TEENAGE boys absconding from their apprenticeships was considered an extremely serious matter in1801.
A public notice in the Journal for this week of that year stated: "Ran away from his apprenticeship, William Williams, an apprentice bounded by Indenture to owner, William Jenkins in the Parish of St Peter in the City of Worcester.
''He is about 17 years of age, 5ft.5ins tall and has one tooth missing from the upper part of the front of his mouth."
The notice gave a full description of the clothes he was last seen wearing and ended: "If he immediately returns to his Master, he will be kindly received but whoever harbours or employs him after this notice will be prosecuted as the law directs."
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