Continued Thursday 15 June 1758

Hodges Thos Stewd. of Bethlem
Pet}

Upon Reading the humble Petition of Thomas Hodges< no role > Settingforth
That he has been Steward of Bethlem Hospl. 10 years & upwards
during which time humbly presumes he has Discharged the Duitys
of his Office with Care Diligence & FidelityBut he having been
lately afflicted with almost a Total loss of Eyesight; Your Comittee
have reported him Incapable (on that Account only) of Executing the
Office of Steward which Report is now referr'd to the Consideration of
this CourtHe therefore humbly prays this Court will be pleased
to Allow him an Assistant (at his own Expence) to Enable him to
Perform the business of the Steward by the help of which he humbly
Apprehends He can fully Discharge the Duties of that Office
Notwithtanding his loss of Sight; & his other Senses are Sound and
unimpair'dAnd he has the greater reason to hope for there
Indulgence as the like favour has been Shewn, in the Similar Case
to Two of your former Stewards ViztTo Mr. Thomas Yates< no role > and
Mr. Thomas Weston< no role > , in the former Case The Govrs. were pleased to
Allow a Salary to the Assistant And the Petr. believes the same was
done in the Latter But not having the books to referr to he cannot be
Possitive to the factBut that is a favour your Petr does not Ask
As he has a Son who is Capable of doing the business & is willing to
give him all the Assistance he requires from himThat he lost
his Sight in the Service of the Hospital And that it was Chiefly
Occasioned by his Exposeing himself to the flames in a Fire that
happen'd at Bethlem in the Year 1754 about Midnight when he was
the first that Discovered it And by his ExtraordinaryDiligenceCare &
Diligence was a Principal means (under god) of Saving the whole
buildings from being DestroyedOn all which Accounts the Petitioner
humbly hopes this Court will take his Case into Consideration, And
grant the Prayer of his Petition.

Hodges Thos. Stewd. of Bethlem then
Question put that the Court do Agree wth.
& Comees Report pass't in the Negative

The Question being put That the Court do Agree with the Comittee in
their said Report, It pass't in the Negative.

Hodges Thos. Stewd. of Bethlem The
Question put that he Allow'd an Assistant
during the pleasure of the Court
it passit in the affirmative

A Motion being made and the question put that Mr. Thos. Hodges the
present Steward of Bethlem be Allowed to have an Assistant
during the pleasure of the Court, It pass't in the Affirmative

Kal