To The Worshipfull the Bench of Justices now sitting
at Hick's Hall for the County of Middx

The Petition of David Whetter< no role >
Humbly Sheweth

That your Petitioner a poor Boy
educated in the Charity School of St. Andrew's Holborn was put
apprentice to William Lay< no role > of St. Giles Cripplegate in this County Black Smith
the 6th. of August 1725 by the Benefit of the Said School and a
Suit of Cloths given by this Father according to agreement
but his Master being necessitated to leave his Family went
to Sea Christmas was twelve months last [..] and under pretence
of being Armourer on board his Majestice's Ship the Nassau
took your Petitioner with him, but being onely Armourer's
Mate And neither the Mate nor he having the Priveledge of a
Servt: your Petitioner continued on Board Some time without
Any allowance till the first Lievtenant look him to be his Servant
allowing his sd. Blaster forty Shillings [..]
till she Ship Should be out off Comission, the Ship being paid
off And your Petitioner's master come home her Father waited
on him to know what he designed to do with your Petitioner his
Apprentice and whether he would give up his Indentures that
he might Some way provide for him, he Answered that he
would do Nothing but what he was forced to but, that if the
obtained a Warrant he would go before Any Magistrate to
have the Matter decided, but when in An Hours time
after the Warrant was obtained neither he nor his Wife
could be found, Nor has he heard Anything from them Since
And having been with his Father Since the 9th. of September
last without knowing what way to dispose of himself
Humbly prays this Worshipfull Bench to discharge him
from his Said Master that he may be disposed of Some other
way And learn Some trade where by he may be enabled to
get a Livelihood

And Yor. Petitioner will ever pray Etc.