Saltley Reformatory

Joseph Thomas Little - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1238
Age:	15 (born 13 February 1885)
Whence received:	Burton on Trent Petty Sessions
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Light
Eyes colour:	Grey
Height:	4 ft 10¼ ins
Particular marks:	Long peculiar full scald mark over the whole of the right leg below the knee
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	10 July 1900
Late residence:	107 New Street, Burton on Trent
Parish he belongs to:	-
Customary work and mode of life:	Nil. Street lounging
Whether illegitimate:	Yes
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Offence:	Larceny
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Bad home surroundings
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	6 July 1900; C Harrison and A J Coxon; Burton on Trent
Where imprisoned:	Not
Sentence:	Detained at Saltley until 19 years of age
Previous committals:
Number:	1
Length:	Fined 10s or 14 days in prison
For what:	Stealing boots
Father's name:	Thomas Little
Occupation:	Rag and bone gatherer
Mother's name:	Selina Little
Occupation:	Salt and hardware hawker
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Not good
Character of parents	Bad, Father 40 times convicted
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	107 New Street, Burton on Trent
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Superintendent S Hicklin, Burton on Trent
Person making this return:	S Hicklin

Notes:

14 June 1900 A previous offence was reported in the Burton Chronicle Thursday 14 June 1900 p.7 col.1: YOUTHFUL SHOPLIFTERS. - Joseph Thomas Little (16) and Albert Nelson Shorthouse (14), of New Street, were charged with stealing a pair of shoes, value 5s., the property of William Rose, On the 30th inst. - The prosecutor, who is a shoemaker, and has a workshop in Stanley Street, said the prisoners, who were hawking blacklead or something of the sort, paid him a visit on the day named, and after Little had picked up a pair of brown shoes and put them down several times, together with asking a number of questions, they left the shop. Subsequently they came in again, and sold 2 pairs of boots that wanted repairing for 3d., and the next day he missed the shoes produced. - Police-constable Jones said that he arrested the prisoners on the 1st inst., and charged them with the theft of the shoes. Little said that Shorthouse told him to take them, while Shorthouse replied that he saw Little take them. Subsequently Little informed witness that the shoes were hidden in the chimney at his house, where they were found. - The defendants were fined 10s. each, with the alternative of fourteen days.

12 July 1900 There is a report of the crime that sent him to Saltley in the Burton Chronicle Thursday 12 July 1900 p.7 col.1: THEFT BY LADS - Three lads named Thomas Little [name given thus], rag gatherer; Albert Nelson Shorthouse, labourer, 5 Court; and George Henry King [error for surname Wilson], labourer, 3 Court, all of New Street, were charged with stealing half-a-ton of iron, valued at 9d. the property of Messrs Ind, Coope, and Co. - Mr. Ranger, chief engineer to the firm, identified the iron as the property of the firm. - Thomas Fredk. Hunt, manager to Mr. John Wells, scrap iron dealer, of Fleet Street, said he bought the iron produced from Little on Saturday, the 30th June. Wilson assisted Little to carry the iron into the warehouse, and Little received the money. - Police-constable Evans said that on Saturday he arrested the prisoners and charged them with stealing the iron. Little replied to the effect that Wilson fetched the iron out of the malthouse yard and placed it on his (Little's) truck, while Shorthouse was watching on the rails, and it was taken to Well's marine store in Fleet Street they receiving 1s. 6d. for it, the money being divided between Wilson and himself. Wilson said that he and Little were going "tatting" (rag gathering) when they met Shorthouse, who told them that he would show them where to get some iron. He then took them to the malthouse and pointed the iron out to them. - Shorthouse also said that Wilson and Little took the iron and sold it, but said he (Shorthouse) did not have any of the money. - Mr. Ranger said Ind, Coope and Co. had no wish to unduly press the charges, but there had been so many thefts of this kind that they felt bound to take proceedings. - The lads, who had all been previously convicted, were sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment, and ordered to be subsequently sent to a reformatory for five years.

7 May 1903 Discharged from Saltley by Order of the Home Secretary, on account of emigrating to Canada along with Wilson [boy 1250]. Left Liverpool aboard the SS Tunisian for Richmond, Quebec. A letter was subsequently received from Mr Gold [the School agent in Canada] advising of their safe arrival and particulars of their employment and postal addresses

No. in Admissions Register:	143
Date of admission:	15 February 1858
Whence received	Warwick County Gaol
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure	-
Complexion:	Fresh
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?	No
Particular marks:	Small cut over left eyebrow, pock mark over it, and cut in centre of forehead
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	No
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	12
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	At Southam
Parish to which he belongs:	Southam
Customary work and mode of life:	Farm work
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Cyphers:
General ability:
Offence:	Stealing lead
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Having no mother was neglected by his father's housekeeper and want of employment
Date of sentence:	18 January 1858
Where convicted:	Southam Petty Sessions, before Sir G W Biddulph, Bart., and W T Chamberlayne
Where imprisoned:	-
Sentence:	28 days prison (hard labour), 3 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	None
Father's name:	Thomas Foster
Occupation	Rough carpenter
Residence:	Crow Lane, Southam
Mother's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Father's character:	Father not married again but is supposed to be living with a woman of improper character
Mother's character:	-
Parent's dead?	No
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good by father but by housekeeper indifferently
Character of parents:	Good
Parents' wages:	About16s per week
Weekly amount parents will pay:	-
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:	14 Feb 1861 - Discharged at conclusion of sentence

Notes:

14 February 1861 Discharged on expiration of his term and returned to his father.

5 December 1861 Employed as a rough carpenter with his father on the farm of Mr Gray, Wallington, Southam Fields. Character good.

September 1864 Heard from - getting a comfortable living.

Joseph Peate - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	430
Age:	13
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:	23 July 1870 5 years
Late residence:	Smethwick
Parish he belongs to:	Smethwick
Customary work and mode of life:	Idling about
Whether illegitimate:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing butter, etc
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Neglect of parents
Date of sentence, by who and court:	2 July 1870, West Bromwich Petty Sessions, T Kenwick and T Davis Esqs
Where imprisoned:	Stafford
Sentence:	21 days prison (hard labour), 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	None
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	James Peate
Occupation:	Milkman
Mother's name:	Rosannah Peate (stepmother)
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Own mother
Survivor married again?	Yes
Parents' treatment of child:	Not good
Character of parents	Honest and sober, health not good
Parents' wages:	About 20s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	Father is willing to pay 2s per week
Parents address:	Sixways, Smethwick
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	T Woollaston, West Bromwich
Person making this return:	J P Hibbert

Notes:

4 July 1870 There was a report of the crime in the Birmingham Daily Gazette Monday 7 July 1870 p.8 col.2: A YOUNG RASCAL. -At the West Bromwich Police Court, on Saturday, before Mr. Timothy Kenrick and Mr. Davis, a lad named Joseph Peat [surname spelled thus], aged 13 years, of the Windmills, Smethwick, was charged with breaking into the house of Thomas Ellis, shopkeeper, Six Ways, the same place. Police-constable Leonard said that he and Police-constable Brunt watched the prisoner walk near the prosecutor's house on Sunday morning, about half-past four, and they afterwards saw him take a pane out of the window, and get out a loaf and some butter. The boy admitted his guilt, and his father said he was utterly unable to manage him. The magistrates ordered the prisoner to be committed to gaol for 21 days, and at the expiration of that time to be sent to a reformatory for five years. The father was ordered to contribute 2s. a week towards the lad's maintenance during the time he was in the reformatory.

John Willetts - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	727
Age:	14
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Light blue
Visage:	-
Particular marks:	-
State of health:	-
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	30 August 1883
Late residence:	Ginger Hen Yard, Brickplying Street, Portobello, Wolverhampton
Parish he belongs to:	Willenhall
Customary work and mode of life:	Stamping, generally brass
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Rogue
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Bad company
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	30 July 1883; G A Fisher and N Neal Tolley; Court of Summary Jurisdiction Willenhall
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Stafford
Sentence:	1 month in prison, 3 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	3
Length:	-
For what:	1) Stealing glass; 2) Gambling; 3) Lying out
Father's name:	William Jones (step-father)
Occupation:	Carpenter
Mother's name:	Mary Jones
Occupation:	Charwoman
Parents dead?	Father dead
Survivor married again?	Yes
Parents' treatment of child:	Turned from home on account of bad conduct
Character of parents	Honest, sober, and in good health
Parents' wages:	21s, boy says 30s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	Ginger Hen Yard, Brickplying Street, Portobello, Wolverhampton
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

24 February 1886 Good report while out licensed to work for Mr Hinks, Small Heath, Birmingham

29 August 1886 Sentence expired, discharged from Saltley whilst still out on licence

10 December 1889 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Willetts

George Griffiths - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	984
Age:	12
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Height:	4 ft 6 ins
Particular marks:	Short scar near left temple
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	17 December 1891
Late residence:	6 Moor Street, Tamworth
Parish he belongs to:	Nil
Customary work and mode of life:	None
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Well, Standard 5
Writes:	Well, Standard 5
Offence:	Stealing bread
Circumstances which may have led to it:	The boy appears to be incorrigible
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	4 December 1891; A Classon and M E Wales; Tamworth Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Stafford
Sentence:	14 days in prison, 3 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	1
Length:	Fined 5s
For what:	Stealing fruit
Father's name:	Charles Griffiths
Occupation:	Drain pipe maker
Mother's name:	Emma Griffiths
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	Reported good in both cases
Parents' wages:	20s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	6 Moor Street Tamworth
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

12 September 1891 There was a report of a previous offence in the Tamworth Herald Saturday 12 September 1891 p.8 col.3: WHAT DO OUR SCHOOL BOARDS TEACH? - George Griffiths, William Griffiths, and Thomas Edward Childs, three boys, were summoned for stealing a quantity of fruit valued at one shilling, the property of Henry Wilkinson, market gardener, of Lichfield Street. - From the evidence of a man named Wright in the employ of the prosecutor, it appeared that on Monday week the defendants were seen leaving an orchard situate in the Leys in the occupation of the prosecutor with their pockets filled with fruit. Wright gave chase. and caught Childs, the other defendants avoiding apprehension by hiding beneath a hedge. - Childs admitted the offence, but the other defendants pleaded not guilty, and denied that they were seen leaving the orchard, but admitted they were leaving a garden which immediately adjoins the orchard. - It was stated that all three boys were known, and the boys Griffiths in particular have very indifferent characters. - Inspector Dodd said he was surprised that two of the boys had been prompted to deny the offence. Their father had evidently tried to shield them, and at the same time he knew his sons were simply incorrigible. They stayed out at night, and had been sent home by the police from Burton and elsewhere. He was always receiving complaints about their stealing from gardens and orchards. - Mr. Starkey said the defendants had been in his orchard and done a lot of damage. The previous afternoon a quantity of fruit was stolen, and he had been told that parents had been seen watching their children knocking fruit off the trees. - The Mayor said he had had a lot of complaints respecting the boys Griffiths. They appeared to be the worst boys in the town. - Mr. Wales asked what the education given in the Board Schools were doing. Certainly neither manners nor the principles of honesty were taught. He had spoken on the point in public on former occasions. - Mr. Starkey quite concurred and Mr. E. Argyle asked Childs if he had not seen him before. - The boy replied in the affirmative and admitted that he and others were caught by Mr. Argyle demolishing a tree. They had a large cleaver and were collecting wood for a bonfire. The Magistrates regretted they could not order the defendants to be birched but said they must pay the costs of the Court 5s. 4d. each, including the value of the fruit stolen.

5 December 1891 There was a report of the crime in the Tamworth Herald Saturday 5 December 1891 p.8 col.4: A BAD CAREER CHECKED. Geo. Griffiths (12), Moor Lane, was charged with stealing two small loaves of bread, value 6d, the property of Mr Allton, baker, of Market St., on the 3rd inst. - Harry H Holmes apprentice to Mr Allton, was delivering bread on the date named in the vicinity of Upper Gungate, and when near the Grammar School he saw the defendant and another boy waiting about. As he entered the school grounds he saw one of the boys cross the road and walk along under the wall towards the cart, and he subsequently missed two small loaves. Mr Harry Olver, F.R.C. V.S., J.P., of Tresco, had his attention drawn to the suspicious behaviour of two youths, one of whom was the defendant, opposite his house on the afternoon of Thursday, and on watching them more closely he saw them hide something beneath a heap of thorns Just then Inspector Dodd drove past in a trap, and one of the boys on seeing him coming went across the road, while the other lay down underneath the hedge. On seeing the road clear the two boys came out, and took something from underneath the heap referred to, afterwards hiding it beneath their coats. Mr. Olver then went across to the boys and asked them what they were hiding. The defendant, who was the bigger boy replied "nothing," but both declined to submit themselves to examination, and ran off. Mr. Olver followed and overtook the defendant, and in the meantime half a loaf rolled from under the coat of the younger boy. Defendant gave a false name and address, and refused to say who the other boy was, stating that he did not know, and Mr. Olver therefore sent for the police, and gave defendant, who had been very insolent, into custody. - P.C. Butler, who took defendant into custody, was also given a false name at first, but knowing defendant he asked if his name was Griffiths, and the boy then admitted that it was. He, however, denied any knowledge of the name or abode of the other boy. - Inspector Dodd said they had ascertained, and defendant had since admitted, that the other boy was his brother. - The Bench expressed the opinion that the best course would be to send the defendant to a reformatory. Defendant's father said he had obtained work for his son, who would soon be thirteen, at Christmas, and he hoped the Bench would not send the boy away for any lengthened period. - Mr. Starkey said he was extremely sorry to hear defendant's father speak in this way about sending the boy to prison. A term of imprisonment very often did good, but it was very undesirable in the case of a young boy like this, and he regretted that in sending the boy to a reformatory he would first have to undergo a short period of imprisonment. He was sorry to have to say that throughout the case that morning Griffiths had not spoken like a father. - The Bench sentenced the defendant, who pleaded not guilty, but who has been previously convicted, to 14 day's imprisonment, and three years in a reformatory. - Inspector Dodd said defendant's brother had disappeared from his home, but the police were in search of him.

3 November 1894 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Griffiths was licensed to go out and work for Mr Martin, Egelton Farm, Oakham

16 December 1894 Sentence expired whilst out on licence, discharged from Saltley

30 April 1895 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Griffiths, Tamworth

8 December 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Griffiths, soldier, Belfast. (Now stationed at Belfast. Likes soldiering. Kind regards from Bickley [boy 1065] and Finlow [boy 913])

27 April 1898 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Griffiths, Belfast

14 June 1898 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Griffiths, Belfast