BINNERSLEY George sent to Reformatory School - any advice about which Reformatory this would have been?

3 replies [Last post]
Helen Stanley
Offline
Last seen: 7 years 42 weeks ago
Joined: Tuesday, 16-06-2015

I live in Victoria, Australia.  My query is this.  George BINNERSLEY Snr married Mary Ann Burgess at Shifnal on 27th March 1856.  The couple had 4 children

Mary BINNERSLEY Jnr christened 27th Mar 1857 @ Shifnal

Maria Grace christened 31st Dec 1860 @ Shifnal

Sarah christened 1863 @ Shifnal - buried age 2 yrs Feb. 1865

George Jnr christened 20th Oct 1864 @ Shifnal.

In the 1861 Shifnal census George BINNERSLEY Snr's Occupation is recorded as a "Tan Yard Labourer". Sadly just 4 yrs later his Death Reg records that he died of a "Diseased Heart" on the 17th Aug 1865 at Shifnal.  He was just 34 yrs of age and left his 33 year old widow with 3 young children to raise - Mary Jnr abt 8 yrs of age, Maria Grace abt 5 yrs and baby George just 10 months old. 

In the 1871 Shifnal census Mary "BINSLEY", is employed as a 'Domestic'  and is living in High Street, Shifnal with her 3 young children who are now all "Scholars".  George Jnr is abt 6yrs.  Family members recalled that George BINNERSLEY Jnr  told  the following story:

"When George Jnr was about 7 or 8 yrs of age a farmer caught him "stealing apples from his orchard". (Perhaps there were other misdemeanors that George Jnr preferred not to disclose?)  Apparently George's mother and a magistrate both then agreed that George's widowed mother needed help to "manage" him so he was sent to a Reformatory School. 

George Jnr always stated that this turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to him!  At the Reformatory George learnt to read and write and became such a good student that the Head of that school allowed him free access to his own private library of books. During this time George really had his "heart set on" becoming a teacher.  BUT George Jnr recalled, when "he was 14 yrs old his mother Mary Ann BINNERSLEY, came and collected him from the Reformatory".  Widow Mary Ann BINNERSLEY  had secured her son a position working with a baker.  (I have been unable to find either 16 yr old George BINNERSLEY Jnr, or his mother - Mary Ann BINNERSLEY in the 1881 census.)

Despite the fact that George did not enjoy this chosen trade, he continued working as a Baker in Shifnal and in 1892 he married Emily STEPHENS.  (Emily's grandfather - Parker Stephens owned the Dunn Cow Inn in Knutsford)

George's mother, widow Mary Ann BINNERSLEY married widower William POOLE on 30th April 1885 at Quatford.  Mary Ann BINNERSLEY's own widowed mother Mary BURGESS, had been Housekeeper for William POOLE prior to her death in 1879.  The couple lived at Stanton and according to son George Jnr, they "took in jockeys" as boarders.  (See neighbouring  Stanton Horse Stud, owned by successful 'Racing Horse Trainer', Mr Thomas WADLOW, employing about 35 people mainly 'Grooms' in 1871 census).

George BINNERSLEY Jnr died on 19th June 1942, in Lancashire.  He and Emily had 7 children - there are many descendants.  

Whilst there is no doubt that George BINNERSLEY Jnr went to a Reformatory School - despite lots of research - none of George Jnr's large extended family have been able to find out which Reformatory took in young "unruly" children  from Shropshire.  Any assistance, or advice as to where to look would be most appreciated.  Best wishes from sunny Melbourne. Helen

Michael J Hulme
Offline
Last seen: 56 min 32 sec ago
Joined: Saturday, 4-06-2011

Hello Helen

Have a look at the Children's Homes web site to see if that gives you any clues.

I can't help wondering if the Reformatory School that George BINNERSLEY went to was outside Shropshire.  Just a thought.  Shifnal is close to Wolverhampton and Staffordshire.

Mike

david64
Offline
Last seen: 7 years 5 weeks ago
Joined: Friday, 22-07-2011

You could try looking in these records:

http://bit.ly/1OIVjkd

I am not sure if this school would be covered. Otherwise I would search the Shropshire Archive catalogue.

From my research of this name in Shropshire, it is interchangeable with Billingsley, a parish in Shropshire.

Helen Stanley
Offline
Last seen: 7 years 42 weeks ago
Joined: Tuesday, 16-06-2015

Hello David,  Thank you for your suggestion.  I have now checked those school records for both Binnersley and Billingsley and sadly George Binnersley/Billingsley does not appear.  I have not checked the Shropshire Archives as yet. Thank you once again, and Seasons Greetings, Helen