The petition of Frances Bennett, residence unknown, 1 August 1648
<The humble petic[i]on of Frances Bennett Adm[inistrat]rix>
To the Right ho[noura]ble his excelencye Tho[mas] Lord Gennerall Fairfax
In a most misserable and deplorable estate: most humblly Seweth That yo[u]r petico[ne]r was Robbd and dispoyled of a very considerable estate by means of that horrid Rebellion in the desolate Kingdome of Ireland as may app[er]e by good Certeficate. And for these fiue years last past exposed w[i]th her great Charge of Children to greate missery and want: haueing not to mayntaine her selfe: and them: but the naturall and good affection of two of her Sonns: who hath faithfully Serued the Parlament vnder the Right ho[noura]ble The Earle of Manchester and yo[u]r ho[nou]r as Gunners these said fiue years. The onlie deerest And Cheifest Comfort of her said Sonns, named Nathaniell Bennett was vnfortunatelie slaine in yo[u]r said ho[nou]rs seruice the 13th of this pr[e]sent Julie: w[hi]ch hath Reexposed yo[u]r Sup[plican]tt to greater misserye then formerlie: If not Releiued by the wonted goodnes & Clemency yo[u]r good Lo[rdshi]pe Contynually Sheweth to the Misserable and distressed w[hi]ch gratious act soe well knowne of yo[u]r ho[nou]rs Imbouldens (yet w[i]th all humbleness) yo[u]r Sup[lican]tt vpon the bended knees of her heart: To Intreate yo[u]r good ho[nou]r for the Releife of her self and Children: To Recommend her sad condic[i]on in a letter or otherwise vnto the Committee; whose power it is: to enter into list And weekelie pentions Such Widdowes: or other disconsolate p[er]sons by w[hi]ch yo[u]r ho[nou]rs good meanes she may haue some weeklie releife And that although she hath lost a deere Sonn she may acknowledge to haue founde a Father in yo[u]r good ho[nou]r
And forasmuch as her deceased Sonn hath Certaine arrears due vnto him: for his said seruice yo[u]r Sup[plican]tt further humbllye prayeth yo[u]r good Lo[rdshi]pe To giue order: that his arrears may forthwith be audicted and paid vnto yo[u]r distressed petic[i]o[ne]r w[i]thout w[hi]ch and yo[u]r good Lo[rdshi]ps other fauo[u]rs both she and hers are like to p[er]ish: And for w[hi]ch doeing it will Incourage her other Sonn still w[i]th yo[u]r ho[nou]r to Contynue, and serue you w[i]th the uttmost of his Spirritts: life: and fortunes:
And yo[u]r poore distressed Sup[plican]tt as in dutye bounde shall allwayes pray &c
First of August 1648
I desire the Com[mit]tee of the Army to take the petitioners sad Condicon into Consideracon and immediately to giue order for the Auditeinge of her sones Accounts that soe shee may receive the same towards her releife and Maintenance
Fairfax