The petition of Edward Morton and William Gwenn, both of Sandbach, Cheshire, Epiphany 1661

To the honourable his Majesties Justices of Peace for Northwich Hundred The humble Petic[i]on of Edward Morton and William Gwenn most humbly Sheweth.
That whereas your poore Petic[i]oners beeing a labouring maen were hyred by the inhabitants of Sandbach; to serue for yt place in the last Engagement of the truly honourable S[i]r George Booth; and did therein with faith and deligence, discharge their dutie vnder the Com[m]and of the Worshipfull Collonel Manwaring: vntill that upon the scattering of theire forces, they were taken at Winington Bridg, and not receiveing any releife for them for whom they served did suffer extreame imprisonment, in greate miserie which their narrow fortunes were not sufficient to releeue; but that through and by reason of soe chargeable an imprisonment; & the losse of their time, they were reduced to a woefull necessitie, & expectation of a certain ruen.
The pr[e]misses Considered, your poore Petic[i]oners craves your honours gracious Order to the Constables of Sandbach aforesaid, that the Inhabitants there of may yeeld them your poore petic[i]oners such pay as by other Townes hath bin allowed to theire hyred soldiers in the like Cases. That there extreame want may bee remoued their miserable life comforted and your poore Peitc[i]oners (who now throwe themselues at your Honours feete as Objects of pittie) will euer pray as bounden for your Honours heath and happinesse.
Wee whose names are here subscribed, doe know these Petic[i]oners Edward Morton and William Gwen to haue serued as aboue said.
William Raven
Jonah Bowyer
Phill[ip] Nash
Thomas Rathbone
Raphe Noden
William Furnivall
Robert Greenloue
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