The petition of Elizabeth Primrose of Walton in the Dale, Lancashire, Midsummer 1659
To the wor[shipfu]ll the Justices of peace for the County Palantine of Lancaster
The humble petic[i]on of Elizabeth Primrose of Walton in le Dale
Sheweth
That yo[u]r petic[i]oner at the last Quarter Sessions here holden petic[i]oned yo[u]r wor[shi]ps for some releife towards the maintaynence of her selfe and two smale children, her husband beinge a soldier and drawne out for ye service of the Comonwealth beyond the seas; shee haueinge not heard any thinge from him since, & verily beleeueinge him to be dead yo[u]r wor[shi]pps were then pleased to Order that the Churchwardens and Ouerseers of the poore w[i]thin the p[ar]ishe of Blackburne should forthw[i]th vpon notice thereof make a provision for the releife & maintaynance of yo[u]r poore petic[i]oner and her children by the weekely alloweance of six pence or showe cause to the contrary at the then next Sessions to be holden at Padiham. And further sheweth that allthough yo[u]r petic[i]oner deliuered yo[u]r wor[shi]ps order to the said Churchwardens yet notw[i]thstandinge they haue alltogether refused or willfully neglected to make any provision or alloweance for yo[u]r petic[i]on[e]r & her poore children accordinge to ye said order though often sollicited thereunto.
Yo[u]r petic[i]oner humbly prayeth yt yo[u]r wor[shi]ps would be pleased to take the pr[e]misses into yo[u]r Christian considerac[i]ons and to take such course for the confirmeinge of yo[u]r former order for the releefe of your poore petic[i]on[er] and her children as to yo[u]r worr[ship]s shall seeme meete
And shee shall eu[er] pray &c
Eliza[beth] Primrose