The petition of William Cockerill of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, 1658
To the Right Ho[noura]bl[e] and Right Wo[rshipfu]ll the Justices of the peace w[i]thin the Countie of Hertford
The humble petic[i]on of William Cockerill
That whereas yo[u]r poore petic[i]oner beinge borne w[i]thin the parrishe of Chesthunt in this Countie and was pressed for a souldier in the said parrishe and went out under the Com[m]aund of Coronell Michell and Maior Randall, and att last served in the regiment of Coronell Bulstrood in the Companie under the Com[m]aund of Captaine George Bauldwine and was by order disbanded w[i]th the said Regiment the fiftenth daye of July 1646 In w[hi]ch said service yo[u]r poore Petic[i]oner was layemed in one of his hands whereby hee was not able to earne his liveinge, and nowe beeinge growne weake and aged is altogether unable to worke.
That yo[u]r Hono[u]rs and the rest of the wo[shipfu]ll Justices will bee pleased out of the Treasurye of the said Countie to appoint and allowe unto yo[u]r poore petic[i]oner some yearely Stipend for and towards his releife in this his his old age, and want, whot is not like to continue longe, And yo[u]r poore petic[i]oner accordinge to his bounden dutie shall bee the better inabled to attend his daylie supplications unto the Almightie for the continuance and increase of his graces unto yo[u]r Hono[u]rs and the residue.
xl s. p[er] An[num]