The petition of Henry Autumne of Kettleshulme, Cheshire, Easter 1646
To the Hon[oura]ble his Ma[jes]ties Justices of peace for the countie of Chester at this sessions assembled.
The humble petic[i]on of Henrie Autumne of Kettlesholme in the said countie.
Sheweth
That the petic[i]oner haveinge lyved in the Towneship of Kettlesholme aforesaid for manie yeares passed and serveine as a soldior vnder Maior Bradshawe for the state all the tyme of these warres, The Enemie aboute two yeares sithenece (cominge through those parts) tooke the petic[i]oners goods (he beinge then furth vpon service) whereby he is become much impoverished, and hath noethinge left for the mainten[a]nce of himself, his wief and two small Children borne in the said Towneshipp. And the his terme in the howse wherein he hath hetherto lyved beinge now expired he is vtterlie disabled to take or procure any place for habitac[i]on but is in danger for want of a dwellinge place w[i]th his wief & poore children to be exposed to much miserie, except yo[u]r honors be pleased to comiserate his distresse and afford him some releeffe therein.
And therefore humblie praieth that yo[u]r hono[u]rs wilbe pleased to Order that some small place in the wast grounds or lanes of the said Towneship maie be appoynted and set owt for the petic[i]o[n]er to build a Cotage thereon for a poore habitac[i]on for his wief & children.
And as in duetie he is bound he shall eu[er] pray &c
The consent of the Lord to be obteyned & then an order.