The first petition of Nicholas Dench of Ashburton, Devon, 1686
<Aishburton in comitat[us] Devon>
To the Right worshipf[u]lls William Stawell, Edward Yard, Roger Pomeroy And Gilbert Yard Esquires Justices of the peace for the said County of Devon your poore petitioner humbly Complaineth.
Whereas your said petitioner Nicholas Dench of Aishburton aforesaid Cordwiner having faithfully served King Charles the first of blessed memory in the late warr a souldier for the space of five yeares or thereabouts and did receive some wounds in the said service and being growne aged is become unable to provide for himselfe and family wherefore your said petitioner maketh his humble Address unto your worshipps beseeching your worshipps to take it into y[ou]r most serious Considerations, And your poore petitioner shall have cause to blesse good for his mercy and pray for your welfare and prosperity, And remaine your ever obliged servant
Nicholas Dench
Wee believe the contents of this petition to be true
John Bastard Vicar
Barth[olomew] Kelley
Tho[mas] Luscombe
Samson Bound
John Hurst
Walter Furneaux.
Wee believe this to be true.
Will[iam] Stawell
Edw[ard] Yarde
[Overleaf:]
30 s. p[er] ann[um]