The petition of Henry Browne of Plympton St Mary, Devon, 2 January 1668
To the Ho[noura]ble the Justices of Peace assembled att this Generall Sessions for the Peace att the Castle of Exon.
The Humble Petition of Henry Browne of Plympton St Mary in the Countie of Devon. Janu[ary] 2nd 1667.
Humblie sheweth.
That whereas your poore Pet[itione]r being a Souldier, & Gunner in the Field, was maimed in his left hand in his Ma[jes]ties service ag[ains]t Plym[ou]th (when Generall Digbie was hurt in the face) & for ye same hath received a Pension of 40 s. p[er] annu[m] from his Ma[jes]tie for these six yeares last past q[ua]rterlie, excepting these 3 last q[ua]rters ended att Christmass: when through extreame weakness of body & age, he could not attend the Sessions himselfe: nor procure any other for him, it being above 40 miles, for want of monie, but alwaies was carefull to gett a Certificate from ye Justice, Min[iste]r & others of the said p[ar]ish & send the same q[ua]rterlie by one of the Hundred Constables for the Treasurers Securitie. As alsoe yt your Pet[itione]r out of much weakness & pain is enforced constantlie to keepe his bed: &, were it not for some small releife afforded by ye p[ar]ish For want of ye arreares, & continuation of the Pension, would miserablie p[er]ish for want. And
Humblie prayeth,
That the premises being taken into Consideration, you would be pleased to order your Treasurer, that the 3 q[ua]rters arreares may be paid vnto one of the Head Const[a]bles of the Hundred of Plympton for your Pet[itione]r. And that your Pet[itione]r may be continued the said Pension for the future: without which, your poore Pet[itione]r & his familie must live in great miserie, & want. And your Pet[itione]r shall dailie pray: &c.
We beleive the petic[i]on to be true & desire it may be considered.
W[illia]m Sorode Tho[mas] Colepresse min[iste]r ib[ide]m
Jos[eph] Colmady Thomas Oates } Ouerse[e]rs of pore
Peter Ryder John Veale }
Ordered that the Pet[itione]rs pension be Continued and his Arreares paid
<Henry Browne his petition>