BHO

Petitions to the Westminster Quarter Sessions: 1700s

Petitions to the Westminster Quarter Sessions, 1620-1799.

This free content was born digital and sponsored by the Economic History Society and the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the cost of transcribing eighteenth-century items was funded by a later Economic History Society Carnevali Small Research Grant: ‘Poverty, Taxation and Regulation: Petitions to Local magistrates in Eighteenth-Century England’ and the other costs, including photography and transcription of seventeenth-century items and editorial work, were funded by an Arts and Humanities Research Council Research Grant: ‘The Power of Petitioning in Seventeenth-Century England’ (AH/S001654/1). CC-NC-BY.

Citation:

In this section

James Roberts. WJ/SP/1707/12/008 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990008

To the right honourable Sir William Wythers knight Lord Mayor of the Citty of London and to Sir Salathiell Lovell knight recorder of the same, and to the rest of the honourable bench sitting in the Old Bayley in London

The humble peticion of James Roberts

Sheweth that, your honours poor peticioner is comitted upon suspicion of felloney, and is innocent of the same and is now in court with friends ready to make the same appear, hee being a very poor man and is almost starved in his confinement

Most humbly prays, your honours will bee soe mercy =fully pleased, as to take his poverty into your consideration, and lett him bee called into court this sessions, and dealt withall as in your honours most prudent wisdom justice and mercy shall think fitt

And hee as in all duty bound shall ever pray etc:

Thomas English. WJ/SP/1707/12/009 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990010

To the right worshippfull Sir William Withers knight Lord Mayor for the Citty of London and to the rest of the honourable bench sitting at the Old Bayly London

The humble peticion of Thomas English

Sheweth that your petitioner now is and has been for a considerable while a prisoner in the common side of Newgate taken up by some malicious persons on account of a riott (and so committed) but out of reall intent to robb your petitioner as he is ready to affirm and prove upon the oath of severall creditable persons if can be heard and that your petitioner is ready to prove that he is a disabled person lately ordered from her majestys service to the Saint Bartholomews Hospitable where certificate was given of his being an uncureable person according to report of able physitians and that your petitioner lyes upon the bare boards in a perrishing condition naked almost being robbed of that small all he had in the world and if not called up this present sessions will before next be starved to death

Most humbly prays this present sessions of peace he may be called up before your lordshipp and this honourable bench in order to be dealt with according to law.

And (as in duty bound) shall ever pray etca

December 10th: 1707}

Ann Knott. WJ/SP/1707/12/010 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990012

To the right worshippfull Sir William Withers knight Lord Mayor for the Citty of London and to the rest of the honourable bench sitting at Justice Hall London

The humble peticion of Ann Knott

Sheweth that your poor petitioner almost eight years agoe was indicted at Hicks's Hall for a trespass and through neglect and your petitioners poverty the same indictment passed into the crowne and so proceeded to an out-lawrey and thereupon your poor petitioner almost three years agoe and through malice of the constable) was taken up upon the same outlawrey and sent prisoner to the common side of Newgate where she has lain ever since in a most miserable and unexpressible condition on the bare boards destitute both of money and friends having had nothing to subsist on during her confinement but the allowance of the goal which of late is so little that it will hardly keep life and soul together) insomuch that she is reduced even to deaths door and that your poor petitioner is almost three score and ten years of age and a reall object of your worshipps compassion. And that the prosecutor of your petitioner is not to be found nor any other prosecutor so that your poor petitioner if not relieved by your lordshipp and this honourable bench must lye here and inevitably perrish.

Therefore with greatest submission beggs and intreats the compassion of your lordshipp and this honourable bench and that you would out of your reall charity order your petitioners discharge in such manner as shall seem requisite to your lordship and this honourable bench to prevent the petitioner from lying in that place wherein she must inevitably perrish.

And she will be oblidged ever to pray etc.

Elizabeth Mansfield, widow. WJ/SP/1707/12/011 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990013

To the right worshipfull her majesties justices of the peace for the county of Middlesex

The humble peticion of Elizabeth Mansfield widow.

Sheweth, that Hanna the wife of Shadrack Grantland of Saint Giles in the Fields in the said county yeoman stands indicted at this present sessions of the peace for cheating your peticioner out of five pounds

That the said Hanna [illegible] was bound over to appear at this sessions, and has made default

Your peticioner therefore humbly prays that the recognizance entred into by the said Hanna [and?] baile may be forthwith estreated whereby [illegible] may be awarded against the baile, and that your peticioner may have a warrant for the taking and apprehending of the said Hanna to answer the premisses, and that for her contempt as aforesaid, she may be oblidged to plead to and try the said indictment the next sessions.

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc.

Anne Miller. WJ/SP/1707/12/012 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990014

To the right worshipfull her majestys justices of the peace for the county of Middlesex

The humble peticion of Anne Miller

Sheweth that for the fact whereof your petitioner stood indicted in this honourable court in this present sessions your worshipps were pleased to fine her 5 pounds and for nonpayment thereof to committ her to new prison in this county where she now remaines

That your petitioner is very sorry for the offence and being very poor is not able to pay the said fine and hath offered an agreement with her adversary but he will not comply and humbly submitteing herselfe to your worshipps goodness and mercy

Your petitioner therefore most humbly prayes your worshipps [to?] be pleased to mittigate the said fine or grant that she may be admitted to bayle as unto your worshipp shall seem meet

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc

paratext

Per Thomas Nash

Emanuell Fuller. WJ/SP/1707/12/013 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990015

To the right worshippfull her majestys justices of the peace for the county of Middlesex

The humble peticion of Emanuell Fuller

Sheweth that your petitioner stands indicted last sessions held for this county for an assault upon one Mary Newton and to which indictment your petitioner pleaded not guilty and thereupon put in bayle to try his traverse this present sessions and the said Mary Newton being also then indicted for an assault upon your petitioner and having not appeared as yet and pleaded not thereunto

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays your worshipps to be pleased to respite his recognizance untill the next sessions against which time your petitioner intends to obleige the said Mary Newton by warrant from this court to appear to his indictment in order that both indictments may be tryed together

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc.

Toroll Platt. WJ/SP/1707/12/014 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990016

To the right worshipfull her majestys justices of the peace for the county of Middlesex

The humble peticion of Toroll Platt.

Sheweth that about 29o July 1701 your petitioner became an apprentice unto James Dunbarr of the parish of Saint Clement Danes in the said county carpenter for the term of seaven yeares of as thereby may appear.

That your petitioner served his said master for about five yeares and a halfe att the end of which time the said Dunbarr by reason of his circumstances did abscond from his dwelling that your petitioner was afterwards bound to a freeman and after turned over to one Maddon and upon his masters absconding your petitioner applyed himselfe to the said Maddon before the residue of his time but the said Maddon not having any occacion for an apprentice your petitioner [..ed?] out the last indenture and then turned himselfe over to one Edward Hay

That your petitioners first master the said Dunbarr being come againe to his habitacion troubles your petitioner for the remainder of his time

Your petitioner therefore most humbly prayes your worshipps to be pleased to grant that he may be discharged from his said first master.

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc

  • Torol Platt
paratext

Per Thomas Nash

John Miles. WJ/SP/1707/12/015 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990018

To the right worshipfull her majestys justices of the peace for the county of Middlesex

The humble peticion of John Miles.

Sheweth that for the fact whereof your petitioner stood indicted in this honourable court this present sessions your worshipps were pleased to fine him 10 pounds and for nonpayment thereof to committ him into custody where he now remaines

That your petitioner is very sorry for the said offence and resolves never to offend againe in the like nature and forasmuch as the demands of your petitioners adversary being 25 pounds 10 shillings which your petitioners can by noe meanes comply with in regard he hath a large family to mainteyne soe that your petitioner is not able to pay the said fine and humbly submitting himself to your worshipps great goodness and mercy.

Your petitioner therefore most humbly prayes your worshipps to be pleased to mittigate the said fine as unto your worshipps shall seem meet.

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc

  • John Miles his marke
paratext

Per Thomas Nash

John Walter. WJ/SP/1707/12/016 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990019

To the right worshipful her majestys justices of the peace for the county of Middlesex

The humble peticion of John Walter

That as of yesterday upon a hearing in this honourable court betweene your petitioner and one John Miles touching an assault your worshipps were pleased to fine the said John Miles 10 pounds and to order that he should agree the matter in difference

That your petitioners demands were noe more then 8 pounds which the said Miles absolutly refuses to pay but alledges that before your petitioner shalbe paid two pence he will pay the said fine and threatens your petitioner with more actions att law.

Your petitioner therefore most humbly beggs such releife in the premises as unto your worshipps shall seem meet

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc.

  • John Walter
paratext

Per Thomas Nash

Sarah Marcy, wife of Samuel Mercy of Mile End New Town. WJ/SP/1707/12/017 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990020

To the right worshipfull her majesties justices of the peace

The humble petition of Sarah Marcy wife of Samuel Mercy of the hamblet of Mile End New Towne in the parish of Stepney Middlesex

Sheweth that your petitioners husband being a bricklayer and going about his lawfull imployment, was prest by the constables of Saint Giles and carried to the Savoy. And your petitioner having [illegible] four small children and nothing to maintain them with all but her husbands labour, they are likely to perish unless your worships will be so pleased as to have him set at liberty

Your petitioner humbly prayeth that her said husband may be set at liberty whereby to maintain his said wife and her four children

And she shall ever pray etc.

paratext

In testimony whereof we the churchwarden and overseer of the poor have set our hands this 9th day of December 1707

  • John Poter overseer
  • William Lloyd church warden

John Still. WJ/SP/1707/12/018 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990021

To the right worshipful her majestys justices of the peace for the county of Middlesex

The humble peticion of John Still.

Sheweth that your petitioner was lately imployed in the service of one Daniell Stacy of Hackney in the said county brewer as a day labourer and that Jeremiah Hatchet one of the headboroughs of the said parish did lately take him by force to the Savoy in order to compell him into her majestys service without bringing him before three of her majestys justices of the peace for the said county as the law directs. That your petitioner is a housekeeper and pays all parish dutys and hath a wife and six children to maintaine and is of an honest life and conversacion which he is ready to make appeare to this honourable court.

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays your worships to be pleased to grant that he may be discharged from his said imprisonment.

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc.

paratext

Per L Westley

William Macgill, on behalf of his son in law Eggles Green. WJ/SP/1707/12/019 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990023

To the right worshipfull her majesties justices of the peace for the county of Middlesex

The humble peticion of William Macgill on the behalfe of his sonn in law Eggles Green

Sheweth that your peticioner the 16th March 1703 bound his said son apprentice to one John Bainbridge of Fisher Street neere Red Lyon Square in the parish of Saint Andrew Holborne in this county perukemaker for 7 years to learne the said trade

That your peticioners son has served 3 years and 7 months of his apprenticehood dureing which time he hath undergone great hardships in lyeing in uncleane and fowle bedding and been often imoderately beaten and bruised by his said master and his wife without any provocacion and that the said master has used his utmost endeavour to put the said apprentice off to any person that would give the most [mony?] for him by haggleing with him to severall persons unknowne to your petitioner and the said master hath not instructed the said apprentice in the said trade and hath likewise endeavoured to put your petitioners son off to some comander in the Affrican Company or to waite upon any gentleman and has declared he hath not business for your petitioners son

That your petitioner gave the said master 5 pounds and engaged himselfe to finde his said son in all apparell and necessaryes dureing his apprenticehood and has hitherto performed the same and that the said master did confess he could not charge your petitioners son with any misdemeanour whatsoever but on Saturday last (unknowne to your petitioner) he caused your petitioners said son to be apprehended and caried before Ralph Bucknall esquire one of her majesties justices of the peace for this county and there in your petitioners absence complained against the said apprentice upon oath for assaulting his said masters wife and being a stubborne and disorderly [servant?] and for runing away from his said service whereupon your petitioners son was comitted to new prison at Clerkenwell in this county where he now remaines

Your peticioner humbly prayes that the said matter may be heard and examined by this court and that your worships will be pleased to order that the said John Bainbridge may be [ordered?] to attend this court to shew cause why your petitioners said son should not be discharged from his said indenture of apprenticehood and your petitioner may be releived herein as to your worships shall seem meet

And your petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray etc paratext

E Stanhope

William Macgill, on behalf of his son in law Eglas Green. WJ/SP/1707/12/020 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990026

To the right worshipful her majesties justices of the peace for the county of Middlesex

The humble peticion of William Macgill on the behalfe of his son in law Eglas Green

Sheweth that your petitioner the 16 March 1703 bound his said son apprentice to one John Bainbridge of Fisher Street nere Red Lyon Square of the parish of Saint Andrews Holborne in this county perukemaker for 7 years to learne the said trade

That your petitioners son has served 3 years and 7 months of his apprenticeshood dueing which time he hath undergon great hardships in lyeing in uncleane and fowle bedding and been often imoderately beaten and bruised by his said master and his wife without any provocacion and that the said master has used his utmost endeavour to put the said apprentice off to any person that would give the most money for him by haggleing with him to severall persons unknown to your petition and the said master hath not instructed the said apprentice in his said trade and hath likewise endeavoured to put your petitioners son of to some comander in the Affrican Company or to waite upon any gentleman and has declared he hath not buisiness for your petitioners son

That your petitioner gave the said master 5 pounds and engaged himselfe to finde his said son in [all?] apparell and necessaries dueing his apprenticehood and has hitherto performed the same and that the said master did confess he would not charge your petitioners son with any misdemenor whatsoever but on Saterday last unknown to your petitioner he caused your petitioners said son to be apprehended and carryed before Ralph Bucknall esquire one of her majesties justices of the peace for this county and there in your petitioners absence complained against the said apprentice upon oath for assaulting his said master wife and being a stubbourne and disorderly servant and for running away from his said service whereupon your petitioners son was comitted to new prison att Clarkenwell in this county where he now remaines

Your petitioner humbly prayes that the said matter may be heard and examined by this courte and that your worships will be pleased to order that the said John Bainbridge may be ordered to attend this courte to shew cause why your petitioners said son should not be discharged from his said indenture of apprenticehood and your petitioner may be relieved herein as to your worships shall seem meet

And your petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray

paratext

E Stanton

Prudence Curtis, widow, on behalf of John Curtis her son. WJ/SP/1707/12/021 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990028

To the right worshipfull her majesties justices of the peace for the county of Middlesex

The humble peticion of Prudence Curtis widow on the behalfe of John Curtis her son

Sheweth that on the third day of January in the year 1704 your petitioners son was putt an apprentice to Philip Bollard of the parish of Saint Giles in the Fields in the said county joyner for the terme of seven years to learn the said art

That the said Philip Bollard was to find and provide for the said apprentice meat drinke washing and lodging during the said term and your petitioner to find apparell of all sorts

That the said Philip Bollard hath often given the said apprentice imoderate correction and hath not allowed him wholesome and sufficient food fitting for an apprentice for which complaint hath been made to the worshipfull Richard Dyott esquire one of her majesties justices of the peace for this county who hath bound the said master to answer the same in this court this present sessions

Your peticioner humbly prays (the premises considered) that the master with the apprentice may be ordered to attend this court someday this sessions and that the master shew cause why the said apprentice should not be discharged from him and placed with some other person useing the same trade to serve the residue of the said term

And your petitioner (as in duty bound) shall ever pray etc

paratext

Per [J Fyton?]

Mary Viccors of St Paul Shadwell, widow. WJ/SP/1707/12/022 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990030

To the right worshipful her majestys justices of the peace for the county of Middlesex

The humble peticion of Mary Viccors of the parish of Saint Paul Shadwell in the said county widow

Sheweth that your petitioner stand indicted in this honourable court this present sessions for keeping a disorderly house in the said parish

That the same is a malicious prosecution contrived against your petitioner in order to gett her out of her house in which she hath lived for fourty years past and allways demeaned and behaved her selfe very civilly and honestly as severall of her neighbours now present in this honourable court can justify

And forasmuch as your petitioner being a very poor woman and having been lame for these twelve years past

Your petitioner therefore most humbly prays your worshipps to be pleased to grant that she may be discharged from the said indictment And your petition shall ever pray etc

paratext

Per Thomas Nash

Anne Adams. WJ/SP/1707/12/023 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990031

To the right worshipful her majestys justices of the peace for the county of Middlesex

The humble peticion of Anne Adams

Sheweth that for the fact whereof your petitioner stood indicted in this honourable court this present sessions your worshipps were pleased to fine her 10 pounds and for nonpayment thereof to committ her to new prison in this county that your petitioner is very sorry for the said offence and resolves never to offend againe in the like nature but immediately to leave her house and for as much as your petitioner being very poor and her landlord haveing lately [illegible] seized on her goods for nonpayment of rent and she haveing one child and her husband being in her majesties service soe that she is noe waies able to pay the said fine and humbly submmitteing herselfe to your worshipps great goodness and mercy.

Your petitioner therefore most humbly prayes your worshipps to be pleased to mittigate the said fine as unto your worshipps shall seem meet

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc

paratext

Per Thomas Nash

William Baguley, clerk to the honourable bench of justices at Hick's Hall. WJ/SP/1707/12/024 (1707). LondonLives reference: LMWJPS654990032

The humble petition of William Baguley clerk to the honourable bench of justices at Hick's Hall [Middlesex?]

Sheweth that wheras your most humble petitioner [having?] (as in the case) agreed, and contracted with Richard [Chilto...?] junior for an house, and yard in Great Queen Street Saint Giles in the Fields for forty one years, building a chappel there did also actually buy the freehold of that, and another house and yard adjoyning, haveing by sufficient witnesses payed [illegible] [teen?] pounds in part of the nine hundred and ten contracted for both: and being for some time in quiet possession till sup planted, and forceably turned out by a barbarous coachmak =er, and others named in the case, and haveing lately [illegible] quiet pos- sesion [illegible] again, leaveing his wife and daughter to keep [pos?] session: but these named in the case not suffering any except one, or two of your honourable bench to give her, or the child so much as a crust of bread, or a cup of cold water endeavouring to starve them there; nay they are so malici- -ously bent as to indite two honest neighbouring women for attempting to cary victuals to the distressed. It is hoped therfore that this honourable bench will discharge the innocent neighbours; and pitty the case, and condition of your petitio- -ners wife, and child, possitively ordering these neighbours or some other friend without interuption to cary them neces saries till the case is fairly decided by law: if this canot be granted: your petitioner must (as he is advised) address himself to the throne, and Grand British Councell both for justice and mercy: so not doubting but that this honourable bench will consider so as in justice to discharge the innocent and cause that the distressed be taken care of for which as in duty bound your petitioner will ever pray

paratext

December 12th [illegible] Master Lindon I desire you to gett William Martin discharged of his recognizance he haveing given satisfaction to the [illegible] Yours

  • John Arden