The petition on behalf of Nathaniel Streeke of Pyworthy, Devon, 1 January 1650
<By the p[ar]ishion[e]rs of Pyworthie>
<primo die Janu[ary] 1650>
To the [several illegible words] right wor[ship]fulls of ye bench at ye generall sessions
Worthyes (Maye yt please you) wee are bounde in Conscience to com[m]ende vnto yo[u]r Charitable considerac[i]on the woefull, and distressed estate, of a poore Inhabitant souldier Nathaniell Streeke Who for his adventure, life, and religious demeanour, in his place of trade, and states s[er]vice, deserves noe lesse to be remembred, then others, in like case of greife, and necessitye, by Contynuall sufferinge vnder the heavye hande of god Who entred himselfe in s[er]vice vnder Captaine Prideaux, who was slayne at Modberye fighte, from him, vnder Conmmaunde of Captaine Corwelham, who allso was slaine at Stratton fighte, Then leavinge the place of his nativitie, by [illegible], beetooke himselfe in s[er]vice, at Barnestaple, Bideiforde, and lastelie, into Plym[outh] Garrizone, vntill forces were sett forth out of Plymo[uth] to ayde the Earell of Essex, in Cornewall, and there remeaned in s[er]vice, at such tyme, as hee (and a greate number) were sent by a Convoye into Devon, in which convoye, hee was not onelye stript of clothes, p[ro]visons, and monie But allso deprived of earthlie sustenance, Whereby hee received an Vncureable greife in his bodye, (even almost slaugtred to deathe) as that hee was vnknowen (by his allterac[i]on) to his poore freinds and for a longe tyme remeaned vnder the surgeons hands. Yet vppon a Lingeringe recoverye, yt pleased god (now againe to caste him vppon his bedd of sicknes, for the space of 18 weeks expectinge everye moment his death), and at this pr[e]sent vnlikelye any more to enioye his former health, hereby haveinge spent, and consumed, all his smale penc[i]on to nothinge, which before was [?redoye] to Contribute to others necessities (Accordinge to his abillitie) his freinds vnable to supporte him, his service and labour decayed, his misery increased, his wife and famalye like to perishe, hath humblye besoughte vs (as Eye Witnesses of his Callamitye) That you would be pleased in Com[m]iserac[i]on (vppon his Juste Informac[i]on), as the lorde hath shewed you the p[ar]tye, although nott able to be present To tender his pittifull Compl[ain]tt in sessions a posture, for his releife and recoverye, eyther by waye of some paye to Issue vnto him, or to be [?moved] vnto the Righte Wor[ship]full Benche at this generall Sessions, as their pleasure maye be to order for a Collection in some certayne hundreds of this Countye, neere at adioyninge, as god shall be pleased to move yo[u]r hearts. And for that hee ys ewerye waye off himselfe, of Inabillitye to performe labor or travell, hath Interested his aged father, or some other Christian freind (vnder your favorable admittance) to pr[e]sent his Complayninge percon laide one him by gods visitacion, in all obedience, and oblidgeth himself engaged, to supplicate, to the higheste, for yo[u]r Ho[noura]ble and Wor[ship]full p[er]sons, and places, to Contynue, and ende in all happines &c.
John Legat pastor Ed[ward] Arscott
Roger Sheapheard } Cunstabl[e]s
James Wackly }
John Harris
John Webber John Pearce
William Vyler
Nicho[las] Webber
James Wakeley
Tristra[m] Covie
Francis Cory
John Bond
James Vowler
Will[iam] Polly
Nicholas Marks
Valentynes [?Palliton]
James Parson
[Overleaf:]
Streekes Peticion
Certificate and Peticion, Epiphanie 1650