The petition of Thomas Crocker of St James, Somerset, undated
To the right Wor[shipfu]ll the Justices of the peace now assembled in Sessions at Wells for the county of Som[er]s[e]t
The humble petic[i]on of Thomas Crocker of St James
Sheweth
That yo[u]r pet[itione]r was ever faithfull & serviceable vnto the State & hath manifested the same as a Souldier in the seiges of Taunton vnder the com[m]aund of Capt[ain] Roger Howe, in w[hi]ch service yo[u]r pet[itione]r rec[eived] a shott in the left arme & hand from the enemy, whereby hee is totally maymed & consequently for ever disenabled to get maintenance for himselfe his wife & 3 Children And yo[u]r pet[itione]r alsoe sheweth, that in regard he could not labour & had no other way to get maintenance, he form[er]ly used to sell beere in his dwelling house house & was never taxed for any disorder com[m]itted during the time he sold beere
But soe it is may it please yo[u]r Wor[shi]pps that yo[u]r pet[itione]r as he vnderstands is now Indited for the same, whereby he is likely for ever to be vndone vnles yo[u]r Wor[shi]pps be now pleased to extend the eye of pitty & compassion towards him.
May it therefore please yo[u]r Wor[shi]pps to consider the pr[e]misses & the distressed condic[i]on of yo[u]r poore pet[itione]r & with a tender respect therevnto you would extend mercy to yo[u]r pet[itione]r for the same that soe yo[u]r pet[itione]r & his poore family may not p[er]ish, p[ro]missing never to offend in the like manner for the future for w[hi]ch favo[u]r
Yo[u]r pet[itione]r as in duty bound shall ever pray &c