The petition of John Andrews of Exeter (St Thomas the Apostle Parish), City and County of Exeter, 1676
To the Right worshipfull S[i]r Thomas Carew knight and one of his Ma[jes]ties Justices of the peace
The humble peticion of John Andrews of the p[ar]ish of Sa[in]t Thomas the Apostle moste humbly
Sheweth
Right worshipfull S[i]r yo[u]r moste poore and humble petici[one]r hath once before now been with yo[u]r worship: about this same: And your worship ordered your poore peticion[e]r to com som other time: Worshipfull S[i]r I haue thought fitt to giue your worship a full account of euery thing: S[i]r when as Mr Biniamine Goff and Mr Hoopere were Counstables of this p[ar]ish: They pressed me for our graceous Ma[jes]tis seruice king Charles the first of moste blessed memory: and your poore peticion[e]r then became a soldier vnder the Commaund of liuetennant Collonell Appsly neer two full years: in which time yo[u]r peticion[e]r was in many fights: but S[i]r being one chance to laie sidge against the Towne of Taunton where your peticion[e]r was greeueously wounded: your peticion[e]r being soe vnfitt for seruice was sent home to the hospittoll: in Sa[in]t Thomas p[ar]ish being then kept at Cowack hous: now S[i]r Age draws one me: the wound doth soe much trouble me: that I can not labor as I haue yett S[i]r I neuer made my condition knowne to any saue to your worship: and S[i]r my Charge is greate all soe
Therefore the humble Request of your poore peticion[e]r is That your worship will be soe well pleased as to commiserate my deplored condition and to make your poore peticion[e]r an obiect of yo[u]r worships pitty That som pincion may be giuen what yo[u]r worship shall thinke fitt of and for yo[u]r worship your poore peticion[e]r shall euer be bound
As in Duty to pray
[Overleaf:]
Joh[n] Andrewe 40 s.