| No. in Admissions Register: | 465 |
| Age: | 14 |
| Whence received: | Stafford |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Brown |
| Eyes colour: | Grey |
| Visage: | - |
| Particular marks: | - |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission and term: | 24 February 1872 5 years |
| Late residence: | Wednesbury |
| Parish he belongs to: | West Bromwich |
| Customary work and mode of life: | Forge boy |
| Whether illegitimate: | - |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly |
| Writes: | Imperfectly |
| Offence: | Stealing books |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | - |
| Date of sentence, by who and court: | 2 December 1871, West Bromwich Petty Sessions, R Bagnall and H Wiggin |
| Where imprisoned: | Stafford |
| Sentence: | 3 months prison (hard labour), 5 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | None known |
| Length: | - |
| For what: | - |
| Father's name: | Dead |
| Occupation: | - |
| Mother's name: | Dead [but see Notes] |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | - |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | - |
| Character of parents | - |
| Parents' wages: | - |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | - |
| Parents address: | - |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | - |
| Person making this return: | - |
4 December 1871 There is a report of the crime in the Birmingham Daily Gazette Monday 4 December 1871 p.8 col.5: Larceny: Richard Smith, who said he came from the Erdington Workhouse, was charged with stealing a hymn book and prayer book from St. Matthew's Church, Smethwick, during divine service the evening of the 26th ult. Prisoner was arrested the same evening by Police-constable Barnt. He pleaded guilty to the theft, but excused the offence on the plea that he could get no books at the Workhouse, and that he merely took the books to read them. Committed to prison for three months, and after that period to be kept four years reformatory.
9 October 1875 Leave to go with his mother to Bristol to get employment. Address Hotwell Road, Bristol, [There is an undated letter informing the above statement: Richard Smith, 28 Hotwell Road, Bristol, Dear Sir, I write these few lines to you, hoping to find you in good health, as it leaves me at present. Dear sir, please give my best love to my Mrs and to Mr Birkmire and to the shoemaker and accept the same yourself. Dear sir, I am very sorry to tell you that I have had no work, but I except the first place at J C Hall. Now I must conclude with my best love to you all. Please to write back as soon as you can. I remain, your affectionate servant, Richard Smith, Please sir, I will write as soon as I get a place again].
19 April 1876 Heard from - 93 March Street, Hanley. Works for Mr Jones, Market Street, Hanley [spelling as given]: 19 April 1876, Dear Sir, I am verry sorry I have not write to you before. The resen that I went away from home is becase my mother was a drunker, and when she use to look at me she use to throw nifes at me and while I was at the school she got marred again before my father was dead. Bease [because] I was like my father she did that. Please sir, I have been in Hanley every since 1 Jany [January]. I have been doing very well and I am work for Mr Jones and he as been a good master to me and I have done my best to please him, but I will not say heny more about my carrities [calamities?] , but self prase is no rekmenddash [recommendation], and see you at wistite [Whitsuntide?]. Monday. And now I must conclude with my best. Please to write to: Mr Jones, 94 Market Street, Hanley, and he will tell you about my heaver [endeavours?]. Please to hive [give] my best love to Mr Birkmire an Charley and John and give my best love to the Misses and gardner [gardener], friend of mine. I will come Monday, and now I must conclude with my sent love to you all, Richard Smith.
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