The petition of Joane Stockton of Great Budworth, Cheshire, 23 April 1652
To the Right Hon[ou]r[a]ble the Cheefe Justices of Assize at ye greate Assizes held at Chester:
The humble petic[i]on of Joane Stockton wiefe to Thomas Stockton:
Humble sheweth
That yo[u]r petic[i]oner hath for ye most p[ar]t of her liefe lived w[i]thin ye p[ari]sh of Great Budworth in this countie, yt her husband is a soldier in Ireland vnder ye command of Maior Genn[e]r[a]ll Venables, whoe left yo[u]r petic[i]oner w[i]th three small children w[hi]ch since haue resided w[i]thin ye p[ari]sh of Daresbury w[hi]ch yo[u]r petic[i]oner (though left in weake estate) hath maintained w[i]thout beeing any charge to ye place where ye live, but soe it is right Hon[our]able yt yo[u]r petic[i]oner is threatned to bee turned out of doores at May day next her house being taken over her head by another whereby yo[u]r poore petic[i]oner is like to bee vtterly ruined together w[i]th her poore children
The pr[e]mises Considered:
Yo[u]r petic[i]oner humbly prays yo[u]r honnors will bee pleased to grant yo[u]r order to ye Justices of ye peace for this Countie yt some speedie way may bee taken into considerac[i]on for yo[u]r petic[i]oner (together w[i]th her small Children) may haue some convenient habitac[i]on in either of ye said p[ari]shes for ye Future and yo[u]r petic[i]oner will eu[er] pray:
The Justices of Peace at there next Quarter Sessions are desired to consider of the petitioners Condition & to order
23 Ap[ril] 1652 H[umphrey] Mackworth Tho[mas] Fell
<granted w[i]th Consent of ye L[or]d & Churchwardens & ou[er]seers>