Saltley Reformatory

George Henry Wilson - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1240
Age:	14 (born 6 June 1886)
Whence received:	Burton on Trent
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Dark brown
Eyes colour:	Brown
Height:	5 ft 0½ ins
Particular marks:	4 pox marks right arm, 5 dots left forearm, scar around right eye
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	10 July 1900
Late residence:	4 house 3 court New Street, Burton on Trent
Parish he belongs to:	-
Customary work and mode of life:	Nil
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Offence:	Larceny
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Bad companions
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:	3
Length:	1 (7 August 1896) fined 2s 6d and costs; 2) (15 January 1897) bound over; 3) (5 March 1897) birched
For what:	1) Larceny; 2) stealing pigeons; 3) larceny from the person
Father's name:	Charles Wilson
Occupation:	Labourer
Mother's name:	Jane Wilson
Occupation:	Housewife
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	Good
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	4 house 3 court New Street, Burton on Trent
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Superintendent of Police, Burton on Trent
Person making this return:	S Hicklin

Notes:

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.

20 February 1903 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Wilson was licensed to go out and work for Mr Green, Bentley Farm [not stated where, but probably Hurley, near Atherstone]

1 October 1903 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Wilson was re-licensed to go out and work for Mr Tanner, Newton Road, Burton on Trent

5 June 1905 Sentence expired whilst out on licence, discharged from Saltley

No. in Admissions Register:	677
Age:	10
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Hazel
Visage:	-
Particular marks:	Burn mark top of right shoulder
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	15 October 1881
Late residence:	Walsall
Parish he belongs to:	Walsall
Customary work and mode of life:	Going to school
Whether illegitimate:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Not at all
Writes:	Not at all
Offence:	Stealing a brush
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	5 October 1881; F James and T A Negus; Rushall Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Stafford
Sentence:	10 days in prison, 3 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	1
Length:	3 days
For what:	Stealing a duck
Father's name:	George French
Occupation:	-
Mother's name:	Phoebe French
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good, as far as can be ascertained
Character of parents	The father does not bear a good character either in honesty or sobriety. Health good
Parents' wages:	16s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	The parents do not engage to pay anything and any sum they could be called upon to pay would be of small amount in consequence of the limited earnings of the father and his large family
Parents address:	Brewers Cottage, Ryecroft Hill, Walsall
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Caleb Hackway, Superintendent of Police, Brownhills
Person making this return:	Samuel Wilkinson, Walsall, Clerk to the Justices for the Rushall Division of the County of Stafford

Notes:

2 July 1881 The previous offence is reported in the Wasall Observer and South Staffordshire Chronicle Saturday 2 July 1881 p.5 col.6: RUSHALL. STEALING A DUCK, - At the Rushall Petty Sessions, on Tuesday, before F. James and S. Stokes, Esqrs., a boy 9 years of age, named George French, 4, Railway Street., Walsall, was charged with having stolen a duck, value 1s., the property of Edward Bliss, Rushall Road. - Walter Elson, gardener, deposed that on Friday, the 17th ult., he was engaged in Mr. Bliss's garden when his attention was called to defendant by the fowls making a noise. He went to see what was the matter, and he saw defendant with the duck in his hands. When defendant saw him he ran away, and threw the duck to a boy much larger than defendant.. Witness followed defendant and caught him. - Mr, James said a beating with a birch rod would be the best punishment for defendant. - Defendant's mother said she had beaten him on the Saturday, and there were marks upon his back then. - Mr. James ordered the boy half-a-dozen stripes, but if it was found that he had been beaten not to administer them - P.C. Lloyd reported that there were no marks whatever upon the lad's back, and he was ordered to be whipped.

8 October 1881 There is a short report of the offence which sent him to Saltley in the Wasall Observer and South Staffordshire Chronicle Saturday 8 October 1881 p.4 col.5: STEALING A BRUSH. - At the Rushall Petty Sessions, on Tuesday, before F. James, S. Stokes. and T. A. Negro, Esqrs., a boy named George French, of Railway Street, Walsall, was charged with stealing a small hair brush. value 6d., the property of John Brawn, Mellish Road. - Complainant stated that defendant, on Sunday last, in company with another boy, came begging, as they did frequently. Soon after they were ions the brush was missed. and complainant pursued them. He found the brush in defendant's pocket. - Defendant was sent to gaol for ten days, and afterwards to be detained in a reformatory for three years.

James Phillips (of Burslem) - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	562
Age:	13
Whence received:	Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Light brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Visage:	-
Particular marks:	-
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission and term:	4 November 1876 4 years
Late residence:	Burslem
Parish he belongs to:	Burslem
Customary work and mode of life:	Potting
Whether illegitimate:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Not at all
Writes:	Not at all
Offence:	Stealing coal
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence, by who and court:	3 October 1876, Burslem Police Court, H C Greenwood
Where imprisoned:	Stafford
Sentence:	1 month prison (hard labour), 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	One
Length:	7 days
For what:	Vagrancy
Father's name:	William Phillips
Occupation:	Labourer
Mother's name:	Martha Phillips
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	No
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Bad
Character of parents	Bad
Parents' wages:	Not known. Father absconded, mother begs
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	Wellington Street, Burslem
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-
Whehn and how left reformatory:	30 Nov 1880 on expiration of term, later emigrated to Canada.

Notes:

3 October 1876 There is a report of the crime in the Staffordshire Sentinel Saturday 3 October 1876 p.3 col.2: COAL-STEALING AND ASSAULT. - James Phillips, a boy, was charged with stealing coal of the value of 2s., belonging to the Sneyd Colliery Company. Patrick Mullins, a boy, was charged with assaulting William Sutton, a clerk in the employ of the company. On the 2nd inst. William Sutton saw Phillips stealing the coal and pursued him. The other boy picked up stones and threw them at his companion's pursuer, one of the stones hitting him on the leg. He also swore that he would knock b----- brains out.-The parents of the boys appeared. Mr. Sutton prosecuted.-Phillips was sent to gaol for one month, at the expiration of which time he will be sent to a reformatory for four years. Mullins was committed to gaol for two days.

7 November 1876 There is a formal note attached to the Admissions Register: MEMORANDUM - From: Major W Inglis, 7th Nov. 1876, Inspector of Reformatory and Industrial Schools. The Superintendent, 3 Delaney Street, London, SW. Saltley Reformatory = James Phillips No.562. This boy's age is not given correctly on his supplemental warrant. Please get this altered and return it to this office. The original warrant should in all cases be sent.

18 May 1881 Left Birmingham Station for Liverpool this morning. Embarked on board the Sarmatian for Quebec. Going to Toronto to our agent there, Mr Donaldson. Phillips term expired 3 November 1880 and that he must be recorded as discharged.

23 June 1881 Arrived at Quebec 29 May 1881 (see letter written by G Wall) [Not attached to Admissions Register]5 July 1881 Letter from Phillips. He is doing well. Address Lockton P.Q., Peel County, Albion T, Canada

11 July 1881 Phillips wrote a satisfactory letter from the above address, to which I reply

23 July 1881 Writes to say he has engaged to serve his master for another month

John Blakeway - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	729
Age:	12
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Pale
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Dark hazel
Visage:	Oval
Particular marks:	Cut on top lip and cheek
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	-
Date of admission:	10 September 1883
Late residence:	Wallace Street, Round Oak, Brierley Hill, Staffordshire
Parish he belongs to:	Dudley
Customary work and mode of life:	No occupation
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing coal
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Bad company
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	20 August 1883; Henry Smith and Henry Walker; Court of Summary Jurisdiction Brierley Hill
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Stafford
Sentence:	21 days hard labour in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	Been birched no less that 6 times
Length:	Fined 3 times and finally sentenced
For what:	-
Father's name:	David Blakeway
Occupation:	Carter
Mother's name:	Sophia Blakeway
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Treated kindly
Character of parents	Honest, sober, and in good health
Parents' wages:	17s 6d per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	Ought to pay 1s per week
Parents address:	Wallace Street, Round Oak, Brierley Hill, Staffordshire
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	John Woollaston, Superintendent of Police, Brierley Hill
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

10 February 1886 There was a short report of a previous offence in the County Advertiser and Herald for Staffordshire and Worcestershire Saturday 10 February 1883 p.6 col.1: CHARGE OF WILFUL DAMAGE. Andrew Price (11). and John Blakeway (12). were charged with doing wilful damage to a steam gauge belonging to the Earl of Dudley, en the 29th ult The evidence showed that the defendants were on the boilers, interfering with the steam valves. A glass gangs which had been broken was produced, but it was not shown that the prisoners actually committed the damage, and they were discharged on their promising not to go near the boilers again.

9 June 1886 There was a very brief report of a previous offence in the County Advertiser and Herald for Staffordshire and Worcestershire Saturday 9 June 1883 p.6 col.2: COAL STEALING... John Blakeway, on a charge of coal stealing, was ordered a birching of twelve strokes.

25 August 1883 There is a short report of the crime in the County Express; Brierley Hill, Stourbridge, Kidderminster,and Dudley News Saturday 25 August 1883 p.7 col.2: A COAL STEALER PUNISHED.- John Blakeway (12), Round Oak Common, was charged with stealing coal belonging to the Earl of Dudley, at Kingswinford, on the 7th inst. A number of previous convictions were proved against defendant, and he was sentenced to twenty-one days imprisonment at Stafford, afterwards to go to a reformatory for five years..

1 April 1887 Licensed to work for W E Gittings, Moor Lane, Brierley Hill

Joseph Bottom - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	986
Age:	15
Whence received:	H M Prison Wakefield
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Dark brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Height:	4 ft 10 ins
Particular marks:	3 dots left forearm, blue dot knuckle of left little finger
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	19 January 1892
Late residence:	33 court Allen Street, Sheffield
Parish he belongs to:	Sheffield
Customary work and mode of life:	Fork grinder
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Offence:	Housebreaking and stealing money, etc, with three other boys
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	6 January 1892; F Lockwood QC MP; Sheffield Quarter Sessions
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Wakefield
Sentence:	14 days in prison, 3 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	Nil
Length:	-
For what:	-
Father's name:	Joseph Bottom
Occupation:	Saw grinder
Mother's name:	Sarah Bottom
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	33 court Allen Street, Sheffield
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

3 December 1891 There is a report of the remand hearing for the crime in the Sheffield Evening Telegraph Thursday 3 December 1891 p.4 col.6: YOUTHFUL CRIME IN SHEFFIELD. "Eight boys this morning, and two, who are still wanted, make ten. I never saw such a lot of young thieves. They seem to think they are entitled to take anything they can get hold of." Such were the remarks made by the Stipendiary at the Town Hall this morning. He had before him three boys of varying ages and sizes, who leaned against the dock rails and listened to the recital of the witnesses, with an air of complete indifference. William Crookes, lived at 80, Edward street, Joseph Bottom at 4 house, 23 court, Allen street, and John Wm. Revell at 130, Edward street. Two of their companions had not yet been arrested. The plunder consisted of 10s. in money, two tins of rabbit, two pounds of polony, and four small pork pies, and it was obtained by breaking into the house of Elizabeth Wostenholm, 81, Winter street, on the night of the 24th November. - The boys, when charged, admitted the offence to the extent of 7s. 6d. in money and four small pork pies, but they barred the rabbit The thread of the crime was unrolled without a single break. They were seen Watery lane at a surprisingly early hour, were afterwards recognised in the Wostenholm Coffee House, where they had adjourned for rest and refreshment. Their method of access to the house had been by means of the cellar, but in leaving they had omitted the injunction to shut the door. The open door aroused the suspicions of the passing constable, and after the expiration of ten days the boys found themselves committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.

At the hearing at the Quarter Sessions, reported in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph Thursday 7 January 1892 p.8 col.4, Johnson (presumably one of the offenders missing from the initial hearing)was sentenced to six months in prison; Crookes, Bottom , and Revell were each sentenced to 14 days in prison, with hard labour, and three years in a reformatory

1 December 1894 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Bottom was licensed to go out and work for Mr Menzies, Ellesmere Lodge, Altrincham

18 January 1895 Sentence expired whilst out on licence, discharged from Saltley