The petition of Henry Topping of Bickerstaffe, Lancashire, Easter 1661

To the Right Wor[shipfu]ll his Ma[jes]t[y]s Justices of peace & Quor[um]
The humble pet[ition] of Henry Topping of Biccarsalle in the County of Lanc[aster] shoomaker
<Humbly}>
<Sheweth>
That your poor pet[itione]r now aged was a Sould[ie]r vnder his ma[jes]tie at the Edghill battell & In Lathom house 2 seiges where your pet[itione]r receiued seuerall wounds but one especially that Towell was drawne through his Body as shal be truly made to appeare whereby hee is by reason of his ould Age and Infirmity not able to follow his Calling nor to releife his wife and 7 children but by the releife of his good & well affected neighbours & friends
The premisses Considered the pet[itione]r humbly prayeth this Ho[noura]ble Bench to take into Considerac[i]on this his great Misery (as hee is and hath been his Ma[jes]tie[s] Sould[ie]r) and to grant Order for the Releife of him selfe & his Children according as theyr Necessity requires: yet as In duty bound he will Euer pray &c
4 s. a month & to bee a penc[i]on[e]r
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