Saltley Reformatory Inmates

Joseph Smith

No. in Admissions Register:	123
Date of admission:	21 October 1857
Whence received:
By whom brought:	-
On what terms:	Committed
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	-
Complexion:	Fair
Hair colour:	Light
Eyes colour:	Blue
Perfect vision?	Yes
State of health:	Good
Able-bodied?	Yes
Sound intellect?	Yes
Use of all limbs?	Yes
Had cow or small pox?	Vaccinated
Particular marks:	None
Cutaneous disorder?	No
Scrofulous or consumptive?	No
Subject to fits?	No
Age last birthday:	13
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	Liverpool
Parish to which he belongs:	Liverpool
Customary work and mode of life:	Errand boy
Schools attended:	Park Lane School, Liverpool
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	A little
Writes:	A little
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Stealing 10s
Circumstances which may have led to it:	Not known
Date of sentence:	8 March 1856
Where convicted:	Liverpool before J S Mansfield, Esq
Sentence:	40 days in prison, 5 years at Saltley
Where imprisoned:	-
Previous committals and convictions:	None
Father's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Mother's name:	-
Occupation:	-
Residence:	-
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	Both dead (but mother said to be living)
Survivor married again?	Yes
Parents' treatment of child:	-
Character of parents:	-
Parents' wages:	-
Weekly amount parents will pay:	-
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	-
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	W W Fenwick, Governor,
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	-

Notes:

24 March 1856 Although there are small differences from the details in the Admissions Register given above, there is a probable report of his crime in the Liverpool Daily Post, Monday 24 March 1856 p.3 col.3: JUVENILE THIEVES. - Joseph Smith, aged 9 years, was brought up on remand for having stolen 8s from the money drawer of Mr Watson Woodward, draper, Paradise Street. Mr Woodward said the little fellow had been in the habit of coming to his shop every morning, for the sweepings. He had done so for two or three years. He was caught a week or two since behind the counter, robbing the till. It then became manifest that he had done so before frequently, and taken about £5 or £6 pounds. - he was ordered to be imprisoned for forty days, and then sent to the Akbar [a training ship reformatory at Liverpool] for five years.

1 February 1858 name on Good conduct List

5 September 1859 name removed from the list for assisting 2 boys to abscond and afterwards being guilty of gross falsehood

3 May 1860 The Reformatory Minute Book records: 674. The following boys were reported by the Superintendent as suitable for recommendation to situations or emigration though their term of detention is unexpired: Drake [boy 138], Smith, Blick [boy 136], Finn [boy 101], Bentley [boy 139], Francis [boy 130]

677. Smith and Finn are anxious to go to sea. An inquiry to be made from their parents, if agreeable.

28 June 1860 sent with Edwards (boy 126) to Fareham

5 July 1860 The Minute Book notes: 691. Mr Gover reported that Smith and Edwards [boy126] are at Fareham, engaged as Carpenters, under the care of the Rector, waiting an opportunity to go to sea.

3 August 1860 taken and received aboard the Victory training ship, Portsmouth

6 September 1860 The Minute Book contains this: 707. Mr Adderley reported that Mr Ratcliff had received a letter from Smith, who with Edwards have succeeded in making a satisfactory arrangement for going to sea, and it was agreed their expenses at Fareham should be paid.

4 October 1860 The Minute Book reported: 714. Resolved: That Mr Ratcliff be requested to report the total expenses incurred in reference to Smith and Edwards' , including a gratuity of £1 to Mr Coker for his services in superintending them while at Fareham.

1 November 1860 The Minute Book records that: 724. Mr Ratcliff reported that the total expenses of sending out Smith and Edwards amounted to £16 18s 9d

6 April 1861 seen by Mr Gould aboard the Victory. All well.

30 November 1861 had a letter from him saying that he was at Devonport on board the Jason, about to be paid off, and that he would like to see us.

6 December 1861 called here - every inch a sailor. Is engaged for the Donegal at Liverpool on the expiration of seven weeks' leave. Character - "very good".

[Return to Index]

← Prev	Next →