Saltley Reformatory

William Lowe - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	151
Date of admission:	20 October 1858
Whence received:	Stafford Gaol
By whom brought:	Mr Mountford
On what terms:	Under committal
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	Light
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Perfect vision?	Yes
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Sound intellect?	-
Use of all limbs?	-
Had cow or small pox?	-
Particular marks:	Marks on his side of a [two words unreadable] burn
Cutaneous disorder?	-
Scrofulous or consumptive?	-
Subject to fits?	-
Age last birthday:	13
Illegitimate?	Uncertain
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	No settled residence
Parish to which he belongs:	Stoke on Trent
Customary work and mode of life:	At a forge
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Cyphers:	None
General ability:	Fair
Offence:	Stealing 2 pounds of brass from a mill
Circumstances which may have led to it:
Date of sentence:	29 September 1858
Where convicted:	Longton
Who prosecuted:	William Roden Vothers
Where imprisoned:	Stafford
Sentence:	21 days prison, a whipping, 4 years detention at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	1 month for vagrancy; 1 month for vagrancy; 21 days for vagrancy
Father's name:	-
Occupation	-
Residence:	-
Mother's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	Both dead
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents:	-
Parents' wages:	-
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	20 Jun 1861 - Emigrated to Canada

Notes:

2 April 1861 The Reformatory Minute Book reported: 771. On reading Minute 759 Mr Humphreys recommended the following boys to Canada: Pennyfather [boy 120], Lowe [boy 151], Brittain [boy 111].

20 June 1861 Emigrated to Toronto with 111 [Henry Brittain], 120 [Henry Penefeather], and 124 [Peter Oswald]. [Sailed on 20 January 1861, but officially discharged at this date]

16 July 1861 The Minute Book states: 791. On reading Minute 736 and subsequent Minutes down to Minute 780, it was reported that the final selection of boys to complete the number for emigration had fallen upon Pennefather [boy 120] and Abberley [boy 152] and that accordingly, Pennefather, Brittain [boy 111], Lowe [boy 151], and Oswald [boy 124] had gone to Canada, and that Abberley, Drake [boy 138], Beaton [boy 147], and Berry [boy 137] had gone to Sydney since last meeting of the Committee.

11 August 1862 Heard from. Doing well. Working for Mr John Polson, King Street East, Toronto, Canada.

12 February 1863 Heard from. Working as above stated.

7 September 1863 Heard from. Working as above stated. Doing very well.

Ernest Walton - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	502
Age:	13
Whence received:	Birmingham Prison
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Visage:	-
Particular marks:	Blue spot right forehead
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission and term:	19 March 1874 4 years
Late residence:	14 Unett Street, St George's, Birmingham
Parish he belongs to:	St George's, Birmingham
Customary work and mode of life:	Hawking vegetables
Whether illegitimate:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing 13 lbs of waste paper
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence, by who and court:	27 February 1874, Birmingham Police Court, S Thornton and C Sturge
Where imprisoned:	Borough Prison, Birmingham
Sentence:	21 days prison (hard labour), 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	One
Length:	3 days and whipped
For what:	Stealing 6d
Father's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Mother's name:	Ann Walton
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Father
Survivor married again?	No
Parents' treatment of child:	Kind
Character of parents	Good
Parents' wages:	Unknown
Amount parents agree to pay:	Not stated, but unlikely to pay
Parents address:	14 Unett Street, Birmingham
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-
When and how left reformatory:	18 Mar 1878 - discharged on expiration of term

Notes:

28 February 1874 There is a brief report of the crime in the Birmingham Daily Post Saturday 28 February 1874 p.7 col.2: STEALING NEWSPAPERS. Ernest Walton (13), hawker, Unett Street, was charged with. sterling 13 lbs. of old newspapers from the Gazette Office, and was sentenced to three weeks' imprisonment and four years' detention in a Reformatory School.--The little fellow appeared very much alarmed at the idea of going to gaol, and clung around his mother's neck, begging of her to prevent his being sent there.

18 March 1878 Discharged on expiration of term and sent to work with his brother at Walton's jewellery works, Augusta Street, Great Hampton Row, Birmingham

15 February 1882 Saw Walton in Birmingham this day. Doing well

1 April 1882 Visited and played football with the boys

23 July 1882 Visited the school this day (Sunday) and distributed some copies of the War Cry [the Salvation Army newssheet]

George Broadhead - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	886
Age:	11
Whence received:	H M Prison Wakefield
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Hazel
Height:	4 ft 3 ins
Particular marks:	Cut on right eyebrow
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	23 June 1888
Late residence:	Snape Hill, Darfield, Barnsley
Parish he belongs to:	Farfield
Customary work and mode of life:	Schoolboy
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Indecent assault upon a female child aged 10 years
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Not known
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	18 June 1888; F H Taylor and E Lancaster; Barnsley West Riding Police Court
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Wakefield
Sentence:	7 days in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	-
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	Alfred Broadhead
Occupation:	Collier
Mother's name:	Mary Broadhead
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Goodr
Character of parents	Not known
Parents' wages:	Not known
Amount parents agree to pay:	Not known
Parents address:	Snape Hill, Darfield, Barnsley
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Superintendent Kane, Barnsley
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

23 June 1888 There is a brief report of the crime Barnsley Chronicle Saturday 23 June 1888 p.3 col.2: RAPE OF A CHILD. - EXTRAORDINARY CASE. - George Broadhead, described as 11 years or age, was charged with a rape on Elizabeth Raynor Bagnall, aged 10 years, at Darfleld. - The charge was fully proved. - The prisoner was ordered to have ten strokes with a birch rod, to be sent to prison for ten days, and after that five years to the reformatory.

1 July 1891 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Broadhead was licensed to go out and work for Mr Chambers, Barnsley

22 June 1893 Sentence expired whilst on licence, discharged from Saltley

30 April 1895 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Broadhead, Darfield, Yorkshire

11 February 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Broadhead, Darfield, near Barnsley

Walter Taylor - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1142
Age:	14 (born 4 October 1882)
Whence received:	Wolverhampton Petty Sessions
Description:
Complexion:
Hair colour:
Eyes colour:	Brown centre, blue outside
Height:	4 ft 10 ins
Particular marks:	2 scars left shin (back); scar back left side
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	9 November 1896
Late residence:	Penn Common, Wolverhampton
Parish he belongs to:	-
Customary work and mode of life:	Farm work. (Police report - this is a bad troublesome boy, and his adopted parents state they cannot control him. After stealing the above money he spent it in rai;way and cab fares and refreshments. Since he stol;e the handkerchief he has robbed his employers of 8s. He will not work.)
Whether illegitimate:	Yes
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 2
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 2
Offence:	Larceny of silk handkerchief and money
Circumstances which may have led to it:	The constable stationed at Penn says that his adopted parents have allowed him to get beyond their control
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	26 October 1896; The Right Hon. Staveley Hill; Wolverhampton Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned:	Not
Sentence:	4 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	1 (27 July 1896)
Length:	-
For what:	Larceny of 30s
Father's name:	Arthur William Taylor (adopted father)
Occupation:	Gardener
Mother's name:	Louisa Taylor (adopted mother)
Occupation:	Housewife
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	Very good
Parents' wages:	Not stated
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	Penn Common, Wolverhampton
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	Edward B Thorneycroft

Notes:

20 July 1894 A previous offence was reported in the Lichfield Mercury Friday 20 July 1894 p.8 col.7: STEALING FRUIT AT CHASE TERRACE. - William Mitchell, labourer, and Thomas Giles, Chase Terrace, youths, were charged with stealing, on Thursday, a quantity of fruit growing in a garden belonging Charles Allsopp, miner, Chase Terrace. - Faith Houldcroft, wife of Harry Houldcroft, blacksmith, Princes Street, Chase Terrace, said she lived near the prosecutor, and on Thursday she saw defendants come out of his garden. They were carrying gooseberry branches and witness went to them. Giles, on seeing her, ran away but Mitchell remained and when spoken to said he had not done anything. Witness afterwards gave information to prosecutor. - Mr. Allsopp said he did not wish to press the case, but had brought the matter forward as a warning to others, he having suffered a good deal of damage recently. - P.C. Elks, of Chasetown, said Mitchell bore a bad character, and had formerly been in an industrial school. - The Bench fined Mitchell 5s and costs and Giles 2s 6d and costs.

16 August 1895 Another previous offence was reported in the Lichfield Mercury Friday 16 August 1895 p.7 col.8: THEFT BY A BOY AT CHASE TERRACE. - Thomas Giles (13), of Chase Terrace, was charged with stealing 6d from the till at the shop of Wm. Copestake, grocer, Chase Terrace, on August 13th. - Nellie Cooke (8), living with her father, Wm. Cooke, at Shire Oak, said she was on a visit to her uncle, Wm. Copestake, on August 13th. Her uncle kept a grocer's shop, and about five o'clock in the afternoon she went into the shop. She saw prisoner behind the counter with his hand in the till. He had sixpence in his hand, and witness went to her aunt and told her what she had seen. - Emma Copestake, wife of prosecutor, said, in consequence of what her niece told her, she went to the door and shouted to a man to stop prisoner who was running down the street. He was brought back by a Mr. Davies, and he gave her the sixpence, saying he would not do it again. - Prisoner, who pleaded guilty, said he took the money for the wake at Chasetown. - P.C. Elks, stationed at Chasetown, stated that when arrested prisoner said he had taken the money because he wanted some coppers for the wakes. - The Chairman said it was impossible to deal with prisoner under the First Offenders' Act, as he had already been before the Court for stealing fruit. The Bench would now order him to receive six strokes with the birch rod.

11 December 1896 The crime that sent him to Saltley was reported in the Lichfield Mercury Friday 11 December 1896 p.8 col.3: SENT TO A REFORMATORY. - Thomas Giles (14), who lives with his father at Chase Terrace, was charged on remand with stealing 5s, on Aug. 22, the money of Moses Bailey, aged 9, also of Chase Terrace. - The evidence previously given at Lichfield was read over and alleged that while prosecutor was taking his uncle's (John Bailey's) wages home in a handkerchief prisoner took the money from him and looked at it. He then returned it and afterwards went away. Later on prosecutor's uncle counted the money and found 5s missing. -Further evidence was adduced showing that prosecutor's uncle was at the time employed by a colliery contractor named Charles Harvey, of Wimblebury, who gave prosecutor 22s, the amount of his uncle's wages, on Aug. 22. On the following Monday morning the uncle came to him and complained that he had not received his full money. - John Bailey, prosecutor's uncle, gave evidence as to sending his nephew for his wages. The lad returned about 4 o'clock and handed him the money, which was tied up in a pocket handkerchief. On counting it he found only 17s instead of 22s, the wages due to him. He told prosecutor there were 5s short, and afterwards went to Harvey and complained to him. - Prisoner pleaded not guilty. - The Chairman said the Bench had no doubt that prisoner had robbed Bailey. He had several previous cases against him and appeared to be in the habit of taking what did not belong to him. For the last offence he received strokes with a birch rod, which punishment, however, did not seem to have done him any good. The Bench had therefore decided to send him to a reformatory until he attained the age of 19 years.

8 November 1900 Sentence expired, discharged from Saltley

No. in Admissions Register:	662
Age:	12
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Light brown
Visage:	-
Particular marks:	An anchor and blue spot on left wrist
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	5 March 1881
Late residence:	Wolverhampton
Parish he belongs to:	Wolverhampton
Customary work and mode of life:	None
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing goods
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Completely neglected by his father
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	4 February 1881; W F Boughey, Stipeniary Magistrate; Wolverhamton Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Where imprisoned:	Stafford Prison
Sentence:	1 month in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	2
Length:	1) 3 days; 2) 3 months
For what:	1) Stealing grapes; 2) stealing money
Father's name:	William Clarke
Occupation:	Stamper
Mother's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Mother
Survivor married again?	No
Parents' treatment of child:	Not very good
Character of parents	Father's character not good, health good
Parents' wages:	Father can earn 20s per week if he likes, but is too lazy to work
Amount parents agree to pay:	2s per week
Parents address:	William Clarke, 6 Salop Street, Wolverhampton
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes: