The petition of Robert Mathew of Vivod, Denbighshire, 1663
To the right worshipfull the Justices of the peace for the Countie of Denbigh
The humble petition of Robert Mathew of Vivod in ye p[a]rish of Llangollen & Cou[nty] of Denbigh
<In most> humble maner sheweth That wheras vpon the Enemyes approach to inviron & besiege the Capitall Mansion of yt famous Hall Hyarcoll by those hiberbolicall & well knowen Traitors the Oliveriant Crewe; ye said pet[itione]r being a servant in Roxester became a souldier vnder Liuetenant Lingham then in & vnder the command of Captaine Nicholas Armour, Gouernor for the defence of the said house; where yo[u]r pet[itione]r continued for the space of foure yeares from first to last & therein received many woundes in his body head, diverse Cutts in his body, & shott thrice in both his armes, the one whereof hee hath noe use of to this day & after being in part cured yo[u]r pet[itione]r willing & eager to follow the Game for his ma[jes]ties service imagining it a pleasure to dye therein, rather than a prey (though a poore one) or a prison[e]r vnder the tyrranie of Traitors, hee pursued them to Worcester Siege when Collonell Washington was Governor, all w[hi]ch time yo[u]r pet[itione]r w[i]th all the rest had there passe and soe came home to his parents and friends to bee relieved
In tender Comiseration of whose sadd and deploreable Condic[i]on and for yt yo[u]r pet[itione]r, hath bine a souldier ever in his ma[jes]ities service; never deserting the same vpon any occasion whatsoever, but alwayes readie & firme & Loyall to his power, and in respect of his manie and great woundes w[hi]ch hath taken from him, all power & strength, to gett his livinge by his labour
May it please yo[u]r worships to Consider the pr[e]misses & soe to admitt yo[u]r distressed pet[itione]r for a maymed soulder amongest the rest w[i]thin yt countie of Denbigh, and therein to receave such pentionarie paye for his woundes & service he had and did there, as yo[u]r worships shall see fitting yearlie towards his future subsistence.
And yo[u]r poore petic[i]on[er] (as bound) shall ever pray for yo[u]r worships.