| No. in Admissions Register: | 173 |
| Date of admission: | 20 June 1860 |
| Whence received: | Stafford Gaol |
| By whom brought: | - |
| On what terms: | - |
| Friends interested in him: | - |
| Description: | |
| Height: | - |
| Figure: | - |
| Complexion: | Light |
| Hair colour: | Fair |
| Eyes colour: | Grey |
| Perfect vision? | Yes |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Sound intellect? | Yes |
| Use of all limbs? | Yes |
| Had cow or small pox? | No sign of vaccination |
| Particular marks: | None |
| Cutaneous disorder? | No |
| Scrofulous or consumptive? | No |
| Subject to fits? | No |
| Age last birthday: | 11 |
| Illegitimate? | No |
| Birthday: | - |
| Birth place: | - |
| Has resided: | 30 Wellington Court, Longton, Staffs |
| Parish to which he belongs: | Stoke on Trent |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Potter |
| Schools attended: | - |
| By whom and where employed: | |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Well |
| Writes: | Imperfectly |
| Cyphers: | - |
| General ability: | - |
| Offence: | Stealing a bottle of whiskey |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | Mother probably encouraged him; she has been convicted of felony |
| Date of sentence: | 30 May 1860 |
| Where convicted: | Longton Police Court |
| Where imprisoned: | Stafford |
| Sentence: | 14 days prison, 4 years detention at Saltley |
| Previous committals and convictions: | Stealing bread (2 days in cell); stealing gooseberries (1 month in prison); stealing cutlery (14 days in prison) – he has been 8 times in custody |
| Father's name: | Thomas Wheat |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Residence: | 30 Wellington Court, Longton |
| Mother's name: | Mary Wheat |
| Occupation: | None |
| Residence: | - |
| Father's character: | Honest |
| Mother's character: | Been convicted of felony |
| Parents dead? | No |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Good |
| Character of parents | Both in good health |
| Parents' wages: | 16s per week; 1 child earns 2s per week |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | Cannot pay, has a wife and 6 children |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | George Garnham, Superintendent, Longton |
| Relatives to communicate with: | - |
| Person making this return: | J P Rose, magistrates' clerk |
| Estimate of character on admission: | - |
| Character on discharge: | - |
| When and how left the Reformatory: | - |
26 May 1860 There is a report of his remand hearing in the Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 26 May 1860, p.7 col.5: Juvenile Delinquents. - Three lads, named Enoch Mansell, 11, Richard Abberley, 12, and William Wheat, 12, were charged with being upon the premises of Mr. Swettenham, landlord of the Canning Inn, Fenton, for the purpose of committing a felony. Mr. Swettenham stated, in evidence, that he missed a bottle of whiskey from his cupboard about a week ago, and had frequently missed cigars and other articles. This morning, the prisoner Abberley went into the bar and told a charwoman whom he saw there that he wanted some water - the prisoner Wheat standing, at the same time, in the passage. Directly afterwards, both the lads were seen to leave the bar, the drawer of which it was found had been opened, and information being given to the police, the prisoners were apprehended by Inspector Stuart. They then admitted having gone into the house for the purpose of robbing the till, and began to accuse each other of having stolen the bottle of whiskey referred to. Mr. Garnham stated that Wheat had been continually before the magistrates for several years past, and Abberley had only just come out of gaol. Mansell, who was stated to be not so bad as his fellow prisoners, was discharged ; the other two were remanded for a week.
2 June 1860 There is a short report of their trial in the Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 2 June 1860 p.7 col.6: Juvenile Offenders Richard Abberley and William Wheat, the two lads remanded last week on a charge of stealing a bottle of whiskey from the Canning Inn, Fenton, were again brought up. Wheat, who had been before the magistrates at least eight times for his pilfering practices, told the police that Abberley was the biggest thief, and had taught him to steal. They were sentenced to 21 days' imprisonment, and afterwards to be transferred to a reformatory for four years each.
7 June 1860 The Reformatory Minute Book reported: Mr Morgan laid applications before the Committee for the admission of three boys: Abberley [boy 174], Wheat, and Palmer [boy 180], and a letter from Mr Ratcliff as to admissions without any promise of payment by parents.
Resolved: that the applications with respect to the three boys in question be approved, and that they be admitted accordingly.
15 September 1860 There is a short report of his father being summoned for non-payment of maintenance in the Staffordshire Sentinel and Commercial and General Advertiser Saturday 15 September 1860 p.6 col.2: NON-PAYMENT TOWARDS THE SUPPORT OF CHILDREN IN REFORMATORIES… Thomas Wheat, carter, also appeared to answer to a similar summons. Mr Garnham said the man was earning 16s a week, and had six children, only one of whom worked, earning 2s 6d a week. The Bench ordered the defendant to pay 6d a week towards the maintenance of his boy.
15 January 1862 Absconded
12 March 1862 Brought back from Birmingham
24 November 1862 Absconded with 233 [Thomas Bentley]. Caught at Lichfield and brought back 27 Nov
29 November1862 There is a brief report of their detaining after absconding in the Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 29 November 1862 p.7 col.6: RUNAWAYS. - Two lads were apprehended on Monday night by Police-constable Page. The last names they had given were. Thomas Bentley and William Wheate. When brought upon Thursday, they admitted having run away from the reformatory at Saltley near Birmingham. An order was made for their return.
4 November 1863 Absconded with 241 (John Jones). Caught in Birmingham the same evening and brought back the next morning.
22 January 1864 Absconded with 234 (George Billingham. 28 Jan Brought back from Longton.
18 June 1864 Discharged on expiration of term without reward of clothing, etc.
October 1864 Sent to penal servitude.
January 1868 Dead - drowned in Western Australia
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