The petition of Magdalene Thacker, City and County of Lichfield, 14 July 1657
To the right Wor[shipfu]ll the Justices of the Peace, for the Countie of Stafford.
The Humble Petic[i]on of Magdalene Thacker of the Cittie of Lichfeild widdowe.
Sheweth
That yo[u]r Petic[i]oners late Husband, was a Soldier in the service in Ireland; for the Parliam[en]t of this Comonwealth, and at Bradash was there slaine, by reason whereof yo[u]r poore Petic[i]oner was lefte comfortlesse and helplesse, and makeinge her condic[i]on knowen to his Highnes the Lord Protector, he was gratiouslie pleased to allowe a Penc[i]on of 20 s. quarterlie, to be paid out of the County of Stafford vnto her during her life, w[hi]ch shee hath hitherto constantly received, But nowe is denied the same. Whereby shee is likelie (if not com[m]iserated by the charitable & compassionate harts of your wor[shi]pps) to be exposed to the extremitie of want and Povertie.
Yo[u]r Petic[i]oner therefore humbly prayeth, yo[u]r Wor[shi]pps would be gratiouslie pleased, to take, this her lamentable condic[i]on into yo[u]r Pious and charitable considerac[i]on, and order yt the said 20 s. quart[e]rly may (as formerlie) according to his Highnes order) be continued and paid vnto her, otherwise shee may be inforced to seeke her liveliehood from the hands of charitable and well disposed People.
And yo[u]r Petic[i]oner shall ever pray &c.
to be considered of.