The petition of Symon Jefferye of Bideford, Devon, 15 February 1664
To the Right Wor[shi]pp[fu]ll the Justices of the Peace w[i]thin the Countie of Devon.
The humble petic[i]on of Symon Jefferye of Biddiford: marrin[e]r.
<Sheweth>
That whereas yo[u]r peticon[e]r haveing for divers years faythfully served his ma[jes]tie and royall Father of ever blessed memory in the time of the late unhappie warr as by divers testymonyes under the hands of his Excellency Prince Maurice; the Right Hon[oura]ble the Earle of Bath Capt[ain] Jo[hn] Gealard &c may be made appeare, in w[hi]ch said service by wounds & long Imprisonm[en]ts he is so decreeped in all his body, not able to helpe himselfe, but is now in a very low & sad & sad Condic[i]on.
And whereas yo[u]r wor[shi]pps were gratiously pleased nine moneths since (or therabout) to allow yo[u]r petic[i]on[er] A penc[i]on of Forty shillings p[er] ann[um] since which time hee is growne into a more deploreable state then formerly.
Yo[u]r peticion[e]r therefore humbly prayeth yo[u]r wor[shi]pps will be pleased to take his miserable condic[i]on, into yo[u]r Charitable Considerac[i]on; & to add so much to his penc[i]on; as yo[u]r wor[shi]pps shal adjudge convenient.
& yo[u]r peticion[e]r shall ev[er] pray &c.
The contents of this petic[i]on is really true;
Abraham Heiman Maior Arthur Giffard Rect[o]r
Will[iam] Reeve Ja[mes] Beerie
Hugh Tucker Richard Waye
John Bragg
John Lambert
Wee conseave the peticioners pention ought to be continued, and that in regard of his greate decreppednes & inabillity to healpe & relieve him selfe he may very well & justly deserve an addition unto it as you in your discressions may think fit. And this wee testify under our hands.
Robert Cary
Richard Coffine
<Feb[rua]ry 15th 1663.>
<To ye Treasurer for ye maymed souldiers you may allowe him q[uar]terly after the rate of three pounds by ye yeare untill farther order.>
Robert Cary
Richard Coffin
[Overleaf:]
5 s. in hand & 10 s. p[er] Ann[um] added & referred to S[i]r R. [Illegible] Symon Jeffery