The first petition of Priscilla Dodridge of Cullompton, Devon, Michaelmas 1649
To the right W[o]r[shipfu]ll the Justices of the Peace for the Countie of Devon now assembled
The humble petic[i]on of Priscilla Dodridge of Colompton the wife of William Dodrige deceased in the saide Countie of Devon widow
Sheweth that yo[u]r petic[ione]rs husband Will[iam] Dodridge was a man who stood zelously affected to the Parliam[en]ts p[ro]ceedings and the Parliam[en]ts forces haueing occasion to rayse men for the safty of ye kingdome yo[u]r petic[ione]rs husband was very willinge vppon all occasions of service and did s[er]ve a souldier [sic.] vnder the Comaund of the Levetinant Collonell Thomas Prowse att Madburie in this county and att Stratton in the Countie of Cornewall & dureinge all the first seidge of Exon hee was a souldier vnder the saide Mr Prowses Commaund in w[hi]ch seidge yo[u]r petic[ione]rs husband received a shott in the Arme by meanes thereof hee shortly afterwards died & left 2 smale Children voide of all Comfort & releife Except yt were the Charitable benevolence of well affected People and Vppon their Charitie they now liue and will yf some speedie Co[u]rse shall not bee taken for them bee in greate wante & penurie
May yt therefore please yo[u]r good W[o]r[shi]pps to consider of the poore & destressed Condic[i]on of yo[u]r petic[ione]r & her 2 Children and to gr[an]t vnto them some speedie Course for their releife & maintenance in their greate necessities as shall seeme good to yo[u]r graue wisdomes And yo[u]r petic[ione]r shall haue eu[e]r iust cause to pray
[Overleaf:]
Priscilla Doddridge: 20 s.