Petitions to the Westminster Quarter Sessions: 1770s

John Lambert, tallow chandler. WJ/SP/1770/04 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654810050

To the worshipful Sir John Fielding knight and the rest of
his majesty's justices of the peace for the city and liberty
of Westminster in the county of Middlesex in their
general quarter session assembled

The humble petition and appeal of John Lambert, tallow=
chandler

Sheweth
that the commissioners for paving cleansing lighting and
otherwise regulating the squares streets and other places within
the city and liberty of Westminster aforesaid by a paving rate made upon
the inhabitants of Panton Street in the parish of Saint Margaret Saint [Martin in?]
the Fields within the said city and liberty of Westminster for one [year?]
(that is to say) from Lady Day 1769. to Lady Day 1770. for the
purpose of paving cleansing lighting and otherwise regulating
the said street have rated and charged your petitioner the sum
of three pounds eleven shillings and six pence for and in respect
of a messuage or tenement situate in the said street in his
occupation, being after the rate of two shillings and nine
pence in the pound

That your petitioner humbly conceives that the commissioners
who made the said rate of two shillings and nine pence in
the pound were not legally authorized or empowered so to do

Wherefore your petitioner conceives himself aggrieved
by the said rate and humbly appeals against the same

Your petitioner therefore prays [your?]
worships to appoint a day in this present
session for the hearing and determining
this his appeal, and that all parties may
be ordered to attend and abide by such [determination?]
and that your petitioner may be relieved
against the said rate in such manner
as your worships shall seem meet

and your petitioner shall ever
pray etc.

Michael Hudson of Covent Garden Market, fruiterer. WJ/SP/1770/04 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654810052

Westminster

To the worshipfull Sir John Fielding
knight and other the justices of the peace
for the city and liberty of Westminster
in their general quarter session
assembled

The humble petition and appeal of Michael
Hudson of Covent Garden Markett fruiterer

Sheweth
that your petitioner was by an order under the hands
and seals of Thomas Kynaston esquire and Francis
Caryl esquire (two of the justices of the peace for the
said city and liberty) bearing date the first day of
January [illegible] instant your petitioner is adjudged the
reputed father of a male bastard child by in such
order mentioned and therein stated to be then chargeable
to the parish of Saint Martin in the Fields and
likely so to continue which order directs that your
petitioner should fortwith on notice thereof pay a certain
sum therein mentioned and that your petitioner should
likewise pay or cause to be paid the further sum of three
shillings and six pence weekly in manner as in
such order also mentioned

That your petitioner humbly apprehends he
is greatly aggrieved by the said order and therefore
proceedings before the said justices therefore doth
appeal against the same and every part thereof

And humbly prays that the same
may be quashed and that your
petitioner may have such
further and other relief in the
premisses as the nature of his
case may require and as to your
worships may seen meet
And your petitioner will ever pray

• Michael Hudson

John Flockton of St James Westminster, yeoman. WJ/SP/1770/04 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654810055

Westminster

To the worshipfull Sir John Fielding knight
and the rest of the justices for the city and
liberty of Westminster in the present
general quarter session assembled

The humble petition and appeal of John
Flockton of the parish of Saint James within the
libertys of the said city yeoman

Sheweth
that your petitioner was by an order under the hands
and seals of the said Sir John Fielding knight and William
Kelynge esquire (two of the justices of the peace for the said city and
liberty) bearing date the 14th. day of March last adjudged to
have forfeited the sum of fifty pounds for that he did at the time
and place in such order mentioned act represent and perform
and cause to be acted represented and performed for hire gain
and reward a certain part of a certain farce called The Upholsterer
to wit the part of Rasor in the said farce called The Upholsterer
without authority by virtue of letters patent from his majesty
or any of his predecessors and without licence from the Lord
Chamberlain of his majestys household for the time being
against the form of the statute in such case made and provided

That your petitioner thinks himself greatly aggrieved
by the said order and adjudication and therefore appeals
against the same and every part thereof

Your petitioner therefore most humbly prays of this
honourable court that the said order and adjudication
may be quashed and that your worships will be
pleased to grant him such further and other relief
in the premisses as the nature of his case may require
and to your worships seem meet

For which as in duty bound he will for ever pray

• John Flockton

John Chase. WJ/SP/1770/04/044 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654810059

To Sir John Fielding knight and the others
his majesties justices, at the general quarter
sessions of the peace, held at the Guild Hall
in and for the city and liberty of Westminster
assembled.

The humble petition of John Chase

Sheweth.
that your petitioner on the thirteenth
day of July one thousand seven hundred and
sixty seven, did take by indenture of apprenticeship
Michael Samson, to serve as an apprentice, to
the full end and term of seven years, from the
fifteenth day of June then last past

That quite contrary to the articles
of his indenture of apprenticeship, he has absented
himself divers of times from your petitioners
service without any provocation for so doing

That in the month of July one thousand
seven hundred and sixty eight, for absenting
himself from your petitioners service, and for divers
other misdemeanours, your petitioner took him
before Sir John Fielding knight, where with
his own promise, of amendment for the future
and the recommendation of Sir John Fielding
your petitioner became again reconciled to
him

That in the month of August in the
same year, he again absented himself from
your petitioners house for the space of one whole
night, and was during that time with a girl of
the town, (at that time called by the name of
Miss Davis) his pretence for his absence, was
that he had been with Master Clapton, one of his
trustees, at whose house he said he was taken
very ill, which occasioned his stay, and which
upon enquiry proved to be false as your
petitioners servant John Dawkes, the next day
went to the lodgings of a girl of the town and paid
half a guinea, for the redemption of the said
Michael Samsons watch, which for want of
money he had been obliged to leave as a pledge,
your petitioner again excused him

That in the month of April, one
thousand seven hundred and sixty nine, he
again absented himself, for the space of twenty
whole days and nights together, went to Norwich
offerd himself to a company of stroling comedians
(under the name of Williams) they refused him
suspecting him to be some runaway apprentice
(by the intercession of his grandmother, and
Master Clapton, now one of his trustees) your
petitioner again excused him, and received him
into his house and business

That in the month of August in the
same year, the said Michael Samson, sold to
Mistress Chandler (who is now in court and ready
to attest the same upon oath) three
three yards of dowlas at one shilling per yard, for
which there was, only, entered in your petitioners
book, two shillings, and six pence (the said Mistress
Chandler having occasion for some more of
the same cloth, came again to your petitioners
shop, (which occasioned the discovery) and gave
your petitioner great reason, to suspect the
honesty of the said Michael Samson

That on the eleventh day of February
last, he again absented himself from your
petitioners house and service, and cohabited,
with, the same (or some other girl of the town)

That your petitioner, even then,
offerd to receive him back again, upon condition
of his trustees giving proper security for
his honesty and good behaviour for the
future, which they refused, and since that
time he has been absent from your petitioners
service (which has) and must, put your
petitioner to great inconveniencies and expences
your petitioners business being of such a
nature, must give a servant from twenty to
thirty pounds per year to supply his place

Wherefore your petitioner prays, that
he may be discharged from the said Michael
Samson, and that the indenture of apprenticeship
may be ordered to be delivered up and exchanged
between your petitioner and the said Michael
Samson) and the same ordered to be canceled)

And also, that the said Michael
Samson's trustees, may be ordered, to pay to
your petitioner, such sum, for the remainder
of his indenture of apprenticeship, as your
worships shall deem meet

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc.

• John Chase

Michael Samson. WJ/SP/1770/04 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654810063

To Sir John Feilding knight
and the rest of the justices at the general quarter sessions of
the peace held at the Guild Hall in and for the city and liberty
of Westminster assembled.

The humble petition of Michael Samson

Sheweth,
that by indenture of apprenticeship bearing date the
thirteenth day of July one thousand seven hundred and sixty seven, your
petitioner with the consent of Ann Samson widow his grand mother did put
himself apprentice to John Chase of Long Acre in the parish of Saint
Martin in the Fields in the county of Middlesex mercer and draper to
learn his art, and with him (after the manner of an apprentice) to serve
from the fifteenth day of June then last past unto the full end and term
of seven years from thence next following and fully to be compleat and
ended, and the said John Chase in consideration of one hundred pounds
to him paid by the said Ann Samson, your petitioner, his said apprentice
in the art of a mercer and draper which he used was to teach and instruct
finding unto your petitioner sufficient meat drink and lodging only
during the said term, but not cloaths, washing, physick or other
necessaries during sickness which were to be found by the said Ann
Samson or by your petitioner the apprentice and for the true performance
of the covenants and agreements in the said indenture either of the said
parties bound himselfe and herselfe unto the other by these presents.

That your petitioner on the eleventh day of February last
did imprudently lye out of his master's house, without his leave, and
did not return back to his master of nine or ten days, being afraid of
his displeasure, but the said John Chase his master was acquainted
with and knew where your petitioner was the second day of his
absence, and he not sending for or coming to your petitioner, your
petitioner on the fourth or fifth day of his absence applyed to
Simon Lesage esquire and Master Thomas Clapton who are executors
to the said Ann Samson your petitioner's grand mother and trustees
under her will for your petitioner, to intercede with his master the
said John Chase to take your petitioner into his service again and
the said Simon Lesage and Thomas Clapton did severally apply to
the said John Chase for that purpose, but he not only refused them taking
your petitioner again but also to return to them for the benefit of your
petitioner any part of the consideration money given him with your
petitioner as an apprentice fee, and on the ninth [or?] tenth day of your
petitioner's absence your petitioner went himselfe to his master's house
sorry for his misconduct and intended to have continued with the said John
Chase and have minded his business properly as his apprentice but he
refused taking your petitioner into his house again

Wherefore your petitioner prays that he may be discharged from the
said John Chase his master's service and that the indentures of
apprenticeship may be ordered to be delivered up and exchanged
between your petitioner and the said John Chase his master in
order that the same may be cancelled (the said John Chase
having refused to take your petitioner into his house and to
provide for and instruct him in his business pursuant to the
said indentures of apprenticeship) and also that your petitioner's
master the said John Chase may be likewise ordered to pay back
and refund for the benefit of your petitioner to the said Simon
Lesage and Thomas Clapton your petitioner's trustees, so much
and such part of the said sum of one hundred pounds paid to the
said John Chase as the apprentice fee with your petitioner
as to your worships shall seem meet

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc

• Michael Samson.

Ann Scragg, widow. WJ/SP/1770/04 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654810066

To Sir John Fielding knight

The humble petition of Ann Scragg
widow

Most humbly sheweth
that Charles Scragg only son to your
petitioner; under fourteen years of age; being
seduced by wicked children in the neighbourhood,
was induced to steal a pocket handkerchief from
Master Reynolds his property for which; he was
sentenced last Wednesday by your honourable court
to be transported for seven years.

That your honours petitioner has no
child liveing besides himself and the only support
she had; and this being the first fault he ever was
guilty off

Most humbly implore your
worships tender compassion in behalf of my poor
infant that innocently forfeited that liberty
which he has justly deserved according to the laws
of the land and country.

And your honours poor petitioner
as in duty bound will ever pray.

Or otherwise that your honour may be so charitable
as to bind him to the sea; where your petitioner
may live in hopes of seeing him; and also to be a help
to her in her infirmity

And she shall be for ever in
duty bound to pray

Robert Allen. WJ/SP/1770/07 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654820066

To the worshipful justices in session of peace assembled
at Guildhall in and for the city and liberty of Westminster in the
county of Middlesex

The humble petition of Robert Allen

Sheweth
that your petitioner by indenture dated the twenty fifth
day of December 1765 did put himself apprentice to David Blyth of the
parish of Saint Martin in the Fields in the said county cabinet maker and
upholsterer to learn his said art and with him to serve from the date
thereof for the term of seven years in which said indenture the said David
Blyth in consideration of twenty six pounds paid to him as an
apprentice fee covenanted to learn and instruct your petitioner the said
art and mystery of a cabinet maker and upholsterer

That your petitioner duly served the said David Blyth from the
date of the said indenture until on or about the first day of May last at
which time your petitioner quitted his said master's service on account of
repeated cruelty and ill treatment received from him, soon after which
your petitioner's said master caused him to be apprehended and committed to
goal: but your petitioner was the next day discharged out of custody
on entering into recognizance with two sureties for his appearance at
this session to answer such complaints as his said master shall exhibit
against him. Whereupon your petitioner went to his said masters
house but was by him refused admittance so that your petitioner has
been ever since subsisted by one of his guardians.

That although your petitioner has served four years and a
half of his said apprenticeship: yet the said David Blyth has never
employed him in his said business of a cabinet maker and upholsterer (save
and except in the sawing of chair frames and beating of feathers) so that your
petitioner has been losing so much time as he has served and [illegible]
a stranger to the said business at the expiration of the apprenticeship
your petitioner being informed that a person must be constantly
employed in the said business of a cabinet maker and upholsterer the whole
of a seven years apprenticeship to be able to make any proficiency
therein.

That in consideration of the premises your
petitioner humbly prays your worships will
be pleased to order him to be discharged from
his said master and that his said said master
may repay unto your petitioners guardians the
consideration or apprentice fee of twenty six
pounds paid to him at the execution of the
indenture of apprenticeship or such part
thereof as to you worships shall seem just
and reasonable.

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc

• Robert Allen

David Blyth of St Martin in the Fields, cabinet maker and upholder. WJ/SP/1770/07 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654820068

To the worshipfull his majestys justices of the peace for
the city and liberty of Westminster at their general
quarter session assembled

The humble petition of David Blyth [illegible]
parish of Saint Martin in the Fields cabinet
maker and upholder

Sheweth
that by indenture bearing date the 25th [illegible]
December 1765 Robert Allen was bound apprentice [illegible]
petitioner for seven years in the business of a cabinet [maker?]
and upholder and for which your petitioner received only
six pounds as an apprentice fee

That the said Robert Allen has almost during [illegible]
whole time of his apprenticeship been guilty of [grea...?] [illegible]
that is to say, by staying out late at nights some times [illegible]
coming home drunk very saucy and abusive in general very
loose in his conduct contracted the foul disease and when
drunk beat the maid servant absenting himself frequently
from his service and inticed a younger apprentice to go along
with him to Bristol and there stayed a month notwithstanding
he had the most kind and indulgent treatment from his master [illegible]
mistress who used their utmost endeavours to reclaim him

That notwithstanding the kind treatment he [illegible]
master he the said Robert Allen in April 1769 presented [illegible]
petition to your worships for a hearing in order to get [illegible]
from his apprenticeship on a pretence of having been severally [illegible]
beat by your petitioner and the matter came on to [illegible]
before your worships on the 20th. of May following [then your?]
worships were pleased to dismiss his petition as [illegible]
without foundation and severely reprimand [him?] [illegible]
him to go back to his master and faithfully to [serve?] [illegible]
apprenticeship and assured him that if any well [illegible]
complaint against him came again before your worships
that he should be severely punished.

That in pursuance of your worships order he returned
to his service but continued on his ill behaviour as before by
getting
getting drunk staying out all nights and neglecting his masters
business and refusing to work at all after six o clock in the after=
=noons without being paid for it as a journeyman

That on the first of May last he having stayed out the whole
[day?] without leave added to his other offences your petitioner took
him before to Sir John Fielding's before the justices there and he was
committed to bridewell as your petitioner believes and understood
[illegible] confinement and for the correction of the house but in a few
days afterwards was admitted to bail how and for what reason
your petitioner cant set forth

Wherefore your petitioner most humbly prays
your worships to appoint the hearing and determination
of this petition on such day and, time as your
worships shall think right and to grant your
petitioner such other relief in the premises as to
your worships shall seem meet

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc

• David Blyth

George Smith, governor of the house of correction at Tothill Fields. WJ/SP/1770/07 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654820071

To the worshipfull his majestys justices of the peace for the city and liberty
of Westminster in the county of Middlesex in their middsummer quarter session
assembled

The humble petition of George Smith governor
of the house of correction at Tothill Fields

Sheweth
that your petitioner was by an order of the general quarter session
of the peace for the said city and liberty appointed by your [illegible]
the keeping of the said house of correction

That the sum of fifty pounds per annum has been [illegible]
received by your petitioners predecessors from the several parishes [illegible]
city and liberty untill the act of Parliament made in the [twelfth year of?]
the reign of his late majesty King George the second intituled [An Act for?]
the More Easy Assessing Collecting and Levying of County Rates [illegible]
was among other things enacted that the justices of the peace [illegible]
city and liberty shall have the full power to appoint the governor [or?]
master of the said house of correction who should have the [illegible]
money yearly as had been accustomed for and towards the support and
maintenance of the prisoners in his custody who should be sick and
unable to work not exceeding the then allowance of fifty pounds by [the?]
year and the treasurer of the county of Middlesex is required to obey
all orders which shall be made by the justices of the peace of the said
city and liberty or the greater part of them assembled in their general
quarter session for the payment of any sum or sums of money for
allowance allotted to such governor or master of the said house [of correction?]

That there hath not been any sum allowed or allotted for the [illegible]
or maintenance of such poor prisoners (except the allowances [from?]
Hicks Hall) since Christmas last, and that [there is now due] [illegible]
same to midsummer last the sum of twenty and five [pounds?]

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays your worships [illegible]
order Master Jefferson the treasurer of the county of [Middlesex to?]
pay to your petitioner the said sum of twenty [and five pounds?]
for the purposes aforesaid.

And your petitioner will ever [pray etc?]

• George Smith

George Dawson, apprentice to Alexander Smith of Westminster, saddler. WJ/SP/1770/07 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654820072

To the worshipful his majesty's
justices of the peace in and for the city and liberty of Westminster
at the quarter sessions at Guildhall assembled

The humble petition of George Dawson
apprentice to Alexander Smith of Parliament Street Westminster
sadler.

Sheweth
that your petitioner was by indenture bearing [date the?]
twenty sixth day of October one thousand seven hundred and sixty eight
with the consent of his father Edward Dawson bound apprentice to the said
Alexander Smith for the term of seven years from the date thereof and the
said Alexander Smith in consideration of fifteen pounds to him paid by your
petitioners said father covenanted to teach your petitioner in the art of a
sadler, by the best means he could and also to find and provide for your
petitioner sufficient meat drink and lodging and all other necessaries during
the said term

That your petitioner has been left in the house of his said
master three days together without any other provision than bread and water
that he could get at, and your petitioners said master has left him in the
same manner without provisions many other times for a day together

That your petitioner's said master has been without a
maid servant for many months together during all which time your petitioner
has been obliged to do the greatest part of the work of a servant instead of
learning his business

That your petitioner's said master will not teach or
instruct your petitioner in the business nor permit his journeyman so to
do; therefore your petitioner is convinced that he shall not be able to gett a
sufficient knowledge of the business to enable him to get his living when
he is out of his time

Wherefore your petitioner most humbly prays your
worships to discharge him from his said apprenticeship; and
to order the said Alexander Smith his master to return a due
proportion of the money given to him with your
petitioner as aforesaid, or to relieve your petitioner in such other manner as your
worships shall think proper

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc

Henry Bytham, apprentice to David Blyth of St Martin in the Fields, cabinet maker and upholder. WJ/SP/1770/07 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654820075

To the worshipfull his majestie's
justices of the peace for the city and
liberty of Westminster at the general
session of the peace assembled.

The humble petition of Henry Bytham apprentice
to David Blyth of the parish of Saint Martin in the
Fields in the county of Middlesex cabinet maker
and upholder.

Sheweth
that by indenture of apprenticeship bearing date the 28th day of
February 1766 your petitioner did bind himself unto the said David Blyth, and him
to serve after the manner of an apprentice in the said trade or business from the
day of the date of the said indenture for the term of seven years and the
said David Blyth did in and by the said indenture, in consideration of £30.
(£26 part whereof was actually paid) covenant to find your petitioner in washing
lodging and board during the said term, as in and by the said indenture
duly executed (relation being thereunto had) may more fully and at large
appear.

That your petitioner (in pursuance of the said indenture) duly served his said
master untill on or about the 12th. day of May last past when your petitioner (for
the reasons hereinafter stated) was compelled to leave his said master.

That your petitioner hath not during the time he served his said master been
instructed in his said trade, but instead thereof been chiefly employed in running
of errands, beating feathers, and porters work.

That your petitioner during the time aforesaid hath not only continually been
in great want of sufficient victuals, fitting and necessary for such an apprentice
but hath at times been obliged to borrow money to buy the same and hath never
had proper and suitable washing and lodging, he very rarely having clean
sheets more than once in six months; and many times been compelled to wear
one shirt a month and some times six weeks.

That your petitioner hath not only been in want of the common necessarys of an
apprentice as aforesaid but his said master hath from time to time
during his said service (without any fault or misdemeanor done or
committed by your petitioner) frequently struck and often severely beat your petitioner
and particularly on Sunday the 29th. day of April now last past, upon your
petitioner's returning home from his relations (whom he had that evening been
to visit) the said David Blyth (alledging that your petitioner went out on Sundays
without his order or consent, although he had at the time of the execution
of the said indenture agreed to permit your petitioner to be absent on Sundays)
violently struck, beat, knocked down, and when down, kicked your petitioner in and
[upon?] the face head and several other parts of his body in so much that your
petitioner was thereby greatly bruised, and lost some quantity of blood.

That your petitioner from the blows and bruises he at this time received
from his said master was not only rendered unable to do business, but that
usuage, together with his former treatment, occasioned your petitioner to fall
into convulsive fits, whereby your petitioner was compelled to leave his said master
and go to his relations, and they applyed to an appothecary who bled,
attended and gave your petitioner several draughts and medicines for his
disorder, which continuing the said appothecary appothecary thought it
absolutely necessary for your petitioner to go into Saint George's Hospital for further
advice, where he stayed three weeks, and your petitioner from that time became
and still is an outpatient and under a course of medicine

That your petitioner is (through the cruel and unjust) treatment of his said
master) totally incapable of returning into his said service. And it is
greatly dreaded that your petitioner will not only be unfit for that business
but any other, if no speedy remedy is found out and obtained.

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that this worshipfull
court will be pleased to make such order in the premisses
as may legally and absolutely discharge your petitioner from his
said apprenticeship and direct that that part of the
said recited indenture as was executed by your petitioner be
given up to him, and cancelled and that the said David
Blyth may be ordered to refund and pay your petitioner
so much of the said sum of £26 (part of his said apprentice
fee received as aforesaid) as this court shall seem meet

And your petitioner shall pray etc.

• Henry Bytham

George Dawson, apprentice to Alexander Smith of Westminster, saddler. WJ/SP/1770/10 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654830088

To the worshipful his majesty's justices
of the peace in and for the city and liberty of
Westminster at the quarter sessions at Guildhall
assembled

The humble petition of George Dawson
apprentice to Alexander Smith of Parliament Street Westminster
sadler

Sheweth
that your petitioner was by indenture bearing
date the twenty sixth day of October one thousand seven
hundred and sixth eight with the consent of his father
Edward Dawson bound apprentice to the said Alexander
Smith for the term of seven years from the date thereof and
the said Alexander Smith in consideration of fifteen pounds
to him paid by your petitioners said father covenanted to
teach your petitioner in the art of a sadler, by the best
means he could and also to find and provide for your
petitioner sufficient meat drink and lodging and all
other necessaries during the said term

That your petitioner has been left in the house
of his said master three days together without any other
provision than bread and water that he could get at
and your petitioners said master has left him in the same
manner without provisions many other times for a day
together

That your petitioners said master has been
without a maid servant for many months together
during all which time your petitioner has been obliged
to do the greatest part of the work of a servant instead
of learning his business

That your petitioners said master will
not teach or instruct your petitioner in the business
nor permit his journeyman so to do; therefore your
petitioner is convinced that he shall not be able to
get a sufficient knowledge of the business to enable
him to get his living when he is out of his time

Wherefore your petitioner most humbly
prays your worships to discharge him
from his said apprenticeship, and to order
the said Alexander Smith his master to return
a due proportion of the money given
to him with your petitioner as aforesaid
or to relieve your petitioner in such
other manner as your worships shall
think proper and your petitioner
shall ever pray etc.
etc.

Michael Dunn, prisoner in the house of correction at Tothill Fields Westminster. WJ/SP/1770/10 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654830090

To the worshipfull his majesty's justices of the peace for the city and liberty
of Westminster

The humble petition of Michael Dunn under confinement
in the house of correction at Tothill Fields Westminster

Humbly sheweth
That at the general quarter session of the peace held at the
Guild Hall King Street in and for the city and liberty of
Westminster on the ninth day of October your petitioner was
tryed and convicted for a common assault in and upon one
Robert Winter and received sentence to be committed to the
house of correction aforesaid, to remain without bail for
the space of two months and pay a fine of six shillings
and eight pence

That your petitioner being a poor Hackney chairman
and has a wife and small familly depending only on
his daily labour, and are now deprived of the common
necessaries of life on account of such his imprisonment

That your petitioner humbly presumes and
hopes as this prosecution was not aggitated or supported
in any particular manner by the prosecutor
humbly implores your worships to take his case
into consideration and extend your mercy so far
as to discharge him from the remainder part of
his imprisonment or so much as to your
worships shall seem meet

And your petitioner as in duty
bound will ever pray etc

• Peter Dillon
• Thomas Owen
• John Griffiths
• Bryan Higgins


• John Harman
• Henry Taylor
• [Alexander?] Bruce
• Thomas Bailey
• John Thrift
• William Weston
• Richard Platt
• Thomas King
• James Woolfe
• William Fulks
• W: Green
• James Pitt
• Robert Browning
• Edward Tucker
• [illegible] Goulding
• Pattrick [Fagan?]

John Whitehead. WJ/SP/1770/10 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654830091

To the worshipfull his majestys justices of the peace of the city and liberty of
Westminster in their Michaelmas quarter session of the peace for the city and
liberty assembled.

The humble petition of John Whitehead

Sheweth
that your petitioner hath been annually favoured with your worships
licence for keeping a certain house called the New Theatre in the Haymarket
in the parish of Saint Martin in the Fields for publick musick dancing and
other publick entertainments of the like kind for several years last past and
unto this present time

That your petitioner hath taken care and so will continue that nothing shall
be exhibited therein contrary to decency sobriety and good manners and a strict
conformity to the act of Parliament in that behalf.

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that your
worships would be pleased to grant him a licence
for the purpose aforesaid for the ensuing year

And your petitioner as in duty bound shall
ever pray etc.

• John Whitehead

Thomas Hugford. WJ/SP/1770/10 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654830092

To the worshipfull his majestys justices of the peace of the city and liberty of
Westminster in their Michaelmas quarter session of the peace for the said city and
liberty assembled.

The humble petition of Thomas Hugford.

Sheweth
that your petitioner hath been annually favoured with your worships
license to keep a certain room called Hickfords Great Room situate in
Brewers Street in the parish of Saint James within the liberty of Westminster
for publick concerts and other musical entertainments of the like kind for
several years last past and unto this present time

That your petitioner hath taken the utmost care and so will continue for
the future to preserve good decorum, and that every thing therein shall be
conducted with decency sobriety and good manners, and a strict conformity
to the act of Parliament in that behalf.

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that
your worships would be pleased to grant him a
license for continuing the said room for the
purpose aforesaid for the ensuing year.

And your petitioner as in duty bound shall
every pray etc.

John Roberts, prisoner in the house of correction at Tothill Fields Westminster. WJ/SP/1770/10 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654830093

To the worshipfull his majesty's justices of the peace for the city and liberty of Westminster in their general quarter
session of the peace assembled.

The humble petition of John Roberts under confinement in the house of correction at
Tothill Fields Westminster.

Sheweth
that at the general quarter session of the peace held at the Guild Hall in King Street
in and for the city and liberty of Westminster on the fifth day of October instant your
petitioner was tryed and convicted for a common nusance in keeping an ill governed and
disorderly house in the parish of Saint Martin in the Fields and received sentence to be
comitted to the house of correction aforesaid to remain without bail for
one year and within the space of one month from the conviction to stand
in and upon the pillory in Russell Street near Bow Street end Covent
Garden.

That your petitioner humbly presumes and hopes as this prosecution is not
aggitated or supported by any of his near neighbours but only set on foot and carried
on by three or four particular constables whom your petitioner had great reason
to believe would have been satisfied with his many concessions and especially by
the unhappy submission your petitioner was fataly drawn into to publish in the
publick news papers your worships will not let your petitioner fall a victim
to private pique or revenge.

Your petitioner therefore humbly implores your
worships to take his case into consideration and extend
your mercy so far as to omit his exposition and so much
of his imprisonment as to your worships shall seem meet

And your petitioner as in duty bound
shall every pray etc

• John Roberts.

• John Lowe Russell Street
• Thomas Sutton Russell Street
• H G Bonshaw Russell Street
• John [Stelwell?] Russell Street
• John Cuthbert Russell stay maker
• Thomas Shiells Russel Street
• Jacob Cherer baker in Russel Street
• James Morison peruke in Little Russell Street
• Samuel [Joyner?] hosier Russell Street
• Simon Bayley shop [illegible]


• John Bennet tallow chandler
• John [Horkes?] baker Russel [Street?]
• John Lings victualer
• William Pope Russell Street
• William Hopkins Russel Street
• William Righton wine merchant

Letitia Newings. WJ/SP/1770/10 (1770). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654830095

To the worshipfull the chairman, and the
rest of his majesty's justices of the peace for the city
and liberty of Westminster

The humble petition of Letitia Newings

Sheweth
that your petitioner preferred a bill of indictment
against Joseph Lane and Alice his wife for an assault
which bill was found true

That the said Lane and his wife have served
your petitioner with a notice of tryal for this day at
nine, in the morning

That your petitioners material witnesses, to
support her charge against the defendants, are out of town
and cannot be found to be subpenaed, without whose
testimony your petitioner cannot proceed to try the cause

That your petitioners witnesses will certainly be in
the way to give evidence against the next session

That your petitioner was most cruelly beat and
bruised, and is very poor incapable of feeing council
at this time or being at any expence

Your petitioner therefore most
humbly prays your worships to take
her case into consideration, and become
council for her, by ordering her tryal to
stand over till the next session, when
your petitioner will be able to bring her
cause properly before your worships for a
hearing that justice may be properly
administred and your petitioner as
in duty bound will ever pray

George Smith, master of the house of correction at Tothill Fields. WJ/SP/1772/01 (1772). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654850044

To the worshipfull his majestys justices of the peace for the city and liberty of
Westminster in the county of Middlesex in their Christmas quarter session assembled

The humble petition of George Smith governor or master of the
house of correction at Tothill Fields.

Sheweth
that your petitioner was by an order of the general quarter session of the
peace for the said city and liberty appointed by your worships to the keeping
of the said house of correction

That the sum of fifty pounds per annum has been constantly received by
your petitioners predecessors from the several parishes in the said city and
liberty until the act of Parliament made in the twelfth year of the reign of
his late majesty King George the second intituled An Act for the More Easy
Assessing Collecting and Levying of county rates whereby it was among
other things enacted that the justices of the peace for the said city and liberty
shall have the full power to appoint the governor or master of the said
house of correction who should have the like sum of money yearly as had
been accustomed for and towards the support and maintenance of the
prisoners in his custody who should be sick and unable to work not
exceeding the then allowance of fifty pounds by the year and the treasurer
of the county of Middlesex is required to obey all orders which shall be
made by the justices of the peace of the said city and liberty or the greater
part of them assembled in their general quarter session, for the payment
of any sum or sums of money for the allowance allotted to such governor
or master of the said house of correction.

That there hath not been any sum allowed or allotted for the support
or maintenance of such poor prisoners (except the allowances from
Hicks Hall) since midsummer last and that there is now due for the
same to Christmas last the sum of twenty and five pounds

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays your worships
to order Master Jefferson the treasurer of the county of Middlesex
to pay to your petitioner the said sum of twenty and five
pounds for the purposes aforesaid.

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc

• George Smith

William Baker. WJ/SP/1772/01 (1772). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654850045

To the honourable Sir John Fielding knight and the worshipfull
bench of justices at Guildhall Westminster

May it pleas your honour Sir John. This humble petition of
William Baker is that your petitioner desires to recommend
himself as an object of your mercy and humbly craves you to
take pity on his distressed situaton, your petitioner Sir haveing
a wife and two small children that is labouring at this time
under a severe fit of sickness and in real want of the principle
necessaries of life and is entirely destitute of any means to
suply them therewith since his confinement your petitioner
implores your compassion on the sufferings of his unhappy
infants and [beggs?] that the cry of innocency may reach your
ears and melt your heart with petternal tenderness the
sentence of corporal punishment to which I was by the law
adjudged has been twice afflicted on me with severity your
petitioner Sir John humbly implores that his punishment
may be accepted as some small attonement for his crime in
consideration of the distresses of his unhappy family and
that you will pleas to reales him from confinement that
he may be enabled by honest and industrious means to
releive and cherish his wretched family and preserve them from
perishing for want and in return your humble petitioner
will be ever bound to pray for your honour and the
worshipfull bench of justices to his lives end

• William Baker

John Whitehead. WJ/SP/1772/10 (1772). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654880058

To the worshipfull his majesty's justices of the peace of the
city and liberty of Westminster in their Michaelmas quarter
session of the peace for the said city and liberty assembled

The humble petition of John Whitehead

Sheweth
that your petitioner hath been annually favoured
with your worships licence for keeping a certain house called the
New Theatre in the Haymarket in the parish of Saint Martin
in the Fields for publick musick dancing and other publick
entertainments of the like kind for several years last past and
unto this present time

That your petitioner hath taken great care and so
will continue that nothing shall be exhibited therein contrary
to decency sobriety and good manners and a strict
conformity to the act of Parliament in that behalf

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays
that your worships would be pleased
to grant him a licence for the purposes
aforesaid for the ensuing year

And your petitioner as in duty
bound shall ever pray etc

• John Whitehead

Samuel Foote of the Haymarket Westminster, esquire. WJ/SP/1772/10 (1772). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654880059

To the worshipfull his majesty's justices of the peace
of the city and liberty of Westminster in their Michaelmas quarter
session of the peace for the said city and liberty assembled

The humble petition of Samuel Foote
of the Haymarket Saint Ja Westminster [gentleman?]
esquire

Sheweth
that your petitioner predecessor Master John Whitehead
hath been hitherto annually favoured with your worships licence unto [this?]
present time, for keeping a certain house called the New Theatre in the
Haymarket for publick musick dancing, and other publick
entertainments of the like kind for several years last past.

that your petitioner now having the [premises?] now desirous of a licence for the above purpose and which if attained he will take the utmost care
as your petitioners predecessor formerly did, to preserve good
decorum and that every thing therein shall be conducted with decency
sobriety and good manners and a strict conformity to the act of
Parliament in that behalf

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays
that your worships would be pleased to grant
him a licence for the purposes aforesaid for
the ensuing year.

And your petitioner as in duty bound
shall ever pray etc

• Samuel Foote

Thomas Hugford. WJ/SP/1772/10 (1772). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654880060

To the worshipfull his majesty's justices of the peace of the
city and liberty of Westminster in their Michaelmas quarter
session of the peace for the said city and liberty assembled

The humble petition of Thomas Hugford

Sheweth
that your petitioner hath been annually favoured with
your worships licence to keep a certain room called Hickford's
Great Room situate in Brewer Street in the parish of Saint
James within the liberty of Westminster for publick concerts
and other musical entertainments of the like kind for
several years last past and unto this present time

That your petitioner hath taken the utmost care
and so will continue for the future to preserve good decorum
and that every thing therein shall be conducted with decency
sobriety and good manners and a strict conformity to
the act of Parliament in that behalf.

Your petitioner therefore humbly
prays your worships would be
pleased to grant him a licence for
continuing the said room, for the
purposes aforesaid for the ensuing
year

And your petitioner as
in duty bound shall ever pray

• Thomas Hugford