The petition of Margaret Adges, Cheshire, Epiphany 1652
To the hono[ura]ble the Justices assembled in the sessions at Knutsforth.
The humble petic[i]on of Margaret the wife of Richard Adges.
Sheweth
That yo[u]r pet[itione]r heretofore did beare was begotten w[i]th child by John Barker of Sutton laborer who serued a souldier vnd[e]r the com[man]d of Col[onel]: Brooke in his owne company at Worcest[e]r & was there sore wounded whereof he dyed w[i]thin 5 dayes after the fight,
That the s[ai]d Jo[hn] Barker did Table or place the s[ai]d child w[hi]ch is now about the age of the 7 yeares w[i]th Ellen Carrier of Halton & maynteyned him in his life tyme by the labo[u]rs of his hands his meanes being sett out,
That the s[ai]d child is no long[e]r by him so placed then Com[e] May next & then will be vtterly destitute of all p[ro]uision or maynten[a]nce & void of any frends to relieue it him.
Yo[u]r pet[itione]r Humbly prayes your hono[u]rs will be pleased to consider the helples condic[i]on of the s[ai]d child & by yo[u]r ord[e]r direct some p[re]sent lyuelihood or p[ro]uision for the s[ai]d child.
And yo[u]r pet[itione]r &c.
Margaret Adger
<20 s. p[er] Ann[um] by the Trea[sure]r>