The petition of William Wytham of Writtle, Essex, 1674
To the Right honno[ra]ble and Right wor[shi]pp[fu]ll his Ma[jes]ties Justices of the peace at the Generall Quarter Sessions holden for the County of Essex
The humble petic[i]on of William Wytham of Writtle in the s[ai]d Countye
<Sheweth>
That in the year 1648 yo[u]r pet[itione]r out of his good affection and Loyaltie to his late Ma[jes]tie Charles the first of blessed memory did serve as Corporall to the foot Companye then vnder the Conduct of Maior Smith in the late Expedic[i]on at Colchester where yo[u[r pet[itione]r continued faithfully discharging the duty of his place, till the surrender thereof to the Parliam[en]ts forces for all which service hee rec[eive]d about 20 s. nor ever had any penc[i]on And forasmuch as yo[u]r pet[itione]r through the great hardshipp hee indured there did Contract a great weaknes in his sight which thereby hath disabled yo[u[r pet[itione]r to followe his Callinge beinge a Blacksmith and is now become very poore & aged
Hee humbly prayeth that this honno[ra]ble Bench will in recompence of yo[u]r pet[itione]rs services and sufferings allowe him some Competent Maintenance quarterly out of the Stocke for Charitable Vses & Maimed Soulders And as in duty bound yo[u]r pet[itione]r shall pray &tc
Ordered him 20 s.