Saltley Reformatory School

[Angus Rhodes]

Hello dusty2

 I have just learned that my 3rd great grandfather Beniah Rhodes stayed at Saltley around June 1867 at the age of 11 his farther was Beniah Rhodes and Margaret Poole they lived in bird cage walk he stole a purse with 8 pence in and that's all I know hope that is enough if you could help me that would be great as I don't know that much personal stuff about him. I hope this is not a bother as there are many people asking.

Thank you
Angus     

[Angus Rhodes]

I came across this is it you?http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.britisles.england.sts.general/12463.2/mb.ashx

[dusty2]

Yes, that earlier post was me - from time to time I try to find an 'owner' for one of these records. Anyway, here is the full information from the admissions register.

Beniah Rhodes (no.355 in register)
Date of admission: 24 June 1867
Description: fresh complexion, brown hair, brown eyes, perfect vision, good health, able-bodied, of sound intellect, has use of all limbs, has had cowpox, cut marks on nose, no skin disorders, no apparent scrofula or consumption, not subject to fits.
Age: 11
Residence: Hanley
Parish to which he belongs: Hanley
Education: cannot read or write at all
Offence: stealing a purse and eight pence
Sentence: 1 calendar month imprisonment and 4 years at Saltley
Date of sentence: 24 May 1867 at Stoke on Trent
Previous convictions: one, for stealing a watch
Father: Beniah Rhodes, bricklayer, Bird Cage Walk, Hanley
Character of father: Honest and sober
Mother: dead
State of parents' health: not good
Wages of parent: 30 shillings per week
Amount parents engage to pay: 2 shillings per week
Superintendent of Police: R J Baker, Hanley

It's a sad commentary of the times that they actually had boxes on the page to be filled in referring to the various diseases and disorders reported on above.

There is also a newspaper report of the court case:

POLICE COURT:-Yesterday. (Before J E Davis and C M Campbell Esqs). AN INCORRIGIBLE BOY:- A boy named Beniah Rhodes was charged with stealing a purse containing 8d, the property of James Hinckley, Frederick Street, Hanley on Wednesday last. The father of the prisoner appeared in court, and stated that his son was twelve years old, and had been before the Court previously. Mr Davis ordered that the boy should be imprisoned for one month, and afterwards sent to a reformatory for four years. (Staffordshire Sentinel, Saturday 24 May 1867, p.5, col.3).

There is also a related newspaper report a little later:

HANLEY. Monday. (Before W Brownfield, W M Meigh, and E J Ridgway, Esqrs). Beniah Rhodes, bricklayer, was ordered to pay 1 shilling and 6 pence per week towards the maintenance of his son, who was some time ago sent to Saltley Reformatory. (Staffordshire Sentinel, Saturday 13 July 1867, p. 6, col. 1).

Hope this helps.

[miclyn333]

Hi,

I have just come across a F(rancis) Ambrose Dutton in the reformatory in the 1881 census, age 12.
I would be very grateful for a lookup and any further information available about him.

His father was Charles Edward and mother Elizabeth.

(Amended with correct info)

Many Thanks

Linda

[dusty2]

Er - Some confusion here, I fear. There is F Ambrose DUTTON in the Reformatory at this time, but no STOTT. Is it the former you mean? If so, DUTTON's parents were Charles Edward and Elizabeth'

[miclyn333]

Hello Dusty2,

Sorry my mistake. It should be DUTTON and the parents are Charles Edward and Elizabeth. (Elizabeth's maiden name was Stott)

Linda

[dusty2]

OK, DUTTON it is!

Francis DUTTON, age 10

Received from: Birmingham Gaol
Description: pale complexion, brown hair, grey eyes, oval ....., no marks, good health, able-bodied
Admitted: 25 May 1878 for 5 years.
Address: 7 court 5 house Tower Street, Birmingham
Works: no
Not illegitimate
Education: can read and write imperfectly
Offence: stealing 6 shillings
Date of sentence etc: 6 May 1878 before J Lowe and G Goodrick Esqs, Birmingham Police Court
Where imprisoned: Birmingham Gaol
Sentence: 21 days with hard labour, 5 years at Saltley
Parents: Charles Edward (painter) and Elizabeth DUTTON
Treatmant of child: father is always beating him
Character of parents: father has been in gaol twice for beating the boy
Parents' wages: boy states about 30 shillings (per week)
Address of parents: 7 court 5 house Tower Street, Birmingham
Name of person making return: D Meaden (?), Governor

Other information: 17 Jan 1982 Licensed to Mr James DUTTON shop (?) Parliament (?) Street, Small Heath

Cannot find a newspaper report of the trial

hope this helps 

[miclyn333]

Hello dusty2,

Thank you for this interesting info.

In the other info is 1982 correct?

Linda

[dusty2]

No, that was a typo. Should be 1882. It means that Francis was allowed out of the reformatory to work for someone deemed by the Reformatory to be a suitable employee. Almost like probation.