The petition of Grace Batishill of Plymstock, Devon, 1662
To the right honorable the Justices of the peace of the County of Devon.
The humble petition of Grace Batishill of Plymstocke a poore destressed widdowe.
<Humbly> Sheweth that your poore petitioners husband George Batishill was a loyall Subject to the late Martered Kinge Charles the first of most glorious memorie and well affected to his gouerment and was in the late rebellious Times in actuall service for his majestie and an Ensigne vnder the comand of Captaine Anthonie Sterte by reason whereof his goods both w[i]thin dore and w[i]thout were all plundred by the parliament partie and at last in a fight Called Haltuesdayes fight was taken prisoner and carried into the Towne of Plymouth and there vnjustly and Inhumanely hanged for his loyaltie and your poore petitioner Turned to dores haveinge nothinge but the Charitie of well disposed people to susteyne her in necessaties contrary to lawe equitie and good Sconcyence, all w[hi]ch by a certificate truely appeareth.
In tender considerac[i]on whereof and for as much as he was verie loyall and not only lost all his estate and your poore petitioner likewise vndon but also hanged for his loyaltie vpon whose life your poore destressed petitioner maynteynance and livelyhood consisted your petitioner beinge aged and not able to mayneteyne herselfe by labour and no remedy at law his majesties most gracious act of oblivion haveinge prevented the same but your honours goodnesse and Clemency in such cases vsed
Doth humbly pray that your honours would be pleased to grante her a competent pension out of the County Stocke and your poore petitioner will euer as in dutie bound [illegible] pray for your hononours health prosperitie and happines.
Grace Batishill.