The petition of John Anthony of Staverton, Devon, 1683
To the right Wor[shipfu]ll his Ma[jes]ties Justices of the Peace for the County of Deuon nowe assembled at the Castle of Exon
The humble petition of John Anthony nowe of Stauerton in the County aforesaid husbandman
<Sheweth>
That your poore pet[itione]r hath constantly & faithfully serued his Ma[jes]ties Royall Father for seuerall yeares in the late vnhappy Warres vnder the Command of seuerall gentlemen vizt First vnder the Command of S[i]r Peter Courtenay in S[i]r Beuil Greenfeilds Regiment vntill Stratton fight, where your pet[itione]r receiued a shot in his knee, & vpon marching away to Bristoll left the wounded Souldiers behinde. And yo[u]r pet[itione]r after his recouery was a Corporall vnder the Command of Collonell W[illia]m Arundell vntill his death And after the said Collonells death, your pet[itione]r continued in his s[ai]d Ma[jes]ties Seruice being Ensigne to Collonell Rymes, vntill Taunton fight, where you pet[itione]r was shot in the shoulder. And was after that Corporall of horse vnder the Command of Captaine Peter Bound vntill he was taken with S[i]r Henry Cary & other Commanders & Souldiers in Kingswere Fort. By reason of which wounds your poore pet[itione]r hath bin disabled to followe his worke but hath expended that small portion which he had, vnto Phisitians & Chyrurgians & finding yet but little helpe So that he is not able to followe his worke of husbandrie whereby to get his maintenance or procure any ease or health to his wounded & sicke body
In tender Considerac[i]on whereof may it please your good Wor[shi]ps according to yo[u]r wonted Charity to ordeine that there may be some yearlie allotment, or otherwise, allowed to your distressed pet[itione]r out of the County store for his releife & cure, as to yo[u]r worships shall seeme meet, (or else he is like to perish or be in a very sad and distressed Condition) And your pet[itione]r as in duty bound shall euer pray for your worships &c.
Wee the p[ar]ishon[e]rs of Stauerton aforesaid & others whose names are subscribed doe all beleeue, & most of us knowe, that the contents of this petic[i]on is true.
Tho[mas] Reeue Curate John Rowe [illegible]
George Rouey Jo[hn] Wolston
Will[iam] Foord Capt[ain] John Rowe hundred Con[sta]ble
Jo[hn] Furse of Asberton Tho[mas] Rennell
Tho[mas] Gould Lef Edward Gould
Tennet vnder
Captin Cauel John Boney
His hand
Edward Gould
John Lidvall
Tho[mas] Gould William Whiteway
Leftennant Allan Searle
Leftennant vnder the James Abraham
Com[m]and of Capt[ain] Thomas White
Cauell
<10 s. in hand & 50 s. p[er] annu[m]>
<Wee doe belieue that ye contents of this Petition is very true>
<Will[iam] Stawell>
<Gil[bert] Yarde>
[Overleaf:]
John Anthonys pet[ition]