The petition of Elizabeth Whilton of Eaton, Cheshire, Epiphany 1652
To the right worsh[ipful] bench the humble petic[i]on of Elizabeth Whilton of Eaton
Humbly sheweth. That whereas yo[u]r poore petic[i]on[e]r hauing three small Chieldren her husband being a soldier for the state in the service of Ireland and she not heareing from him for the space of this halfe yeare and vpward, and haueing nothing to maintaine her selfe and her Chieldren w[i]thall is therefore driuen into great want and pou[er]tie even readie to starue or begg for releefe being not able by her owne industrie to maintaine her selfe and her three small Chieldren in their nessessitie.
May it theref[or]e please yo[u]r good worships the pr[e]misses considered and for that yo[u]r poore petic[i]on[e]r and her Chieldre[n] are readie to begg for releefe vntill some speedie course be taken for their redres as in yo[u]r worships wisdome shall seeme requisite and Convenient and as the Lawes in such case requireth. And yo[u]r poore petit[i]on[e]r shall bee obliged eu[er] to pray for yo[u]r wor[shi]ps health and prosp[er]itie]
Richard Sandbach Edward Newton
Will[ia]m Newton Hen[ry] Weatherbie
John Okes Mathew Lownes
John Wardle Thomas Brounsord
Mathew Mossey Randle Brounsord
Willia[m] Eaton John Lowe
Ron: Wasell
<Churchwardens & ou[er]seers of poore to p[ro]uide for the petic[i]on[e]r>