Saltley Reformatory Inmates

James Parker

No. in Admissions Register:	187
Date of admission:	24 October 1860
Whence received:	Walsall Gaol
By whom brought:	Police officer
On what terms:	-
Friends interested in him:	-
Description:
Height:	-
Figure:	Stout
Complexion:	Light
Hair colour:	Brown
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:	14
Illegitimate?	No
Birthday:	-
Birth place:	-
Has resided:	George Hotel Yard
Parish to which he belongs:	Walsall
Customary work and mode of life:	Vagrant
Schools attended:	-
By whom and where employed:	-
State of education:
Reads:	Imperfectly
Writes:	Imperfectly
Cyphers:	-
General ability:	-
Offence:	Larceny
Circumstances which may have led to it:	The parents not exercising proper control over the boy
Date of sentence:	11 October 1860
Where convicted:	Walsall
Where imprisoned:	Walsall Gaol
Sentence:	14 days prison, 3 years detention at Saltley
Previous committals and convictions:	Four
Father's name:	James Parker
Occupation:	Waiter
Residence:	George Hotel Yard, Walsall
Mother's name:	Ann Parker
Occupation:	None
Residence:	George Hotel Yard, Walsall
Father's character:	-
Mother's character:	-
Parents dead?	-
Survivor married again?	-
Parents' treatment of child:	Neglected
Character of parents	Supposed to be given to drink
Parents' wages:	13s a week, has four other children
Amount parents agree to pay:	Nothing
Superintendent of police (to collect payments):	W Cater, Superintendent of Police
Relatives to communicate with:	-
Person making this return:	-
Estimate of character on admission:	-
Character on discharge:	-
When and how left the Reformatory:	-

Notes:

[Brother to Henry Parker, boy 203, to see record click here ]

13 October 1860 There is a short report of his trial and conviction in the Walsall Free Press and General Advertiser Saturday 13 October 1860, p.4, col.2: A WEAKNESS FOR TARTS. - Mr M Coates, of Digbeth, charged a boy named James Parker with stealing two tarts from his shop on Friday last. A witness who could prove the offence was not present, and Mr Coates solicited a remand for a week until the witness should be summoned to attend. The application was granted. Mr, Coates said he would not be so much disposed to press the charge, had it not been that it was not the first time he bad been plundered by the prisoner at the bar.

1 December 1860 There is a report of his father being summoned for non-payment of maintenance for his son in the Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 1 December 1860 p.7 col.6: SUPPORT OF CHILDREN IN REFORMATORIES BY PARENTS. - James Parker appeared in answer to a summons charging him with having neglected to contribute to the support of his son. who was some weeks ago committed to the Saltley Reformatory for three years. Mr. Chief Superintendent Cater intimated that he had received instructions from the Home Office to take the present proceedings, and he put in his authority with the necessary proofs. Mr. Day, ex-Mayor, told defendant that he had recently visited the reformatory in question, and there found the inmates to be so well treated in every respect, that he thought parents whose children were there ought to lie glad to contribute to their support. The children were well cared for. and their moral and religious welfare was looked after. The bench ordered defendant to pay 1s. per week.

6 April 1863 Emigrated to Canada

7 September 1863 Heard of as of vagrant habits and idle, doubtful character

November 1864 Has returned to England. Called at the school. Dirty and lazy looking

November 1866 Doubtful [character]

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