The petition of William Wellsteed of Downton, Wiltshire, Hilary 1662
To the Right ho[noura]ble S[i]r Wadham Windham kn[igh]t one of his Ma[jes]tie[s] Justices of the kinges Bench at Westm[inste]r And to the Worship[ful] the Justices of this County now sittinge att the gen[er]all Quarter Sessions:
The humble petic[i]on of William Wellsteed of Downton in the County of Wilts[hire] husbandman
Humbly sheweth vnto yo[u]r Lordsh[i]p that Whereas yo[u]r poore petic[i]oner hath faithfully Served his Ma[jes]tie Kinge Charles the first (of ever Blessed Memory) from the first occac[i]on that his Ma[jes]tie had of service to the Last in Cornwall, As by a Certificate ready to bee shewed to the ho[noura]ble Court appe[are]th, And then Received very many sore and grevious wounds whereby yo[u]r poore petitioner is not Capable of followeinge his trade of husbandry Or any other Callinge whatsoever whereby yo[u]r poore petic[i]oner is alltogeather vnable to gett his Liveinge towards the Maintenence of himselfe his wife And Fower small Children.
May it therefore please yo[u]r Lordsh[i]p (the pr[e]misses beinge Considered) To admitt yo[u]r poore petic[i]oner to Receaue some allowance from the Tresurer of this County By order of this ho[noura]ble Co[u]rt As other yo[u]r poore petic[i]oners In the Like manner have had and receaved And yo[u]r poore petic[i]oner shall dayly pray &c
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