The petition of William Mort of Ashton, Cheshire, Epiphany 1661
To the Right Wor[shi]p[fu]ll the Justices of peace for this pr[e]sent quarter Sessions.
The humble Petic[i]on of William Mort late of Ashton and now of the Cittie of Chester.
Humbly sheweth
That yo[u]r Pet[itione]r was for the space of Eighteene yeares a souldier for the late kings Ma[jes]tie being for all the said time a drumer vnder Capt[ain] Massy, and vntill that his said Ma[jes]ties Army was worsted att Middlew[i]ch in Cheshire, and yo[u]r Pet[itione]r w[i]th others were forced to fly to the City of Chester where hee was a souldier for his said Ma[jes]tie for the space of three yeares more vnder the comand of Col[one]l Gamull till the said Cittie was beseidged and surrendred for w[hi]ch said three yeares service yo[u]r Pet[itione]r never hitherto rec[eive]d any pay or quarters And dureing the said seidge time yo[u]r Pet[itione]r had five houses and three cowes and a Cartload of household goods of the vallue of Fourty pounds taken from his house at Ashton in Cheshire by the enimy and a drum w[hi]ch cost him four pounds none of w[hi]ch yo[u]r Pet[itione]r had againe not any satisfacc[i]on for the same. & you[r] pet[itione]r hath lost one of his eye sight in the kings service.
The pr[e]misses considered and for that yo[u]r Pet[itione]r is three score and twelve yeares old, and not able to worke nor hath any estate to mentaine him humbly prayes that yo[u]r wor[shi]pps would be pleased to allow him some thing pention (for his said service and loses) to live vpon And yo[u]r Pet[itione]r will pray &c