To the Worshipful his Majetys Justices of the
Peace for the County of Middlesex

The Humble Petition of Joseph
Dudfield< no role > now in Clerkenwell Bridewell

Sheweth
That your Petitioners was Committed by the
Court at the last Session to the House of Correction at
Clerkenwell until the should in demmify the Parish of
Saint Mary Islington for begetting a Female Bastard
Child

That your Petitioners is both ready and willing to
do every thing that lays in his power to repay the Parish
the Expenses that have been put to on his Account
Could he but be released from his Confinement and
which in his present Situation he is entirely Prevented
from doing being without either Money or Friends

That your Petitioner is about 27 Years of
Age and has been Several times at Sea but never
Learnt any Trade or Business and at his Fathers
Death which Happened about 26 years Ago
had a little Money left him which is now Entirely
gone on which Account your Petitioner is Apprehensive
that the Parish has been led to believe that he his some
still but the truth is Directly the Reverse for he has
not at Present ever one Shilling or any Relation
(Except an Aunt who is out of Town and Scarce able to
Maintan Herself) or any Friends to assist him with
any and which your Petitioner is ready and willing to
make Oath of

That your Petitioner never having