The petition of Jeffery Downing of Exeter (St Lawrence’s Parish), City and County of Exeter, c. 1664 to 1665
To the Right Worshippf[u]ll Allin Penney, Maior of the Cittie of Exon:
The humble peticion of Jeffery Downing of the p[ar]ish of St Lawrence.
Sheweth.
That yo[u]r poore peticionor haue alwaies bine faithfully vnto his Ma[jes]ties service and was a souldier vnder Capt[ain] Webber against the Siege of Lyme, vnder yo[u]r worshipps Command, and in the Tyme of warr haue sufferd much Imprisonm[en]t soe that yo[u]r peticionor w[i]th his Famally is brought very low and in a sade and deplored Condicion haue nothing for himselfe and Famally to ly one but a bed of straw and all that yo[u]r peticionor can gett is but sufficient to provide meate and drinke soe that w[i]thout yo[u]r worshipp be moved w[i]th Compasion towards these obicets of pittye his wife being a sickly woman and lame soe that she is not able to doe anything towards the maintenance of our Famally, beseeching yo[u]r worshipp if there be any money for pious vses in yo[u]r worshipps Custotie it may be extended to the Releefe of yo[u]r poore peticionors Famally.
And as in all dutie euer bound to pray for yo[u]r worshipps health heare and blest w[i]th eternall happines heareafter.