To the Rt. Worshipful his Majesty's Justices of the peace
in their General Quarter Sessions assembled

The humble Petition of Dorothy Ward< no role > on the
behalf of her Son Joseph Ward< no role >

Sheweth

That by an Indenture bearing date the 15th day of
February last past your Petitioner's Son was bound an Apprentice
to George Ferick< no role > of the Parish of St. Dunstan Stepney in the
County of Middlx for the Terme of seven Years from the 15th.
day of February 1721 to be instructed in the Art of a Musician
(which the said George Ferick< no role > professeth) But Forasmuch as
the said George Ferick< no role > hath lately sent Your Petitioner's Son
on board a Ship now bound for the South Seas without the
Consent of Your Petitioner and contrary to the Will and
inclination of her sd Son (who is about the Age of 11 Years)
Whereby Your Petitioner apprehends and has great reason to
believe that for the satre of Lucre and gain,the sd George
Ferick< no role > hath disposed of Your Petitioner's Son in order to
be transported beyond the Seas.

Therefore Your Petitioner most humbly prays
that this Court will be pleas'd to take the
premisses into consideracon in order to prevent
Your Petitioner's sd Son 's being transported as
aforesaid contrary to his Will and without the
Consent of Your Petitioner

And Your Petitioner shall ever pray
Etc

Dorothy Ward< no role >