The petition of Bridgard Latham of Swettenham, Cheshire, Michaelmas 1648
To the Right Ho[noura]ble the Deputie Leivetenents of this Countie
The humble petition of Bridgard Latham of the Parish of Swettenham widowe
Humblie Sheweth
Whereas yo[u]r petitioners husband haueinge all theise tymes of warre (with his two sonnes) beene in service for the Parliam[en]t and now since midsomer is dead leaveinge yo[u]r petic[i]oner nothinge to subsist vpon, saueinge a poore Cottage besides a greate deale of debts to pay. And whereas there is one Jane Scolefeild comne [sic.] from London and fathers a child vpon her younger sonne, who whent vpon service into Wales vnder the Comand of Captayne Hyde and at this last fight was slayne. Since which tyme the said Jane Scolefeild hath threatned to come in her pangs of labor and leaue the child at yo[u]r petitioners dore with other cruell words to the terrefyinge yo[u]r poore petitioner.
These things beinge by yo[u]r honors Considered yo[u]r petitioners request is that you would be pleased to take some Course (with the sayd Jane Scolefeild) that she may not anywise be troublesome to her being she is not able for to mayntayne herselfe without the helpe of neighbors and yo[u]r petitioner will ever pray.
Already ord[e]red that shee shall stay in the towne till shee bee deliu[er]ed.