The petition of Margrett Fisher of Cople, Lancashire, Epiphany 1648
To the Right Wor[shipfu]ll the Justices of Peace for the Countie Palatine of Lanc[aste]r att the gen[er]all Sessions houlden att Wigan these:
The humble petic[i]on of Margrett Fisher: wiffe of Thomas Fisher of Cople these: sheweth
That y[ou]r wor[shi]ps said petic[i]on[e]r is knowne to bee in extreame want: and much poverty: her husband, through extreame hung[e]r being forced to leaue her w[i]th 2 poore smale children and betake him to a sould[ie]rs liffe and y[ou]r said petic[i]on[e]r her selfe great w[i]th child drawing nere the time of her paine: And that w[hi]ch is the greatest burden of all there is left in the younger of her said Children for the space of 30 weeks hath bine Imagined and supposed by all that hath comme to see her in her fitts to bee possessed (or however) greivously afflicted w[i]th a sore and vnvsuall disease insomuch that y[ou]r said petic[i]on[e]r is vtt[e]rly vnable to Mantaine her selfe and Charge or to seeke helpe for her afflicted child but through her charge and hardnes of the times be forced to suffer Famishm[en]t:
Wherefore y[ou]r said petic[i]on[e]r doth humbly intreat y[ou]r good wor[shi]ps vpon serious Considerac[i]on of the pr[e]miss[e]s to graunt her y[ou]r order whereby to trauell from Church to Church throughout this County or where y[ou]r wor[shi]ps shall thinke fitt to see if shee could p[ro]cure her helpe from or by the helpe of Minist[e]rs: And that thereby alsoe shee might haue the contribution and helpe of good people towards their sustaineing: And as in duty bound y[ou]r petic[i]on[e]r will ever pray for y[ou]r wor[shi]ps health & eternall felicitie.
The Ord[e]r w[hi]ch was granted by y[ou]r wor[shi]ps vnto her att the last Sessions houlden att Wigan the absolutly disobeyd: and y[ou]r said petic[i]on[e]r was never better for it.
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