Folios 151-152: Edward Grey, Regulating Officer, Hull. Acknowledges receipt of the...

Folios 151-152: Edward Grey, Regulating Officer, Hull. Acknowledges receipt of the letter of 8 June with the enclosed application from Mr Staniforth requesting the discharge of George Speck, currently on board the tender at Hull. George Speck (or Peck) was pressed on 7 May. He is a stout active man and has been at sea for several years. He will be 49 years old next October. When he was regulated he stated that he was at least 50 years old, although the person who gave the information stated he was only 45. Captain Grey wrote to the vicar of Howden requesting a certificate of baptism, which he sent, and from which it seems that George Peck or (Speck) will not be 49 until next October. Enclosed is the Vicar of Howden's answer with the baptism certificate, which he asks to be returned to the vicar. HMS Sheerness is in need of a Carpenter. George Speck requested about 14days ago to be allowed to enter on her. he would be a valuable man to fill the post.

Folios 153-154: enclosure with folios 151-152: Ralph Spofforth, Howden, to Captain Grey, Regulating Officer, Hull, 8 May 1810. Sends the baptism certificate of George, son of Thomas Peck, late of Howden (and not Speck, as mentioned in Captain Grey's latter). Mr Spofforth has searched the registry of Baptisms for the years 1846 to 1874 inclusive and cannot find any other name resembling the one in question. Information provided by the Sexton, who was born in the same year as, and was a school mate of the, person in question, was that the name of Peck was made in error, instead of Speck.

Folio 156: enclosure with folios 152-153: Ralph Spofforth, vicar of Howden. Extract from the Registry of Baptisms belonging to the parish church of Howden, 8 May 1810. 10 October 1761, George, son to Thomas Peck, Howden.

Folio 157: enclosure with folios 152-153: sworn statement by John Cliff, Shipwright and Samuel Rodwell, Publican, both of Kingston upon Hull, 2 June 1810. Sworn before John Brown, Justice of the Peace for East Yorkshire. They have each known George Speck, Shipwright, now of Scalcoates but formerly of Howden in the County of York, for upwards of 48 years, when they were at school together in Howden. Comparing with their own ages, they are sure that George Speck is now at least 52 years old.