The petition of Edward Powell of Hereford, Herefordshire, 1667
To the wor[shi]ppfull Hugh Rodd Esq[ui]r[e] Major of the Citty of Hereford, & others the wor[shi]ppfull Justices of the peace of the said Citty.
The humble petic[i]on of Edward Powell of this Citty Cloathworker Chardged with a wife & Children a former, & pr[e]sent officer, & Attendant belonginge to yo[u]r wor[shi]pps, & yo[u]r predecessors;
Humbly Craueinge, in regard, & for that your petic[ione]r beinge a poore man, & a loyall, & faithfull soldier formerly, & as yet for his King, & Countrey; & a greate sufferer, & looser for that his fidelity; To the greate impoverishment of yo[u]r petic[ione]r & his Chardge, & haveinge bin porter of Eygne gate within this Citty attendinge yo[u]r wor[shi]pps for a treuiall errer, & small amisse hath bin [illegible] much troubled doult with this Sessions; (notwithstanding yo[u]r petic[ione]rs humble submission to yo[u]r wor[shi]pps; (being eiected out of his office of portershipp & whereas yo[u]r poore petic[ione]r to his greate trouble, Chardge, & care did lately lay out, & defray to labourers to ye value of 8 s. towards the pitchinge of stone, & grauell vnder the gate, & did freely in ye bailiffs 9 daies suffer ye Country people to passe, & repasse gratis vpon their promises to gratify yo[u]r petic[ione]r with corne the next ensueing haruest;
That yo[u]r good wor[shi]pps wil be pleased vpon your petic[ione]rs submission to graunte fauor, & mercy instateing him to continue his office till Mich[ael]mas next vpon yo[u]r petic[ioner]s good demeanor, whereby he might haue some reward this harvest towards his seruice & 8 s. Chardges &c And yo[u]r petic[ione]r shall pray for yo[u]r wor[shi]pps &c.