The petition of ‘many poore distressed widdowes’, Lancashire, Michaelmas 1653
To ye Right wo[rshipfu]ll the Justices of Peace & Quoru[m] for ye County of Lancaster at ye sherriffes board there assembled.
The humble Petic[i]on of many poore distressed widdowes w[ith]in the s[ai]d County [illegible] whose husbands have lost theire lives and Estates in Service of Parliam[en]t;
Sheweth That our extreame wants doe farre exceed our Cryes & Complaints For since ye 24th of June 1650, wee never Received any other Allowance then for seaven monthes w[hi]ch yow were piously pleased to allott vnto vs whereof (w[i]th our prayers) wee thankfully accepted. Now soe it is that wee want wherew[i]th to sustaine languishing nature in our selves & our hunger starv’d Children, who are likely to perrish for want of bread and Education.
Most humbly therefore intreate your good wo[rshi]pps to looke vppon vs w[i]th your zealous eyes of pitty and pr[e]servac[i]on And to Order vs such speedy Alloweance as yow shall in your grave wisedomes Conceive meete, your performeance herein shall (as nevertheles by duty bounden) ingadge vs for ever to pray &c.