The petition of Stephen Chapman of Tavistock, Devon, 1682
To the Honourable his Maiesties Justices of the peace for the County of Devon
The humble Petition of Stephen Chapman of Tavistocke in the said County Carpenter.
Humbly sheweth.
That your Petition[e]r hath faythfully served his late Majestie (of ever blessed memory) in the late vnhappie Warrs in the Regiment of S[i]r Henery Cary, in which Service hee behav’d himselfe as became an honest and stoute man, and hath ever since continued loyall, and that by occasion of his great sufferings and losses vnder the late vsurped powers hee is now fallen to poverty, and being about Seaventy yeares of age is decayed as to his trade and imployment and noe meanes of Subsistance left to maintaine himselfe, and his feeble wife of the like age who are therefore like to come to great penury and want vnlesse your honours favour bee to them extended.
Wherefore your poore distressed Petition[e]r doth humbly pray Thatt your Honours would bee pleased to Consider his sad Condition, and to order an Annuall Pension for him towards his future maintenance who as in duty bound shall pray &c.
Will[iam] Kelly } Church Will[iam] Saxfen
Daniell Cudlipp } Wardens
John Cudlipp } Overseers
Jam[es] [?Lego:] } of the poore
Daniell Humphrey, Con[sta]bell
Edmund Payne
<Jasper Canne Vicar.>
<We doe beleeue this certificate to be true.>
<Josias Calmady>
<R[i]c[har]d Hillersdon>
[Overleaf:]
fiat ord[o] 40 s. p[er] ann[um]