The petition of Walter Clarke of Westbury, Wiltshire, Easter 1662
To the Right Worship[f]all [sic.] Squier Lewis Mr William Yorke Esquire S[i]r Thomas Hall knight & S[i]r Henrie Coker knight Justices of the peace for the Countie of Wiltes[hire] The humble petition of Walter Clarke of Westburie vnder The Playne
Humblie sheweth to y[ou]r Good worships that y[ou]r poore petitioner beeinge in his Maiesties Seruice kinge Charles the first of Euer Blessed memorie: vnder the Right worshipfull honourable James Earle of Marlbrough his Regiment vnder Captayne Abraham Catherite Where hee behauinge his selfe as An obedient Subiact [sic.] who neuer fled from his principles but was in that seruice for the Reducinge of the west <in 1643> which was then in [illegible he was] the power of the Enemie And th[e]r y[ou]r petitioner beinge sick and not able to p[er]forme seruice to returne to his Regime Coulors agayne to the same Companie, but when hee was well againe, listed himselfe a souldior againe vnder the Command of Collonell Jerrat at Oxford vnder Captaine Lee from thence beeinge drawne out to Alsford fight: there hauinge A Pitcht Battle with the Enemie, where beeinge taken prisoner was most Craelie [sic.] wounded hauinge his Arme put out of Joynt his head broken & Cruelie Cripled: soe that y[ou]r poore petitioner haue not bin well {in} his limes since, y[ou]r poore petitioner hauinge binn out in his Maiesties seruice about three yeares And vpwards, would intreate you of y[ou]r pious Consideration and Charitie to stand his friend: And hee saith there is due to him to the vallewe of fourtie pounds & vpward hee beinge stript naked plundered and Imprisoned is vtterlie Impouerished And hee shall in dutie bee bound to pray for y[ou]r worships &c
Manie of The Towne of Westburie Cann wittnese that hee hath euer binn a good subiact [sic.] and neuer was found to flie from his principles
Walter Clarke sonne of Thomas Clarke of Westburie in the Countie of Wiltes[hire]
40 s. m[an]o