The petition of John Minshall of Wistaston, Cheshire, Trinity 1662
To the Ho[noura]ble the Justices of the Peace in the Countie Palatine of Chester,
The humble Petition of John Minshall of Wistaston in the Countie afores[ai]d.
<Sheweth>
That yo[u]r Petition[e]r in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fortie and three was Inlisted in the troope and vnder the com[m]and of Captaine Richard Walthall and Regiment of Colonel John Marrow as a private Souldier and continued in the Loyall and faithfull service of his Ma[jes]ties Father that now is of euer Blessed and glorious memory about a yeare and halfe during w[hi]ch time and euer since was faithfull according to his imployment by reason wherof hee had his house plundered by the Rebellious party at w[hi]ch time alsoe they tooke from him Two horses and two Loades of Hay to the value of Tenne poundes and vpwardes w[hi]ch was all his Substance and afterwardes was taken pr[i]soner to Tarvin in the County afores[ai]d where hee continued in a sad and Lamentable condic[i]on till hee had p[ro]cured five pounds w[hi]ch hee then paid for his Releases and now yo[u]r poore pet[itioner] beinge antient and soe disabled of body that hee cannot Follow his occupa[ci]on beinge a Blackesmith soe as to raise a competent liuelyhood and alsoe beeinge informed that his Ma[jes]tie hath binne pleased by his Gratious Act of parliam[en]t to grant some releife to such souldiers as euer haue bin, and still continue Faythfull.
The Premisses tenderly considered
Yo[u]r Pet[itioner] humbly prayes that yo[u]r Hon[ou]rs wil bee pleased accordinge to his Loyalty amongst others to admit him as a Penc[i]oner and to allow such a p[ro]porc[i]on of money’s for and towardes his releife and maintenance in his ould age to be paid yearely as yo[u]r Hon[ou]rs shall thinke fit
And as obliged he will euer pray for yo[u]r Hon[ou]rs health and happinesse:-
<Wee whose names are Subscribed being the Pet[itioner’s] Officers as Captaine and Leiutena[n]t knowing the Contents hereof to be true make bould to Certifie on his behalfe & desire hee may bee releiued accordinge to Act of Parliament Subscribeinge o[u]r selues>
<Yo[u]r hon[ou]rs most humble serv[an]t>
<Richard Walthall:>
<Alexander Wels>
<John Price [symbol: mark] his marke>
Sargeant.
<souldyer>