The petition of Joane Beverstocke, City and County of Canterbury, 1654
To the right Wor[shi]p[fu]ll the Justices of the peace assembled att the generall quarter Sessions holden att the Castle of Canterbury for the County of Kent.
The humble Petition of Joane Beuerstocke widdowe late wife of Thomas Beuerstocke deceased.
Most humbly Shewinge
That whereas your petic[i]oners said late husband Thomas Beuerstocke did serve the State as a Souldier in the Regiment of Collonell Reade and died in theire service att Sterling in Ireland Scotland, and lefte your petic[i]oner and twoe smale children whoe are like to perishe for want of releife & maintenance, And your petic[i]oner is not able by her labour to mainteyne herselfe & children, in regard itt hath pleased Almighty God to lay his heavy hand of visitac[i]on vpon her.
May it therefore please yo[u]r Wor[shi]ps (the pr[e]misses Considered) to grannt vnto your petic[i]oner a penc[i]on out of the Counties stocke that soe yo[u]r petic[i]oner may haue something to support her selfe and children in this theire greate want and necessitie. And your petic[i]oner and her Children shal bee bound to pray for the health and prosperitie of your Wor[shi]ps.
Mr Fry Tre[asure]r of maymed Sould[ie]rs to pay x s. and xl s. p[er] Ann[um] halfe yeerlie.