The petition of Dorithy Barton of Dutton, Lancashire, Michaelmas 1651
To the right wo[rshipfu]ll the Justices of Peace att the Generall Sessions holden att Preston
The humble petticon of Dorithy Barton of Dutton.
Humbly sheweth.
That yo[u]r poore petic[i]oners Husband was in July last imprest for a souldier to serue in Ireland for the Townshippe of Dutton aforesaid within the Parish of Ribchester. Yo[u]r pettic[i]oner then receiueing faire promises from some of the inhabitants of the said Towne for the future releiffe of yo[u]r petic[i]oner and her smale Children (which before had her maintenance by the painefull labours & industrye of her poore Husband). But now her husband beinge gone yo[u]r poore deiected petic[i]oner being great Bellied and two litle smale children are not onely reiected and neglected But are likely to starue and be lost for want of foode & other necessaryes vnlesse their be some speedy Course taken for their present livelyhood.
Maie it therefore please yo[u]r good worshipps to take into yo[u]r pious Considerac[i]ons the lamentable and distressed Condic[i]on of yo[u]r poore petic[i]oner and her smale children having noe other stop-house then the harts of well disposed and charitable persons. And in Comisserac[i]on to grant such order as yo[u]r worshipps shall thinke fitt. And yo[u]r pettic[i]oner & her poore Children shal be euer Bound to praye &c
Ch[urchwardens] & ou[er]seers.
[Illegible]