The petition of John May of Okehampton, Devon, 1694
To the Right Wor[shi]pfull their Maj[es]ties Justices of the peace for the county of Devon
The humble Petic[i]on of John May of Okehampton in the County aforesaid husbandman
Sheweth
That your Petic[i]oner Served his late Maj[es]tie King Charles the First as a foot Soldier for Severall Yeares together First vnder the Command of Majour Soale and afterwards Majour Pollard w[hi]ch Service according to yo[u]r Petic[i]oners duty and Allegiance he Chearfully vnderwent all the hardshipps and Damages that the Power and Malice of the Enemies of the Kingdome Could Expose him vnto; never any way deserting the Said Service, and therein amongst many other hurts & hardshipps received a large Cutt by a Sword in the under parte of his head iust on his Scull as alsoe a Shott in his left Arme very dangerous, w[hi]ch Wounds now in his old Age prove very painfull & Grievous more then form[er]ly may itt therefore please yo[u]r Wor[shi]pps of yo[u]r wonted Clemency to Grant yo[u]r petic[i]oner a Pention out of the County Stock & as in duty bound yo[u]r Petic[i]oner shall ever pray
Honnerd Ser I shall desire you to pott your hands to this petission your seruant John Nosworthy
5 s. in hand & 20 s. p[er] annu[m]