The petition of Henry and Elizabeth Leicester, City and County of Bristol, July 1660
To the Kings most Excellent Majestie
The humble Petition of Capt[ain] Henry Leicester, and Elizabeth his wife Daughter and Heyresse of Col[one]l John Gainsford deceased
Sheweth
That your Petitioner Elizabeths said father raysed a Regiment of foot Souldiers at his owne Charge vnder the Command of the Right honourable the Lord Gen[era]ll Gerrard for the service of your Ma[jes]ties Royall Father of blessed memory for which he was afterward plundered of an Estate to the value of six thousand pounds and hurried out of one Prison into another vntill he dyed
That your said Petitioner was forced to part with her reall Estate of 200 li. per Annum for a small quantity of money to releive her poore husband Capt[ain] Henry Licester who was also a Prisoner for his service and loyalty to his said sacred Ma[jes]tie and vnderwent much misery being tryed for his life and forced to forsake his Country and flye into Flanders for engageing in S[i]r Geo[rge] Boothes Busines having omitted noe opportunity for your Ma[jes]ties happy Restaurac[i]on
That for his fidelity and constancy your Pet[itione]r Henry received the honour and favour (since your Ma[jes]ties happy Returne) to have the Command of a Company of foote which are now disbanded
Your Petitioner therefore humbly prayes (he being now out of all Imployment, and haveing noe Estate left to maintayne his wife and five small Children) That your Majestie will graciously please to grant him an Order to be Admitted to be one of your Ma[jes]ties Comissioners of Excise in the Citty of Bristoll
And (as bound) they shall ever pray