Document. Robert Cowan, Petition for Relief, 1778

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Source

Original Source: Unknown, intermediate sources describes it as "Cowan Court Document, 1778 - Bedford Co. VA", which implies that it was entered into the Bedford County Records, but the Petition is described as Memorial: 24 Feb. 1778 London. Granted £100 p.a.", and is addressed to To The Right Honorable The Lords Commissioners of his Majesty’s Treasury". It is unlikely that such a document would have been entered into Bedford County Court records, except as a demonstration that Robert had fled the country as a Loyalist.

Intermediate Source: USGenWeb Bedford County Archives

Related

Person:Robert Cowan (26) Robert Cowan the Lawyer, not Robert Cowan the Justice

Text

To The Right Honorable The Lords Commissioners of his Majesty’s Treasury The Petition of Robert Cowan Humbly Showeth

That your petition[er] having been settled for near twenty years in Bedford County in The Colony of Virginia, had by his industry and application to the benefits of a Tabacco Planter acquired A compliment and easy fortune, in which he was blessed with his wife and family at the commencement Of the present rebellion.

That your petitioner having the Honor to hold a Commission of the peace Under his Excellency, The Earl of Dunmore, hath uniformly acted agreeable thereto, and even Distinguished himself by his loyalty to his Sovereign and attachment to the constitution, and having from A long residence in his County possessed a Considerable Influence over the minds of the people, he exerted It on all occasions, to warn them early in this Unhappy dispute, of the Total Consequence attendant On the destructive measures, which their Leaders have so artfully led them into, A conduct so Invariably pursued, and solely dictated by your petitioners high Regard, for the National Rights of both Countries alarmed their leaders and has been the cause of a most crewel and Inveterate persecution Under which your petitioner groaned, Who thus separated in a manner from the Community For their vengeance, on the pretence of his having Joined the Loyalist in North Carolina under Gen. McDonald had his house surrounded and ransacked by a body of armed men, He hath been several Times dragged before their committee, and at last cited to take the oath of allegiance as a Magistrate Under their usurped power, he refused it with indignation, was deprived of his arms and imprisoned. Your petitioner thus horrified in continual and eminent danger of his life, Understandingly they Intended to Confine him to be tried, as a Traitor to their New Constitution, made his escape From Virginia, and at last got to New York, from whence he Hath Safely arrived here. Your petitioner having brought some Bills of Exchange for his support in Britain has Unfortunately had them protested, inconsequence of which he is Reduced to much distress, and therefore humbly hopes, that having deserted an affluent fortune with his wife and children, Rather than forego his Allegiance to his Country, Your Lordship will be pleased to take his case into Consideration, and Bestow such relief as you may Judge his Particular Case merits and your petitioner as In duty bound will ever pray yea