The petition of Jennet Massom of Litherland, Lancashire, Michaelmas 1651
To the right wor[shipfu]ll the Justices of the peace for this county sittinge at Wiggan.
The humble Pettic[i]on of Jennet Massom wife of John Massom now a souldier vnder the Comaund of Captain Croft for the service of this Comon wealth.
Humbly sheweth That yo[u]r Petitioners husband beinge a souldier hyered for William Trustram of Litherland in the parishe of Sephton who on Condic[i]on that the said William should build a howse for the poore pettitioner & her Children haueinge noe place to abide in; yo[u]r petticoners husband & 4 Children beinge all borne in th’ aforesaid parish of Sephton; yo[u]r said pettic[i]oner Came to demand her said husbands bargeine with the said Trustrames (as may appeare by Articles of agreement vnder his hand) Came into a barne of his in Orrell, & Continued there vntill Mr Tompson Rector of the said parishe with diuers others Came & violently put yo[u]r petic[i]oner with her 5 [sic] Children forth of the said barne & brought yo[u]r pettic[i]oner with her & one Child into Walton where they lay without doores till it pleased the worshipfull Col[onel] Birch to order a lodging place for yo[u]r Petticoner till this sessions.
Therefore may it please this Honorable Bench to take it into there graue Consideracons & to order the saide William Trustram According to his agreement To provide a howse & place of beinge for your pettitioner & poore Children & yo[u]r pettitioner shall euer pray &c.
<Ch[urchwardens] & ou[er]seers of Walton parishe to provide her a house or from hencefurth to allow her 10 d. per weeke or upon complaint to bee bound to the next sessions.>