The petition of Edward Briant of Barnstaple, Devon, 10 April 1648
To the Wor[shipfull] the Justices of the Peace w[i]thin the Countie of Devon.
The humble Petic[i]on of Edward Briant of Barnestaple in the Countie aforesaid, fuller
<Humbly sheweth>
Yo[u]r poore Peticion[e]r was a longe tyme in the Parliam[en]t service under the Commaund of Sir William Waller and of his Brigadde who att Launce Downe in a fight w[i]th the Enemy Received a shott in his foote whereby he is maymed and ever since disabled to labour in his Callinge as formerly, and havinge spent all he was possest off (to maintaine himselfe his Wife and two smale Children) is now fallen into a miserable Condic[i]on and unlesse yo[u]r Wor[shi]pps doe in pittye Releive him is like to perish for want.
Hee doth therefore humbly pray you to take his distressed Condic[i]on into your Charitable Considerac[i]on that he may have some releife yearely as the Parliam[en]t hath allowed for Souldeirs maymed in their service and yo[u]r petic[i]oner as in dutye he is bound will always pray for yo[u]r Wor[shi]pps health &c.
These are to Certifie you to whom itt shall or may be p[re]sented that the said Edward Briant was a longe tyme in the Parliam[en]t service, & under the Commaund of Sir William Waller att the place aforesaid was maymed, as we are Credibly informed, and that he hath never since beene able to Labour in his callinge & that he hath a Wife & 2 smale Children, it is well knowne unto us. Given under o[u]r hands at Barnestaple the 10th of Aprill Anno Dom[in]i 1648.
Richard Harris, maior
Richard Ferris
Alixander Heiwood