The petition of Ales Burton of Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire, Epiphany 1654
To ye Right Wor[shi]p[fu]ll the Justices of Peace in Open sessions at Manchester these.
The most humble petic[i]on of Ales Burton of Ashton vnder Lyne widow
Sheweth
That whereas yo[u]r poore petic[i]on[e]r was married vnto Samuell Burton who was borne in ye Parish of Ashton vnder Lyne a foresaid and liued with him there foure years and vpwards and in that tyme bore vnto him two children, but the warrs breakeing out hee inlisted himselfe a souldier in the Parliam[en]ts service vnder ye Com[m]and of Capt[ain] James Stopford and with him went for ye service for Ireland as by a certificate vnd[e]r ye hand of ye said James Stopford his Captaine will appeare.
May it therefore please this wor[shi]p[fu]ll Bensh (ye p[re]misses considered) to grant forth yo[u]r Order to ye end yo[u]r poore petic[i]on[e]r and her children may haue habitac[i]on in Ashton vnder Lyne aforesaid and also in some measure herselfe and children relieued and in so doing yo[u]r poore petic[i]on[e]r as in duty bound shall ever pray for a prosperouse successe in all yo[u]r vndertakeings.
Ch[urchwardens] & Ou[erseers]