| No. in Admissions Register: | 57 |
| Date of admission: | 16 September 1854 |
| Weekly payments: | - |
| Age: | 15 |
| Education: | Indifferent |
| Previous employment: | Glass blower |
| Crimes, how often and in what prison: | Various, 4 |
| Training in reformatory: | - |
| When left reformatory: | 17 September 1856 |
| Parentage and family: | - |
| Residence: | - |
| Trade of father: | - |
| With whom the boy is placed: | Mr McCorkindale [a would-be colonist], with who he is apprenticed for 3½ years and is gone with his master to Port Natal in the brig |
| Address: | - |
| Trade: | - |
11 September 1854 A brief report of his crime in Aris's Birmingham Gazette 11 September 1854, p.1, col.4 says George Devaney, aged Devaney, for stealing 4½d and a key, the property of Mary Ann McCarty, and 4d, the monies of John Barton, to be imprisoned fourteen days, and sent for two years to Saltley.
14 December 1855 In the Reformatory Minute book it is recorder that: Mr McCorkindale [a would-be colonist] attended the committee and explained his views with reference to the proposed emigration to Natal, and it was agreed that the following boys be allowed to go to Natal on the necessary consents being obtained, viz. Williams (aged 14) [boy 68], Manning (aged 14) [boy 28], Devaney (aged 15 next May) [boy 57], Peechey (aged 16 next July) [boy 69], Hopcraft (aged 13 next May) [boy 65], Hook (aged 14) [boy 74).
The President undertook to write to the Home Secretary for his consent to the arrangement as far as concerned the boys detained under the Youthful Offenders Act, or by conditional pardon, and Mr Morgan engaged to deliver the letter personally at the Home Office.
Mr Ellis produced the consents of the boys’ parents.
Mr McCorkindale explained to the boys in the presence of the Committee the terms of their engagement and all signified their assent.
Resolved: that proper Indentures be prepared and that £8 be paid Mr McCorkindale for outfit and passage money for each boy.
22 December 1855 In the Minute Book it is recorded that: the President laid before the Committee the consent of the Home Secretary for the emigration to Natal of the four boys detained under sentence.
14 February 1856 The Minute Book records that: all the boys … except Devaney had sailed with Mr McCorkindale in the brig Portia for Natal on November 4th instant, the necessary consents from the Government and Parents having been first obtained. They were accompanied by Alfred John Taylor [boy 83], a well-educated boy, who had been committed at the Worcester Sessions a [few?] days previously, and by James Hines, who was selected instead of Devaney. [Devaney’s mother would not allow him to leave the country]
Mr Ratcliff inspected the vessel before the boys joined, and afterwards visited them on board, where they all expressed gratitude for the kind treatment in the Institution, and for the opportunity afforded them to emigrate. They all evinced much courage and determination to do well in their future career.
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