Saltley Reformatory

John William Griffiths - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	979
Age:	15
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Red
Eyes colour:	Blue
Height:	4 ft 8½ ins
Particular marks:	Left leg the shortest, abcess mark small of back
State of health:	Yes
Able-bodied?	-
Date of admission:	23 November 1891
Late residence:	Lower Green, Newcastle under Lyme
Parish he belongs to:	Newcastle under Lyme
Customary work and mode of life:	None
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing 2 tins of lobster
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	24 October 1891; E H Croydon and R Mosley; Newcastle under Lyme Police Court
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Stafford
Sentence:	1 month hard labour, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	2
Length:	1) Fined 1s and costs; 2) fined 5s and costs
For what:	1) Wilful damage; 2) larceny
Father's name:	Jesse Cooper (step-father)
Occupation:	Sawyer
Mother's name:	Harriet Cooper
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Father
Survivor married again?	Yes
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	Reported "good" by police
Parents' wages:	16s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	Lower Green, Newcastle under Lyme
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

Brother to Joseph (boy 1100) - to see his record click here

31 October 1891 There is a brief report of the crime in the Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 31 October 1891 p.7 col.3: PROPER SUBJECTS FOR A REFORMATORY. - John Thomas, 11, John Griffiths, 13, and George Swanwick, 13. were charged with having stolen on the previous day two tins of lobster and a tin of salmon from the shop of Thomas Rhodes, grocer. West Brampton. All three lads had been previously convicted of theft, and, the present charge being proved, they were committed to gaol for a month, and ordered to be then sent to a reformatory for five years.

23 November 1894 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Griffiths was licensed to go out and work for Mr Hammersley, 49 High Street, Longton

22 November 1896 Sentence expired whilst on licence, discharged from Saltley

8 December 1896 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Griffiths, Newcastle under Lyme

8 February 1898 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Griffiths, Newcastle under Lyme. (Acknowledgement of trousers and boots sent by Superintendent [head of Saltley] on the approval of Lord Norton. Is a very lame boy, and in my opinion unsuitable for Canada. Taught tailoring here, and well able to get his own living at his trade)

13 June 1899 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Griffiths, Newcastle under Lyme

10 October 1899 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Griffiths, Newcastle under Lyme

Joseph Sunderland - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1235
Age:	15 (born 24 March 1885)
Whence received:	Birmingham Petty Sessions
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh, freckled
Hair colour:	Dark brown
Eyes colour:	Slatey brown
Height:	4 ft 11 ins
Particular marks:	3 ink dots left forearm, 8 pox marks left arm, 2 brown spots centre of back
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	30 June 1900
Late residence:	Common lodging house, Lees Street, off Aston Road, Birmingham
Parish he belongs to:	Wakefield
Customary work and mode of life:	Labouring
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Offence:	Larceny of money
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Of unsettled habits. Father states that previous to leaving home his son had robbed him on many occasions
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	16 June 1900; Lord Mayor and Sir James Smith; Birmingham Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned:	-
Sentence:	3 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	Not known
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	Frederick Sunderland
Occupation:	Labourer
Mother's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Mother
Survivor married again?	No
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	Not stated
Amount parents agree to pay:	Not yet assessed
Parents address:	8 Laycock's Yard, Kirkgate, Wakefield
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Superintendent of Police, Wakefield
Person making this return:

Notes:


31 October 1902 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Sunderland was licensed to go out and work for Mr Preston, Golden Hillock Road, Birmingham

19 January 1903 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Sunderland absconded whilst on licence, it being regarded as an excellent job, no reason could be found for this action

15 June 1903 Sentence expired while still absent as an absconder, discharged from Saltley

No. in Admissions Register:	101
Date of admission:	4 May 1857
Whence received:	Stafford Gaol
By whom brought:	Mr Montford
On what terms:	Committed
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	-
Hair colour:	-
Eyes colour:	-
Perfect vision?	Yes
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Sound intellect?	Yes
Use of all limbs?	Yes
Had cow or small pox?	Has been vaccinated
Particular marks:	-
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	No
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	11
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	at Longton, Staffordshire
Parish to which he belongs:	-
Customary work and mode of life:	Colliery and vagrant:
Schools attended:	None
By whom and where employed:	at Longton
State of education
Reads:	No
Writes:	No
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing at Longton
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Association with other bad boys
Date of sentence:	-
Where convicted:	Stoke Police court
Sentence:	3 months in prison, 4 years at Saltley
Where imprisoned:	Stafford Gaol
Previous committals and convictions:	18
Father's name:	Patrick Finn
Occupation:	Labourer
Residence:	Mass Foul, Longton, Staffordshire
Mother's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	Mother dead
Survivor married again?	No
Parents' treatment of child:	Not harsh
Character of parents:	Honest and sober
Parents' wages:	9 or 10 shillings per week
Weekly amount parents will pay:	-
Superintendent of police (to collect payments)
Relatives to communicate with	-
Person making this return:	John R Rose
Estimate of character on admission:	Of very unpromising appearance, ill spoken of
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	3 May 1861 - discharged at conclusion of sentence

Notes:

25 October 1856 There is a brief report of a previous offence in the Staffordshire Sentinel and Commercial and General Advertiser Saturday 25 October 1856, p.4, col.6: …George Bianchi for three months, and John Finn for one month, the two latter to be once whipped, for stealing 18 yards of Scotch towelling, value 5s, from the shop door of Messrs Jackson, drapers, Market Street, Longton, on the 15th instant. Mr J Downs, confectioner, saw them near the window a short time before, and Mr Gilbert, Mr Jackson's assistant, proved the loss of the stuff. It was afterwards found in the house of Elizabeth Mitcheson, by police constables Lovesey and Wetton, who apprehended the prisoners, and she is committed for trial for receiving it, knowing it to have been stolen.

22 May 1857 absconded and was at large until 26th July when I fetched him home.

3 June 1857 The Reformatory Minute Book states (after a list of the boys then in the Reformatory): …Of the above boys, those marked with a star will remain at the School. All those so marked are at school this day with the exception of Finn, No. 101, who has absconded and is supposed to be concealed by his father.

11 Aug 1857 The Minute Book says: 473. Mr Humphreys reported that 16 inmates now in the School; that John Finn who absconded some weeks since had been captured at Longton, Staffordshire, and had returned to the Institution.

11 January 1858 absconded before daylight in company with 129 [George Miller] .

14 January 1858 heard from Longton that he was caught yesterday.

18 January 1858 convicted at Stoke upon Trent for stealing pies and sentenced to Stafford for 21 days and a whipping.

8 February 1858 fetched from Stafford by the gardener; looks as impertinent as ever.

22 July 1858 absconded in company of Bentley and Owen [boys 139, 146] at the instigation of G Bolt [boy 110] who pretended to go with them but stopped at the hedge.

23 July 1858 apprehended at West Bromwich and brought back 24 July with Bentley.

3 May 1860 The Reformatory Minute Book records: 674. The following boys were reported by the Superintendent as suitable for recommendation to situations or emigration though their term of detention is unexpired: Drake [boy 138], Smith [boy 123], Blick [boy 136], Finn, Bentley [boy 139], Francis [boy 130]

677. Smith and Finn are anxious to go to sea. An inquiry to be made from their parents, if agreeable.

3 December 1860 his brother came for him and as he has been steady for more than 2 years, I let him out on leave.

3 May 1861 discharged.

23 October 1861 Attached note: Sir, I beg to inform you that John Finn, who was discharged from Saltley about last November was yesterday received here for three months for stealing a shirt at Hanley. Finn and three other lads committed with him. He says that he did not know the shirt was stolen but the lad who stole it was going to pawn it. The thief, he states, was the witness against him and was thus discharged. He also says that he has been working in the pits for the last six months at 12 shillings per week but now the winter has stopped the work and he cannot get another job. He has never been able to get work at shoemaking. I am, sir, yours [can't read word]….. Montford [probably the Deputy Governor of Stafford Gaol]

October 1864 in Stafford prison.

Henry Pemberton - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	304
Date of admission:	19 June 1865
Whence received:	Stafford
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:	11
Illegitimate?	Yes
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	Froghall, Newcastle, Staffordshire
Parish he belongs to:	Newcastle
Customary work and mode of life:	-
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Not at all
Writes:	Not at all
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Larceny
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Bad parents
Date of sentence:	29 May 1865
Where convicted:	Newcastle before W Hargreaves and H Hall
Who prosecuted:	-
Where imprisoned:	-
Sentence:	21 days, 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	Reprimanded for larceny
Father's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Mother's name:	Jane Pemberton
Occupation:	Besom and clothes peg maker
Residence:	Froghall, Newcastle
Father's character:	John Williams, the reported father, is undergoing a sentence of 10 years penal servitude
Mother's character:	Has three
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Bad
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	Unknown
Amount parents agree to pay:	Unable to pay anything
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	J Williams, Newcastle
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	-
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	-

Notes:

3 June 1865 There is a brief report of the crime in the Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 3 June 1865 p.7 col.5: JUVENILE DEPRAVITY. -John Murphy. Henry Pemberton, and Patrick Miles, three dirty neglected boys, from nine to twelve years of age, wall known in the town as vagrants and thieves, were brought up charged with stealing twelve purses and three boxes, of the value of 4s., the property of Benjamin Beeston, a smallware dealer, residing in Lower-street. Murphy and Pemberton pleaded guilty, and Miles not guilty, and their recriminations while In the dock seemed to favour their plea. The Bench considered that there was no case against Miles, and he was dismissed with a reprimand. The other two were ordered to be imprisoned for 21 days, and after the term of imprisonment to be sent to a reformatory school for four years

19 May 1869 Licensed

December 1870 Doing well at Newcastle

Thomas Beckett - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	723
Age:	13
Whence received:	H M Prison Birmingham
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Visage:	Height 4 ft 7½ ins
Particular marks:	-
State of health:	-
Able-bodied?	-
Date of admission:	1883
Late residence:	120 Coplow Street, Dudley Road, Smethwick
Parish he belongs to:	Birmingham
Customary work and mode of life:	Casting
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing one ulster
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Bad company
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	18 June 1883; T C S Kynnersley; Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Birmingham
Sentence:	14 days hard labour in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	1
Length:	Remanded for a week
For what:	Stealing his father's waistcoat
Father's name:	George Beckett
Occupation:	Fitter
Mother's name:	Eliza Beckett
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	Good
Parents' wages:	£3 per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	120 Coplow Street, Dudley Road, Smethwick
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

1 June 1883 There is a report of possibly a different crime in the Birmingham Mail Friday 1 June 1883 p.3 col.5: THEFT BY BOYS. Thomas Beckett (13), Coplow Street, schoolboy, and Arthur Corley (13), St. George's Street, dipper, were charged with being In company with another boy, and stealing a coat from the office of Mr. Field, factor, Holland Street, the property of Charles Fellows, Bell Lane, Erdington. They pleaded guilty. Corley, who bears a good character, was let off on his father being bound for him, and Beckett, who has been in trouble before for being an associate of thieves, was ordered to receive twelve cuts from the birch.

3 October 1884 Medical officer reports: Bilious catarrh, convalescent by 6 October

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

22 April 1886 Discharged from Saltley by order of the Home Secretary on emigrating to Canada from Liverpool on the SS Circassian along with Hurley [730], Moss [boy 680], and Wareham [boy 715]

8 November 1887 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Beckett, Vandecar, Ontario, Canada