The first petition of Mathew Bakewell of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, July 1656
To the wor[shipfu]l the Justices of the Peace for the Countie of Stafford.
Your poore petitioner Mathew Bakewell late of Burton now of Vttoxeter humblie sheweth that yo[u]r said petitioner being in Burton aforesaid when the towne was taken by the Queenes Armie he was spoiled of all that he had and [illegible] not long after his onely sonne in law was slaine in the parliament seruice at Tutburie and left two children who being both fatherles and motherles yo[u]r petitioner was glad to p[ro]vide for them and soe hath done vntil now yt he is fallen into extreame pouertie by Reason of age and impotencie so that he is not able anie wayes to obteyne sustenance for himself being verry aged soe that he is not able to worke. He therefore humblie petitioneth this wor[shipfu]l bench that you would be pleased that some order may be taken for the said two Children as in yo[u]r discretions shall seeme meet soe that they may be sustained. Soe will yo[u]r petitioner eu[e]r pray for you wor[ship]s health p[ro]speritie & happines.
We whoe names are subscribed Inhabitants of Vttoxeter doe humblie Certifie the truth of this petition.
Thomas Asbury
Edmund Chamberlane
Constables Tho[mas] Lightfoote vic[ar]
Sampson Alkyn Laurence Dawson
Peter Lightfoote
Tho[mas] Gilbert} Church
Will[iam] Burton} wardens Lawrence Bradshawe
Robert Smith Edward Moore
Tho[mas] Smyth:
John Scattergood
Nicholas Mynors
John Wakefield
James Sergeant
Turne over [illegible] Vttox{eter}
[illegible]