The petition of Margaret Beavis, Essex, 1653
To the right wor[shipfu]ll the Justices of ye peace this present Sessions Assembled
The humble petic[i]on of Margaret Beavis a poore widdow
Sheweth
That whereas yo[u]r p[eti]t[ione]rs husband John Beavis hath (in his life tyme) bin a faithfull servant & souldier in the service of the Com[m]onwealth and died being under Capt[ain] Burrell; after hee ha{th} long lyen sick at greate charges insoe much yo[u]r poore p[eti]t[ione]r is much impoverished thereby, & not able to mayntaine her charge without some speedy course be taken for {h}er present relief
shee therefore humbly pray that this Co[u]rt will please to Order A competent Pention to be allowed unto her, according to the act of Parl[iamen]t as to other Widdowes in the like case hath bin granted, her said husband haveing bin a souldier of a long continuence
And shee shall ever pray &c
40 s. p[er] an[num] durante viduelate [?East]