The petition of Thomas Oulton of Nantwich, Cheshire, 22 January 1650
To the right wor[shipfu]ll the Justices of the Peace for the County of Chester at the generall Quarter Sessions of the peace houlden at Chester the 22th day of Januarye an[n]o Dom[ini] 1649
The humble Petic[i]on of Thomas Oulton
<Humbly sheweth>
That yo[u]r Petic[i]oner hath beene a Souldier in the Trayned Band of Namptw[i]ch Hundred in the County of Chester for the space of six and Twenty yeares, or there aboute. And that hee was in actuall service of the Parliam[en]t for the defence of the towne of Namptw[i]ch when S[i]r Thomas Aston with his forces came against the said Towne. And that euer since dureinge all these late warres yo[u]r said Petic[i]oner hath constantly and faithfuly continued in the said service of the Parliam[en]te vnder the Comaund of Colonell William Massie vntill his Regiment was disbanded. In which service yo[u]r Petic[i]oner hath diverse times bin sore wounded. That vpon pursuite of the Lord Capell his forces from Namptwich vnto Hey=Bridge in the Countye of Salop at the said bridge yo[u]r Petic[i]oner was shott thought his left legge by which shott hee is mayhemed and shall bee lame whilest hee liueth. And that in the Leaguer before Chester at two seu[er]all assaults made by the Parliament forces yo[u]r Petic[i]oner was both times sore wounded and lost very much of his blood and at the latter assault was left for dead vpon the ground, By reason whereof hee is not onely lame of his said legge but also disinabled in his body to worke for his liueinge.
The p[re]mises considered, And that the Parliam[en]t hath beene graciously pleased to take speciall care, and make provision to pr[e]serue such poore Souldiers from begginge that haue beene mayhemed in the service of this Comon Welth and are disinabled to maintaine themselues (As by their Ordinance made and set forth for that purpose it doth fully appeare).
Yo[u]r Petic[i]oner therefore humbly prayeth yo[u]r worshipps to extend the like mercy and fauor to yo[u]r Petit[i]oner that you haue donne to others in the like case: And that you will be pleased to graunt him such an yearely Pension for his mayntainance and liuelyhood as in yo[u]r wisdom and Justice you shall thinke fitte. And yo[u]r Petic[i]oner as in duty bound will eu[er] pray for your happinesse &c
<40 s. p[er] Ann[um] & the first payment to begin at o[u]r Lady day next>