The petition of Mabell Greatrakes of Northenden, Cheshire, Epiphany 1652
To the right Worshipfull the Justic[e]s of the peace at the next Quarter Sessions assembled
The humble petic[i]on of Mabell Greatrakes of the p[ar]ish of Northern
<Sheweth>
That about 3 yeares last past your peticioners husband hath been a souldier in Ireland, vnd[e]r the Command of Leeutenant Coronell Venables, and since his departure shee hath not heard from him, neither doth she know wheather he be aliue or dead; Your peticion[e]r being left with two small Children, neither of them able to gett theire liuings, and now w[i]thout any harbour or house to dwell in being much Engaged vnto a poore woman to rest in her barne for the night Seison; Your peticioner doth humbly desire & request your Worships would giue ord[e]r for the Erectinge and buildinge of a house or Cottage vpon the premises herafter specified; your peticioner hauinge formerly liued in her fathers house, Tenna[n]t vnd[e]r Mr Tatton of Withenshaw, and it being out of ord[e]r, shee left the s[ai]d Cottage & Garden for a seison, and tooke house roume not far distant; Intending to haue repaired the said Cottage In the meanewhile the s[ai]d Mr Tatton Caused the said Cottage to be pulled downe, and tooke away two Cart loads of Indifferent Timb[e]r from the said Cottage; Your peticioner not giuing any Cause of offence, alwaise liuinge honestly. And formerly getting her liuing painfully, w[i]thout any great trouble to her neighbours, as the parties vnd[e]r named will Certifie, Your Peticioner Therefore humbly prayeth with the p[ar]ish[io]n[e]rs of the said Northen, that if your worships thinke fittinge that the said Timb[e]r may be towards the building of the said Cotttage, in the afores[ai]d place and your Peitcioner will euer pray for your worships health and Prosperitie
<absent>