The petition of Raphe Cooper of Onneley, Staffordshire, 8 April 1650

To the Right woor[shi]pp[fu]ll the Justices of the peace and Coram [Populo] for this Countye of Stafford at the quarter Sessions to be held athe [blank] of April 1650.
The humble petition of Raphe Cooper of Onneley within the said Countye husbandman.
Humbly sheweth vnto yo[u]r good woor[shi]pps that yo[u]r poore petitioner beinge formerly a Souldier in the parliam[en]ts service / and by the stronge hand of the Ennemye yo[u]r petitioner lost his Right Eie his Right Arme and his backe was broke all w[hi]ch hee receaued aboute Six yeares and a halfe since who was neuer able since to goe or stand / and that his Longe Continuance in this his Lamentable Condic[i]on hath bin a meanes of great hinderance to his Late deceased Father / and duringe the tearme of yo[u]r petitioners Fathers Life hee held a pretty Tennem[en]t w[hi]ch was a meanes to helpe to mentayne yo[u]r petition[e]r w[hi]ch nowe is Fallen to the landlord as after an herriot paid at his death besides a greate deale of debt yo[u]r petition[e]rs Father as the neighbo[u]rs well knowe died in and Credito[u]rs are forward in seeking for what is there due / yo[u]r petitioner haveinge a sister that tends him and Carryeth him vpp and downe uppon her backe and hath done what shee can for him soe longe as shee is able / soe that there condic[i]on is such that vnlesse some speedy course be taken for yo[u]r petition[e]rs aid and releeffe hee is like to be starued and lost soe hopinge yo[u]r good woor[shi]pps will soe Consider of the misserable Condic[i]on of yo[u]r poore petitioner as to help him to Some releeffee /.
The pr[e]misses well wayed and Considered yo[u]r humble petition[e]r is euer bound to pray for yo[u]r woor[shi]pps health and happines.
Certifieth herevnto
Edward Beardmore Jo[hn] Boyes
John Hoole Richard Allman Tho[mas] Weston
John Malpas W[illia]m: Weston
Thomas Lisett John Holt Rich[ard] Corne
Robert Paven Humfrey Belson
Edward Vernon Robert Hawkins James Craddoke
Peter Whitman Richarde Bromley
John Barnes clarke
verte