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James Williams - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register: 209
Date of admission: 12 March 1861
Whence received: Stafford Gaol
By whom brought: -
On what terms: -
Friends interested in him: -
Description:
Height: -
Figure: -
Complexion: Light
Hair colour: Dark 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? Smallpox
Particular marks: On right eyebrow and upper lips
Cutaneous disorder? No
Scrofulous or consumptive? No
Subject to fits? No
Age last birthday: 14
Illegitimate? No
Birthday: -
Birth place: -
Has resided: Shakespear Street, Wolverhampton
Parish he belongs to: Wolverhampton
Customary work and mode of life: Caster
Schools attended: -
By whom and where employed: -
State of education:
Reads: None
Writes: None
Cyphers: -
General ability: -
Offence: Stealing iron
Circumstances which may have led to it: Neglect of parents
Date of sentence: 26 February 1861
Where convicted: Bilston Police Court
Where imprisoned: Stafford
Sentence: 14 days prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions: None
Father's name: John Williams
Occupation: [Plasterer]
Residence: [Shakespear Street, Wolverhampton]
Mother's name: Sarah Williams
Occupation: -
Residence: -
Father's character: -
Mother's character: -
Parents dead? -
Survivor married again? -
Parents' treatment of child: -
Character of parents -
Parents' wages: -
Amount parents agree to pay: 1s a week
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:

Brother of John Williams, boy 208
 
[W Partridge prosecuted]
 
2 April 1861 The Reformatory Minute Book records: 776 Mr Humphreys reported that J Williams absconded on March 22.
 
31 December 1861 Brought back by his brother
 
9 January 1862 Absconded again
 
11 February 1863 There is a report of his father being summoned for non-payment of maintenance for his son [James' brother John, boy 208] in the Wolverhampton Chronicle and Staffordshire Advertiser Wednesday 11 February 1863 p.6 col.3: REFUSING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUPPORT OF A SON IN A REFORMATORY.-John Williams, plasterer, appeared on a summons issued by Captain Segrave, the chief constable, acting on instructions from the Secretary of State, to show cause why should not contribute towards the support of his son, who Is now maintained at the Saltley Reformatory, where he was sent after conviction for some misconduct. It appeared that Williams had shown no disposition to pay towards his son's support, although it was proved that he had been able to do at least something in that respect. He pleaded inability on the ground of having been out of employment, but in answer to this, evidence was given proving that if he had had no work it had been from his indisposition to do it, as he had of his own accord left a situation yielding 26s. week. The defendant, who is the father of a large family, most of whom are, however, grown up, had had another son sent to the Reformatory, but he had absconded.- George Williams, a painter and son of the defendant, stated that his father had been a good father to the children, always showing them a good example.- Mr. Partridge said the Bench were informed that the defendant was accustomed to spend his money in public houses. They believed that he was able to contribute towards his son's maintenance and should therefore order him to pay 1s. 6d. a week. [The father was later sent to prison for 10 days because £1 4s was owed in maintenance. There is a very brief statement to this effect in the Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 6 June 1863 p.5 col.3]
 
January 1866 Doing well
 
17 December 1867 His brother reports him married and doing well. Living 4 Yard Swan Gardens

 

George Poole - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register: 912
Age: 12
Whence received: H M Prison Stafford
Description:  
Complexion: Fresh
Hair colour: Brown
Eyes colour: Brown
Height: 4 ft 6 ins
Particular marks: None
State of health: Good
Able-bodied? Yes
Date of admission: 4 March 1889
Late residence: 4 Shakespeare Street, Wolverhampton
Parish he belongs to: St James, Wolverhampton
Customary work and mode of life: None - has been to school up to his apprehension
Whether illegitimate: No
State of education:  
Reads: Imperfectly, Standard 3
Writes: Imperfectly, Standard 3
Offence: Stealing a frock and a Dolman jacket
Circumstances which may have led to it: Bad company
Date of sentence, by whom and court: 5 February 1889; J C Major and S Dickenson; Wolverhampton Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Where imprisoned: H M Prison Stafford
Sentence: 1 month in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:  
Number: 2
Length: 1) [Length not stated], sent to Day Industrial School for truants 3 years ago; 2) 1 day in the lockup at Wolverhampton and 12 strokes with the birch
For what: 1) Truancy; 2) stealing a pair of leggings [in company with Mills, boy 923]
Father's name: William Ward (step-father)
Occupation: Caster
Mother's name: M A Ward
Occupation: Tip maker
Parents dead? Father
Survivor married again? Yes
Parents' treatment of child: Says good
Character of parents Step-father occasionally gets drunk, mother of good character
Parents' wages: Father 18s per week, mother 8s per week
Amount parents agree to pay: Not yet assessed
Parents address: 4 Shakespeare Street, Wolverhampton
Superintendent of police (to collect payments): Chief Constable, Wolverhampton
Person making this return: -
   
Notes:
   
29 January 1889 A previous offence was reported in the Wolverhampton Express and Star Thursday 29 January 1889 p.3 col.3: JEREMIAH WAS LIGHTING HIS PIPE. Jeremiah Smith (14), George Pool (13) [surname spelled thus], Charles Mills (13), George Bowring (12), John Thomas Reaney (12), Charles Fisher (12), all of whom attend the Day Industrial School, were charged with stealing a pair of leggings, the property of William Cook, general dealer, Victoria-street. - The leggings were left hanging outside Mr. Cook's shop, and being missed information was given to Police-sergeant Porton, who found all the boys in the Gaiety Music Hall entry, Reaney having concealed the leggings in his trousers. All the lads, according to one of the youngster's statements, tried the leggings on, but could not decide on the ownership. Reaney denied any connection with the theft, stating that he was in the Gaiety entry at the time, and that Smith was lighting his pipe. Smith's mother said she had been to the Day Industrial School, and the mistress gave her boy an excellent corrector - (character?) It was stated that the boys had only left the Industrial School about half an hour previously, the Deputy Clerk (Mr. Turton) observing that this was an instance of the influence which was exercised by such institutions. - Five of the boys were ordered to receive 12 strokes with the birch rod, but Jeremiah being too old for castigation was ordered to he kept in the cells for three days, during which time he will be able to smoke the pipe of reflection at leisure. - The Mayor commented strongly on the practice of hanging goods outside shop windows, and remarked that It was a great cause of temptation to street waifs.
   
5 February 1889 There is a report of the crime in the Wolverhampton Express and Star Tuesday 5 February 1889 p.3 col.3: THE INFLUENCE OF DAY INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS. George Pool (13) [surname spelled thus], an attendant at the Day Industrial School, and whose parents live in Shakespeare- street, was sent to prison for a month, and ordered, at the expiration of that time, to go to a Reformatory for five years, for stealing a child's frock and a dolman, the property of William Ward, also of Shakespeare-street. The boy was before the Court only last week, and received twelve strokes with the birch rod for stealing a pair of leggings, and he received a very bad character, his father stating that he got into bad company. - Mr. Turton (the deputy clerk): Where does he get into bad company? - The father: At the Industrial School. - Mr. Turton: Exactly. -Alderman Major: He must have been bad before he was sent there.
   
25 August 1892 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Poole was licensed to work for Messers Maude, Colour Works, Horsley Fields, Wolverhampton. After being reported as unsatisfactory, he returned to Saltley on 23 November 1892
   
27 May 1893 After a bad report from his previous employer, the Register of Boys on Licence records that Poole was licensed to work for Mr Goodall, Yardley Road, Birmingham
   
4 July 1893 Absconded, whilst on licence
   
24 October 1893 Apprehended and returned to Saltley. He was punished by being excluded from the playground for 3 weeks
   
3 March 1894 Sentence expired whilst on licence, discharged from Saltley
   
10 December 1895 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Poole, 3rd South Staffordshire Regiment, Lichfield
   
11 August 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Poole, Wellington, Madras
   
23 April 1897 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Poole, India. (Letter in reply to one received. Asks that Gratuity money be sent to his mother. Expects to be engaged shortly in quilting)

Alfred Brown - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register: 1168
Age: 14 (4 August 1883)
Whence received: -
Description:  
Complexion: Pale
Hair colour: Brown
Eyes colour: Grey
Height: 4 ft 7½ ins
Particular marks: -
State of health: -
Able-bodied? -
Date of admission: 8 February 1898
Late residence: -
Parish he belongs to: -
Customary work and mode of life: -
Whether illegitimate: No
State of education:  
Reads: Imperfectly, Standard 2
Writes: Imperfectly, Standard 2
Offence: Stealing 8 bottles of Koala
Circumstances which may have led to it: Police report - this lad appears to have been deserted by parents and has no home
Date of sentence, by whom and court: 25 January 1898; J M Colmore; Birmingham
Where imprisoned: H M Prison Birmingham
Sentence: 14 days hard labour in prison, 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals:  
Number: 1
Length: Remanded
For what: Stealing money
Father's name: George
Occupation: -
Mother's name: Ann
Occupation: -
Parents dead? -
Survivor married again? -
Parents' treatment of child: -
Character of parents Not known
Parents' wages: -
Amount parents agree to pay: -
Parents address: Not known
Superintendent of police (to collect payments): -
Person making this return: -
   
Notes:
   
12 July 1901 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Brown was licensed to go out and work for Mrs Wakefield, Wakefield House, Water Orton
   
7 February 1902 Sentence expired whilst out on licence, discharged from Saltley
No. in Admissions Register: 615
Age: 15
Whence received: Stafford Gaol
Description:
Complexion: -
Hair colour: -
Eyes colour: -
Visage: -
Particular marks: -
State of health: -
Able-bodied? -
Date of admission: 27 July 1878
Late residence: Tunstall
Parish he belongs to: Wolstanton
Customary work and mode of life: Baking
Whether illegitimate: -
State of education:
Reads: Imperfectly
Writes: Imperfectly
Offence: Stealing butter
Circumstances which may have led to it: parental nedlect
Date of sentence, by whom and court: 27 June 1878; H C Greenwood, stipendiary magistrate; Tunstall Police Court
Where imprisoned: H M Prison, Stafford
Sentence: 1 month in prison, 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number: None
Length: -
For what: -
Father's name: Isaac Cumberbatch
Occupation: -
Mother's name: Hannah Cumberbatch
Occupation: -
Parents dead? Both living, but have deserted the boy
Survivor married again? -
Parents' treatment of child: Bad
Character of parents Bad
Parents' wages: -
Amount parents agree to pay: -
Parents address: Parents have absconded. The boy has been in Union Workhouse several years. Mother lives now (April 1882) at 147 High Street, Winsford, Cheshire
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):       -
Person making this return: T Summerfield, Clerk, H M Prison, Stafford


Notes:

28 June 1878 There is a report of the offence in the Staffordshire Sentinel Friday 28 June 1878 p.3 col.5: A YOUNG PAUPER SENT TO AN INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. - Isaac Cumberbatch, about thirteen years of age, was charged on remand with stealing a quantity ef butter the property of the Guardians of the Chell Workhouse, whilst an inmate of the institution. - It was proved that prisoner had been accustomed to stealing butter or anything else he could lay his hand upon. - The Magistrates committed him to gaol for one month, and ordered that at the expiration of that term he should be sent to an industrial school for four years.
 
3 May 1882 Cumberbatch licensed this day to a Mr W Locket, 147 High Street, Winsford, Cheshire
 
21(?) July 1882 Sentence expires

Samuel Matthews - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register: 157
Date of admission: 14 July 1859
Whence received: Salop Gaol
By whom brought: -
On what terms: Under committal
Friends interested in him: -
Description:
Height: -
Figure: Slight
Complexion: Dark
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? Cow pox
Particular marks: Burn mark on neck and chin
Cutaneous disorder? No
S No
Subject to fits? No
Age last birthday: 10
Illegitimate? No
Birthday: -
Birth place: -
Has resided: Bridgnorth
Parish to which he belongs: St Mary Magdalene, Bidgnorth
Customary work and mode of life: None
Schools attended: St Mary's, Bridgnorth
By whom and where employed: -
State of education:
Reads: Imperfectly
Writes: Imperfectly
Cyphers: -
General ability: -
Offence: Stealing 2s 6d
Circumstances which may have led to it: Want of proper training
Date of sentence: 23 June 1859
Where convicted: Bridgnorth
Who prosecuted: -
Where imprisoned: -
Sentence: 21 days prison, 5 years detention at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions: Stealing sugar (fined 2s 6d); stealing a rabbit (1 day)
Father's name: George Matthews
Occupation: Stone cutter
Residence: 6 St Johns Street, Bridgnorth
Mother's name: Ann Matthews
Occupation: -
Residence: -
Father's character: -
Mother's character: -
Parents dead? -
Survivor married again? -
Parents' treatment of child: Proper
Character of parents: Good
Parents' wages: 12s-14s per week. Parents should be called upon to pay 1s 6d per week-
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):                 John Cale, Chief Constable
Relatives to communicate with: -
Person making this return: Robert Leake, Mayor
Estimate of character on admission -
Character on discharge: -
When and how left the Reformatory: 17 Jun 1864 - licensed to seek work in Wolverhampton


Notes:

22 June 1859 There is a report of his offence in Eddowes's Journal and General Advertiser for Shropshire and the Principality of Wales Wednesday 22 June 1859 p.6 col.6: A Reformatory Case. - A young boy of the name of Samuel Matthews, only ten years old (having been thrice convicted of theft), was brought up charged with stealing a half-crown from out of the cottage of William Littleford, of Bernard's Hill, in this town [Bridgenorth], on Friday, the 10th of June. A little boy, about the same age, named William Minshall, said that he was in company with prisoner, when he saw him go into the house and come out again; he had one hand in his pocket, and took hold of his little brother with the other; when he saw me he said, "What'll you bet I can't show you a half-crown?," and I said "I'll bet you a shilling" - (laughter) - when he pulled it out and showed it to me and said, "I'll go and buy my mother eight ounces of tea, and keep the rest;" he then went away. But did you give him the shilling, said the Mayor? "No," said the witness, looking up at the bench very archly, amidst much laughter, "I had'na nerer one!" Mr George Young, grocer, of Mill Street, Bridgenorth, deposed to the boy Samuel Matthews coming to his shop on Friday, between eleven and one o'clock, changing a half-crown, and paying for a pennyworth of Spanish juice. William Littleford deposed he lived at Bernard's Hill and had been very unwell for some time; he called to his daughter on the morning of Friday to fetch him a new penny bun from Mr Roberts, baker; she asked for the money, when he told her to take a half-crown out of a can on the shelf and change it; when she went for it she found it was gone; I had some suspicion of the prisoner, and told the police so; I cannot swear to the half-crown. Police Constable Dallow deposed that, from information given to him by Littleford, he went after the lad Matthews and apprehended him on the charge; he at first made no reply; I then asked him what he had done with it, when he said he had changed it at Mr Young's shop; some of the money he had spent, and he had secreted some silver down by Severnside; he took me down to the spot, and under the soil by the towing path I found two sixpences and two fourpenny bits in silver, which I now produce. He said he gave some money to Thomas Watkins and Benjamin Jones his companions. The bench consulted together on the precocity of this juvenile culprit, and, on the suggestion of Mr Wylde Browne, the Mayor remanded prisoner till Monday for further examination, with a view to get him forwarded to a reformatory institution.
 
10 March 1862 Absconded with five(?) others
 
13 March 1862 Brought back from Bridgnorth
 
20 August 1863 Took him to Bridgnorth on licence to work for Mr Bowen, tailor
 
2 October 1863 Recalled him to the School as he had gone to live in Wolverhampton and had no regular employment
 
17 February 1864 Licensed to seek employment
 
January 1866 Gough Street, Wolverhampton working at chain works. [conduct] Good
 
December 1866 Gough Street, Wolverhampton working at chain works. [conduct] Good
 
27 December 1867 Working as bricklayer, Cook Street, Wolverhampton. [conduct] Good

 

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