The petition of John Steevens of Tavistock, Devon, 1683
To the Right Worsh[i]p[fu]ll S[i]r Nicholis Slaning, and other of his Maiesties Justices of the Peace for this County of Deuon. The Humble Petition of John Steeuens of Tauistocke in the saide County Husbandman.
<Humbly Sheweth>
That whereas yo[u]r poore Petitio[ne]r hath bine in the warrs from the Begining to the End thereof, & still faithfull in the seruice for his Late Martered Maiestye, of Euer Blessed Memory, vnder the Command of S[i]r Beuill Grenuill vntill he was slaine, and hath Bine in most of the fights in England, and uery Dangerously wounded at Bristoll, and Receiued Greiueous wounds, maymed in one Arme in the Taking of Exon, and was at Landsdowne when his Heroyicke Collonell S[i]r Beuill Grenuill was Slaine, and yo[u]r Petitio[ne]r was Likewise Against Bristoll when the valiant S[i]r Nicholis Slaning, Collonell Godolphyn, & Collonell Trevanian ware slaine, and y[ou]r Petitio[ne]r was long against Plymouth vnder the Command of the worthy Maior Jacobb, and afterward went and Remained in Pendenis fower & twenty week and forced to eate Horsflesh, and for want of that or other Prouision ware forced to yeald, Rather then starue, and yo[u]r Poore Petitio[ne]r was neuer Backward on any Attempt, and to put downe all the dangerous attempts and Battells it would be too tedious for yo[u]r Worships view or perusall, and yo[u]r Poore Petitio[ne]r hath not hithertoo bine Chargeble to any soe long as he Could worke, being very Aged, and his working Ended, being 82 years of Age, and his great wounds in his head, and other places, doe now paine him more then Euer, by Reason of which yo[u]r poore Petitio[ne]r is Inforced to Apeale to yo[u]r worsh[i]ps mercy Beseaching yo[u]r Worsh[i]ps to Commiserat his Condition and to order him a yearly Pention now in his needfull aged yeares to Confort him that he may not Continue miserable these few yeares of his time to com that hath bine in his youth, soe faithfull A Subiect, and Souldier, vnder his Renowned Maiesty neuer to be forgotten, and yo[u]r Poore Petitio[ne]r shall Euer Pray for yo[u]r Worsh[i]ps Long life heer and Eternall Happiniss in the life to Come.
Wee are Credibly informed that the Contente of this Peticon is true and that the peticoners poverty and Loyalty deserue an yearely Pention
Nicholas Slanning
Phi[lip] Champnowne
Arthur Tremayne
<Wee Beleiue this Petic[i]on is true>
<Nicho[las] Hunt: Mayor>
to Draw a petic[i]on on this ag[ain]st the sessions
John Stephens petic[i]on for a pention, Mr Englett is desired to move itt for Mr Leach