The petition of William Ascham of Ledston, West Riding of Yorkshire, January 1670
To the right wor[shi]p[fu]ll his Maiesties Justices of the peace for the West riding of the County of York the humble petition of William Ascham of Ledston
Sheweth, That y[ou]r peti[ti]oner was a trooper in the times of war vnder the right wor[shi]p[fu]ll Sir Ferdinando Lee then Collonel for King Charles the first of blessed memorie vnder whom he served faithfully & neuer revolted, but always continued true and loyall to his Majesty, And did vpon the raising of that regiment carry in a horse & armes at his own proper charg & did very good service so long as the said Regiment stood: But now being very poor through the badnes of the times & want of trading, hauing nothing left to maintain himselfe on and his two small Children, Humbly requests this honourable bench to take his sad & poor condition into Consideration & to bestow some yearly pencion & allowance vpon him for the reliefe of himselfe & poor children in this his great want & necessity And y[ou]r petitioner shal be euer obliged to pray for y[ou]r healths & the long life & happines of his gracious King as becomes a true and faithful subiect &c
I Wee do beleeue ye Contents of this Pet[itio]n to be trew, and yt he hath suffered much for his Loyalty to the king.
John Lewys
W. Hamond
Pet[er] Birkbeck
Gilbert Witham
Tho[mas] Hunt
Jo: Sheers
Charles Hamond vic[ar] of Ledsham:
Ordered yt ye petitioner be in ye place of Henry Duffin of Ledston and receiue his pension as a soldier and qualified for ye same
Walter Calverley
Edward Copley
W[illia]m Ellis
Francis Whyte
confirme this ord[e]r.