The petition of William Morte, City and County of Chester, Epiphany 1662
To the right wor[shi]pp[fu]ll his Ma[jes]ties Justices of the Peace for the Countie of Chester.
The humble Petic[i]on of William Morte of the Citty of Chester
Humbly sheweth.
That yo[u]r Petic[i]on[er] for was for the space of Eighteene yeares a Souldier of his Ma[jes]ties late Father king Charles of famous memorie, beinge for all the said tyme a Drummer vnder Captaine Massy, And vntill that his said Ma[jes]ties Army was worsted att Middlewich in Cheshire And yo[u]r wor[shi]pps Petic[i]on[er] with others were forced to Fly to the Citty of Chester where hee was a Souldier for his said Ma[jes]tie for the space of three yeares more vnder the Com[m]ande of Collonell Gamull till the said Citty was besiedged and Surrendred for which said three yeares service yo[u]r Petic[i]on[e]r never hitherto received any pay or Quart[e]rs And dureing the said Seidge tyme yo[u]r Petic[i]on[e]r had Five horses and three kine and a Carte Loade of Househould Goods And Likewise his Barne burned to the Ground And his Drumme taken from him which Cost him Foure pounds, all which amounts to the Some of 50 li. which said Goods were taken from his house in Ashton in Cheshire by the Enemy none of which yo[u]r Petic[i]on[e]r had againe nor any Satisfacc[i]on for the same and yo[u]r Petic[i]on[e]r was shott in the Face and wounded in his Legge yett never deserted his Ma[jes]ties service And nowe being growen into age about threescore and twelve yeares soe that his then wounds & nowe Age meeteinge together in his weake bodie doth disinable him to acquire his Liveinge as formerlie.
The premisses tenderlie considered yo[u]r poore Petic[i]on[e]r prayes the pittifull Considerac[i]on of this wor[shi]p[fu]ll Bench {illegible} that hee may be admitted a Pentioner and {illegible} small Livelyhood towards his manteinance {illegible} tyme it may please god hee shall yett Live {illegible} will ever pray (as in duty {illegible} happinesse:
<wittneses>
<John Phillips>
<Richard Burnston>
<John Aldersey>
<Hugh Powell>
<Robert Moulson>
<Richard Litler>
<Robert Okell>