Saltley Reformatory

Samuel Tyers - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	314
Date of admission:	5 October 1865
Whence received:	Birmingham
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	Fresh
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?	Cowpox
Particular marks:	Mole on left thigh
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	No
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	14
Illegitimate?	-
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	14 Proud Cross, Kidderminster
Parish he belongs to:	Kidderminster
Customary work and mode of life:	Weaver
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Not
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Vagrancy
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence:	15 September 1865
Where convicted:	Birmingham before J Thornton and C Sturge
Who prosecuted:	-
Where imprisoned:	-
Sentence:	21 days in prison (hard labour), 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	Stealing nuts
Father's name:	William Tyers
Occupation:	Weaver
Residence:	14 Proud Cross, Kidderminster
Mother's name:	Ann Tyers
Occupation:	None
Residence:	14 Proud Cross, Kidderminster
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Kindly
Character of parents	Steady. Has four young children
Parents' wages:	14s or 15s a week
Amount parents agree to pay:	Not thought able to pay anything
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:

8 February 1865 There is a report of his previous offence in the Worcestershire Chronicle Wednesday 8 February 1865 p.4 col.4: JUVENILE THIEVES ON AN EXCURSION TO "BRUM."-At the Birmingham Police Court, on Saturday, Samuel Tyers, fourteen, describing himself as a boiler maker, from Kidderminster, and George Mason, ten, also from Kidderminster, were brought up charged with helping themselves to a quantity of nuts, value 9d., the property of Mr. Daniel Bayley, fruiterer, from a stall at the back of the Market Hall, Worcester-street. On Saturday morning, about half-past one o'clock, P.C. Francom was on duty in the neighbourhood when he saw one of the prisoners abstracting the nuts from under a canvas, under which several bags of nuts, &c., had been placed in preparation for Saturday's market. The officer went to him, and found that he had put the nuts into a basket. Francom made some enquiries of him, and he told the officer that he had a comrade who had gone to sleep in the new buildings (meaning those in course of erection in Worcester-street). On going there the officer found the other one, and took them both into custody. The prisoners acknowledged the offence, and were sentenced to four days' imprisonment, and the magistrates ordered that their parents be communicated with in order that they might attend at Birmingham to receive the prisoners on their release from prison.

John Percival Smith - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	896
Age:	14
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Light hazel
Height:	4 ft 4½ ins
Particular marks:	Scar on side right ham
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	20 December 1888
Late residence:	32 Winkle Street, West Bromwich
Parish he belongs to:	West Bromwich
Customary work and mode of life:	None
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing postal orders (burglary)
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Bad company
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	11 December 1888; Sir W Field; Stafford Assize Court
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Stafford
Sentence:	10 days in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	-
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	John Smith
Occupation:	Carter
Mother's name:	Emma Smith
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Mo
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Well treated
Character of parents	Good
Parents' wages:	18s per week (3 children dependent upon him)
Amount parents agree to pay:	Not assessed
Parents address:	32 Winkle Street, West Bromwich
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Superintendent J Whitehurst, West Bromwich
Person making this return:	Superintendent J Whitehurst, West Bromwich

Notes:

15 September 1888 There is a report of the crime and the preliminary hearing in the Birmingham Daily Post Saturday 15 September 1888 p.7 col.1: IRRECLAIMABLE. - John Percival Smith (14), Winkle Street, Greets Green, was charged with attempting to steal money from a till belonging to his employer, William Lane, butcher. - Superintendent Whitehurst said that the prisoner had been previously charged with burglary, and was committed to the assizes on that charge. He was liberated on bail. but it was subsequently discovered that he had stolen two postal orders. He was then apprehended on that charge, and was committed to the assizes on it. Since he had been on bail he had taken 6s. 6d. from the butcher's shop and attempted to rob it again. The father was responsible for the boy's appearance at the assizes, and would tell the magistrates that he wished to withdraw his recognisances. - The father said that he wished to have the prisoner detained, for no good could be done with him. - Superintendent Whitehurst said that the lad's parents were very respectable people, and the lad himself was very intelligent, having passed the 6th standard before he was twelve. - The father said that the boy could not go out for half an hour without getting into some bother. - Superintendent Whitehurst said that the best course for the Bench to pursue would be, not to go into the charge, but to detain the lad till the assizes, when if necessary the information could be given to the judge. - The Bench adopted this course.13 February 1891 The Medical Officer reported: Deafness

26 January 1892 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Smith was licensed to go out and work for Messers Roberts, West Bromwich

19 December 1893 Sentence expired whilst on licence, discharged from Saltley

9 October 1894 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich

11 December 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich

30 April 1895 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich

11 June 1895 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich

10 December 1895 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich

13 October 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich

8 December 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich

13 December 1898 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich

Albert Sharpe - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1152
Age:	12
Whence received:	Heanor Petty Sessions
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Light
Eyes colour:	Bluish-grey
Height:	5 ft 6¾ ins
Particular marks:	Scar left hip
State of health:	Fair
Able-bodied?	-
Date of admission:	1 April 1897
Late residence:	East Nelson Street, Heanor, Nottinghamshire
Parish he belongs to:	Heanor
Customary work and mode of life:	Schoolboy
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 2
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 2
Offence:	Larceny of a watch, value £2 10s 0d
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Of a wild disposition, frequently staying away from home and sleeping out at nights
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	29 March 1897; J Mayfield and J N Fletcher; Heanor Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned:	-
Sentence:	3 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	Nil
Length:
For what:	-
Father's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Mother's name:	Sarah Ann Sharpe
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Father
Survivor married again?	No
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	Mother - fairly good
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	East Nelson Street, Heanor, Nottinghamshire
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

2 April 1897 The crime that sent him to Saltley was reported in the Ripley and Heanor News and Ilkeston Division Free Press Friday 2 April 1897 p.3 col.3: LARCENY AT HEANOR. - Isaac Sharpe, Albert Sharpe, and Frank Housley (boys), residing at Heanor, were each charged with feloniously stealing a silver lever watch, value £2 10s., property of Benjamin Buxton, groom to Mr. Wilson, Marlpool, manager to the Shipley Collieries, who stated that about half-past eleven a.m. on the morning in question he left his watch hanging in the saddle room and closed the door behind him. Upon returning thirty minutes later, he found the door opened and the watch gone. He subsequently gave information to the police.- Samuel Meakin, also a boy, stated that on the morning of the 19th, he saw the three defendants at Heanor. They all went on towards Marlpool. He saw the boy Isaac go into the yard. Defendant told witness be was going for something to eat, and was away about three minutes when he came running back with a watch in his hand, the same as now produced. There was also a chain attached and two keys. Witness was told they were going to pawn them at Eastwood on their arrival at that place. Isaac, aged 11, was sent into a shop to try to get 10s. upon them, but the shopkeeper refused to take them in. They went to another shop, where they were told to fetch a note or bring their father. They then proceeded to a watch shop. Isaac went in this shop also. They were also informed they must bring a note signed by their father or mother. Defendant held in his hand a paper like the one produced. Albert then sent Isaac into a pot shop for the purpose of getting the note signed. Eventually they took the note back to the watch shop signed by a Mrs. Purser. Some money was given defendants and witness had 2s. given to him. He was not told how much money was got for the watch. Witness went to Ripley the same night and spent the money. - Eli Lynham, watchmaker and managing jeweller, residing at Nottingham-road, Eastwood, spoke as to the defendant Isaac coming to his shop, offering the watch produced for sale. The lad said it was on sale for 10s., and stated they were sent by their mother who wanted some money for something to eat. Defendant, on being told that he could not be given any money for the watch, said his mother was bad and the baby too, i and his father was at work. Albert also gave the same tale. Witness then wrote out a note which . was returned to him later on signed by a Mrs. Purser. Witness then gave the lad the money. - Ellen Mellors deposed to signing the note, the boys having told her their mother was poorly. - The Chairman of the Bench said it was an extraordinary thing for witness to do for boys that she knew absolutely nothing about. - Sergt. Cosgrove spoke to arresting tbe boys. - After further hearing, the Bench agreed to bind over Frank Houseley to come up when called upon. - Supt. Daybell said there were other charges of thefts against the defendants Sharpes, and the Bench decided to send Albert Sharpe to a Reformatory and Isaac Sharpe to an Industrial School until 16 years of age.

1 April 1900 Sentence expired, discharged from Saltley

9 February 1904 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Sharpe, Heanor

No. in Admissions Register:	171
Date of admission:	11 May 1860
Whence received:	Birmingham Gaol
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Dark brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Perfect vision?	Yes
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Sound intellect?	Yes
Use of all limbs?	Yes
Had cow or small pox?	Yes
Particular marks:	Scars on hand and body
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	No
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	12
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:
Has resided:	24 New Summer Street, Birmingham
Parish to which he belongs:	Portsmouth
Customary work and mode of life:	Gun implement maker
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing a coat
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence:	21 April 1860
Where convicted:	Police Court, Birmingham
Where imprisoned:	Borough Gaol, Birmingham
Sentence:	21 days prison, 5 years detention at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	Stealing herrings and cheese (21 days, whipping)
Father's name:	Frederick Coope
Occupation:	Soldier,
Residence:	2
Mother's name:	Ann Coope
Occupation:	Washerwoman
Residence:	24 New Summer Street, Birmingham
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	No
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree tp pay:	Mother can't pay, having several other children. Father can't be summoned
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	T C S Kymmersley, Esq.
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	-

Notes:

23 April 1860 The is a short report of his offence in Aris's Birmingham Gazette Monday 23 April 1860 p.4 col.5: A lad named Thomas Coop [surname spelled thus], aged twelve, a gun implement maker, was charged with stealing a jacket from the house of Mr John Bullock, hatter, New Summer Street. The prisoner, who lodged at Mr Bullock's, took the garment on the previous day, and sold it to a clothes dealer for 8d. - Mr Bullock gave the young delinquent a very bad character; he refused to work and was constantly in the company of thieves, and a continual source of trouble to his mother, who is the wife of a soldier now in Corfu, and is in very humble circumstances. Mr Kynnersley sentenced the lad to twenty-one days imprisonment, and five years detention in a Reformatory.

[Prosecuted by Mr Bullock, whose first name is given as Thomas in the Admissions Register, John in the newspaper report]

13 January 1862 Absconded with 196 [Michael Darkin]

18 January 1862 Apprehended at Oswestry with 175 [Martin McAvoy] and 196 [Michael Darkin], and brought back

6 May 1862 Absconded

2 June 1862 Heard of his apprehension at Leeds and his committal to prison for 3 months hard [labour] and a reformatory for 5 years.

Henry Pennefather - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	120
Date of admission:	21 October 1857
Whence received:	Westminster House of Correction
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	Committed
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	Fair
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Brown
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 of chillblains
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	No
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	13
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	8 George Street, Hammersmith
Parish to which he belongs:	Hammersmith
Customary work and mode of life:	Errand boy
Schools attended:	Hammersmith National School
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing 20 pounds of horse hair
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence:	22 June 1857
Where convicted:	Clerkenwell Session House before R Pashley, Esq
Sentence:	4 calendar months in prison, 4 years at Saltley
Where imprisoned:	-
Previous committals and convictions:	Stealing tops (3 calendar months in prison); throwing stones (7 days)
Fathers name:	Joseph Pennefather
Occupation:	Painter
Residence:	8 George Street, Hammersmith
Mothers name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Fathers character:	Good
Mothers character:	-
Parents dead?	Mother dead
Survivor married again?	No
Parents treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents:	Good, health bad
Parents wages:	30 shillings per week
Weekly amount parents will pay:	-
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	Charles Cheetham, Governor, Westminster House of Correction
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory	21 Jan 1861 - Emigrated to Canada

Notes:

13 June 1857 There is a lengthy report of the crime in the West London Observer Saturday 13 June 1857 p.2 col.2-3: Destructive Young Thieves. - On Tuesday, Henry Pennefather, aged 12, Henry Brown, 13, William West, 14, and William Lewis, 15, who have frequently been in custody and summarily convicted for petty thefts, were brought before Mr Ingham, charged with being concerned in the following destructive robbery.

Sergeant Macqualter, of the T Division, stated that about quarter past nine o’clock on Monday night, he received information that a stable belonging to Mr Edward Batten Walmsley, a gentleman, residing in the Lower Mall, Hammersmith, had been broken into, and a large quantity of horse hair cut from the inside of a carriage and also from a phaeton. He also found that a pair of carriage lamps had been broken to pieces, and the brass fittings taken from them. He apprehended West and Lewis that morning, and they admitted that they had stolen the horse hair with the other two prisoners, and that they had sold it at a marine store dealer’s, named Kiddall, in King Street, Hammersmith. Witness went to Mr Kiddall, to enquire about the horse hair, and he denied having purchased any. At the station, Lewis persisted in his statement and told Mr Kiddall he bought it and gave them the money. Mr Kiddall again denied the accusation, and attended the court to confirm his statement. Since then, Lewis declared that he had sold the horse hair at Bolton’s, another marine store dealer, in Hammersmith, and not at Mr Kiddall’s. Witness had made enquiries at Bolton’s and other marine store dealers, but he could not discover the horse hair. A great deal of damage has been done to the carriage and phaeton, as the lining has been completely cut away for the horse hair to be extracted.

Jupp, a constable of the T Division, apprehended Pennefather and Brown, and the former prisoner said they spent the money in beer.

Edward Walmsley, the son of the prosecutor, said that he saw that the stable was secure about seven o’clock on Monday evening. Their boy discovered the robbery early that morning. Nearly the whole of the horse hair inside the carriage had been carried away. He should say that at least 20 lbs had been stolen. They had since called in Mr Miller, the coach builder of Hammersmith, and he had stated that it would cost £12 to repair the damage the prisoners had done.

The prisoner West said they had broken into the stables before six o’clock, and also that they bought some victuals with the money.

Thomas Chalk said he lived at No.16 George Street, Hammersmith, near Mr Walmsley’s stables. Between nine and ten o’clock on Monday night he saw the prisoners go into the coach house at the side of the stable. Witnesses wife had previously seen Lewis carry away a basket of horse hair. Lewis afterwards came out, and witness told him he would get into trouble for taking the horse hair. Lewis opened the door and then the other prisoners came out. They all went away, and witness went in pursuit of a constable and gave information of the robbery.

Lewis said they had no home and went to the stable to sleep.

Mr Ingham: Are the prisoners known?

Sergeant Macqualter: O, yes, sir. They have been in custody several times, more especially the prisoner Lewis.

Mr Andrew (the chief usher): They have all been whipped sir. Lewis has been sentenced to a reformatory asylum, but from an accidental circumstance he was not removed at the expiration of his imprisonment.

Mr Ingham: I shall remand them for a week, to ascertain if the property can be found.

The prisoners, who treated the matter with the greatest indifference, were then locked up.

27 June 1857 A short report of their sentences was given in the West London Observer Saturday 27 June 1857 p.2 col.2: The Destructive Young Thieves. - On Tuesday, the four boys, named William Lewis, 15, William West, 14, Henry Brown, 13, and Henry Pennefather, 12, were indicted at the Middlesex Sessions, before Mr Pashley QC, for stealing 20lbs of horse hair, the property of Edward Bolton Walmsley. They pleaded guilty.

1 March 1858 Name on Good Conduct List

6 November 1859 Absconded with Brown [boy 119] and West [boy 121]. Got out of dormitory window in the morning. Caught same evening at Hammersmith. Returned 16 November

20 January 1861 Taken to Liverpool and placed on board Culloden, bound for Quebec, with 111 [Henry Brittain], 124 [Peter Oswald], 151 [William Lowe]

6 August 1862 Lowe says in his letter "Pennefather is working for a farmer and he befell an accident and nearly got killed with a carriage upsetting."

9 September 1863 Heard of doing very well.

5 October 1863 Heard of doing very well