The petition of John Corles of Garstang, Lancashire, Epiphany 1658
To the Right worshipfull the Justices of the Peace & Quoru[m] att the quarter sessions att Preston
The humble petic[i]on of John Corles
Sheweth
That yo[u]r pet[itione]r did serue as a souldier vnder the King & Parliament from the begininge of the warrs vntill Boulton batle where hee was taken prisoner & carryed to Shrowesburie & there lay a longe time in a loathsome pr dungeon vnder the ground by w[hi]ch imprisonment hee was soe starued in his lymes & is not now able to worke as heretofore & is 5 monethes behinde for his pay
That yo[u]r pet[itione]rs wife is lately dead & left him 3 Children to mainetayne the eldest beinge about 12 yeares of age the second ten yeares of age & the third six yeares of age The pr[e]misses considered & for asmuch as yo[u]r pet[itione]r his s[ai]d wife & Children were all borne & bred w[i]thin the p[ar]ish of garstange and yo[u]r {p}et[itione]r being noe wayes able to mayntayne himself and his said Children.
Ch[urchwardens] & Ou[erseers] to or bee bound
[Illegible]
Most humblie beeseecheth yo[u]r good worshipps to order the Churchwardens & ouerseers of the said p[ar]ish of Garstange to allowe some compotent weekly meanes for & towards the mayntenance of his yongest Child And yo[u]r pet[itione]r will eu[e]r pray &c
Wee whose names are herevnder subscribed parishoners of the said parish of Garstang doe verely beeleeue the contents of this petic[i]on is true and doe hould it a deed of charitie to grant his request
John Charnock
Robert Corles
James Corles
Thomas Charnock
John Curwen th[e] elder
John Curwen younger
Thomas Corles