The petition of John Fitz of Ottery St Mary, Devon, 1674
To the Righte Wor[shipfu]ll S[i]r Thomas Carew K[nigh]t and to the Wor[shipfu]ll the Justices of the peace at the Cessions in the Castle of Exon for the Count[y] of Devon
The humble petic[i]on of John Fitz of Awtrie St Mary within the s[ai]d Covntie
<Mose humbly> sheweth that y[ou]r petticonor was in all the late warrs In Actiuall seruice for his Majesties fathethr & likewise his Majestie that now is & in all which service hee remained loyall and Constant and neuer diserted the service in the worst of times and for his loyaltie was ruined by the Ennimie his hows & goods burnd & destroyed by the Ennimie insoe much that y[ou]r petticonor was vtterly Ruined and vndone. About Eight yeares Since y[ou]r petticonor pr[e]sented & made his Cause & deplorable Condic[i]o[n] known at this bench at the Cessions then pr[e]sent whoe were then pleased Considderin his greate Losses and Suffrings to gravnte some Relieffe of A pencion of fortie shillinges p[er] ann[um] the which y[ou]r petticnor never had the benifett Thereof to this time present
May it please y[ou]r good worships y[ou]r petticnor beinge very poore And aged aboue Eightie yeares And the truth of the particuler in this petticon mencioned were Confirmed for Satisfaction to this honn[oura]ble Court at Laste Michaellmas Cessions vnder the Testimone in A Letter from the Honno[ura]ble S[i]r John Greenfilde Earle of Bathe & the L[or]d Liuettenant of this Countie which Letter was Delliured vnto the Righte Ho[noura]ble S[i]r Thomas Carew by the hands of Mr John Keridge of this Cittie honno[ura]ble S[i]rs bee pleased to take to y[ou]r searious Consederation y[ou]r petticonors Condic[i]o[n] & to relieue his greate wante & necessities by grauntinge shuch Arreares as shall appeare to bee due to him A [sic.] to bee good to him for the fuiture And in All humble dalie hee shall & will Euer praye &c.
[Overleaf:]
8 li. in arreare to be paid and 40 s. pencion to be continued – John Fitz