The petition of Ralph Kinsman of Exeter (St Sidwell’s Parish), City and County of Exeter, c. 1664 to 1665
To the Right Wor[shi]p[fu]ll Allen Penny Esq[ui]r[e] Maior of the Citty of Exon, and to the Wor[shi]p[fu]ll Justices of the same with there Assistance in Counsell Chamber These.
The Humble Petic[i]on of Ralph Kinsman of St Sidwells Weauor.
Most Humbly
Sheweth whereas yo[u]r Poore peticon[e]r Being a very poore & weake man haueinge an old deafe woman to his wife & two grand Children to mayntayne, beinge alwayes form[e]rly a laborious man in his Callinge & neu[er] beholdinge to any but whatt did gett by the Swett of his Browes, Haueing ben alwayes in the Kings seruice & receiued som woonds by w[hi]ch meanes is decripped & now growne soe antiente, thatt is nott able to doe any thinge in his Callinge to get any liuelyhood to maynetayne himselfe, poore wife & grand Children And vnderstandinge thatt on Bussell who hath an Almeshowse in the Winnerds being a very weake man & lyinge very sick & lookeinge for a good Howre when please the Lord to Call hym vnto hymselfe
May it therefore please yo[u]r Wor[shi]ps to take yo[u]r poore Petic[i]on[e]rs Cause into yo[u]r serious Consideration, To giue yo[u]r poore Petic[i]on[e]r the Graunte, (if please the Lord to take vnto himselfe th[e] aforesaied Bussell) to inioye the sayed Almes howse with th[e] appurtenances thereunto belonginge dureinge his life w[hi]ch may be a supportance to hym & his
And yo[u]r poore Petic[i]on[e]r as in duety is bound shall pray &c.
Hauing wrought with me seventeene yeres
by me Jno Baker
[Reverse:]
The humble Peticion of Ralph Kinsman of St Sidwells Parrish