The petition of John Hardman of Prestwich, Lancashire, Michaelmas 1647
To the Right Wor[shipfu]ll Edmund Hopwood Esq[ui]r[e] & other his Fellowe Justices of the peace & Quorum.
The humble pettic[i]on of John Hardman of Prestwich husbandman.
Humbly Sheweth.
Whereas your pettic[i]o[ne]r hath Dwelled for the most parte of Tenn yeares (last past) within Prestwich (except that parte of tyme that he served as a souldier for Kinge & parliam[en]t. Is nowe at this present destitute of any abode or House to dwell in for him selffe his wiffe & Chyld. your pettic[i]o[ne]r euer offeringe to the Inhabita[n]ts to giue sattisfacc[i]on in redy money vnto such Persons as shall afford or sett a house vnto him, hee behaveinge & Caryinge him selffe as a neighbour ought to doe;
your pettic[i]o[ne]r humbly Craveth yo[u]r wor[sh]ipps that hee may haue redresse herein: And Further may it please yo[u]r wor[sh]ipps to vnderstand that yo[u]r pettic[i]o[ne]r was Chosen & brought in by the Constable before the Deputye Liuetenants about nine yeares agoe to serve the office of a Trayned souldier vnder Capt[ai]n Byrom for the Towne of Prestwich;
Yo[u]r pettic[i]o[ne]r prayinge for yo[u]r wor[sh]ipps Longe health & happynesse.
<{Illegible} if hee bee poore then the Ch[urchwardens] to p[ro]uid him a house>