The petition of Isabell Fisher of Withnell, Lancashire, 16 January 1654
To the right Wor[shipfu]ll the Justices of Peace & Coru[m] now sitting at Wigan Jan[uary] the 16th 1653 theise.
The humble petic[i]on of Isabell Fisher of Withnell in the Lordship of Houghton widow sheweth.
That shee is decripitt and Laime both of Arme Thye Legg and all the one syde of her body that shee is very poore and hath noething to liue vpon nor able to worke for manteynance nor (by reason of her laymenes) knoweth shee how to gett home againe; And that her late husband John Fisher late of Withnell afores[ai]d was a Sould[ie]r For the Parliam[en]t vnd[e]r Capt[ain] James Benson of Withnell afores[ai]d and slaine vnd[e]r the said Capt[ain] in the said service at Prince Ruperts takeing of Boulton; to the vtter Impou[er]ishing of y[ou]r wor[shi]ps poore laime pet[itione]r: Although For a certaine tyme for 4 or 5 years after her s[ai]d husbands death, y[ou]r pet[itione]r rec[eive]d rec[eive]d poore left widowes pay: according to the rest who were left destitute and husbandlesse in the same man[n]er: But for 4 years last before the date hereof y[ou]r s[ai]d pet[itione]r hath rec[eive]d noe pay at all (expect 7 months pay at May day last) towards her releiffe and keeping: Wherein if shee haue noe redresse shee is lykely to to be spoyled for want of Food and other necessaries:
Wherefore shee she humbly intreateth and beggeth that y[ou]r wor[shi]ps (vpon serious Considerac[i]on hereof) wil be pleased to Order her releiffe in the pr[e]misses of whom and in what manner y[ou]r wor[shi]ps shall thinke Fitt: For which y[ou]r wor[shi]ps pious assistance in this her feeble Condic[i]on: Shee will ever pray for yo[u]r worships eternal healths and happienesse:
Ch[ruchwardens] & Ou[erseers]
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