Petitions to the Westminster Quarter Sessions: 1739

Charles Everitt. WJ/SP/1739/01/002 (1739). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654150002

To the worshipfull the chairman and
others his majesties justices at the quarter
sessions at Westminster assembled

The humble petition of Charles Everitt

Sheweth,
that your petitioner was on the 3d
day of October 1733 bound an apprentice to Thomas
Woodgate of Saint Margaret Westminster coffin-maker and
undertaker, that your petitioners master has greatly been
neglectfull in teaching him his trade, that he has
lately failed in the world, his goods having been
seized, and he hath quitted his habitation, that
your petitioner knows not where he is, by reason of
which your petitioner is [greatly?] to seek for his bread
and lodging, his father having, been dead near
four years, his mother not being able to provide
for him, and he not being taught his trade
nor ever likely so to be by his said master,

Humbly prays this honourable bench
will consider his case and make
an order that your petitioner may be
discharged of his said apprenticeship
in order that he may by going to
another master (who is ready to take
him) be fully instructed in his trade,
and serve with him the remainder
of his time.

And your petitioner will ever pray

• Charles Everitt

James Chapman, son of William Chapman of St Martin in the Fields. WJ/SP/1739/10 (1739). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654170004

To the worshipfull the justices of the peace for
the liberty of Westminster in sessions assembled.

The humble petition of James Chapman son of William
Chapman of the parish of Saint Martin in the Fields in the liberty of
Westminster and in the county of Middlesex.

Sheweth
that on the 31st. January in the year of our Lord 1733 your petitioner
became bound by indenture of apprenticeship with the usual covenants for seven years
to Joseph Beschey of the same place painter to learn his art. the said Joseph being
[an alien?] [illegible]

That though it was incerted in the said indentures that the said master should find
your petitioner meat drink washing lodging and all other necessaries during the said term,
yet by a private agreement between him and your petitioners said father your petitioners
said father became bound to find and provide the same during the said term for your
petitioner which he hath accordingly done, and which was in lieu of money usually
given with such an apprentice.

That no duty hath been paid for the same by the said master to his majesty
pursuant to the statute nor the indentures stampt.

That though your petitioner hath faithfully served him untill the eighth of June
last. He hath not duly instructed your petitioner in the art which he used which was and
is [history?] painting, (but generally employed your petitioner in the most servile part of the business
to wit carrying his colours pictures and frames and working tools about streets), and at
that time the said master thought fit to leave his house in habitacion and hath
ever since absconded in Suffolk and other counties having changed his name to
avoid being known, and hath taken no care as to instructing your petitioner in the said
art pursuant to the covenants in the said indentures.

That the said indentures are not inrolled and the time of servitude will
expire before your petitioner can attain his age of twenty four years.

Your petitioner therefore most humbly prays your
worships for the causes aforesaid to discharge him from
his said apprenticeship and pronounce and declare
him free from his said master.

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

• James Chapman