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22,
Preston 11th November 1820

At the request of the undermentioned inhabitants of
Colour of Preston who wish to have their Children
instructed and being in state of great indigence
are incapable of suporting a schoolmaster
Your Excellencys humble petitioner
is therefore induced to make application for the
salary that is alow'd from Government and hopes
by a steady application to the improvement of
those instructed to his charge to merit your
Excellencys approbation.

Signed James Bell Children
With the number of Daniel Johnston 3
children of each person William Thomas 2