Saltley Reformatory

William Leonard Tedds - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1249
Age:	14 (born 18 December 1885)
Whence received:	Coventry Petty Sessions
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Grey mottled
Height:	4 ft 9¾ ins
Particular marks:	Small scar left side of head
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	5 December 1900
Late residence:	43 Station Street West, Foleshill, Coventry
Parish he belongs to:
Customary work and mode of life:	Nil - lounging about
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Writes:	Imperfectly, Standard 3
Offence:	Larceny from a shop
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Police report says that he is a bad lad and is leading other boys astray - there were 5 boys in the last offence he was charged with
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	1 December 1900; F W Franklin and Rowland Hill; Coventry Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned:	Not
Sentence:	Detained at Saltley until 19 years of age
Previous committals:
Number:	2
Length:	1) (1897) 6 strokes; 2) (July 1900) 8 strokes
For what:	1) Larceny; 2) larceny
Father's name:	Joseph Tedds
Occupation:	Labourer
Mother's name:	Betsy Tedds
Occupation:	Housewife
Parents dead?	Neither
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	Respectable
Parents' wages:	-
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	43 Station Street West, Foleshill, Coventry
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Chief Constable, Coventry
Person making this return:	James Shelley, Superintendent of Police

Notes:

20 July 1900 A previous offence was reported in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Friday 20 July 1900 p.2 col.7: THE BOY AND THE BLACKBIRD. A blackbird in a cage was produced in Court, said to have been stolen by a boy named Wm. Leonard Tedds, fourteen years of age, living in Station Street West, Foleshill. Prisoner, with two other boys, went to Whirtmore Park Farm to get some "hayricking" to do, and whilst the woman there went to see the farmer about the matter, Tedds took the bird and cage, the other boys refusing to have anything to do with it. They, however, afterwards tossed for the bird, and one of the boys, Colledge, won, but would not take it. Tedds threw the cage away, and put the bird in his pocket. The boy had been previously birched by order of the Court, for another offence, and was now ordered to receive eight strokes with the birch rod. Mr. Sims, the Police Court Missionary, offered to get the boy into a home, but the father declined to assent, saying he would send him to some relative at Leicester. The Chairman : I think you are wrong in not accepting the offer to have your boy properly looked after.

1 December 1900 The crime that sent him to Saltley was reported in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Saturday 1 December 1900 p.2 col.6: STOLEN SWEETS. Three lads, named William Leonard Tedds, Station Street West; Edwin Crecence Greenway, 49, Broad Street; and Thomas Fennell, 49, Station Street, were accused of stealing four boxes of sweets, value 11s. 6d. The sweets in question belonged to Thomas Lucas, Park Street, Foleshill, and were left, with others, in a coachhouse at the rear of his premises on the 26th ult., the door being locked. When the theft was discovered the doors were wide open, and the boxes in question were gone - three of chocolate and one of jujubes. The accused lads were said have committed the theft by two companions of theirs, with whom they shared the stolen sweets, and who now turned "Queen's Evidence" against them. P.S. Rawlins made the usual inquiries, and found the boxes where they had been hidden - in a hayrick. All the lads admitted the theft. Tedds was given a bad character as having twice already been birched. He was sent a reformatory for five years, or till 19. The other two were fined 10s. and costs each.

23 July 1903 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Tedds was licensed to go out and work for Webster Brickworks, Coventry

June 1904 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Tedds was licensed to go out and work for Mr …. [surname illegible], Cope Street, Coventry

17 December 1904 Sentence expired whilst out on licence, discharged from Saltley

William Griffiths - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	299
Date of admission:	2 May 1865
Whence received:	Birmingham
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Dark brown
Eyes colour:	Dark grey
Perfect vision?	Yes
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Sound intellect?	Yes
Use of all limbs?	Yes
Had cow or small pox?	Cowpox
Particular marks:	Large birthmark above right seat.
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	No
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	15
Illegitimate?	-
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	Birmingham
Parish he belongs to:	Birmingham
Customary work and mode of life:	Brass caster
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing one cwt [hundredweight] of coal
Circumstances which may have led to it:	-
Date of sentence:	12 April 1865
Where convicted:	Moor Street
Who prosecuted:	-
Where imprisoned:	-
Sentence:	21 days, 4 years at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	Stealing 10 lbs of bacon (October 1862)
Father's name:	Thomas Hickin (stepfather)
Occupation:	Saddler
Residence:	7 court Woodcock Street, Birmingham
Mother's name:	Anna Maria Hickin
Occupation:	Dressmaker
Residence:	-
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	Own father
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Good
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	About 20s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	Considered able to pay 9d a week
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	G Glossop
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	T C S Kynnersley
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	-

Notes:

27 October 1862 There was a report of his previous offence in the Birmingham Daily Gazette Monday 27 October 1862 p.3 col.4: A YOUNG SCAMP.- William Griffith. 14, caster, living with his mother in No. 7 Court, Woodcock Street, was charged with stealing a piece of bacon from the shop of Mrs. Harriet Pearson, 284, Great Lister Street. It appeared that Mrs. Pearson saw him running away with the bacon in his hand on the previous afternoon, and ran after and caught him. The prisoner acknowledged his guilt, and said he had taken the bacon because he was hungry.-His mother, who was in Court, said that prisoner had a comfortable home to go to, but that he was a very bad boy.-He was sent to the House of Correction for three months.

13 April 1865 There is a report of the crime in the Birmingham Daily Gazette Thursday 13 April 1865 p.6 col.5: STEALING COAL - William Griffiths, brass caster, residing in 7 court, Woodcock Street, and Henry Hewson, gun implement maker, residing at 26, Hill Street, were charged with stealing about 4 cwt. of coal from a boat, the property of Samuel Lowe, licensed victualler, Miles Street. Hewson was, in consequence of having on all previous occasions borne a good character, discharged. Griffiths was sent to the house of correction for twenty-one days; at the expiration of that period to be sent to a reformatory for four years.

24 May 1867 Licensed to work at brass founding

Solomon Pulley - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	181
Date of admission:	7 August 1860
Whence received:	Stafford Gaol
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	-
Hair colour:	-
Eyes colour:	-
Perfect vision?	Yes
State of health:	-
Able-bodied?	Yes
Sound intellect?	Yes
Use of all limbs?	Yes
Had cow or small pox?	Smallpox
Particular marks:	-
Cutaneous disorder?	Boils on the face
Scrofulous or consumptive?	Not apparent
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	11
Illegitimate?	Yes
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	Kingswinford
Has resided:	Brierley Hill, Kingswinford
Parish to which he belongs:	Kingswinford
Customary work and mode of life:	No occupation – a vagrant
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:
State of education:
Reads:	Not at all
Writes:	Not at all
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing one cloth jacket and one pair of boots
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Neglect of parents
Date of sentence:	27 July 1860
Where convicted:	Wordsley
Where imprisoned:	House of Correction, Stafford
Sentence:	28 days prison, 5 years detention at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	-
Father's name:	William Pulley
Occupation:	Miner
Residence:	Not known
Mother's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Father's character:	Drunkard, has absconded and left his two youngest children to the parish
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	Mother
Survivor married again?	No
Parents' treatment of child:	Cruelty and driven from home
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	Father 4s per day as a miner
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	William Mills, Brierley Hill, Staffordshire
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	Henry King, clerk to the magistrates' public office, Stourbridge
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	5 Jun 1862 - emigrated to Canada

Notes:

14 July 1860 There is a brief report of his crime in the County Advertiser and Herald for Staffordshire and Worcestershire, Saturday 14 July 1860, p.2, col.6: YOUNG IN YEARS BUT A VETERAN IN INIQUITY. - Solomon Pulley, a lad of twelve years of age, was charged with stealing a jacket and a pair of boots from the house of Samuel Inston, Brierley Hill, on the 3rd of June last. The charge was proved, and the young delinquent sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour, at the conclusion of which he is to be sent to a reformatory, there to remain for five years.

5 June 1862 Emigrated to Canada

14 August 1862 Heard from him. Is working for Mr Walker, farming, Eglinton, Toronto.

12 February 1863 Lowe [boy 151] says in his letter that Pulley and six boys from Kingswood had been detected in theft and committed to prison.

September 1863 Broadbent [boy 197] says Pulley is in the penitentiary.

Edward Wright - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	748
Age:	15
Whence received:	H M Prison Stafford
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Sandy
Eyes colour:	Grey
Visage:	Long
Particular marks:	Blue spots on left and right arms
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	12 June 1884
Late residence:	24 Blackhorse Lane, Hanley
Parish he belongs to:	Stoke on Trent
Customary work and mode of life:	Labourer
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Offence:	Stealing apples
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Bad company
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	13 May 1884; C Adams and H Cartledge; Court of Summary Jurisdiction Hanley
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Stafford
Sentence:	1 month hard labour in prison, 2 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	1 (but ambiguous)
Length:	3 years at Gem Street Industrial School (Birmingham)
For what:	Stealing coal
Father's name:	John Fenton (step-father)
Occupation:	-
Mother's name:	Emma Fenton
Occupation:	-
Parents dead?	Own father
Survivor married again?	Not married to Fenton
Parents' treatment of child:	Indifferent
Character of parents	Not sober
Parents' wages:	Fenton earns 30s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	Refuses to pay anything as he is not married to the boy's mother
Parents address:	24 Blackhorse Lane, Hanley
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	Herbert Windle
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

13 October 1885 In the Log Book report for this date, the author of the report was the newly appointed head of the School, Harry F Fish, who recounted the conditions he found at the Reformatory. He notes: I also found two lads in the cells, viz. T Smith [boy 748], for attempted absconding and E Wright for refusing to work in the wash house. I liberated both as they had been in solitary confinement for 3 days

25 March 1886 Discharged from Saltley by order of the Home Secretary on emigrating to Canada from Liverpool on the Allan Lines' SS Parisian along with Daniels [701], Sparkes [boy 694], and Till [boy 725]

12 May 1887 The Reformatory Committee Log Book records receipt of a letter from Wright, Hagersville P.O., Ontario, Canada

James Bridges - Saltley Reformatory Inmate

No. in Admissions Register:	1006
Age:	10
Whence received:	H M Prison Wakefield
Description:
Complexion:	Fresh
Hair colour:	Brown
Eyes colour:	Grey
Height:	4 ft 0 ins
Particular marks:	Nil
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Date of admission:	13 June 1892
Late residence:	1 court 5 house Fowler Street, Sheffield
Parish he belongs to:	Sheffield
Customary work and mode of life:	Nil
Whether illegitimate:	No
State of education:
Reads:	Not at all
Writes:	Not at all
Offence:	Stealing a quantity of cruets
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Failure of parental control
Date of sentence, by whom and court:	24 May 1892; E M G Welby; Sheffield Petty Sessions
Where imprisoned:	H M Prison Wakefield
Sentence:	21 days in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Previous committals:
Number:	1
Length:	6 strokes
For what:	Stealing boots and sausages
Father's name:	Edward Fielding (step-father)
Occupation:	-
Mother's name:	Elizabeth Fielding
Occupation:	Mother
Parents dead?	Father
Survivor married again?	Yes
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents	-
Parents' wages:	24s per week
Amount parents agree to pay:	-
Parents address:	1 court 5 house Fowler Street, Sheffield
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Person making this return:	-

Notes:

5 May 1892 There is a report of a previous offence in the Leeds Mercury Thursday 5 May 1892 p.5 col.7: REMARKABLE FREAK BY BOYS. - Four Sheffield boys have been indulging in an adventure, which, involving them in dishonesty, has ended with an appearance before the Sheffield Stipendiary. The story of their escapade was told by a witness who had it first hand from the leader of the band, a boy named Reuben Malin. They broke into a warehouse at the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Goods Station Malin, as leader, was last in and first out He descended from the roof by rope, the others following. They broke open what boxes they could with a crowbar they found there, and the first of these was a case of dolls, which furnished amusement in opening and shutting their eyes. One boy found out a treacle tub, from which he "supped," but another, to his dismay, hit upon a box of soap, an article for which he had no enthusiasm. Figs, jams and marmalade, peanuts, Brazil nuts, and oranges, however, were eventually drawn upon, and the quartet had a "time" of it. They took away with them a fair stock of the "goodies." for future consumption, and, along with them, some electro-plated cruets and shoes. The glitter of the silver proved their ruin, for in attempting to dispose of two cruet stands for twopence each they were discovered. The melancholy sequel is the sentence - Malin, twelve strokes; James Bridge and Albert Sarson, six strokes of the birch; John Robert Sarson, a smaller boy, severely cautioned.

14 June 1896 The Medical Officer reported: Bruised cheek, well by 17 June

9 January 1897 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Bridges was licensed to go out and work for Mr Laird, Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire

12 June 1897 Sentence expired whilst out on licence, having earlier absconded from his employer. Discharged from Saltley