The petition of William Wilkinson, Lancashire, Midsummer 1674
To the Right Worshippfull the humble petition of Will[ia]m Wilkinson
Humbly Sheweth
Whereas you[r] petitioner hath beene a Souldier for the kings Ma[jes]ties service euer sinc[e] he was 17 years of age of the trained band for Loynsdale hundred & soe continued till such tymes all or the most part of the trained band reuolted from their Aleygeanc[e] & tooke vp arms for kinge & Parlli[a]m[en]t: At w[hi]ch tyme your petitioner went & lysted him sellfe & his sonne John Wilkinson vnder the Com[m]and of S[i]r John Caulfeild: & mounted both himself & his sonne John Wilkinson on 2 horsses worth 20 li. at least: of your Petitioner owne p[ro]p[er] costs & charges And at Seu[e]rall battaills in Yorkshire, & in the South p[ar]ts to the great hazhard of their liues your petitioner performing the office of a corporall & a Quartermaisters place vnder the com[m]and afforesaid, John Wilkinson his sonn slaine: his goods in Lancashire where his wyfe liued all plundred & by vnlawfull Taxations seised vpon: to the great greife & impou[er]ishing his wyfe & 6 smale children generally supposed to be an occasion to shortten her dayes. Your petitioner returning home was pr[e]sently sum[m]oned to appeare before the Com[m]issioners to take covenants: he refusing: his houesses & liueing was ordered to be lett for maintainance of his 6 children & your petitioner to stay in Lancashire vpon his good behauiour pr[e]sently after arreasted for surtishipp for his Father: remained 3 years in Lancaster castle: sould his liuing at an vndervalue paid all debts & quitt himsellf out of prison: & made himsellf an exile out of his natiue Countie these 14 years & more
There are Therfore to intreat your worshipps to assist & hellpe your Petitioner being a Faithfull & Loyall subiect & a great sufferer To a Pension Towards a liuelihood being impotent in regard of his yeares & in Want being Father & Grandfather to 30 children at least & your petitioner will euer pray
You[r] petti[ti]oners Captaine Tho[mas] Brockhold