domestic use belonging to him, and presently he saw three lads jumping over a wall in the yard and escape. He pursued them and caught the prisoner William Smith, who said he would never do it again, and hoped he would let him go. He then took him to the lock-up, and on returning to his round met the other prisoner, and took him into custody. He afterwards ascertained that the prosecutor’s house had been forcibly entered, and that the articles he had found belonged to him. - The Jury found both prisoners "guilty"�, and recommended them to mercy on account of their youth. - His Lordship said that he fully appreciated the feeling of the jury, and would attend to their recommendation as far as possible. The boy William Smith should be sent to a Reformatory School; but he must say he did not know what to do with the other prisoner, who, he was sorry to have to tell the jury, had been six times before various courts of justice, although only fifteen years of age. How to deal with him he knew not, and should therefore defer his sentence for further consideration. - Subsequently the prisoner Thomas Smith was sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment. |
| 20 April 1857 The Minute book records: 446. Mr Ratcliff mentioned that none of the boys mentioned in Minutes 425 and 426 have been taken [they absconded], and that Welch [boy 96], Wood [boy 67], Hughes [boy 69], Smith, and Cassidy [boy 94] have since absconded, and that Wood and Cassidy are now in prison for absconding, and Smith has been allowed by the Magistrates to return to the School. |
| Resolved: that the Police of the several districts where the boys reside be informed of their having absconded |
| 1 June 1857 absconded in company with Edward Rigby (boy 104), both being apprehended the same day. |
| 3 June 1857 The Minute states: 465. Resolved: that Mr Humphreys be authorised to send Smith to Peckleton [Reformatory, Leicestershire] |
John Swift - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 826 |
| Age: | 10 years 7 months |
| Whence received: | H M Prison Stafford |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | S Brown |
| Eyes colour: | Grey |
| Height: | 4 ft 1 in |
| Particular marks: | Freckled |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Slender |
| Date of admission: | 23 September 1886 |
| Late residence: | Sittles Farm, Fradley, near Lichfield |
| Parish he belongs to: | Whittington |
| Customary work and mode of life: | None |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly |
| Writes: | Imperfectly |
| Offence: | Stealing a fowl, etc |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | Bad company |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 26 August 1886; J Dyall and J Holmes Joy; Elford Court of Summary Jurisdiction |
| Where imprisoned: | H M Prison Stafford |
| Sentence: | 1 month in prison, 6 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | None |
| Length: | - |
| For what: | - |
| Father's name: | Leonard Swift |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Mother's name: | Emma Swift |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | Mother |
| Survivor married again? | No |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Very much neglected |
| Character of parents | Father drinks. Is apparently a strong healthy man and probably not very industrious |
| Parents' wages: | About 15s per week as a farm labourer |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | About 1s or 1s 6d per week would be the most he could pay |
| Parents address: | Sittles Farm, Fradley, near Lichfield |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | James Gilbride, Burton upon Trent |
| Person making this return: | Thomas Argyle, Justices Clerk, Elford |
| Notes: | |
| 12 April 1889 The Medical Officer reported: Enlarged, inflamed glands in throat. By 23 April glands were suppurating and discharging and by 1 May other glands were enlarging. On 17 May it was noted that he had had his glands dressed daily. One suppurating one was healing slowly, and his general health was better. He was much better by 13 June | |
| 16 August 1890 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Swift was licensed to go out and work for Mr Clare, Cottrell Lane. Little Bromwich, Saltley | |
| 22 December 1890 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records that he was readmitted to the School from on licence because of bad conduct | |
| 22 September 1891 Sentence expired, discharged from Saltley | |
| 13 October 1891 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Swift | |
| 28 April 1892 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Swift, Douglas, Isle of Man | |
William Henry Wilkes - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 1082 |
| Age: | 14 (born 19 November 1879) |
| Whence received: | H M Prison Birmingham |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Dark brown |
| Eyes colour: | Brown |
| Height: | 4 ft 8¾ ins |
| Particular marks: | Cut left eyebrow |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission: | 14 November 1894 |
| Late residence: | 92 Walsall Street, West Bromwich |
| Parish he belongs to: | West Bromwich |
| Customary work and mode of life: | - |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly |
| Writes: | Imperfectly |
| Offence: | Stealing £5 3s 11d |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | - |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 1 November 1894; William Mould; West Bromwich Petty Sessions |
| Where imprisoned: | H M Prison Birmingham |
| Sentence: | 14 days in prison, 3 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | 3 |
| Length: | 1) (24 April 1890) 6 strokes; 2) (15 February 1894) fined 10s or 7 days; 3) (6 March 1894) fined 20s or 14 days |
| For what: | 1) Stealing cocoa nuts; 2) stealing metal type; 3) stealing 8s 9d |
| Father's name: | William Wilkes |
| Occupation: | Commercial traveller |
| Mother's name: | Sarah Ann Wilkes |
| Occupation: | Housewife |
| Parents dead? | Neither |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | - |
| Character of parents | Good |
| Parents' wages: | Not stated |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | Not assessed |
| Parents address: | 92 Walsall Street, West Bromwich |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | W Barrow, Clerk, H M Prison Birmingham |
| Notes: | |
| 13 November 1897 Sentence expired, discharged from Saltley | |
| 6 February 1900 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Wilkes, 2nd Grenadier Guards in South Africa [the Boer War was underway at this time] | |
| 30 May 1900 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Wilkes, Bloemfontein, South Africa | |
| 9 October 1900 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Wilkes, South Africa | |
| 12 February 1901 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Wilkes, South Africa | |