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formerly a commodity is not now. Hopeing you will grant me my request, I rest yr servant,
To the honored County Court sitting by adjournment at
Charlestown, 24, 8br., 1690.
The petition of
John Stedman of
Cambridge, aged 88, sheweth, That your petitioner, as is well known, hath had a license to sell Rum for many years past, which never was discontinued till the Revolution, since which he would have sought for the renewal of it, had he had the least notice when or where he ought to apply himself for it, or that any others renewed theirs: That your petitioner wonders that his daughter Sharp should be summoned to this Court for selling Rum without license, she never having sold any at Cambridg on her own or her husband's account, but upon the sole and proper account and by the order of your petitioner, who is well assured that he hath never given cause to be dealt with in extremity, he having never bin behindhand in paying for his draft, or in serving the country to his power.
Your petitioner therefore praies that his said daughter Sharp may no further be molested or discouraged from her dutiful and charitable assistance of your petitioner for his support and comfort in his extream old age, and that a license may be granted him as formerly.
So praies your humble servant,
In addition to innholders and retailers, venders of beer and bread were licensed, one of whom, Andrew Belcher, has already been mentioned.
Another was Mrs. Bradish, probably the wife of Robert Bradish,1 who resided on the westerly corner of Harvard and Holyoke streets, where the Holyoke House now stands.
The following appeal to the County Court, without date, is in the handwriting of President Dunster, and is preserved in the files for 1654:—
Honored Gentlemen, as far as it may stand with the wholesome orders and prudential laws of the country for the publick weal, I can very freely speak with and write in the behalf of sister Bradish, that shee might be encouraged and countenanced in her present calling for baking of bread and brewing and selling of penny bear, without which shee cañot continue to bake: In both which callings such is her art, way and skill, that shee doth vend such comfortable penniworths for the reliefe of all that send
