The petition of Ann Winstanley and Katherine Holland, both of Ormskirk, Lancashire, 13 May 1652
<May 13th day 1652>
To the hono[ura]ble the Comm[issioner]s appoynted for the Militia for Redressing of Greiuancies for poor widdowes & Oprhanes whose husbands were dead in the p[ar]liam[en]ts seruice.
The humble pet[ition] of Anne Winstanley wife of Thomas Winstanley of Ormskirke a Sould[ie]r in the seruice for Scotland and Katherine the wife of Rich[ard] Holland, of the same, who both died in this late seruice in Scotland
Humbly sheweth
That your pet[itione]rs poor husbands Thomas Winstanley late of Ormskirke a Sould[ie]r, and the said Richard Holland another Sould[ie]r who both went for seruice for the towne afores[ai]d vnder the Comaund of Col[onel] Ireland and Col[onel] Standish to Scotland leaueing behind them your poor pet[itione]rs and foure small Childr[en] in great Extremity and not able by any of theyr labours to mayntayne them in this sadd tymes, but by the reason and help of good neighbours yet heareing of the Gracious Act extended from the Parliam[en]t, for and towards the releife of widdowes and Orphans Imbouldens themselues to moue for the same.
The premisses Considered the pet[itione]rs humbly prayeth your hon[ou]rs to take into Considerac[i]ons thes theyr great greiuances & miseryes sustaynd in the losse of theyr husbands, and theyr vtter vnabilityes to mayntayne theyr said Orphans and to grant such Order and releife as by the s[ai]d Act is allowed to poor widdowes as In your discretion shall thinke Fitt, and as In duty bound your poor pet[itione]rs will euer pray &c
To bee [?included] into the list
& Ch[urchwardens] & ou[er]seers to p[ro]uid[e]
[Illegible]