COM. CANT. (“Cambridgeshire To wit”)
TO ALL AND EVERY THE INHABITANTS OF FEN DRAYTON IN THE HUNDRED OF PAPWORTH
Whereas we have been enforced, by apparent grounds of approaching danger, to begin to fortify the Town of Cambridge, for preventing the Enemy’s inroad, and the better to maintain the peace of this County:
Having in part seen your good affections to the Cause, and now standing in need of your further assistance to the perfecting of the said Fortifications, which will cost at least Two-thousand pounds, We are encouraged as well as necessitated to desire a Freewill Offering of a Liberal Contribution from you, for the better enabling of us to attain our desired ends,—viz. the Preservation of our County;—knowing that every honest and well-affected man, considering the vast expenses we have already been at, and our willingness to do according to our ability, will be ready to contribute his best assistance to a work of so high concernment and so good an end.
We do therefore desire that what shall be by you freely given and collected may with all convenient speed be sent to the Commissioners at Cambridge, to be employed to the use aforesaid. And so you shall further engage us to be yours ready to serve, OLIVER CROMWELL.
THOMAS MARTYN.[1]
(“and Six others.”)
Cambridge, this 8th of March 1642.
The Thomas Martyn, Sir Thomas, and Six others whom we suppress, are all of the Cambridge Committees of those times;[2] zealous Puritan men, not known to us otherwise. Norris did not raise much at Fen Drayton; only 1l. 19s. 2d., ‘subscribed by Fifteen persons,’ according to his Endorsement;
