The petition of Thomas Edwardes of Totnes, Devon, 13 July 1676
To the Right Wors[hi]p[fu]ll S[i]r Thomas Carew kn[igh]t w[i]th the Right Wors[hi]p[fu]ll the Justices of the Peace off the Countie of Deuon att the Generall Assesions held for the said Countie w[i]thin the Castle of Exon now Assembled
The humble Petic[i]on off Thomas Edwardes late of Tottnes in Deuon Woolcomer
Sheweth
That yo[u]r Petic[i]oner was a Souldier in the Regim[en]t off Collonell S[i]r Henry Carew and w[i]thin that Regim[en]t had the pr[e]fermentt off Leiftennannt Ensigne & Marshall w[hi]ch Regim[en]t was imployed on the seruice off King Charles the first of euer blessed memorye in w[hi]ch seruice yo[u]r petic[i]oner behaued himself Faithfull & Loyall and in p[ur]suance of his loialtie attended his ma[jes]tie that now is att worcester since w[hi]ch time he hath bin an obseruer of his dutifull obseruannce of the lithurgie of the Church and obedience unto the Lawes of his Sou[er]aigne, howeuer olde Age com[m]ing vpon him his sight and Limbes Failing ther former agillitie & strength he cannott Labour unto his calling as Formurly being thirby diuers times driuen to know much sorrow & hardnes
Now his humble request unto yo[u]r Wors[hi]ps is that you wil be Charitably pleased to com[m]isserate his sad Condic[i]on whose impeadimentes haue hapned on him by meanes of his hard seruice And that you will admitt & nominate him one of those poore Indigent officers who ar Rendred Capable to receiue the Charitable income from his Countie of a yearly pention w[hi]ch wil be a great support unto him and a pr[e]seruitiure to keep him from being chargible unto his Parrish hauing noe other shelter to Fly unto butt yo[u]r wors[hi]ps Charitable Comisserac[i]on, and an aged wiffe to maintaine, himself being maimed And as in dutie bound he shall euer pray &c.
Wee beleeve this Certificate to bee true: July ye 13th 1676
J Acland Pet[er] Prideaux
[Overleaf:]
Tho[mas] Edwards petition 3 li. 4 s. per An[num]