PUBZ3/8/110

Folio.166-172 William Button Devoll residing in St Peter, Bedford.

18 December 1833

From: 1833 To: 1833

I am about 42 years of age, was born in Chiswick in the County of Middlesex where my father Samuel Devoll then resided and belonged. When I was about 13 years of age my father placed me out apprentice by Indenture (now produced) for seven years to Thomas Berry of Hartley Row in the parish of Hartley Winbury, County of Southampton, coach painter. I served between two and three years of my apprenticeship there when my Master died and my Mistress not continuing on the business of a coach painter I ran away and went to my fathers at Two Waters in the parish of Hemel Hempstead in Herts. My Mistress sent me my Indentures to my father there, I lived with my father at Two Waters for about twelve months. My father then bound me apprentice to James Polley of Grays Inn Lane, County of Middlesex, plumber, glazier and painter, by Indenture(now produced) dated 15th November 1808 for seven years with an agreement to give up my indentures at the expiration of the first five years of my apprenticeship. The Indentures and agreement were executed by all parties and both duly witnessed by Yeeling Underwood of 10 Great Turnstile, Holborn. I served there with my Master about two years when I was taken ill and with my Masters consent I went home to my father on condition of returning to my Master when I was restored to health. But I never did return. I continued with my father several months and then went to London and worked asa journeyman there for a very short time - about a month - when I enlisted for a soldier in the 15th Regiment of Light Dragoons for seven years. I then purchased my discharged about the year 1818. Since that time I have worked as a journeyman in different parts of the country but I have not done any act to gain a settlement. About 9 months ago I was taken ill in London and I applied to the parish officers of St Andrew, Holborn for relief. My examination was taken on oath at Hatton Garden and I was taken to the workhouse infirmary of that parish and remained there six weeks. The Doctor then told me, as I was somewhat recovered, that if I had any friends in the country where I could go the air would do me good. They gave me three shillings and some clothes. I went to my mother in law at Two Waters. I got worse and went to London and was admitted into the Middlesex Hospital. I was there about 16 weeks and being better, came to the country to seek work. I obtained work from Mr J Mayle of Bedford for a short time. Being again taken ill I was admitted into the Bedford Infirmary. I was discharged from there and have continued in Bedford very ill from that time to the present.

item

Devoll, William Button,
Devoll, Samuel,
Berry, Thomas,
Polley, James,
Underwood, Yeeling,
Mayle, J

BEDFORD, Hartley Winbury, Holborn, Hemel Hempstead, London Hatton Garden, Grays Inn Lane, Settlement, Overseers, magistrate, POVERTY, Poor Laws, illness, health, Westminster Middlesex Hospital, Bedford Infirmary, 15th Regiment Light Dragoons, soldier, apprenticeship, coach painter, painter, plumber, glazier, workhouses