Stephen Blakesley was a sailor on the Matilda. He was injured in the fighting when the enslaved Africans on board rose in revolt and tried to take the ship. His injiuries meant that he was unable to work.

From 1747, all sailors had to pay 6d a month into the Seaman's Hospital Fund as a form of insurance. They or their families could seek help from the Fund in the case of death or injury, to pay a regular pension or get one-off payments for food or clothing. In Bristol, the Society of Merchant Venturers administered the Fund. Those allowed a pension were called back at intervals, to check that they were still unable to work and still deserving of a pension.

Having paid his 6d a month into the insurance fund, Blakesley asked for help and was granted three shillings a week.