The petition of John Hall of Leicester, Leicestershire, 1645 to 1647
To the right Wor[shipfu]ll Mr Maior the Aldermen his brethren and the rest of this societye.
The humble petic[i]on of John Hall.
Sheweth
That yo[u]r pet[itione]r hath longe since served 7 yeares as an apprentice to a shoomaker, That since he hath wrought Journey worke in this Towne 19 yeares and as a translator 4 yeares And hath paid scott and lott taxes and imposic[i]ons, quartered souldyers, borne his owne Armes, and done dutie equall with or beyond many of his abilitie.
That at the takeinge of the Towne he was mortally wounded, and (though in some measure Recovered) he is not able to worke as formerly.
That he hath an infirme wife whoe hath longe beene, and still is very chargeable to him.
That he hath noe other meanes but his labo[u]r to mainetaine himselfe and her, from w[hi]ch if he should be restrained, they were both like to perrish.
That he hath of late beene disturbed by the shoomakers and still is threatned to be supprest, though (as he conceives) he hath not any way broken the Statute.
That he hath formerly petic[i]oned for his freedome, and still continues his suite, vppon a moderate fine, or otherwise that he may exercise his calling accordinge to a former order w[i]thout disturbance.
And yo[u]r pet[itione]r will dayly pray &c.
Admitted to be a Cobler onely p[ro]vided he doe not transgresse ye shoemakers Ordinall.