| No. in Admissions Register: | 462 |
| Age: | 12 |
| Whence received: | Stafford Gaol |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Brown |
| Eyes colour: | Grey |
| Visage: | - |
| Particular marks: | - |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission and term: | 13 January 1872 4 years |
| Late residence: | West Bromwich |
| Parish he belongs to: | West Bromwich |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Iron work |
| Whether illegitimate: | - |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly |
| Writes: | - |
| Offence: | Stealing 20s |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | Reported to be a regular young thief |
| Date of sentence, by who and court: | 23 December 1871, West Bromwich Petty Sessions, J A Kenrick and W Williams |
| Where imprisoned: | Stafford |
| Sentence: | 21 days prison (hard labour), 4 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | One |
| Length: | 7 days and whipping |
| For what: | Stealing money |
| Father’s name: | William Bliss |
| Occupation: | Shoemaker |
| Mother's name: | Helen Bliss |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | Neither |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents’ treatment of child: | Good |
| Character of parents | Good |
| Parents’ wages: | 16s per week |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | 1s per week |
| Parents address: | Overend Street, West Bromwich |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | - |
| How and When left Reformatory | Emigrated to Canada 30 Jan 1875 |
Notes:
| Notes: |
| Brother to Henry, 'Harry', boy 497 |
| 30 January 1875 Emigrated to Canada |
| 10 August 1875 Received a long and interesting letter from him. Lives with a gentleman at Malton, 18 miles from Toronto: July 18th 1875, Sir, It is with best love and wishes I write this letter to you, hoping you are well, which I am happy to say I am myself. I send kind love to you and mistress, and wish you many thanks, Mr Birkmire as well. I shall never forget the last time when the mistress squeezed my hand - I thought she was never going to release it. I wish you and Mr Birkmire many thanks for teaching me what you have. I am working for a kind old gentleman, and he likes me very much. I am up 5 o'clock morning, milking cows, feed horses, work in fields, harvesting. I have fell in with a few friends, who came out of the old country. My master had me a week on trial, after, he wanted to hire me for the year. He asked me how much I wanted. I said 8 dollars per month, and he said I was rather too strong, so I said 7. I told him I would try and do my best, and so I have, and they like me very well indeed. I have all kinds of nice things to eat, such as custary cherry pie, jam tart, milky tea or coffee, every meal, whichever I like, and as much bacon and meat as ever I like. If ever you tell the boys this, it will make their mouths water, I know. Please tell Mr Birkmire all particulars, so that I need not write a letter to him, as the old saying is, a penny saved is a penny gained, so I think of him all the time. I send kind love to brother Harry, and tell him I shall not forget him, and when his time expires I may come over to dear old England again, and when I do see him again I hope that we shall both be men and know right from wrong. And also know I feel a brother's love. I think of him every last night. I know all the boys think it very hard to be be there, and I thought so myself, but when you do have liberty again you will find it sweeter to you than it was before. Sir, men are looking for boys every day, and I am sure that if the boys meant to stop over here they would soon get a farm of their own. Married men are allowed 200 acres of land; single men over 18 years of age. I am sure I am as happy as the days are long, for if I ever do come over to England, I shall never stop, not if things go on as they are now. |
| June 24th 1875, Left Liverpool on board steamship Sarmatian 4800 tons registers under Neville. Ireland on the morning of the 25th. Laid to for 17 hours, waiting for mails from Londonderry. Put to sea on 26th, lost anchor on starting
Fog on Sundy night, continued more or less to Friday night. Tuesday at 11.55 struck a supposed wreck, which made the noble ship quiver from stem to stern, causing a real panic on board, sailors rushing from their berths in great alarm, all people on board was scared very much, men clinging to their wives and wives clinging to their children, thinking every minute that the noble ship was going to wrack and ruin. Tuesday came across a great number of icebergs of size and looking very beautiful. On Friday saw one supposed to be 200 feet high. At Friday saw another, this one supposed to be 300 feet high. At a.m. sighted the coast of Newfoundland - saw snow on the mountains of considerable height. Monday 5th passed up the river St Lawrence. Saw two vessels stranded on the rocks, one a large steamer from Hull, the other a sailing vessel. Funeral on board of a Russian infant. Two days after the burying of this one, another died. Sermon held by the eldest of the Prussians. Two days after when we were in the Atlantic the wind blew most furiously, ship turning right on its sides, making tin kettles fly in all directions. People thinking that they was going down and never coming up again. When I saw the coast of NFL [Newfoundland] I saw a great many fishing smacks. When I saw them it put me in mind of Dinsdale and his fishing smack. There were 9 or 10 hundred of them altogether. On board ship there were more than 6000 Russians and Prussians. People say they were the dirtiest fellows that ever they saw in your life, and you would have said so if you had seen them. I was seasick for the first 2 days, but afterwards I became alright. I had 2 days and nights riding in the train. I rode 503 miles from Quebec to Toronto. After that I went to the agent master and asked him if he had any work for a boy who would be very glad if he would tell me, as I was penniless in the country. The agent booked me from Toronto to Malton, 18 miles further up the country, so I could not get work where he sent me, as they wanted grown up men, and so I had to hunt work for myself, and soon got it and mean to stick to it. I send best love to all the boys, and if you wanted to send anyone over, please let me know and I will get them work. Please be so good as to let my brother write a letter to me. I am, Your obedient servant, John Bliss |
Henry Jefferies - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 576 |
| Age: | 14 |
| Whence received: | Birmingham Gaol |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Brown |
| Eyes colour: | Grey |
| Visage: | - |
| Particular marks: | - |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission and term: | 24 February 1877 5 years |
| Late residence: | 10 court 2 house New Town Row, Birmingham |
| Parish he belongs to: | Birmingham |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Zinc working |
| Whether illegitimate: | - |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly |
| Writes: | Imperfectly |
| Offence: | Stealing 4 scarves |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | - |
| Date of sentence, by who and court: | 5 February 1877, Birmingham Police Court, T C S Kynnersley |
| Where imprisoned: | Birmingham Borough Prison |
| Sentence: | 21 days prison (hard labour), 5 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | - |
| Length: | - |
| For what: | - |
| Father's name: | John Jefferies |
| Occupation: | Brickmaker |
| Mother's name: | Mary Jefferies |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | Both |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | - |
| Character of parents | - |
| Parents' wages: | - |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | - |
| Parents address: | - |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | - |
| When and how left reformatory | Emigrated to Canada on yet to be obtained date |
Notes:
| 12 May 1881 Letter from Jefferies received containing good news. He says he likes the country and people very much and is greatly obliged to the Committee for their kindness in sending him out. His address is c/o Mr B Smith, Drummondville, Ontario, Canada. I wrote per return |
| 16 May 1881 The tailor shows me a letter received from Jefferies. In this letter Jefferies speaks of a place called Thorold where work may be obtained. |
| 11 June 1881 Jefferies writes to thank me for supplying him with Westwood's [boy 573] address, etc |
| 20 September 1881 Letter to the tailor in which he writes about Westwood and Wall [boy 577]. All are in good employment |
| 5 April 1882 Heard of him through Massey [boy 550] |
| 6 June 1882 Writes to J Blake [the Reformatory tailor] that, Massey and Wall are doing well. |
Thomas Smith [629] - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 629 |
| Age: | 14 |
| Whence received: | Birmingham Prison |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Dark brown |
| Eyes colour: | blue |
| Visage: | oval |
| Particular marks: | Mole on left breast |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission: | 2 April 1879 |
| Late residence: | 22 Handley Street, Summer Lane, Birmingham |
| Parish he belongs to: | Birmingham |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Metal rolling |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Not at all |
| Writes: | Not at all |
| Offence: | Stealing a pork pie |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | Hunger |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 3 March 1879; W Ellis and C Ratcliff; Birmingham Petty Sessions |
| Where imprisoned: | H M Prison Birmingham |
| Sentence: | 1 month hard labour in prison, 5 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | Nil |
| Length: | - |
| For what: | - |
| Father's name: | Frederick Smith |
| Occupation: | Japanner |
| Mother's name: | Mary Smith |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | - |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Fair |
| Character of parents | Father has been sentenced to penal servitude for life. Mother fair |
| Parents' wages: | Not known |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | Not stated |
| Parents address: | 22 Handley Street, Birmingham |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | - |
Notes:
| 1 March 1883 Licensed to Mr Dobson of Drury Street, Birmingham |
Frank Bayliss - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 828 |
| Age: | 14 |
| Whence received: | H M Prison Stafford |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Brown |
| Eyes colour: | Hazel |
| Height: | - |
| Particular marks: | None |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission: | 26 October 1886 |
| Late residence: | Illey Mill, Halesowen, Worcestershire |
| Parish he belongs to: | Harborne |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Farm labourer |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Not at all |
| Writes: | Not at all |
| Offence: | Stealing the sum of £5 |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | Bad companions |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 13 October 1886; A C G Calthorpe and H Williams |
| Where imprisoned: | H M Prison Stafford |
| Sentence: | 14 days in prison, 5 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | Nil |
| Length: | - |
| For what: | - |
| Father's name: | William Bayliss |
| Occupation: | Miller |
| Mother's name: | - (step-mother) |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | Mother |
| Survivor married again? | Yes |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Father does not treat him well, step-mother worse still |
| Character of parents | Father sober, honest and industrious. Step-mother honest and industrious |
| Parents' wages: | Not known |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | Not assessed |
| Parents address: | Illey Mill, Halesowen |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | - |
| Notes: | |
| 30 September 1889 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Bayliss was licensed to go out and work for Mr Barnes, Northfield, Birmingham | |
| 10 December 1889 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Bayliss, Northfield | |
| 14 April 1890 The Log Book reports that Bayliss was discharged early from Saltley by order of the Home Secretary, on account of his emigrating to Canada with Coates [boy 836] and Povey [boy 844]. They left Liverpool on 27 March on board the SS Parisian for Brandon, Manitoba | |
| 21 October 1890 The Log book report records receipt of a letter from Bayliss, Manitoba, Canada | |
| 14 April 1891 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Bayliss, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada | |
| 9 June 1891 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Bayliss, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada | |
| 3 February 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Bayliss, Brandon, Manitoba | |
Albert Evans - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 1084 |
| Age: | 14 (born 10 October 1880) |
| Whence received: | Aston Petty Sessions |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Light brown |
| Eyes colour: | Hazel |
| Height: | 4 ft 5 ins |
| Particular marks: | Ink mark right forearm; mole on each breast |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission: | 26 November 1894 |
| Late residence: | 173 Aston Lane, Aston |
| Parish he belongs to: | Aston |
| Customary work and mode of life: | - |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly |
| Writes: | Imperfectly |
| Offence: | Larceny |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | An associate of thieves |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 23 November 1894; R P Yates and A R Dean; Aston Petty Sessions |
| Where imprisoned: | Not |
| Sentence: | To be detained at Saltley until 19 years of age |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | Nil |
| Length: | - |
| For what: | - |
| Father's name: | George Evans |
| Occupation: | (Emigrated) |
| Mother's name: | Rose Evans |
| Occupation: | Hawker |
| Parents dead? | Neither |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Mother deserted by father when boy was 3 months old |
| Character of parents | Mother good. Very poor |
| Parents' wages: | - |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | - |
| Parents address: | 173 Aston Lane, Aston |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | H A Walker, Superintendent of Police |
| Notes: | |
| 29 November 1894 The crime was reported in the Warwickshire Herald Thursday 29 November 1894 p.8 col.1: AT ASTON. At the Aston, Police. Court yesterday - before Mr. R. P. Yates (in the chair), Mr. A. R. Dean, and Dr. Griffiths. - Albert Evans (14), labourer, 173. Aston Lane; Edward Thos. Birch (16), filer, Long Acre, Birmingham, and William Blunt (14), no occupation, Plume Street, were charged with breaking and entering the dwelling house 173. Aston Lane. and stealing therefrom a counterpane, two pairs of boots, and a blanket, value 12s., belonging to Rose Evans, mother of the prisoner Evans. Prosecutrix, who carries on business as a dressmaker at 173, Aston Lane, where she rents a room, went out on Tuesday morning last, locking up the house, and on returning about 1 p.m., she found a window and the front door unfastened, and the articles missing. It appears the prisoner Evans broke open the house, and took the. things while the other two stood in the street and watched. Birch pledged the blanket and counterpane at the shop of John Barnes, pawnbroker, Lichfield Road, and the prisoners afterward sold the boots to two youths, and divided the money. The charge was reduced to one of theft. Birch and Blunt were further charged with stealing on the 17th 1cwt. of coal, value 8d., from the premises of Henry Goodier, coal dealer, Plume Street. They were seen putting the coal into a small boat to carry it off. Evans and Blunt were remanded to the Workhouse, so that they might be sent to a reformatory till they were 19 years of age, and Birch was discharged with a caution, as it appeared he had been led astray by bad companions. | |
| 25 July 1898 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Evans was licensed to go out and work for Heeman and Froude, Aston Lane, Aston | |
| 1 January 1899 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Evans was re-licensed to go and work for the Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Co, Aston, near Birmingham. The boy received an unsatisfactory report from them and returned to Saltley on 25 February 1899 | |
| 3 October 1899 Discharged from Saltley by Order of the Home Secretary on account of enlisting in the Manchester Regiment as a tailor, along with Heath [boy 1079] | |
| 31 July 1900 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Evans, Aldershot | |
| 9 April 1901 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Evans, Gosport | |
| 7 June 1901 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Evans, Manchester Regiment | |
| 9 August 1904 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Evans, Middelburg, Cape Colony | |