The petition of Richard Beighton of Hatherton, Cheshire, 16 April 1664
To the Right Wor[shipfu]ll his Ma[jes]ties Justices of peace for the County Pallantine of Chester.
The Humble petition of Richard Beighton of Hatheron.
Humbly shewinge
That yo[u]r petition[e]r beinge pressed for the Isle of Ray for the seruice of his Kinge & Countrey, and from thence retorned without reward or recompence, And alsoe in theise Nationall differences (haueinge Continued Loyall) did Carry both releife and intelligence to seuerall persons of Quallity, and to seuerall of his Late Maj[es]tes Garrisons as yo[u]r pet[itio]nor can Make euidently appeare, and was euer Faithfull to the trust reposed in him. Though yo[u]r pet[itio]n[e]r for his faith and Loyallty hath not onely binne impr[i]soned but Suffered strippinge, Tyinge necke and heeles, and other such Millitary punishm[en]ts as their Mallice could inflickt to his great misery.
May it therefore please yo[u]r good wor[shi]pps (the pr[e]mises pr[e]mised) to take into yo[u]r pyous and prudent Considerac[i]ons not onely the former seruice of yo[u]r pet[itio]n[e]r, but alsoe the deplorable & indigent Condittion he is now in, And out of yo[u]r tender Comiserac[i]ons and Charritable disposittions to grante vnto yo[u]r pet[itione]r a yearely Pension or some other way of releife, as yo[u]r good wor[shi]ps: in yo[u]r Wisdome shall best thinke fitt, to pr[e]serue yo[u]r pet[itione]r from that ensueinge misery and Calamity w[hi]ch otherwise will inevitably fall vpon him and yo[u]r pet[itione]r and yo[u]r peti[tione]r as in duty bound will euer pray for yo[u]r Wor[shi]pps p[ro]sperityes
Aprill 16 1664
<I haue long known the Petitioner, & never knew or heard any ill of him; I am sure he is a fit obiect for compassion. In witnes of this I subscribe>
<Tho[mas] Smith>
Wee beleeue & know the petic[i]on[e]r a fitt object of Charity
John Wynbunbury
R: Fletcher
Fran[cis] Ald[e]rsey
Rich[ard] Greene
Thomas Tudman
Hugh Bolton
Rob[er]t Maykin
John Acton