The certificate for Thomas Wills of Doddiscombsleigh, Devon, 16 July 1669
To the Hono[ura]ble Bench
Right worshippfulls
Whereas att the last gen[er]all Sessions yo[u]r wor[shi]pps (beinge truely informed of the lowe & distressed estate of Thomas Wills of our p[ar]ish of Doddescombsleigh, A faithfull Souldier to his Ma[jes]tie) were then pleased (for his better subsistance) to conferre vpon him a pension of twenty shillings p[er] annu[m], and w[i]thall enjoyned vs the p[ar]ishoners of the p[ar]ish aforesaid to afford him our best assistance in Conveyinge him to the Bath in order to the recouery of his health, but the poore man not receivinge any benefitt thereby, is now become farr worse, & fallen into a sad & deplorable Condic[i]on, and lays (in regard of his extreme weakenesse & Contynuall attendance) vpon very great Charge: Wherefore we humbly desire yo[u]r wor[shi]pps to grant him an augmentac[i]on to his former pension, through A favourable Considerac[i]on of his pr[e]sent Calamityes for which ye shall farther obleidge both him and us to pray &c.
<July 16th 1669.>
<20 s. p[er] Ann[um] more.>
Michaell Dolling Sen[io]r
Michael Dolling Ju[nio]r
W Ball
Edward Luckes
George Rolstone
Robert May
Daniel Berry
[Overleaf:]
Tho[mas] Wills peticion