The second petition of Henry Lester, City and County of Bristol, June 1660
To the Kings most Excellent Majestie
The humble petic[i]on of Henry Lester
<Sheweth>
That yo[u]r peticon[e]r hath for the space of aboute 18 or 20 yeares last past faithfully serued yo[u]r Majestie and yo[u]r late Royall father in the late Warrs; by reason whereof yo[u]r pet[itione]r hath beene often wounded, imprisoned, tryed for his life & at last forced to fly into parts beyond the seas, for pr[e]servac[i]on of his life hee being neuer accused for any Crime; but onely for his fidelitie to yo[u]r Maiestie
That by the meanes afforesaid yo[u]r peticon[e]r was spoyled of all his personall estate (worth 6000 li. and alsoe enforced to sell his inheritance worth 200 li. p[er] ann[um] And hath now noe estate left to maintayne himselfe, his wife, and Children
That the place of the Customer Inward of the Port of Bristow is become voyd by the death of John Trupp gentl[eman] dec[ease]d and is now in yo[u]r Maiesties gift
Yo[u]r peticon[e]r therefore most humbly prayes yo[u]r Majestie would bee graciously pleased to bestow & conferr vpon yo[u]r pet[itione]r the said office or place of Customer Inward of the said Port of Bristow for the better support and maintaynance of yo[u]r pet[itione]r his wife & Children
And he shall ever pray &c