The petition of James Parsons of Westbury, Wiltshire, Easter 1662
To the Right hono[ura]ble the Justices of the Peace now assembled att this present quarter Sessions for ye County of Wilts[hire]
The humble Petic[i]on of James Parsons of the parish of Westbury in the County of Wilts[hire].
Sheweth vnto yo[u]r hono[u]rs that yo[u]r poore Petic[i]on[e]rs did out of his Loyaltye to his late Ma[jes]tie leave his wife and Children and putt himselfe in armes vnder the Com[m]and of the Earle of Marlebrough and afterwards vnder the Com[m]and of the Lord Hopton and did faythfully performe his service first a foote souldier and afterwards a trooper and was in severall fights against the enemyes of his late Ma[jes]tie By meanes whereof yo[u]r Pet[itione]r received many great wounds in his body Whereby hee is disabled to followe his Callinge And yo[u]r Petic[i]on[e]r havinge spent his Estate in the service without receivinge any pay att all is now become vtterly vndon havinge a wife and fower Children to maintaine
May it therefore please yo[u]r hono[u]rs to take yo[u]r Petic[i]on[e]rs distressed estate into considerac[i]on and to grant some order for yo[u]r Petic[i]on[e]rs reliefe herein And yo[u]r Petic[i]on[e]r as in duety bound shall dayly pray &c
I Tho[mas] Gawen doth know this Pittichen to bee True I then being a Captaine vnto the Earll of Marlbro: & mayor to Coronall Sir Edmond Fortichu then shrefe of Deuenshear
Tho[mas] Gawen
John Edwards
John Watts
Thomas Edwards
John Gibbes
John Cowedd sen[ior]
John Barker
Will[iam] Thirwall
John Hancocke Cunstable Borrowe
Nicholas Cowerd Sergante
Phillipp Withers maior
Roger Coles }
Will[iam] Barton } Church wardens
<20 s. p[er] ann[um]>
<20 s. money in hand N[orth]>
<[?Respited]>