The petition of Ann Midgley of Wigan, Lancashire, Midsummer 1658
To his Highnes the Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland
The humble petic[i]on of Ann Midgley of Wigan in the County of Lancaster ye Relict of Abraham Midgley late Trooper in the Troope of Col[one]l Smith now Governor of Hull.
<Sheweth,>
That her late husband haueing constantly & faithfully p[er]severed in the service of this Com[m]onwealth for almost 12 yeeres; after a long & tedious sicknes he deceased in January Last leaueing yo[u]r poore pet[itione]r a deploreable & distressed widow w[i]th 4 small Children & much in debt haueing not wherew[i]th to pay the same, or soe much as to supply the pr[e]sent necessity of herselfe & poore Infants; As may vnder the hands of the Mayor Aldermen & Towne Seale of Wigan afores[ai]d herevnto annexed more at large appeare.
Wherefore she most humbly ymplores yo[u]r Highnes out of yo[u]r accustomed Clemency & gratious favo[u]r to the distressed to bestow something vpon yo[u]r peti[tione]r for the supply of the pr[e]sent necessity of her selfe & poore Infants: Or to order them a yeerely penc[i]on in such place as to yo[u]r Highnes graue wisdome shall seeme meete.
And (bound in duty) they shall ever pray for yo[u]r Highnes outward & Eternall happines.
White Hall Aprill 16th 1658.
His Highnes is Pleased to Referr this Petic[i]on and Certifficate annexed to the Justices of the Peace for the County of Lancast[e]r Att theire next Quart[e]r sessions to take the Pet[itione]rs necessitous Condic[i]on into theire Considerac[i]on and make such Order for the releife of the Pet[itione]r and her Children As is most agreeable w[i]th Justice and Equity.
Nath[aniel] Bacon
Entred