The petition of Alice Stonier of Leek, Staffordshire, 12 July 1642
Staff[ordshire]
To the most honorable our kings maiesties Justices of peace in the said countie at the Sessions houlden the Twelft day of this instant July 1642. In most humble and dutifull mann[er] sheweth. And alsoe certaine gentlemen well known by subscribinge theire names herevnto doe certifie and confirm the truth hereof.
Whereas your poore peticioner Alice Stonier beinge bred and educated in the parish of Leeke in the countie aforesaid in the race and ranke of yeomanrie and hauinge fortie pounds to her marriage porc[i]on, and became the wife of one Thomas Stonier who had a liuinge of 16 li. of 18 li. p[er] annu[m] for the terme of three liues vnder Mr Ridiard esq[ui]er in the said p[ar]ish and liued in good credit, The said Thomas Stonier would become a Chapman and a Drouier, and by his vnskilfullnes that way he brought himselfe into such debt as he was forced to sell his estate, and take his wife, and fiue children and went into Ireland and there hath remained for 8 yeares last past vntil the barbarous Rebels did rise against the English inhabitants, who did Robb the said Stonier and many others of all that the [sic.] had, burned their houses, Droue them from them, soe farre as the good thought, and then stripped them naked and soe left them, saue that the [sic.] cast each of them a ragged [?Caddons] to cover their skin, and being destitute of all worldly meanes were forced to lye out of houses vntill the [sic.] came to Dublin, then the said Stonier was prest for a souldier and sent to Tredarth and ther was killed and many others with him, and by reason of the multitude of poore and souldiers in Dublin the Citie was not able to relieue them, but sent this your poore peticioner with her fiue children, and many others into their owne natiue countries, and beinge come amongst their frends, Three of them haue gotten good services, two of them being soe young that the [sic.] cannot get there liuings (but doe beg). Wherefore your poore peticioner beggeth that she may have some releiffe out of this countie to binde her boyes to be prentices and a Convenient place of abode for my self to remaine & inhabite in, and soe your poor peticioner shall be ever bound to pray for your Worshipps, &c.
B[enja]m[in] Rudyerd
Raphe Rudyerd Tho[mas] Malkin John Leake Anth[ony] Rudyerd
John Wegewood John Rhode John Tonycliffe