Saltley Reformatory

Frank Taylor - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	977
Age:	15
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Height:	5 ft 0¾ ins
Particular marks:	Long blue mark on right forearm
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	November 1891
Late residence:	56 Stafford Road, Wolverhampton
Parish he belongs to:	Wolverhampton
Customary work and mode of life:	Groom for Mr Shears, Darlington Street, Wolverhampton
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Well, Standard 5
Writes:	Well, Standard 5
Offence:	Stealing grapes from a hot house
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	26 October 1891; J Hinckes and A C Twentyman; Wolverhampton Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Stafford
Sentence:	21 days hard labour, 2 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	Nil
Length:
For what:	-
Father's name:	Charles Taylor
Occupation:	Goods guard
Mother's name:	Sarah Ann Taylor
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	Mother a lunatic, confined in the asylum at Rubery
Parents' wages:	30s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	56 Stafford Road, Wolverhampton
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

A note in the Admissions Register says that there is another son, "Arthur", in the Penn Street Industrial School

27 October 1891 There is a brief report of the crime in the Birmingham Daily Post Tuesday 27 October 1891 p.7 col.5: SENT TO A REFORMATORY. - Frank Taylor (15), of 56, Stafford Street, and Samuel Welsh (15), of Art Street, Wolverhampton, were charged, at the petty sessions, with stealing a quantity of grapes, the property of Mr. A. S. Hill, Q C., M.P., of Oxley Manor. - The prisoners were seen leaving the prosecutor's hothouse, and on being apprehended were found in possession of a quantity of grapes and other fruit. - The prisoners were sentenced to twenty-one days' hard labour, and afterwards to be detained in a reformatory.

10 October 1893 The Log Book report records that: one boy, F Taylor, has been granted leave of absence for a few days in order to obtain a situation, he having failed to pass the medical examination when seeking to enlist.

12 October 1893 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Taylor was licensed to work for C Rainbow, Rushmore Street, Leamington

15 November 1893 Sentence expired whilst on licence, discharged from Saltley

12 December 1893 The Log Book report states: Frank Taylor - this boy, who was discharged recently, seems to experience some difficulty in getting settled employment and requests me by letter to seek the aid of the Committee to enable him to go to his cousin, who, as the boy says, is a farmer in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba. He is a big strong lad and should do well there. If the request be entertained by you, I would look to his father to provide him with outfit, etc., and we pay only the sail- and steam ship fare.

25 January 1894 The Log Book reveals that Taylor left Liverpool on the Allan Lines Lawrentian for Portland, en route to Russell, Manitoba. He appears very grateful for the privilege of being emigrated.

26 April 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Taylor, Halifax, Canada

11 December 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Taylor, Manitoba

12 February 1895 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Taylor, Gilbert Plains, Manitoba

James Ernest Smith - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1233
Age:	14 (born February 1886)
Whence received:	Atherstone Petty Sessions
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Bluish grey
Height:	4 ft 6 ins
Particular marks:	Nil
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	15 June 1900
Late residence:	Griff, Chilvers Coton, Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Parish he belongs to:	Chilvers Coton
Customary work and mode of life:	Farm work
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Offence:	Larceny
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Father convicted for receiving stolen goods
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	17 June 1900; Sir Edward Newdegate and H C Shaw
Where imprisoned:	Not
Sentence:	3 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	Nil
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	William Smith
Occupation:	Farm labourer
Mother's name:	Sarah Smith
Occupation:	Housewife
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Encouraged to steal
Character of parents	Not good
Parents' wages:	Not stated
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	Griff, Chilvers Coton, Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Superintendent Smith, Nuneaton
Person making this return:	W Armishaw, Clerk to the Justices

Notes:

8 June 1900 Both father and son were charged, the boy for the crime that sent him to Saltley, as reported in the Nuneaton Observer Friday 8 June 1900 p.5 col.7: SYSTEMATIC ROBBERIES. - William Smith, labourer, Chilvers Coton, was charged with stealing a quantity of rice meal, value 1s., the property of Thomas Hodgetts, farmer, Ansley, at Arbury, on Tuesday. - He was further charged with stealing a hedge brushing hook, value 2s. 6d., and five bags, and a quantity of artificial manure, value 9d., the property of the same complainant, between April 1st and June 5th. - James Ernest Smith, labourer, Chilvers Coton, was charged with stealing three hens eggs, value 2d., the same complainant's property, on Tuesday. - Mr. F. S. Clay, who appeared for the prosecution, said that the prisoner had committed a series of systematic robberies from the complainant. - Complainant said the defendant had been in his employ two years. On the day in question he found a quantity of rice meal in defendant's bag. - P.C. Rawlins said the defendant admitted the theft of the rice meal. - Formal evidence was given as to second charge against the defendant. - Sentenced to one month's hard labour. - The lad, who is a son of the first defendant, and who was described by the complainant as a "most awful young dog" was sent to a reformatory for three years.

1 November 1902 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Smith was licensed to go out and work for Mr Derricourt, Amington, Tamworth

6 January 1903 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Smith was reported as unsatisfactory and re-admitted to Saltley

11 April 1903 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Smith was re-licensed to go out and work for Mr Wyatt, Griff colliery, Nuneaton

6 June 1903 Sentence expired whilst out on licence, discharged from Saltley

No. in Admissions Register:	222
Date of admission:	2 July 1861
Whence received:	Stafford
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	Sallow
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Perfect vision?	Yes
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Quite
Sound intellect?	Yes
Use of all limbs?	Yes
Had cow or small pox?	Vaccinated
Particular marks:	Mole on chin and cut on right arm
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	No
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	12
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	Willenhall
Parish he belongs to:	Wolverhampton
Customary work and mode of life:	Caster in iron works
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Not at all
Writes:	Not at all
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing a pigeon
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence:	19 June 1861
Where convicted:	Wolverhampton, W Partridge, Stipendiary Magistrate
Who prosecuted:	-
Where imprisoned:	-
Sentence:	14 days prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	None
Father's name:	David Faulkner
Occupation:	Locksmith
Residence:	Church Street, Willenhall
Mother's name:	Caroline Faulkner
Occupation:	-
Residence:	Church Street, Willenhall
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	18s per week by father, when in work
Amount parents agree to pay:	Ordered to pay 1s per week
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Edward Thompson, Willenhall
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	J S Ward, Wolverhampton
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	8 Jan 1865 - Licensed to take employment

Notes:

8 January 1865 Licensed

26 December 1866 Called at the school. Well dressed and evidently doing well as a working man

October 1867 Called at the school. Well dressed and evidently doing well as a working man

December 1868 Doing well

Joseph Payne - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	687
Age:	12
Whence received:	H M Prison Derby
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Hazel
Visage:	Oval
Particular marks:	Mole left temple and jaw
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	21 January 1882
Late residence:	32 Alexandra Street, Derby
Parish he belongs to:	Letchwick [should be Litchurch, Derby]
Customary work and mode of life:	Never engaged in any employment
Whether illegitimate:	Born in wedlock
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing 3 pigeons
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Not being under proper control
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	13 January 1882; A Woodiwiss, Mayor, and W Honson; Derby
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Derby
Sentence:	10 days hard labour, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	2
Length:	1) Whipped; 2) Whipped
For what:	1) Stealing 2 ducks; 2) stealing 2 canaries
Father's name:	Francis William Payne
Occupation:	-
Mother's name:	Harriet Patne
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Both living
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	Nothing known against them. Healthy but poor
Parents' wages:	26s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	Offer to pay 1s 6d per week
Parents address:	32 Alexandra Street, Derby
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Lieutenant-Colonel W A Delacombe, Chief Constable, Derby
Person making this return:	George Barnes, Inspector: I have nothing to add to the above

Notes:

14 May 1881 There is a report of a previous offence in the Derby Daily Telegraph Saturday 14 May 1881 p.3 col.5: STEALING DUCKS. - Samuel Baylis (15) and Joseph Payne (11) were charged with stealing two ducks, the property of George Henry White. - Prosecutor said he was a millwright living in Prince's-street, Pear Tree. He owned five ducks, and kept them in an outhouse at his mother's. On .Thursday, the 12th of April, about seven in the morning they were all safe, but the next day two were missed, and witness did not see them again till Friday night. They were then at the Bloomfield-street Police station. Witness knew Baylis by sight. - Edward Way, a lad living in Malcolm-street, said some time ago he bought the ducks produced from the lad Baylis. He gave 5s. for them. Baylis was alone at the time witness bought them. - lnspector Hardy spoke to apprehending Baylis and Payne. The former when charged admitted stealing the ducks, and made a statement implicating Payne. - Baylis was fined 10s., including costs, and Payne was ordered to receive four strokes with the birch rod.

17 May 1882 Another previous offence was reported in the Derby Daily Telegraph Tuesday 17 May 1881 p.3 col.4: STEALING CANARIES. - Samuel Baylis, George Winson, and Joseph Payne, three boys, were charged with stealing two canaries and a hen's egg, the property of John Atkinson, Shaftesbury-street. - The prosecutor said he was employed at the Midland Works, and lived at 88, Shaftesbury-crescent. The canaries produced were his property. He last saw them safe about six o'clock on the morning of the 7th May, in a cage in a workshop near his house. The same afternoon he missed them. He did not know any of the prisoners. - Sergt. Wragge said that acting on information received he went to Baylis's house on the previous day and saw one of the canaries produced. He apprehended Baylis and charged him with stealing the bird. He said he did not steal it but caught it in a hedge. Payne and Winson he alleged were running it at tbe time. Witness subsequently apprehended the other two prisoners, and in reply to the charge they made statements implicating each other. The other canary was found at the house of Winson's grandmother, in Cotton-lane. - Prisoners now pleaded guilty.- Baylis and Payne were convicted last Saturday of stealing two ducks, and there were also previous convictions against Winson. Baylis and Winson were each fined 20s. including costs, or in default fourteen days' imprisonment. Payne was ordered to receive six strokes from the birch rod.

13 January 1882 There is a report of the crime in the Derby Daily Telegraph Friday 13 January 1882 p.3 col.4: STEALING PIGEONS. - Joseph Payne and Wm. Mitchell, two boys, were charged with stealing three pigeons, the- property of George Naylor, Shafesbury Crescent. - The pigeons were missed from the premises of the prosecutor, who is a "pigeon flyer," on Thursday night. The prisoners disposed of them during the evening to a fancier named Curzon for 2s. 3d. - Prisoner Payne received a very bad character from the police, and the Bench ordered him to be sent to gaol for ten days, after which he must be detained five years in a reformatory. Mitchell was discharged with a caution as to his future behaviour.

James Lowe - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	721
Age:	13
Whence received:	H M Prison Birmingham
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Brown
Visage:	Oval
Particular marks:	Scar on forehead
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	15 May 1883
Late residence:	6 court Talfourd Street, Green Lanes, Coventry Road, Birmingham
Parish he belongs to:	Aston
Customary work and mode of life:	Stable helper
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	None
Writes:	None
Offence:	Attempting to steal 1s 0d from a shop till
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Says he wanted food
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	2 May 1883; T C S Kynnersley; Birmingham Police Court
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Birmingham
Sentence:	14 days hard labour in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	1
Length:	remanded and discharged
For what:	-
Father's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Mother's name:	Mary Ann Lowe
Occupation:	Charwoman
Parents dead?	Father (been dead 3 years)
Survivor married again?	No
Parents' treatment of child:	Kind
Character of parents	Good [A different hand has queried this by adding '?? A drunken prostitute']
Parents' wages:	15s per week as a charwoman
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	6 court Talfourd Street, Green Lanes, Coventry Road, Birmingham
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	A Tinler, Governor, H M Prison Birmingham

Notes:

2 May 1883 There is a brief report of the crime in the Birmingham Mail Wednesday 2 May 1883 p.2 col.5: CAUGHT IN THE ACT. James Lowe (13), Clifton Road. Aston, was sent to gaol for fourteen days, to be afterwards confined in a reformatory for five years, for theft. He went into a baker's shop in Rupert Street, yesterday, and was caught leaning over the counter with his hand in the till.

7 September 1885 Fifty-eight boys had been sent home for a week's holiday. Lowe was one of three who failed to return

26 October 1885 Brought back by Mr Settles and Mr Bradfield in a state of extreme exhaustion by starvation

27 October 1885 Medical officer reports: Starvation while absent as abscondee, pulmonary catarrh. Diagnosed with peritonitis on 6 December. That improved, but on 30 December Medical Officer decided he had constitutional debility from privation during absence from School. Ordered good food, cod liver oil, and rest

9 June 1887 Formally discharged from Saltley on account of emigrating to Canada, along with Foulger [boy 732]

20 September 1887 The Reformatory Committee Log Book records receipt of a letter from Lowe in Canada

14 August 1888 The Log book report records receipt of a letter from Lowe, Montreal, Canada