July ss
1751

To the Worshipfull his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the
County of Middlesex at Hicks's Hall in Quarter Sessions
Assembled.

The Petition of James Cockram< no role > Apprentice of
Thomas Garden< no role > of the Parish of Saint Andrew
Holborn Engraver

Humbly Sheweth

That your Petr. on the 17th day of October which was in the year 1751
was put Apprentice to the said Thomas Gardner< no role > for the Term of Seven Years to Learn of him the Trade Art and
Mistery of an Engraver in which Business he the said Thos. Gardner< no role > did by
Indenture (bearing Date as above) Covenant and Agree to teach and Instruct
Your Petr. or Cause him to be therein taught and Instructed and to find and
Provide Your Petitioner with Sufficient Meat Drink and Lodging During the
said Term in Consideration whereof he the said Thomas did Receive and from
Your Petr. Mother Rebecca Cockram< no role > the sum of thirteen pounds

That the said Thomas hath altogether Neglected to teach or Instruct your
Petr. in or Cause or procure him to he taught or Instructed in the said Art and
Mistry of an Ingraver in so much that Your. Petr. is at this time very Ignorant
And unskilled in the said Business tho' very Desirous and Willing to Learn the
same

That the said Thos. for the most part of the time your Petr. hath served
him (hath Neglected and Refused and at this time doth Refuse and Neglect to find &
Provide your Petr. Sufficient Meat and Drink or a Bed to lay on but Leaving
your Petr. (for Weeks an Months) in house by himself without Victuallor
Drink or Money he the said Thomas Goes as Your Petr. believes into the County
by which Means Your Petr. must have been Starved long before this time or been
forced to take some Indirect Courses for his Subsistance had not your Petrs. said
Mother to whom he Applyed found and provided Your Petr. with Meat and Drink
the Greatest part of other time Your Petr. hath Served his said Master

Your Petitioner therefore most humbly Prays for the
Reasons before Setforth to be Discharged from his said
Apprenticeship and Master and that the Indenture
by which Your Petr. was bound may be Delivered up to be
Cancelled And that he may Return the said sum of thirteen
pounds by him Received as aforesaid And that at your
Petr. may have such other Relief as to your Worships
shall seem Meet and Just

And your Petr (as in Duty bound) shall
Ever pray

James Cockram< no role > .