The petition of Margarett Nichols of Stafford, Staffordshire, September 1651
To the right W[o]r[shi]pfull the Justices of the peace for the County of Stafford
The humble petic[i]on of Margarett Nicholls of the Burrough of Stafford in the said County widowe.
<Sheweth> That yo[u]r petic[i]oners husband beinge a soldier listed vnder the Com[m]and of Collon[el] Danvers Collon[el] Generall of the Cuntry and County of Stafford was (In the pursuit of the Scotts from Worcester) in Lancash Cheshire neare to Stockport was by the enemy slaine to the vtter vndoeing of yo[u]r petic[i]oner two small children and one she goeth w[i]th, he beinge a tradesman, one beneficiall for his Towne, County and Com[m]on Wealth.
Doth therefore humbly Intreate yo[u]r W[o]r[shi]ps to take her sad condic[i]on into yo[u]r pittifull consideration and graunt that out of the treasury for the weale publike in the County, and as the lawe alloweth for such widowes and Orphans, accordinge to the Custome of the Court for her and her Childrens mayntenance, soe will yo[u]r petic[i]oner as ever bound
pray &c.