The petition of Thomas Phillips of Wilton, Wiltshire, Hilary 1672
To ye r[igh]t wor[shipfu]ll his Ma[jes]ties Justices of the Peace of the County of Wilts[hire] sitting at the Generall Sessions of the Peace for ye said Countie at the City of Newe Sarum
The humble petic[i]on of Thomas Phillips of Wilton in the County of Wilts[hire] abovesaid Taylor
Humbly sheweth
That whereas yo[u]r pet[itione]r was actually a souldier for his late Ma[jes]tie (of ever blessed memory) dec[ease]d in the Troope and Regim[en]t of S[i]r George Vaughan kn[igh]t dec[ease]d in w[hi]ch and other capacities he remayned in armes for his said Ma[jes]tie vntill the vnhappy dissoluc[i]on of his said Ma[jes]ties forces.
And whereas yo[u]r wor[shi]ps pet[itione]r was alsoe a Souldier for his sacred Ma[jes]tie yt nowe is in his Ma[jes]ties Garrison of Tangier in Africa by the space of twoe yeres & more the Truth of all which pr[e]misses appeares by Certificates thereof vnder the hands of diverse p[er]sons of quality and herevnto [illegible] annexed.
Yo[u]r wor[shi]ps pet[itione]r as well in Considerac[i]on of the pr[e]misses, as of his wounds & hardships endured in the said services by meanes whereof he hath almost lost his sight, insoemuch that he cannot vse his trade as formerly and for that he hath alwaies and at all times Continued faithfull, loyall & Constant to the Cause and interest of theire Ma[jes]ties, most humbly beseeches yo[u]r wor[shi]p[s] to take the sadnesse of his condic[i]on into yo[u]r considerac[i]ons, and graunt him such a Penc[i]on as to yo[u]r wor[shi]ps shall seeme meete, yo[u]r pet[itione]r assuring yo[u]r wor[shi]ps he is a fitt object of yo[u]r charity, and likely to want releife & mainten[a]nce vnlesse yo[u]r wor[shi]ps pr[e]vent it by this soe Christian a benevolence.
And yo[u]r pet[itione]r shall ever pray &c.