The petition of John Badham of Hereford (St Nicholas Parish), Herefordshire, 1676
To the Right Wor[shippf]ull Henry Coldicott Esq[ui]r[e] Mayor of the Cittie of Hereford and to the rest of the Justices of the Peace of and for the same Cittie
The humble petic[i]on of John Badham of the p[ar]ishe of S[ain]t Nicholas within ye s[ai]d Cittie Blacksmith a poore man charged w[i]th a wife and 2: smale Children
Sheweth
That yo[u]r pet[itione]r being a Freeman of the s[ai]d Cittie hath paid Scott and lott according to his abilitie and hath bin serviceable in his late Ma[jes]ties Service of and for ye same Cittie against the Scotts & elswhere as a souldier where hee was comaunded and now he is growne into much penurie.
That one of his Children whose name is Charles Badham is now fitting to be placed to an Apprentice to some Trade w[i]thin ye s[ai]d Cittie but yo[u]r pet[itione]r in respect of his povertie hath not wherew[i]thall for to doe it (although there is a Master whoe is ready for to take him apprentice But meanes is wanting w[i]th yo[u]r pet[itione]r for that purpose as afores[ai]d
Wherefore yo[u]r poore pet[itione]r most humbly pray that yo[u]r good wor[shi]pps would be pleased out of yo[u]r wonted goodnes to Order that he may haue some of Mr Woods moneys given for that purpose or any other moneys w[hi]ch is w[i]thin yo[u]r good wors[hi]pps graunte for to helpe to place his poore Child Appr[e]ntice According to the donors will in that respects And in soe doeing yo[u]r poore pet[itione]r & his wife & family shall dayly pray &c.