Wotton School scholarship for son of William HicksVersion ws3_0.py0.3 | |
Gloucestershire Record Office D8887/13605, Smyth of Nibley Papers Vol. 5, f. 90 | |
| Good Sir, beinge solicited in the behalf of my neighbour William Hicks with the consent & good liking of the widow Garlick (whose son it pleased you to place at my brother Stephen's request in Wotton school & to make him partaker of your bounty therein; nevertheless it hath so befallen that he hath fallen away from love of his books to loitering so far that now there is no hope to make him a scholar, although his wit is very good & fit for learning but that it is corrupted by his will), I am an earnest suitor unto you, that you would be pleased, if the widow's son be put out, to put into his place the son of William Hickes, who is 14 years old & was taught in my house with my sons & is a very towardly good boy for his nature & manners & a very studious boy & able for love of learning more than ordinarily I have knowne in most others & one that is so far grown in stature & learning that I cannot conceive how he should have any cause to stay above two or 3 yeares (if so much) before he will be fit for the university; which when he shall be, I shall endevour to help to prefer him there by all the meanes I may. Hee is near kinsman to the former boy, they being brother & sister's children & for his good behaviour I dare give my word that there is not a better in Wotton school & hope confidently he shall continue so to be with such improvement as shall be to the comfort & credit of his schoolmaster, benefactors, friends, & the school. Besides that, being born in the parish, it may add some argument to your favour in respecting him before another coming further off. I dare not be earnest with such a friend, importunity being a kind of moral violence which becomes not a debtor to use to his creditor. For so I am to you in some part for what you did for the widow my neighbour, though not with that good success as was hoped & desired, but that without any fault but his own that was unworthy of such bounty. Thus, praying you to pardon my boldness & to respect this my suit so far as well you may without greater inconvenience, with renewed thanks for all curtesies & good respects, I cease to be tedious & rest, | |
| Aug 4. 1628 | your loving friend to his power in all readiness, JGiles |
| Address: | To the worshipful John Smith esquire at his house in North Nibley give this |
| Endorsed by recipient: | Mister Giles for Hickes |
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