The petition of the six children of George Bowcher of the City and County of Bristol, September 1660
To the Kings most Excellent Ma[jes]tie.
The humble petic[i]on of the Children of George Bowcher late of Bristoll Merchant deceased, they being 6 in number.
Humbly Sheweth
That yo[u]r pet[itione]rs father for his most faithfull and loyall adherence to yo[u]r Royall Father of glorious memory suffered death with one Mr Yeomans by the hands of the Execuc[i]oner in yo[u]r Ma[jes]t[y’]s said Citty, leaving yo[u]r pet[itione]rs w[i]th their Mother Since late deceased in a verie Sad and deplorable condic[i]on.
And Whereas their said Mother for hers and their Subsistance became a most humble suitor to yo[u]r Ma[jes]t[y’]s said Royall Father for an yearely penc[i]on of 100 li. which hee was most gratiously pleased to grant vnto her during her life, And for that during the Rebellion yo[u]r pet[itione]rs mother could receive noe benefitt by the said grant vpon her humble petic[i]on yo[u]r Ma[jes]tie was gratiously pleased by yo[u]r letters patents to renew the said Annuitie to her, for her life, by reason of whose short life not liveing to possesse the same two yeares, that intended maintenance to bee raised out of yo[u]r Ma[jes]t[y’]s said gratious bountie for the Supply and help of yo[u]r poore pet[itione]rs became fruitless, Soe that vnles yo[u]r Ma[jes]ty cast a favourable aspect vpon their Sad estate, they will bee exposed to much povertie.
They doe therefore most humbly cast themselues at yo[u]r Ma[jes]t[y’]s feete desireing you to bee gratiously pleased to continue the said Annuitie for such number of yeares you shall thinke fitt, And that a graunt accordingly may bee made to two p[er]sons by them to bee nominated in trust for them.
And yo[u]r pet[itione]rs as in duty bound shall ever pray &c.
The Petic[i]on of ye Children of George Bowcher.
The king thinkes not fit to grant this penc[i]on for any further tyme.