To the Worshipfull the Bench of Justices
for the County of Middx Sitting att Hickshall

The humble Peticon of Gilbert Bearcroft< no role >

Sheweth

That yr. Petr. at the age of 15 yeares bound himself an-
Apprentice into one Charles West< no role > Apothecary by Indenture
dated ye 3d. of October 1699 for the Tenne of eight yeares
& the Said West had with yr. Petr. £50

That the said West did promise yr. Petr. to make him free of
the Citty of London at the End of his Apprenticeship whereas
the said Mr. West now declares he is noe freeman himself &
therefore he cannot make yr. Petr. free at the End of his said
Apprenticeship

That the said Mr. West hath Severall times without just
cause most inhumanely Kick't & beat yr. Petr. & particularly
with a great Shop brush & with a horse whip till the blood hath
run down yr. Petr. sile & otherwise & lately since his promises to
yr. Petrs. freinds to the contrary hath soe unmercifully beaten
yr. Petr. that yr. Petr. hath seen fore't to absent himself from
his Service being noe longer able indure the cruell usage
& beating both of the sd West & his wife & must be therefore
ruined unlesse releived by yr. Worshipps

Yor Petr. therefore humbly prayes this
Worshipfull Bench (the prmises Confidred)
to discharge yr. Petr. from his sd Appren-
ticeshipp & to order yr. Petr. Such returne
of his mony to bind him to another Master
as in yr. Wisdomer Shall seem meet

And yr. Petr. Shall ever pray Etc