The petition of Robert Wilson of Ashwell, Hertfordshire, 1657
<Hertf[ord]>
To the R[igh]t: wo[rshi]pp[fu]ll the Justices of the Publique peace for the County aforesaid.
The humble petic[i]on of Rob[er]te Wilson of Ashwell in the said Countye labo[u]rer
Sheweth.
That whereas itt pleased the late Queene Elizabeth of famous memory to order sev[er]all penc[i]ons to be yerely paid for and towards the releife of poore mayned souldiers for the said Countye w[hi]ch yet remaynes due and payable accordingly.
And whereas a penc[i]on of Fower markes yerely was lately ordered by your wo[rshi]pps to be paid unto one Rob[er]te Euerett of Ashwell aforesaid beinge a a p[er]son lame in the late State service upon whose death that penc[i]on now ceaseth;
Yo[u]r petic[i]oner beinge for Fower yeres together in the late Warrs for the said State service a souldier as well by presse as voluntary under the Com[m]and of Conn Collonell Coningham and Luietennant Collonell Fortescue in the western p[ar]ts; And haveinge had many woundes in the said service is now unable for hard labour by reason theirof and haueinge wife w[i]th many small Children to meynteyne and for the reasons aforesaid
doeth humbly beseech yo[u]r wor[shi]pps that the said penc[i]on of Fower Markes lately conferred upon the said Euerett deceassed may be transferred and paid yo[u]r petic[i]oner and he w[i]th his wife and Children shall dayly pray &c.
Wee the Inh[ab]itants of the said p[ar]ish of Ashwell whose names are subscribed doe humblye certifye the contents of this petic[i]on to be true.
Roberd Eason gentleman
Francis Rainour Cunstables
John Shipson } warde]ns
John Sell }
Richard Sell }
Oliver Sell
Wiliam Everett
Thomas Showman
William Coenye
[Illegible] Waller
18 12 57 [?18 December 1657]
John Chapman
Willi[am] Sell
John Plomer
John Sell senior
Henry Shipsea
Overseer for po[o]re
Rich[ard] Reaynoldes
John Crow Minister
John Clerke
Robert Bigrave
Daniell Sell
William [?Brules]
Will[iam] Hollin