The petition of William Cheetome of Newton, Cheshire, Trinity 1650
To the Right Wor[shipfu]ll Justices of the Peace and quor[um] within the Countye Palatyne of Chester for the Com[m]onwealth of this Nation &c
The humble Petic[i]on of William Cheetome of Newton within the same Countye a Smale Cowper
Sheweth
That yo[u]r Petition[e]r haueing a wieffe and seaven small Children in the begining of the late warrs was inlisted a Musketteere vnder the Com[m]and of Colonell Duckinfeild then Captayne and continued in the same service vntill Prince Ruperts march thorow the Countye about which tyme hee lost one of his eyes, and afterwards hee beinige vnseruiceable his sonne was inlisted in his steade and served vnd[e]r the same Com[m]and vntill the Cavaleerish partie was subdued during all which seruice hee hath not receaved aboue 6 s. 8 d. in Pay. And houlding a smale Tenement vppon the Racke haueing lost his eye is thereby disenabled to follow his said Calling, and is greatly Impouerished not being of Abilitye to mentayne himselfe and his Charge but is enforced either to begg for his relieffe or starve. And winter now approachinge they are in greate want of Apparell to Cover their nakednes. The premisses duly Considered yo[u]r Petic[i]on[e]r humbly prayes that this hon[ou]red Bench would bee pleased for gods cause to take his sadd Condic[i]on into yo[u]r wise considerat[i]on and to graunt him allowance (in such maner as other Maymed Souldiers haue in the said Countie) towards his menteynance, Or to fynd out some such way for his relieffe as yo[u]r wisdomes shall thinke fitt to prevent yo[u]r pore petic[i]oner from Starveinge. And yo[u]r petic[i]oner as in dutie hee is bound will eu[er] pray for yo[u]r wor[shi]pps health and eu[er] happines.
<referred to Col[one]l Duckenfeild & Col[one]l Bradshaw to find out a way for releife of the Petic[i]on[er]>