The petition of Thomas Mann, parliamentarian soldier, undated
<Thomas Man.>
<Messeng[e]r>
To the Hono[ura]ble the Grand Committee for the Accompts of the Commonwealth.
The humble Petic[i]on of Thomas Mann.
Humbly Sheweth
That yo[u]r Peticoner hath lately beene inployed a Messenger by the Receiv[e]r of the late Court of Wards and Liueries to collect the Arreares thereof and hath done much service to the State thereby. That he hath constantly adhered to and remained with the Parliam[en]t that he hath not only to the utmost of his power contributed out of his Estate as occation hath required but hath appered Personally for theire defence in Which service he hath utterly lost the vse of one of his hands whereby your peticoner is unable to prouide from himselfe and his family.
Now in regard all the Arrears of the Court of Wards are transferred into the Excheq[ue]r whereupon yo[u]r Peticoners further service therein ceaseth and that this Hon[oura]ble Committee hath occations to vse Messengers in seu[er]all partes of the Commonwealth.
Your Petico[ne]r most humbly prayes that hee may be imployed a Messenger by this Hono[ura]ble Committee into what p[ar]te of the Nation or in what seruice to you shall seeme meete wherein yo[u]r Peticoner by Gods assistance shall approue himselfe faithfull and diligent and shall haue occation euer.
to pray &c.