The petition of Christopher Cleeter of Broad Hinton, Wiltshire, Michaelmas 1661
To the Hono[urable] and Right Wors[hi]p[fu]ll The Justices of Peace for the County of Wilts[hire]
The humble petic[i]on of Christopher Cleeter late of the parrish of Broadhinton in the County of Wilts[hire]
Sheweth
That yo[u]r pet[itione]r throughout all the late Warrs was in Actuall Service in his Ma[jes]t[y’]s Armey as well in as vnder seuerall Com[m]ands as by some Certificates herevnto annexed more at large may appeare. In which service hee received many Wounds and hurts Which hath vtterly disenabled him to followe any Labour or manuall Imploym[en]t whereby to Support himselfe and Family. Through deffitiency whereof and in the Service aforesaid hee hath long since sold that smale Estate hee was formerly Inheritor of in the said County which meanes being spent in Sicknesse sufferings and Imprisonment, Hee is nowe left with a Wife and 6 smale Childeren in Condic[i]on of much want & necessity.
Hee therefore most humbly prayes: That yo[u]r Hono[ur]s and wor[shi]ps wil bee pleased to take his Services, Sufferings, and pr[e]sent necessity into yo[u]r pious Considerac[i]on and So settle on him such an Annuall pension as to yo[u]r wisdoms shall seeme most meete.
And hee shall euer pray &c