The petition of Elizabeth Poulton of Pewsey, Wiltshire, 3 October 1661
To the R[igh]t hono[ura]ble hono[ura]ble [sic.] and R[igh]t Wo[rshipfu]ll his Ma[jes]t[y’]s Justices of the peace for the Countye of Wiltes[hire] nowe sittinge in their gen[er]all Quarter Sessions of the peace for the s[ai]d Countye att Marlebrough
The humble petic[i]on of Elizabeth Poulton of Pewsie in the s[ai]d Countye widdowe
Sheweth.
That yo[u]r Pet[itione]rs late husband Thomas Polton beinge according to his dutye & loyaltie Engaged w[i]th Mr Penruddocke and others in and for his Ma[jes]t[y’]s service in the West of England And being taken prisoner by the late called Oliver Protectors p[ar]tie was afterwards vniustlye putt to death for such his loyaltie leaveing behind him yo[u]r poore petic[i]oner and [illegible] sixe small children vnprovided for butt left altogether desolate w[i]thout any certen estate or waye of subsistence
Maye yt therefore please yo[u]r hono[u]rs to take the sadd & deplorable estate of the widdowe & fatherless yo[u]r Pet[itione]rs into yo[u]r mercifull and Charitable considerac[i]ons And to order yo[u]r Pet[itione]r some supplye of moneys out of the publique stocke of this Countye
And yo[u]r Pet[itione]r shall ever pray &c
Let an order be made for Fiue pounds to be paid her by the Treasurer of the North p[ar]te of this County
3: Oct[ober] 1661
Fra[ncis] Swanton