To the Worshipful his Majestys Justices of the peace
for the County
of Middlesex
at this Time Assembled at their Quarter Sessions of the
Peace holden at Hick's hall
in Saint John Street
in & for the sd. County of
Middlesex
The humble Petition of Edward Oldfield< no role >
Son of Edward Oldfield< no role >
of Wellington
in the County of Salop Tallow Chandler
Sheweth
That your Petitioner was on the 12th: day of April which was in the
year of our Lord 1756 put Apprentice to
Edward Webb< no role >
then of Wellington
aforesaid but
now of Red Lyon Street
in the parish of Saint George the Martys
in the said County
of Middlesex
Watch Maker to learn his Act & to live with him after the manner
of an Apprentice
for the Term of seven Years
That bytheIndentures duly executed a Consideration of Five pounds
was paid as an Apprentice Fee & your Petitioners said Master was to find him
Sufficient Meat drink Washing & Lodging during the sd. Term & your Petitioners sd
Father them executed to the said Mr. Webb one bond or Obligation in the penalty of
Ten pounds for the due Service & honesty of your Petitioner & now in the said Mr. Webb
possession
That your Petitioner has Served his sd. Master upwards of three years &
on half & has not been Taughtor instructed by his sd. Master in the said business
as an Apprentice
ought to be & many Times hath not had sufficient Meat & drink
for the Support of your Petitioner
That your Petitioner during the whole Term aforesaid has been often
hicked & beaten by his sd. Master in a barbarous Manr without any just
Prosecution & particularly your Petitioner on or about the Firstday of October
last was also beaten by his sd. Master in a most Cruel manner in so much as to
compet your Petitioner to apply to Saunders Welch< no role >
Esqr
for his Warrt. to apprehend
his sd. Mar. for such barbarous Usage to give an Account thereof
That the sd. Mr. Welch being very sensible of the I'll Treatment your
Petitioner had not with from his sd. Master by the marks of Violence then shewn
to him did upon your Petrs. Complaint to him as aforesaid Grant his Warrant for
the apprehending his said Master & by virtue thereof your Petitioners said Mar [..]
brot. before the sd: Mr Welch who then severely reprimanded him for such ill
Usage to your petitioner & your Petrs: sd. Master did then promise & agree that he
wod. servd for your Petrs. said Indentures which he pretended was then in-
Shropshire & that so soon as the same came to hand he wod. wait upon the sd.
Mr. Welch & deliver the same up to be Cancelled & then voluntarily offered your Petr.
his LIberty to work with any other Master in the mean time he shod. think
proper without any Molestation from him
That your Petitioner relying on such the promise & Assurance of his
sd. Master did accordingly apply for & procured Employ from another Master & went to