To the Right Honble . Sr . Francis Child< no role > Knt . Lord Maior of
the City of London & To the Right Worll. his Maties Justices
of the Peace in the Generall Quarter Sessions Assembled

The humble Peticon of John Baucks< no role >

Sheweth

That yor. Petr. is and hath beene an Inhabitant within the Parish of St.
Bennett Parish wharfe London many yeares And that by the custome of the
said Parish There have beene noe Persons particularly appointed as Overseers
of the Poore (Their said Parish being small) But only the Churchwardens
for the time being whoe have Collected received and Accounted for all moneyes
Rated on any assessement for the Poore in their said Parish As Overseers doe
in some other Parishes

That att Easter 1698 yor. Petr. was chosen Churchwardens in manner as
aforesaid And thereupon paid £8. the usuall fine for being excused from Serving
the same Offices As others had formerly done in such Cases But now the present
Churchwardens contrary to their former Antient practice have procured your
Petr. to be appointed an Overseer or Collector of the Poores rate By a
Warrant under twoe Justices hands and Seales in such behalfe notwithstanding
his paying of £8. for his Discharge from their Service as aforesaid

Yor. Petrs. humble request to your Lopp & Worpps. is to order and present
Churchwardens to appear before you And to order the Discharge of your
Petr. from the said Office of Overseer or Otherwise to order That
the said £8. may be repaid to him And hee will readily Serve the said Office
of Churchwarden & Overseer of the Poore of the said Parish accordingly

And hee shall Pray Etc.