Saltley Reformatory

Thomas Vincent - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	503
Age:	12
Whence received:	Birmingham
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Visage:	-
Particular marks:	Small scar top of forehead
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission and term:	25 March 1874 4 years
Late residence:	6 court 6 house Wrentham Street, Birmingham
Parish he belongs to:	St Luke's, Birmingham
Customary work and mode of life:	Harmonium making
Whether illegitimate:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing 20s
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Bad company
Date of sentence, by who and court:	12 March 1874, Birmingham Police Court, T C S Kynnersley
Where imprisoned:	Borough Prison, Birmingham
Sentence:	14 days prison (hard labour), 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	Three
Length:	1) 21 days hard labour; 2) 14 days and birched; 3) 2 months and birched
For what:	1) Stealing tobacco; 2) stealing a headstole(?); 3) stealing money
Father's name:	Thomas Vincent
Occupation:	House painter
Mother's name:	Rebecca Vincent
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Kind
Character of parents	Good
Parents' wages:	28s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	Not stated
Parents address:	6 court 6 house Wrentham Street, Birmingham
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

13 March 1874 There is a short report of the crime in the Birmingham Daily Post Friday 13 March 1874 p.6 col.5: STEALING A SOVEREIGN. -- Thomas Vincent (12), harmonium maker, Wrentham Street, was charged with stealing a sovereign, belonging to Edward Daniels, harmonium maker, Gooch Street. On Monday the prosecutor gave the prisoner a sovereign to buy goods with, but he kept it. The Stipendiary ordered him to be imprisoned for fourteen days, and to afterwards go to a Reformatory for five years.

9 December 1882 Vincent calls. Says he is married and somewhat short of work, Has a respectable appearance

John Thomas Brass - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	916
Age:	13
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Blue
Height:	4 ft 6 ins
Particular marks:	Cut on face between eyebrows and side of left forefinger
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	13 April 1889
Late residence:	Sandy Lane, Rugeley
Parish he belongs to:	Rugeley
Customary work and mode of life:	Errand boy employed by Mr Greensmith, chemist
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Offence:
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Stealing postal orders
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	1 April 1889; T J Birch and F Bonney; Rugeley Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Stafford
Sentence:	14 days in prison, 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	-
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	John Brass
Occupation:	Miner
Mother's name:	Matilda Brass
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	Good
Parents' wages:	Small, as he is not an able-bodied man
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	Sandy Lane, Rugeley
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	G C Leggett, Governor, H M Prison Stafford
Notes:
5 April 1889 There is a report of the crime in the Lichfield Mercury Friday 5 April 1889 p.8 col.1: A DARING YOUNG THIEF. - John Thomas Brass (12), Hednesford Road, Rugeley, was brought up in custody charged with breaking into the office of Mr. Howard Rawlins, paper merchant, &c., Horse Fair, and stealing therefrom two postal orders of the value of £1 each and also 99 penny stamps.- Mr. Rawlins said the prisoner had been in his employ, but was dismissed six weeks' ago. On the night of March 19th he accidentally left the key in the door. In a cupboard, which was locked, there were several postal orders, and a number of penny postage stamps. On the following morning he missed two postal orders and 8s. 3d. in stamps. He found the cupboard locked. On three subsequent mornings he saw traces of someone having been in the place during the night. He had not seen the key of the outside door since the 19th March. In addition to the key it was necessary to insert something to raise the drop-latch, and prisoner knew of this. Prisoner had been constantly in the habit of opening the door at dinner time when he was in prosecutor's employ. - Thomas Edwards (15), Bow Street, said he worked for Mr. Hobbs. He knew the prisoner, who had been working at Mr. Greensmith's, and one day last week he saw prisoner with some stamps. He said, "Tom, will you change these stamps" He said, *It is time I was in" and Jones [newspaper error for surname Brass several times in article] then said, "That chap at the post office has threatened to kick me." Witness then went to the post office and got the stamps changed, receiving 15s. 7½d. from the clerk at the office. Prisoner gave him 1½d. for his trouble. He was told by prisoner that the stamps belonged to Mr. Greensmith, who had asked him to get them changed. - Prisoner said he shared the money with Edwards, and had bought him a pair of boots. Edwards said prisoner only gave him money to purchase a football. - Inspector Harding said that on 20th last month he received information from Mr. Rawlins about the theft, and had the office watched till five o'clock each morning. On Saturday, 30th March, P.C. Dunn brought Jones to the office at seven o'clock, and said he saw him open the door and go in. He saw him attempting to open the cupboard. Prisoner was locked up. and between two and three o'clock witness went to the cell to see him, and he then admitted taking the stamps and postal orders out of the cupboard. He said he gave Tom Edwards the stamps to cash at the post office, and he received the money. He filled the orders up, using the name "George Williams," and when he was asked to signed it he put the name "John Fray" on the back. He signed the postal orders as the person receiving the money for George Williams. He said he opened the cupboard with a bradawl. - P.C. Dunn, who watched Mr. Rawlins' premises, said he saw prisoner enter the office and go to the cupboard, and when he asked him what he was doing he replied, "I am looking for the poker." He searched prisoner, but only found a pocket knife. He subsequently charged him with stealing postal orders and stamps, to which he made no reply. - Mr. Rawlins said he did not wish to press the case against prisoner. - The Bench sent him to prison for fourteen days, and also ordered his removal to a reformatory for four years.

15 May 1889 The Medical Officer reported: Injury to thumb Followed by synovitis. Much better by 17 May

9 January 1890 The Medical Officer reported: Pain in leg

5 February 1890 The Medical Officer reported: Influenza

9 May 1891 The Medical Officer reported: Acute diarrhoea. Convalescent by 16 May

26 October 1892 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Brass was licensed to work for Mr Allsopp, Rugeley

14 February 1893 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brass, Rugeley

12 April 1893 Sentence expired, discharged from Saltley

26 April 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brass, Rugeley

12 June 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brass, Rugeley

14 August 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brass, Rugeley

9 October 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brass, Rugeley

10 December 1895 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brass, Rugeley

13 October 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brass, Rugeley

23 April 1897 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brass, Rugeley. (Speaks of a boy sent to a reformatory. Left the colliery and now shoemaking. Boy's conduct very satisfactory)

10 August 1897 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brass, Rugeley. (In good health. Glad to hear that our Inspector [of Reformatories] was pleased with his visit)

9 December 1902 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Brass, Rugeley

Samuel Vincent Bird - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1172
Age:	12 (born 12 April 1885)
Whence received:	-
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Black
Eyes colour:	Light grey
Height:	4 ft 11¾ ins
Particular marks:	Small cut over left eye
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	18 March 1898
Late residence:	-
Parish he belongs to:	-
Customary work and mode of life:	-
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Offence:	Stealing 1 lb of sugar and a half ounce of tobacco
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Has been sent to Truant Industrial School 5 times and he is a very bad and dishonest boy
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	5 March 1898; F J Beavan and G H Richer; Cardiff
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Cardiff
Sentence:	14 days in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	1 (26 June 1897)
Length:	1 day imprisonment and 12 strokes
For what:	Stealing a horse and cart and a quantity of groceries
Father's name:	Samuel (Victory) Bird [brackets in original]
Occupation:	Clerk
Mother's name:	Mary Ann Bird
Occupation:	Housewife
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	Good
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	1 Norfolk Street, Canton, Cardiff
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	D Rees, 9 March 1898

Notes:

26 June 1897 A previous offence was reported in the Western Mail Saturday 26 June 1897 p.7 col.1: CELEBRATING THE JUBILEE AT CARDIFF. BOY'S EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPADE. STEALS A BAKERS CART. DISTRIBUTES THE CONTENTS TO WOMEN ON THE MOORS. An extraordinary case came on Friday before the Cardiff magistrates (Mr. R. W. Williams and Mr. Edward Thomas). Salem Vincent Bird [first name given thus], an innocent-looking boy of eleven, living at Norfolk- street, Canton, was charged with stealing a horse, cart, and harness, and 27 quartern loaves of bread, four hams, 16lb. of butter, 28lb. of lard, and 2cwt. of potatoes, value in all £23, the property of Mr. Stephen Burden, from Custom House-street, on the 24th inst. Alongside of Bird stood five weeping women - Emily Southan, 19, Eliza Sollis, 60, Margaret Jones, 22, Jane Sollis, 38, and Ellen Wainwright, 27, who were charged with feloniously receiving from Bird the provisions in the cart, which were of the value of £3. The women, it transpired, had been duped by the lad, who drove the cart to the East Moors, collected a large crowd, and distributed the property in the role of a Jubilee benefactor. - Mr. Henry Gilling (Messrs. Ward and Gilling) was solicitor for the female prisoners, Prosecutor is a baker and grocer, living at 374, Cowbridge-road. He told the magistrates that in his business he keeps a horse and cart, and that at nine o'clock on Thursday morning he loaded the trap with the provisions the boy Bird was charged with stealing. He then sent the horse and cart, in charge of his son, to some potato stores in Custom House-street, and subsequently, acting upon what his son told him, he gave information to the police. - George Burden, son of the last witness, spoke to delivering the groceries (produced) with his father's horse and cart. In the course of the morning he went to the stores in Custom House- street, and left the cart in charge of the prisoner Bird, Witness went into the stores and paid for some potatoes, which were put into the cart. On coming out he missed the pony and the trap and the boy. - Prosecutor (re-called) said the horse and cart were now in the precincts of the court. - Detective Stephens deposed that at three o'clock on Thursday afternoon he saw Bird at the Central Police-station, and, with Police-constable Davies (8a), entered the trap, and drove as prisoner directed. They eventually reached a field at the back of Swansea-street. The lad pointed to the house No. 49, and, from what he said, they went to the back door. The house was occupied by Eliza Sollis, Margaret Jones, and Emily Southan. Witness went upstairs and searched with Margaret Jones. The latter pointed to her bedroom, and witness asked, "Have you any hams or other stuff in there?" She replied, 'No, I have not." A cupboard was in the room. which he could not open, because the bedstead stood against it. Pushing the bed away he found in the cupboard, concealed under some clothes, a whole ham and a piece of ham. Jones said, "That's all I have, and I wouldn't have had these if I knew it was coming to this." The piece of ham had been recently cut. In a cupboard in the front room downstairs, occupied by Emily Southan he discovered three loaves of bread, one of which bore the name of Burden, a quantity of lard, a piece of ham, and some butter. The woman, on being told that she would have to go to the police-station, said: "A boy gave it all to me." Witness then went to No. 47. next door, in the same street, in the occupation of Wainwright and James Sollis. They produced some lard and a piece of ham and some potatoes. Sollis explained that she "didn't know the things had been stolen." Wainwright said: "I had it from the boy (meaning Bird; I didn't have any hams." - By Mr. Gilling: There was a crowd of about 5,000 people in the field at the back of the houses. They were provided with buckets and plates and basins of every description. They told me a lad had been there in the morning giving away charities, and that they expected him to return with another load about half-past two. The people were all waiting for the food which they had been led to expect would be given away. They pointed to Bird as their benefactor. - Police- constable David Davies said that on Thursday afternoon he saw Bird driving the horse and cart through St. Mary-street and took him into custody, The charge being preferred, prisoner, on being cautioned, begged not to be locked up, and added: "I have taken the things home." At the police-station he made the further statement that he had given "the hams and other things" to some women near Roath Park. In company with Detective Stephens and the prisoner he drove to the house of which Eliza Sollis was one of the occupiers. Eliza answered the door and said: "We have nothing in this house." Witness entered, however, and saw some bread on the kitchen table. One of the loaves was stamped with the name of ''Burden," In the pantry he unearthed six small loaves and four large ones. Some butter and lard were on the kitchen table and two pieces of ham were being cooked in the saucepan on the fire. In the coal-hole under the stairs was a ham, and in the middle room downstairs he found on the table six loaves and some lard and butter, and some potatoes . on the floor. That room was occupied by Margaret Jones, who, in explanation, observed, "It was all given me," Bird, on being formally charged, "could not say anything." The women. charged with receiving, said Bird distributed the things to the people from the cart, and they also had a share under the impression that he had been authorised to make the distribution. - Police-constable Davies, in answer to Bird's father, who is in a respectable position, said there were three other boys in the trap when he effected the arrest. Detective Stephens did not know who the lads were, but said they seemed to be driving for pleasure. - Prisoners all pleaded guilty. In defence, Mr. Gilling urged that the women were respectable, and believed that Bird had been sent into the locality to give Jubilee gifts to the crowd. True, there was a certain amount of concealment, but only after it became known that the police were making inquiries. - Inspector Durston said the police knew nothing against the women. - The Bench took a lenient view of the case. The Chairman said they could hardly suppose Bird actually intended to steal the cart and its contents, but, still it was a serious matter. Possibly it was a stupid freak, and Bird, getting frightened, gave the things away. - He was sentenced to receive twelve strokes with a birch-rod. The five women were each bound over, in their own recognisances of £5 and one surety in a like amount to be of good behaviour for six months. - Bird's father said he would like the boy to be sent to an industrial ship or a home. Already he had been four times in the truant school, and the chairman advised the parent to do all he could to keep his son out of temptation.

5 March 1898 The crime that sent him to Saltley was reported in the South Wales Echo Saturday 5 March 1898 p.2 col.7: AN INCORRIGIBLE CARDIFF LAD. Salem Vincent Bird [first name given thus], a lad of 12, was charged (before Mr F. J. Beavan and Mr T. H. Riches) at the Cardiff Police Court to-day with stealing a pound of sugar and half an ounce of tobacco from the person of Bertie Morse at Turner-road-lane on the 3rd inst. P.C. Kellett deposed to arresting prisoner in Lincoln-street. The lad then confessed his guilt, but to-day he pleaded not guilty. Inspector Durston remarked to the Bench that the lad was perfectly incorrigible. He had been flogged on no fewer than four occasions, and had been convicted for felony and other offences. The father of the boy stated to the Bench that the child had been a source of constant anxiety to him for the past eight years. All his endeavours to reform him had been in vain. The Bench characterised the case as exceedingly painful, and sent the lad to prison for 14 days and ordered upon the expiration of that term that he be sent to a reformatory school for five years.

19 October 1898 The Medical Officer reported: Whitlow

27 April 1901 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Bird was licensed to go out and work for Mr Griffiths, Gellesven Farm, Llantrissant, who reported him as unsatisfactory

8 May 1902 Discharged from Saltley on account of emigrating to Canada. Left Liverpool on board the SS Numidian. In due course a letter from Mr Gold [an agent for the School] sent a letter to say Bird had arrived safely and had been placed in service with Mr Smillie, Richmond, Quebec

15 July 1902 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Bird, Richmond, Quebec

10 February 1903 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Bird, Canada

14 April 1903 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Bird, Canada

No. in Admissions Register:	554
Age:	12
Whence received:	Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Visage:	-
Particular marks:	-
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission and term:	16 August 1876 5 years
Late residence:	West Bromwich
Parish he belongs to:	West Bromwich
Customary work and mode of life:	Errand boy
Whether illegitimate:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing money
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence, by who and court:	15 July 1876, West Bromwich Petty Sessions, J A Kenrick and H Williams
Where imprisoned:	Stafford
Sentence:	1 month prison (hard labour), 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	None
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	William Dabbs
Occupation:	Miner
Mother's name:	Selina Dabbs
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	Good
Parents' wages:	Good
Amount parents agree to pay:	Able and willing to contribute
Parents address:	Healey's Buildings, Cotterill Street, West Bromwich
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

28 July 1876 There is a short report of the crime in the Maryport Advertiser Friday 28 July 1876 p.5 col.2: SACRILEGE BY A BOY.-At the West Bromwich Police-court, before Major Williams, Mr. J. A. Kenrick, and Mr. George Heaton, a boy named John Dabbs, 12 years of age, son of William Dabbs, miner, was charged with stealing 3s. 6d. in coppers from the collection boxes at St. Mary Magdalen's Church, Lyndon, West Bromwich, on Sunday evening. From the evidence given it appeared that on the evening named the father of prisoner was told that his son had a quantity of coppers, in consequence of which he asked him how he became possessed of them. The boy replied that he had borrowed the money, but afterwards, on being further questioned; he began to cry, and said that he had stolen it from the collection boxes of the church. The prisoner pleaded guilty. The Bench sentenced the boy to one month's imprisonment with hard labour, and afterwards to be kept in the Reformatory for five years; the father of the boy being ordered to pay 4s. per week for his maintenance during such detention.

1881 On licence to his father

23 June 1881 Dabbs' father writes this morning to say that he does not know of his son's whereabouts

15 August 1881 Dabbs' sentence expires this day

14 February 1882 Writes to the shoemaker and informs him he is a private in the 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, stationed at Horfield Barracks, Bristol

23 December 1882 Dabbs visits Institution

Daniel McIver - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	165
Date of admission:	17 February 1860
Whence received:	Walsall Gaol
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	Slight
Complexion:	Pale
Hair colour:	Dark
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?	Vaccinated
Particular marks:	None
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	No
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	8
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	Walsall
Parish to which he belongs:	Portsmouth
Customary work and mode of life:	Boot lacing
Schools attended:	None
By whom and where employed:	Mr Shelly, Hawk Street, Walsall
State of education:
Reads:	Not at all
Writes:	Not at all
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing a pair of boots, value 9s
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Neglect on part of parents
Date of sentence:	6 February 1860
Where convicted:	Walsall
Where imprisoned:	Borough Gaol, Walsall
Sentence:	14 days prison, 3 years detention at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	None
Father's name:	Edward McIver
Occupation:	Gentlemen's boot clean
Residence:	Fidoes Yard, Rushall Street, Walsall
Mother's name:	Mary McIver
Occupation:	Gentlemen's boot clean
Residence:	-
Father's character:	Drunken
Mother's character:	Drunken
Parents dead?	No
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Sadly neglected
Character of parents	Drunkards
Parents' wages:	£2 15s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	Ordered by magistrate to pay 2s 6d per week
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	J W Cater, police officer, Walsall
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	J W Cater, police officer, Walsall
Estimate of character on admission:	Intelligent
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	-

Notes:

11 February 1860 There is a report of his offence in the Walsall Free Press and General Advertiser Saturday 11 February 1860 p.4 col.2: Another Case of Boot Stealing.- Daniel McIver, aged eight years, was charged with having stolen a pair of boots, from a stall in the market. Chief constable Cater said this was a very melancholy case, the parents of the child were drunkards, and this was the effect of their bad example. The boy is a most intelligent little fellow. The lad's mother who was in court, said she begged leave to contradict the statement made by Mr. Cater, relative to her being a drunkard. It appeared the boy had gone to the stall kept by Mr. William Halford, and after cutting a hole in the cover, he stole the bools. A lad who had witnessed the affair seized hold of the prisoner, and succeeded in taking one of the boots off him, and returned it to the owner, who gave information to the police. Meantime the prisoner and an accomplice went to the shop of Mr. Ratcliffe, shoemaker, Upper Rushall-street, and offered the other boot for sale. Mr. Ratclifle detained the boot, and told the prisoner to send the owner and he would purchase it. The prisoner and his accomplice left the shop, and returned in a few minutes and endeavoured to snatch the boot off the counter, but witness prevented them, and kept the boot till sergeant Mason called, to whom witness gave the boot. After hearing the evidence, the Bench adjourned the case till Friday, in order to afford the magistrates time to communicate with the authorities at the Reformatory, with a view to having the prisoner sent thither.

16 February 1863 returned to his friends at Walsall

January 1867 In Birmingham working for his father. Not very tidy but not reconvicted