The petition of Richard Gorford of Hatherleigh, Devon, undated
To the Hon[oura]ble his ma[jes]ties Justices of ye peace now sitting on ye Bench within the Castle of Exon. The Humble Petition of Richard Gorford of Hatherleigh
<Sheweth>
That yo[u]r poore Petic[i]on[e]r receiueth but twenty shillings p[er] ann[um] by order fro[m] this Hon[oura]ble Bench, as a maymed Souldier, notwithstanding he hath born the office of Ensigne in his Late Ma[jes]ties warrs, to whom he was alwayes Loyall and Constant: whereas Edward Legg of Hatherleigh receiueth thirty shillings p[er] ann[um] who neuer serued his Late Ma[jes]tie, but as a priuate souldier: Besides the said Legge hath not receiued soe much hurt in the Late warrs, but is better able to gett his Liuing then yo[u]r poore petitioner is: Wherefore yo[u]r Humble petitioner makes it his request to this Hon[oura]ble Bench, that they would take the pr[e]mises into their Consideration, and take off somewhat from Leggs pay, and adde it to his who hath better deserued it, and stands in more need of it
And yo[u]r petitioner shall eu[er] pray &c.
Richard Gorford
James Veale Docter
John Crought
We the minister, Con[sta]bles, and Churchwardens of Hatherleigh doe certify the trueth of this petition, and doe humbly conceiue that Richard Gorfords, both meritts, and necessityes are Greater then Leggs & that Legg is better able to gett his Liuing then Gorford:
<John Joynt & Julius Bagbeere, Cunstables>
John Cary, minister
Henrye Abell & Micaell Speare, Church-wardens
[Overleaf:]
Rich[ard] Gorford