Saltley Reformatory

George Webb - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	959
Age:	13
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Brown
Height:	4 ft 6 ins
Particular marks:	Nil
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	9 December 1890
Late residence:	23 Deanery Row, Wolverhampton
Parish he belongs to:	St Mary's, Wolverhampton
Customary work and mode of life:	Box maker
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Offence:	Stealing sweets
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Does not appear (parents said to be of good character, etc)
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	10 November 1890; John Lees and J G Wright; Wolverhampton Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison, Stafford
Sentence:	1 month hard labour in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	4
Length:	1) 5 February 1889, discharged with caution; 2) 18 May 1889, fined 7s and costs or 7 days; 3) 29 April 1890, 3 days and 12 strokes; 4) 26 June 1890, 3 days and 12 strokes
For what:	- [not stated for any of the 4 offences]
Father's name:	Henry Webb
Occupation:	Striker
Mother's name:	Sarah Webb
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Both parents are recorded as of good character. There seem few reasons why this boy should have become a criminal, save his own perversity. No information is given on that point
Character of parents	See above
Parents' wages:	Father earns 20s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	This question will be settled by the magistrates, when brought before them by the police, at the instigation o H M Inspector of Reformatories
Parents address:	23 Deanery Row, Wolverhampton
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

15 February 1894 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Webb was licensed to go out and work for Mr A Moorcroft, Lower Stafford Street, Wolverhampton

8 December 1895 Sentence expired whilst on licence, discharged from Saltley

11 August 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Webb, Wolverhampton

11 October 1898 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Webb, Wolverhampton

William Griffiths - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1214
Age:	14 (born 26 July 1885)
Whence received:	Brierley Hill Petty Sessions
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Blue
Height:	4 ft 6½ ins
Particular marks:	Large scar on inside of right forearm; lame left leg, has had hip joint disease
State of health:	Fair
Able-bodied?	No - has had hip disease
Date of admission:	30 October 1899
Late residence:	Whittington, near Kinver, Staffordshire
Parish he belongs to:	Whittington
Customary work and mode of life:	Casual employment
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Not at all
Writes:	Not at all
Offence:	Larceny
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Parental neglect
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	30 October 1899; S G Dudley; Brierley Hill Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned:	-
Sentence:	Detained at Saltley until 19 years of age
Previous committals:
Number:	2
Length:	1) (24 December1896) -; 2) 6 February 1899) -
For what:	1) Larceny; 2) larceny
Father's name:	William Griffiths
Occupation:	-
Mother's name:	Susan Griffiths
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Indifferent
Character of parents	Reported good
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	Whittington, near Kinver
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	John Spendlove, Police Superintendent

Notes:

12 December 1896 A previous offence was reported in the County Advertiser and Herald for Staffordshire and Worcestershire Saturday 12 December 1896 p.7 col.3: THEFT OF A RABBIT. - William Griffiths (11), of Kinver, was charged with stealing a rabbit, value 1s., the property of Joseph Whittingslow, greengrocer, High-street, Kinver, on the 2nd inst. - The evidence showed that between eleven and twelve on the morning of the date named Elizabeth Whittingslow, wife of complainant, hung a dead rabbit outside the shop door, and then went into the yard at the back. During her absence defendant came by and took away the rabbit, which of course was missed by Mrs. Whittingslow on her return. Defendant meanwhile went to Mrs. Spencer, and sold the rabbit to her. Police-sergeant Alldridge was communicated with, and recovered the rabbit. The boy made a statement to him that he had taken the rabbit from the shop. - In reply to the Bench, Police-sergeant Alldridge said it would be impossible for a boy to have a worse character. He was repeatedly pilfering, and had been turned out of school in consequence of his bad conduct. The boy had never been prosecuted before. - The defendant was remanded for a week to the Workhouse.

11 February 1899 Another previous offence was reported in the County Advertiser and Herald for Staffordshire and Worcestershire Saturday 11 February 1899 p.7 col.6: DISTRICT POLICE COURTS. BRIERLEY-HILL. MONDAY. - Before Mr. G. K. Harrison, and Sir H. Lambert. - THEFT BY A CRIPPLE. - William Griffiths (13), a cripple, of Pen Hole, Kinver, was charged with stealing a silver watch and chain, value £4, the property of Bartholomew Pillinger, blacksmith, on the 24th inst. - Prosecutor stated that on the date named he was at work in a smithy at Kinver Hill Farm, and hung up the watch and chain on a nail in the shop. About half-past two in the afternoon witness had occasion to leave the shop. Prisoner was there at the time he went out, but upon his return he found that the boy and the watch and chain had gone. Witness reported the matter to Police-sergeant Aldridge. - Police-sergeant Aldridge said that about a quarter to three in the afternoon, in consequence of a complainant made to him by the prosecutor, witness went in search of prisoner whom he found in High-street, Kinver, with the watch in his possession. Upon witness asking prisoner how he accounted for having the watch in his possession prisoner said at first he had found it down the road, but afterwards said he had stolen it from the smithy at Kinver Hill Farm. When witness charged him with the theft prisoner replied that he wanted to go back to the school. - Mr. King (magistrates clerk) stated that the boy, who was a cripple in consequence of an injury to his hip, had been in an industrial school, and there were several convictions against him before he was sent there. - Prisoner was bound over in his own recognisances of £10 to come up for judgment if called upon in twelve months.

21 October 1899 The crime that sent him to Saltley was reported in the County Advertiser and Herald for Staffordshire and Worcestershire Saturday 21 October 1899 p.2 col.1: A YOUTHFUL CULPRIT. - William Griffiths, of Windsor Holloway, Kinver, a lad of fourteen years, was charged with stealing a 1s., the property of Arthur John Parkes, at Kinver, on the 1st inst. Mrs. Parkes, wife of the complainant, said that on the 1st inst., she gave her boy a 1s. in a purse to make a purchase as he returned from school. - Alfred John Parkes (6), said he was in the infants' school. On Monday last, his mother gave him a shilling in a purse. When he was near the White Hart Inn, he saw defendant, who asked him to let him look at the purse. Defendant then took the shilling out of the purse and gave him the purse back again. - Mrs. Bradford said she kept a tobacconist's shop at Kinver. On the day in question defendant came to her shop and bought a pennyworth of cigarettes, and tendered a shilling in payment. - Police-sergeant Hall said he arrested defendant. The lad was drunk. When he recovered, witness charged him with stealing 1s., the property of Arthur John Parkes, on the 1st inst. Defendant replied that he did not see the shilling until his brother George gave it to him, that he had paid some of it back and his mother would pay the rest. - Defendant, who was a bad character, was remanded for a week to the Workhouse, until a place in a reformatory school could be found for him. In the event he was held on remand for two weeks until Saltley agreed to take him.

15 November 1902 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Griffiths was licensed to go out and work for Messers Webb & Son, Stourbridge

9 April 1903 Returned to Saltley as his employer was unable to find further employment for him. The Log Book adds: The latter is a lame boy, and his mental powers not being very strong I fear he will always be a trouble to me

24 June 1903 The Medical Officer reported: Enlarged cervical gland, still suffering on 1 July

1 October 1903 The Incidental Returns Book reports that Griffiths was licensed to go out and work for Mr W Knowles, Wythall, Worcestershire

2 November 1903 Both the Register of Boys on Licence and the Reformatory Committee Log Book note that Griffiths was re-admitted to Saltley on this date.

1 April 1904 The Medical Officer reported: Catarrh, almost well by 11 April

25 July 1904 Sentence expired, discharged from Saltley

No. in Admissions Register:	126
Date of admission:	9 November 1857
Whence received:	House of Correction, Westminster
By whom brought:
On what terms:	Committed
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	Fair
Hair colour:	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	Cow pox
Particular marks	None
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	No
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	13
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	6 College Street, Highbury Vale, Islington
Parish to which he belongs:	Islington
Customary work and mode of life:	Errand boy
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads	Fairly
Writes:	Fairly
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing £17 from his master
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Not known
Date of sentence:	10 August 1857
Where convicted:	Sessions house, Clerkenwell before R Pashley Esq, Assistant Judge
Sentence:	3 months in prison, 3 years at Saltley
Where imprisoned:	-
Previous committals and convictions:	None
Father's name:	-
Occupation	-
Residence:	-
Mother's name:	Hannah Edwards
Occupation:	Needlewoman
Residence	6 College Street, Highbury Vale, Islington
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	Good
Parents dead?	Father is dead
Survivor married again?	No
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents:	Health good
Parents' wages:	Average about 10s per week
Weekly amount parents will pay:	9d
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	Chas. Cheetham, Governor, House of Correction, Westminster
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	28 Jun 1860 taken to Fareham to join Navy

Notes:

1 February 1858 on Good Conduct List

28 June 1860 took him and J Smith [boy 123] to Fareham, Hampshire, with the view of their being taken into the Navy, Mr Dumergue(?), incumbent of Fareham having promised through Mr Gover to use his best endeavour to get them places in one of the government's training ships. In the meantime they will be provided with employment at Fareham.

5 July 1860 The Minute Book notes: 691. Mr Gover reported that Smith [boy 123] and Edwards are at Fareham, engaged as Carpenters, under the care of the Rector, waiting an opportunity to go to sea.

3 August 1860 received on board the Victory

6 September 1860 The Minute Book contains this: 707. Mr Adderley reported that Mr Ratcliff had received a letter from Smith, who with Edwards have succeeded in making a satisfactory arrangement for going to sea, and it was agreed their expenses at Fareham should be paid.

4 October 1860 The Minute Book reported: 714. Resolved: That Mr Ratcliff be requested to report the total expenses incurred in reference to Smith and Edwards' , including a gratuity of £1 to Mr Coker for his services in superintending them while at Fareham.

1 November 1860 The Minute Book records that: 724. Mr Ratcliff reported that the total expenses of sending out Smith and Edwards amounted to £16 18s 9d

6 April 1861 seen by Mr Gould aboard the Victory. All well.

December 1864 Joseph Smith called and said he [Edwards] is doing well in HMS [ship's name not stated] off the American coast.

John Norton - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	428
Age:	15
Whence received:	Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Dark
Hair colour:	Black
Eyes colour:	Brown
Visage:	-
Particular marks:	-
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission and term:	24 May 1870 - -
Late residence:	Burton on Trent
Parish he belongs to:	Burton
Customary work and mode of life:	Errand boy
Whether illegitimate:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Not at all
Writes:	Not at all
Offence:	Stealing money
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence, by who and court:	26 April 1870, Burton Petty Sessions, C W Lyon and W Wood Esqs
Where imprisoned:	Stafford
Sentence:	1 month prison (hard labour), 3 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	None
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	Alfred Norton
Occupation:	Labourer
Mother's name:	Mary Ann Norton
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	Honest, sober, and in good health
Parents' wages:	17s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	1s 3d
Parents address:	190 Station Street, Burton upon Trent
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Mr Oswell, Burton
Person making this return:	-
When and how left reformatory:	24 May 1873 - Discharged on expiration of sentence

Notes:

23 April 1870 There is a report of the crime in the Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 23 April 1870 p.7 col.4: ROBBERY FROM A TILL. John Norton, 14, of Station-street, an old offender, was charged with stealing, on Monday night, 3s. 4½d. from the till in the shop occupied by Thomas Stoneystreet, greengrocer, Station-street. The prosecutor's wife was absent from the shop about two minutes, and on her return found that the till, which had shortly before contained 2s. 9d. in silver and some coppers, was empty Having seen the prisoner near her shop she followed him and brought him back, and he then "turned up" 3s. 4½d., asking her to say nothing about it. He was remanded for a week.

24 May 1873 Discharged

5 February 1875 Called at the school. Is doing well - employed at Trueman, Hanbury, & Co's brewery, Burton

9 October 1875 Called again - employed as before

William Sigley - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	704
Age:	10 years 11 months
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Brown
Visage:	-
Particular marks:	-
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	27 July 1882
Late residence:	Saint Edward Street, Leek
Parish he belongs to:	Leek
Customary work and mode of life:	Schoolboy
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Not at all
Writes:	Not at all
Offence:	Stealing ducks
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Keeping bad company
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	5 July 1882; J Brough and H Sleigh; Leek Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Stafford
Sentence:	21 days in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	None, but he was in custody with one other boy at Macclesfield, about a month ago
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	Charles Sigley
Occupation:	Bricklayer's labourer-
Mother's name:	Sarah Sigley
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good as far as the father is concerned, but bad as regards the mother, who is drunken and has sent the boy begging
Character of parents	Mother is drunken. The father has been summoned several times for not sending the boy to school. Many previous attempts have been made to get the boy to attend school, but his general conduct has been so bad that no school would receive him. He is almost certainly begging and leading other boys astray
Parents' wages:	Father's wages about 15s or 18s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	He ought to be called upon to pay 1s 6d or 2s per week
Parents address:	Charles Sigley, Saint Edward Street, Leek
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Charles Williams, Leek
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

20 July 1882 There is a report of the crime in the Ross Gazette Thursday 20 July 1882 p.3 col.3: A CASE of a very painful nature has been heard by the Leek magistrates, in which William Sigley, aged 10 years, a young incorrigible, and Frederick Bloor, aged eight, were charged with stealing two young ducks. The magistrates' clerk said that the boy Sigley was a notorious young vagabond. He had had his father repeatedly fined through his non-attendance at school, and he so corrupted other boys with whom he came in contact, that of late no schoolmaster in Leek would allow him in his establishment Bloor was discharged with a caution, but Sigley was sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment, and ordered to be sent to a reformatory till 16 years old.

21 March 1887 Licensed to Mr J A Haden, Stoke on Trent, to 30 June 1887

26 July 1887 Sentence expired, discharged from Saltley whilst out on licence