The petition of Joane Harris, Garrison of Gloucester, 18 June 1644
To the right Hon[oura]ble Collonell Edward Massie: Governor of ye Citie of Glouc[este]r
The humble petic[i]on of Joane Harris late wife of Jo[h]n Harris a trouper under Collonell Freeman deceased.
Humblie
Sheweth vnto yo[u]r hono[u]r, that shee was servant vnto Collonell Essex somtime governor of this Citie. And afterward lawfully marryed to her late husband Jo[h]n Harris, who kept Garison at Tewxbury all the winter that, that Towne was first taken by the Parlyament forces. At w[hi]ch time there was 15 li. due to him for servis. Of the w[hi]ch, yo[u]r poore petic[i]oners husband never had a penny. And hee goinge with the hon[oura]ble S[i]r W[illia]m Waller to the Vize; there lost his life to the vtter vndoinge of your petic[i]oner for ever, vnles shee be charitablie releeved by yo[u]r honor: for that shee is fallen very lame, of one her legges, and is like to loose her lymbe, for want of a good Surgeon to looke vnto it. In tender considerac[i]on wherof and for that shee hath not money to pay a Surgeon if any one would vndertake the Cure;
Shee most humblie prayeth yo[u]r honor to extend yo[u]r charitie towards her in this her extreame necessitie, and withall to appoint some one of the Surgeons of this Garison to looke to her woundes and to Cure it if possible it may bee; And yo[u]r poore petic[i]oner will daylie pray for yo[u]r hon[ou]rs health in all happines
This for Gods sake
Capt[ain] Blany pay to this poore woman
15 s. – Edw[ard] Massie