The petition of Judeth Whittacare of Eccleshall, Staffordshire, July 1642
To the right worshipps his ma[jes]t[y]s Justice of the peace for the County of Stafford
The humble petition of Judeth wife of Beniamyne Whittacare of Eccleshall now in his ma[jes]t[y]s service in the Irish affaires
Humbly shewing unto yo[u]r good worshipps that whereas yo[u]r poore peti[t]ion[er] being left destitute of a husband & meanes hauing lying on her hands two smale children, one being of late taken from her; by her freinds, she having noe place of habytac[i]on the Right Worshippfull S[i]r Richard [?Weston] kn[igh]t [two illegible words] Mr Crompton & Mr Mainwayringe his ma[jes]t[y]s Justices ordered that the p[a]rish of Eccleshall should provide a place for her aboade w[hi]ch as yet is not p[er]formed or observed to the great hindrance and greife of yo[u]r petitioner: Therefore yo[u]r poore petition[e]r humbly beseecheth yo[u]r good worship for god sake to be pleased to take some speedy course for her & her present releife & succor.
And your worshipps goodness shewed to yo[u]r poore peti[ti]on[er] shall as in duty shee is bound to pray for your worshipps health & happiness to continue for ever.
Yo[u]r poore distressed harbourless petitioner Judith Whittakare.