The certificate for Edward Martin of Abbotskerswell, Devon, 24 June 1647
June 24, 1647
These are to certifie whome it shall concerne that
Edward Martine of Abbotts Carswell, being of honest life and conversation at the beginning of these unhappie differences, did volundarily liste himeselfe for a souldier, in the behalfe of the parliament And in that service did constantly and faithfully continue, And that hee being in the cittie of Exon in the tyme of the siege, uppon a sallie received a most dangerous shott in the thighe from the Cavalleeres w[hi]ch greatly endangered his life, of the which hurte being by the helpe of God and the arte and care of a good Chyrurgion recovered, the sayde Edward removed to Plymouth where being disabled to serve as formerly on foote hee served againe on horseback, and afterwards joined himself to the armie of his Excellencie the late Earl of Essex. But soe it is that in his march from Cornwall upon articles, his horse fayling him, hee was apprehended and committed to the goale of Exon, where he suffered imprisonment for the space of sixteen weekes, from whence hee with others were removed to Lydford, in w[hi]ch place what unspeakable miseries they endured is not to be expressed, there dying with famine within the space of eight weekes sixteen persons, and the said Edward was there soe extreamly weakened with sicknes that (in all mens judgment) hee was past all hopes of recovery.
In regard of which sufferings and losses he is soe impoverished in his estate and soe disabled in his bodie to worke as formerly that without some charitable course taken to releive him he is like w[i]th his family utterly to perishe.
Witnesse:
John Stephens John Barnes, vic[ar]
Sam[uel] Codnor John Bully
Peter Stonman
Geo[rge] Colcott
Rich[ard] Bickle rector of Denbury
Christo[pher] Osborne
John Bery