The petition of John Lovatt of Trentham, Staffordshire, September 1651
To the wor[shipfu]ll the Justices of Peace for the County of Stafford
The humble Petition of John Lovatt of Trentham
Humbly sheweth That whereas yo[u]r Petitioner being a soldier vnder the Comaund of Capt[ain] Francis Cocknage, & by Order & Comaund was sent in a p[ar]tie of Tragoones vnto Warkington to appose the Enemy, where your Petitioner receaued a hurt in his backe where he was shott & the bullett there lyeth as yet to the great danger of his life, hauinge noe subsistance of himself to releiue himselfe, withal.
The premisses considered yo[u]r Petitioner humbly prayeth your Worshipps out of your accustomed pitty & compassion to be pleased soe to ordere, that he may have admittance to be a Pentioner in this Countie, otherwaise he is like to be lost for want of maintenance.
And yo[u]r goodnes shewed to yo[u]r Petitioner herein he shall as duely he is bound ever pray for yo[u]r worshipps.