1790 January Sessions

To William Mainwaring< no role > Esqr , Chairman
and all other HIs Majestys Justices of the Peace of the Court
of the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace now holden At
the New Sessions house on Clerkenwell Green in and for the
County of Middlesex

The Humble Petition of William Lee< no role > now a prisoner
in New Prison Clerkenwell

Most Humbly Sheweth

That Your humble Petitioner was taken
on the 2nd day of October last 1789 By the Beadle of the Parish
of St. Luke Old Street in the said County Charged on the Oath
of Mary Mason< no role > with being the father of two Children beg often
on her body and who are now living

That your humble Petitioner is only a day labouring
Man and Cannot in the Summer Season earn more than 10
Per Week and in the Winter Season but 9s/ per Week from
which he is fearely able to Maintain Himself

That your humble Petitioner has been in Confident
ever Since said 2nd day of October last and having no friends
to assist him has Existed during that time upon the bare
allowance of the Prison or the Benevolence of the prisoners
from which he is now in a very reduced and Necessistuous
State and having a great desire to present the said
Children from being trouble some to the said parish

Most humbly Prays That your Worships
will be pleased to take his Case into Consideration
and grant your humble Petitioner his Liberty
that he may be Enabled to go to his Labour
and give the said 2 Children every Assistance
his small Wages Can possibly afford and
allow or That Your Worships will be pleased
to make such other order in the Business
as to your Worships shall seem Meet

And your humble Petitioner as in
duty bound will for ever Pray Etc