The petition of Alice Pencke of Wharton, Cheshire, 19 July 1655
To the Right wor[shi]p[fu]ll the Justices of the Peace at the Quarter Sesions houlden at Namtwich for the County Palatine of Chester.
The humble Petition of Alice Pencke a poore widdow in Warton.
Sheweth that yo[u]r petic[ione]rs Husband and onely sonne lost their lives in the Parliament service aboue Fyve yeares agoe in Ireland, as by severall witnesses vpon their oathes before the wor[shipfu]ll Thomas Mainwayreing and Jonathan Bruen Esquiors and Justices of the Peace, att a meetinge lately at Chowley was made apparent. And yo[u]r pet[itione]r being now ancient and sickly, and disabled to Labour, is fallen into great want and misery, not haueing any Friend or further meanes, whereon to subsist, and likely to perish for want of mayntenance, if not speedily relieved
Her Humble request therefore vnto yo[u]r wor[shi]pps is, That you would bee pleased to take her deplorable estate into your pious Considerac[i]on, and to Com[m]iserate her soe much, as that she may bee admitted a Pensioner as hath been formerly granted to others in such a Case, That soe she may bee preserved from perishinge through extreame want and misery, that at present lyeth heavie vpon her which granted your petic[ione]r as in duty bound, shall ever pray &c
<The good behaviour of ye poore widdowe is very well knowne to ye parish where she liues & they make itt there request shee may bee admitted a Pensioner for her better liuelyhoode: beeing aged & not able to helpe her selfe, July 19th 1655>
Peters Dutton
J[ohn] Marygold minister
Raphe Battrich
Richard Moulton
Robert Roulinson
John Smith
Richard Swindley
<1 li. p[er] Ann[um] pension till further order>
In the behalfe of the distressed widow, the petitioner within named, you the justices of the peace are earnestlie prayed, that if you cannot convenientlie, make an allowance for her releife, out of the exhibition allowed by this countie for maimed souldiours; that then you would be pleased to make an order by authoritie of your present sessions, that the parish of waverton in w[hi]ch shee the petitioner hath lived for the space of twentie years, may provide a convenient Lodging for her, and so much in money, as every weeke as to your charitie and goodness, shall seeme meete for the maintenance of a very poore aged and impotent woman, w[hi]ch is the concurrent petition with the [?rest] petitioners within subscribed, and made by him, who hath for many yeares well knowne the approved behaviour, & industrie of her ye poore woman; & who is
Your worshipps
In all assurance to serue and honour you
George Snell
<The Humble Petition of Alice Pencke>