Saltley Reformatory

Evan Williams - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	541
Age:	13
Whence received:	Birmingham Borough Prison
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Visage:	-
Particular marks:	Scar on each elbow
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	-
Date of admission and term:	24 January 1876 4 years
Late residence:	Penn Street Industrial School, Birmingham
Parish he belongs to:	-
Customary work and mode of life:	-
Whether illegitimate:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Beating the Superintendent of Penn Street School
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence, by who and court:	11 January 1876, Birmingham Police Court, T C S Kynnersley
Where imprisoned:	Birmingham Borough Prison
Sentence:	14 days prison (hard labour), 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	To Penn Street Industrial School
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	Joseph Williams
Occupation:	Blacksmith
Mother's name:	stepmother
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Own mother
Survivor married again?	Yes
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	10 Potter Street, Birmingham
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	G Glossop
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

12 December 1882 Calls and says he has been a month in the General Hospital and has only just procured work this day

7 October 1883 Evan Williams calls and lives in Price Street, Birmingham

9 February 1888 Evan Williams this day visited the school. Is a very unhealthy lad; has done no work (brass caster) for eighteen months, his eyes being very weak. He has been in the General Hospital twice since he left the School. Lives at 14 court 1 house Smith Street, Hockley, Birmingham

Robert Oakley - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	910
Age:	12
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Brown
Height:	4 ft 7 ins
Particular marks:	Small mole on left breast, white mark on small of back upon each buttock, burn mark inside left lower leg
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	27 February 1889
Late residence:	20 Gate Street, Hanley
Parish he belongs to:	Hanley
Customary work and mode of life:	None - has never done any work but has attended school
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing cigarettes
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Appears to be beyond his father's control
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	28 January 1889; H Palmer and T Hampton; Hanley Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Stafford
Sentence:	1 month hard labour in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	At least 6
Length:	Whipped 3 times, fined 3 times
For what:	Various offences including twice for larceny
Father's name:	John Oakley
Occupation:	Labourer
Mother's name:	Elizabeth Oakley
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Apparently well treated but neyond their control
Character of parents	Reported good in both cases
Parents' wages:	About 20s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	Not assessed
Parents address:	20 Gate Street, Hanley
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	H Windle, Chief Constable, Hanley
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

29 January 1889 There is a report of the crime in the Staffordshire Sentinel Tuesday 29 January 1889 p.3 col.6: SHOP LIFTING BY BOYS. - George Oakley, Robert Oakley, George Hollinswood, William Taylor, Patrick Campbell, Arthur Barnett, Benjamin Brooks, Henry Cooper, John Lightfoot, Samuel Tittle, boys, of ages ranging from nine to thirteen, were charged with stealing, whilst in company together, eight packets of cigarettes, and two squares of glycerine soap, value 4s. 4d., the property of Frederick William Parr, chemist and druggist, Market-street [Hanley], on the 22nd inst. - About five o'clock on Sunday afternoon, the prisoner Brooks went into the prosecutor's shop and asked for a pennyworth of cough drops. He was not served, but was subsequently followed by a boy named Campbell and three others. Campbell asked for a halfpenny cigarette, tendering a penny in payment, and whilst Mrs Parr was going to get change from the shop drawer she noticed George Oakley with his hand in the box containing glycerine soap. She took hold of him, and he said he had taken nothing. An examination of the stock showed that the cigarettes and glycerine soap were missing. - All the boys pleaded guilty. Robert Oakley, who had appeared before the Court eight times previously, was sentenced to a month's imprisonment, to be followed by five years in a reformatory. The other boys were ordered to be whipped by the police.

22 September 1892 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Oakley was licensed to work for Mr W Clare, Victoria Street, Northwood, Hanley

26 February 1894 Sentence expired whilst on licence, discharged from Saltley

John Rushton Carthy Lycett - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1166
Age:	15 (born 13 February 1882)
Whence received:	Cannock Police Station
Description:
Complexion:	Just pale
Hair colour:	Dark brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Height:	5 ft 6 ins
Particular marks:	Small scar left forearm, scars also low down left and higher up
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	7 December 1897
Late residence:	Walseley Road, Rugeley
Parish he belongs to:	Rugeley
Customary work and mode of life:	-
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Well
Writes:	Well
Offence:	Stealing a watch
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	6 December 1897; Lord Hatherton and Thomas Evans; Cannock Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Where imprisoned:	Cannock Police Station
Sentence:	1 day imprisonment, detained at Saltley until the age of 19
Previous committals:
Number:	1 (10 October 1895, Rugeley)
Length:	Committed to an Industrial School until 16 years of age
For what:	-
Father's name:	John Rushton Lycett
Occupation:	Signalman
Mother's name:	Rose Ann Lycett
Occupation:	Housewife
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	Walseley Road, Rugeley
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Ernest Alfred Orton
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

11 December 1897 The crime that sent him to Saltley was reported in the Cannock Chase Courier Saturday 11 December 1897 p.9 col.2: EXTRAORDINARY. William Lycett, a youth of 16, but looking older, being a tall well-proportioned lad, was charged with appropriating a watch at Hednesford, on Dec 4th, the property of John William Perkins, of Market Street. - The evidence of the prosecutor went to show that the prisoner called at his shop on the evening in question, and asked to look at some seals. These and other goods were shown him. - P. C. Stanton obtained the watch produced from Mr Vaughan, pawnbroker, at Hednesford, which had been pawned by a person who gave the name of Lawrence, of Brereton. - An assistant proved the pawning of the watch, which prosecutor identified as his property and which had been taken from his shop. - The prisoner admitted the offence and desired that the bench should deal with the case. - Lord Hatherton characterised the case as a sad one and asked if there were any friends of the prisoner in court, and his father came forward. His Lordship pointed out that the Bench did not desire to send the prisoner to Stafford, and if he was sent to a reformatory he would have to pay for his maintenance. - The father said the lad had been earning 27/- or 28/- per fortnight at his work. - The Bench, however, prudently decided to send the lad to a Reformatory.

14 January 1898 His father was summoned, as reported in the Lichfield Mercury 14 January 1898 p.6 col.3: A HARD CASE. - John Lycett, of Stafford Road, Rugeley, was summoned to shew cause why he should not contribute towards the support of his son in Saltley Reformatory. - The Clerk said that this was an application from the Inspector of Reformatories for an order on John Lycett to make weekly contribution in support of his son in Saltley Reformatory. There were some rather curious circumstances connected with the case. The boy, some years ago, was sent by that Bench to an industrial home at Standon Bridge, but he had run away from that place three times, and each time was sent back. Eventually he was got into the band of a Light Infantry regiment, but was sent home after he had stayed there five weeks He then went to work at the pits and earned 14s a week, but he had not been there long before he was arrested for stealing a watch, and was convicted by the Cannock Bench and sent to the Saltley Reformatory. Now the Inspector asked for the father to contribute towards his support It was a very hard case for the father to have to pay, as the boy was able to earn his own living, and it was hard that the father should now have to contribute towards his support. The boy would have to stay in the reformatory till he was 19 years of age. - The Chairman: How long has he been in the reformatory? - The Clerk: Six weeks. - The Deputy Chief Constable said that the father offered to pay 1s a week, and he should not ask for any more. He further explained that the boy might in the course of a couple of years be licensed out to work, and then the contribution would cease. - Mr. Bradford pointed out that if the boy left the reformatory at any time the Bench could withdraw the order, and the contribution would cease. - The Bench eventually made an order for the father to pay 1s a week.

6 February 1899 Absconded from the Reformatory with Vallance [boy 1085].

11 February 1899 Apprehended at Crewe. This was reported in the Northwich Guardian Wednesday 22 February 1899 p.5 col.5: SMART CAPTURE BY A CREWE POLICE SERGEANT. - A few days ago Sergeant Turner, of the Crewe Police force, captured two youths named John Rushton Cartley Lycett, aged 18, and Alfred Vallance, aged 17, both of whom were wanted for absconding from the Reformatory Schools at Saltley, Small Heath, Birmingham. It appears that after making their escape they proceeded as far as Standon, and on the night of the 8th instant broke into the offices of the Standon Boys' Home and took the sum of £1 3s. 6d. in cash. They then made their way to Crewe, and from Crewe to Manchester, afterwards going to Rochdale. They were traced back to Manchester from Rochdale and .stayed at an hotel for one night. Next morning they left for Crewe again, and had not been in the town very long before Sergeant Turner, who saw them in Edleston-road, had his suspicions aroused. He walked up to the lads and questioned them, and as they could not give a satisfactory account of themselves he took them to the police station, where he charged them with absconding from the Reformatory Schools at Small Heath. Both lads hesitated for some time and then Vallance said " It is all right, we may as well tell the truth." The Sergeant afterwards charged them with breaking into the offices of the Standon Boys' Home and stealing £1 3s. 6d. in cash. Vallance replied "It was nearer £3,. but I can t say to a shilling." Later in the day they were handed over to the Staffordshire Police, and have been committed to take their trial at the next Stafford Quarter Sessions.

The sentencing was reported in the Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times Wednesday 8 March 1899 p.6 col.4, the two boys were charged as above, plus stealing £4 10s and other articles, the property of William John Cranston Day. The boys were bound over to come for judgment if called upon. However, the Log Book report of 11 April 1899 records that Lycett was committed to 3 calendar months hard labour on 6 March for absconding

2 June 1899 It was decided to transfer Lycett to another institution, so he went to the Reformatory ship Akbar. There is a receipt attached to the Admissions Register which reads: No.2607, Reformatory Ship "Akbar". Liverpool 2 June 1899. Received from Saltley Reformatory the body of - Lycett [dash in the original]. Edward Hicks, Captain Superintendent

9 January 1900 He was in trouble again six months later, as reported in the Liverpool Mercury Tuesday 9 January 1900 p.8 col.5: THREATENING TO FIRE THE AKBAR. AN INCORRIGIBLE YOUTH. At the Police Court, Dale-street, yesterday, before Mr. W. J. Stewart, stipendiary magistrate, James Charles Rushton Lycett, 18 years of age, was charged by warrant with having, on the 2nd inst., unlawfully threatened to set fire to the house of Edward Hicks, and others, to wit, the reformatory ship Akbar, lying in the River Mersey, whereby there was cause to fear he would fire the ship. Mr. E. C. Sanders, prosecuting solicitor, who appeared on behalf of the police, shortly stated the nature of the charge, pointing out the dangerous nature of the threats made by the prisoner. A police-constable proved that at 1 30 on Saturday afternoon he arrested the prisoner by warrant, and in answer to the charge he replied, "I have nothing to say." - Petty-officer Thomas Gunby, who laid the information upon which the warrant was issued, stated that about seven o'clock on the evening of the 2nd inst. the prisoner was on the lower deck of the ship, when witness heard him talking to several other boys about absconding. Prisoner said to two of the lads, " We'll lower the galley, and if any one stops us I'll stop the first fellow; and if that doesn't work we'll set fire to the ship." The prisoner added that he knew where the oil was kept, and also where the cabin stores were to be found, which would be the best place to get at. - Petty- officer T. Goswell gave evidence as to similar threats which he heard on the 3rd inst., when the prisoner again said he would set the ship on fire for the purpose of absconding, and if he could not get away without difficulty he would stab any one who opposed him. - Captain Hicks, commander of the Akbar, said the prisoner had been transferred from a reformatory at Birmingham to the Akbar about six months ago. At the former place he had given an immense amount of trouble, and had there been committed to prison for three months. It then became a question as to whether he should not be discharged as incorrigible or committed to the care of the Akbar authorities. The latter course, with the consent of the committee of management, was adopted, but since his admission to the ship his conduct had been very unruly. Captain Hicks further said he understood that the prisoner had been in the army, from which he had been discharged after six weeks' service. - Mr. Stewart (to prisoner): What have you got to say in answer to the charge? - Prisoner: I was going to ran away, but I didn't say anything about setting fire to the ship. - Mr. Stewart said this was an extremely serious offence with which the prisoner was charged. Although only amounting to threats, they knew, unfortunately, there were opportunities by which such a ship as the Akbar might be set on fire, and a number of lives lost, or, at least, most certainly imperilled. The prisoner must find two sureties of £10 each to keep The peace for twelve months, and abstain from any threats during that period, or go to prison for six months. - The prisoner was then removed to the cells.

No. in Admissions Register:	235
Date of admission:	5 April 1862
Whence received:	Stafford Gaol
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	Rather slight
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Red
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?	Cowpox
Particular marks:	-
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	Not apparent
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	15
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	Leek
Parish he belongs to:	Leek
Customary work and mode of life:	Silk twister's helper
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Felony - stealing in a dwelling house to the value of £5 and upwards
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence:	5 March 1862
Where convicted:	Stafford Quarter Sessions
Who prosecuted:	-
Where imprisoned:	-
Sentence:	1 month prison, 3 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	-
Father's name:	Samuel Crombie
Occupation:	Weaver
Residence:	Leek
Mother's name:	Jane Crombie
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Superintendent Woolaston, Leek
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	-
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	-

Notes:

8 March 1862 There is a report of the crime, somewhat different in details from that given in the Admissions Register, above, in the Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 8 March 1862 p.6 col.6: JOSEPH CROMBIE, 14, factory worker, was charged with stealing one gold watch and one gold chain, the property of Messrs. J. Beri and Delara, furniture dealers, &c., Custard Street, Leek. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, and was ordered to be confined in a reformatory for three years at the expiration of that time.

20 April 1864 Sent to the Queens Hospital ill of rheumatic fever

24 June 1864 Fetched back. Said to be recovered, but in a very weakly state

9 July [1864? No year given] Sent home to work under care of his father

December 1866 Doing well, but rather in poor circumstances

January 1868 Doing well, but rather in poor circumstances at Leek

Martin McAvoy - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	175
Date of admission:	9 July 1860
Whence received:	Stafford Gaol
By whom brought:	-
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:	15
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	Bird's Buildings, Horsley Fields, Wolverhampton
Parish to which he belongs:	Wolverhampton
Customary work and mode of life:	Tin trade and at a forge
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:
State of education:
Reads:	Well
Writes:	Imperfectly
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing a jacket from a shop door
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence:	18 June 1860
Where convicted:	Wolverhampton Police Court
Where imprisoned:	Stafford
Sentence:	21 days prison, 4 years detention at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	Stealing trousers, etc, from Bilston (2 months in prison)
Father's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Mother's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	Both
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Relatives to communicate with:	Lived with his cousin Stephen McAvoy for the last 6 years; left them more than 16 months and has done no work since
Person making this return:	John Owen, Snow Hill, Wolverhampton
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	28 May 1864 Licensed to work for Mr J Marshall, shoemakers, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton

Notes:

20 June 1860 There is a very brief report of the crime in the Wolverhampton Chronicle and Staffordshire Advertiser, Wednesday 20 June 1860, p.4, col.6: ROBBERY FROM A SHOP DOOR..- Martin M'Evoy [boy 175, surname spelled thus], Patrick Moran [boy 176], and Thomas Tunny [boy 177], three well-known young thieves, were convicted at the Borough Police Court, on Monday last, of stealing a coat from the shop door of William Henry Laxton, clothier, Darlington-street, and sentenced to twenty-one days' imprisonment each, to be afterwards sent for four years to a reformatory.

11 January 1862 Absconded

18 January 1862 Apprehended at Oswestry with 171 [Thomas Coope] and 196 [Michael Darkin]

10 March 1862 Absconded with 5 others

20 March 1862 Brought back from Wolverhampton

27 May 1864 letter attached: Wolverhampton, Dear Sir, McAvoy having called on me from your establishment in search of employment. I am willing to give him a trial with your permission. Yours, John Marshall, Bootmaker, 12 Fryer Street, Wolverhampton

28 May 1864 Licensed to work for Mr J Marshall, shoemakers, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton

1 July 1856 letter attached: Wolverhampton. Sir, this is to certify that Martin McAvoy has been all that I could wish. As far as his conduct is concerned, should he keep out of bad company and attend to the faith and instruction he has learned at your noble institution, I shall keep him in my service till he can provide for himself. If he strays from this line of conduct I shall be bound to part with him at a moment's notice. Yours respectfully, John Marshall, 12 Fryer Street, Wolverhampton."

January 1865 In Liverpool at a grocer's

January 1866? In Liverpool at a grocer's, doing well

October 1866 In Liverpool at a grocer's, doing well