Shoemaker

Origins.

George Robert Twelves Hewes was the sixth of nine children, being the fourth of seven sons. His father, also named George, was a Massachusetts tanner who ended up in debtors' prison at least twice. Hewes's father died young, and George was sent into apprenticeship as a shoemaker. Shoemaking was a poor man's trade and not a desirable way to start out in life, but Hewes had little choice. He was bound to a harsh master, ill fed and clothed and possessed a streak of lively mischief that earned him the occasional whipping.

Boston Youth.

He and his fellow apprentices scavenged about the town of Boston, looking to beg or steal anything they could get to eat. Hewes played pranks on his master and drank and frolicked in the streets during public celebrations, along with the hundreds of servants, apprentices, laborers, and...