The petition of Anne Hamson of Manchester, Lancashire, 9 to 10 October 1651
To the right wor[shi]p[fu]ll the Justices of peace now assembled at the quarter sessions of the peace houlden at Manchester the 9th & 10th of October 1651.
The humble peticion of Anne the wife of Thomas Hamson late of Manchester Sive=Maker
Sheweth
That the said Thomas Hamson was by the late Constables of Manchester in [blank] last past imprest a foot souldier for the Service of the common wealth of England against the Rebells in Ireland where euer since hee hath beene & is vpon Service: of all which tyme yo[u]r Peticioner notwithstanding shee hath a yong childe of her owne hath not received anie Reliefe either from her husband or the said Constables or churchwardens of this towne & parish: and having no other subsistence or dependence then for two pence a day & Meat and that onely vpon such daies as some neighbor hath neede to sett her to worke: which is but for 2 days in a weeke or three at the most, your peticioner (for want of foode) hath beene necessitated to sell or pawne her clothes & other necessarie Implements of househould & at present is barefoot & vnprovided of necessarie clothing, foode & fuell for this winter.
And therefore humbly craves yo[u]r worships bee pleased forthwith to Commend the distressed Case of her selfe & her poore childe to the Care & charge of the Churchwardens &c for the constant Pay of 8 d. or 12 d. p[er] weeke to bee allowed them as for two of the poore of this parish of Manchester vntill the safe Returne of her said husband to live in Manchester vpon his trade & calleing as heretofore.
And yo[u]r petic[i]oner will ever humbly pray &c
Ch[urchwardens] & ou[er]seers to p[ro]vyde competent
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