The petition of Martha Kershawe of Rochdale, Lancashire, Michaelmas 1660
To the Right Worshipp[fu]ll his Majesties Justices of Peace att the Quarter Sessions houlden att Manchester.
The humble Petic[i]on of Martha Kershawe late wyfe of Henery Kershawe of Rachdall deceased.
Sheweth
That yo[u]r Petic[i]on[e]rs late husband haueing beene formerly in seruice for the Kings Majestie vnder the Comand of S[i]r George Booth was imployed as a Trumpett att The tyme of proclaimeing the Kings Majestie att the Towne of Rachdale where yo[u]r Petic[i]on[e]rs said husband was shott through the head and there slaine in the Streete and neuer as yett could any wayes bee discovered what person comitted the same fact, And your Petic[i]on[e]rs said husband leaueing att his death Fyue small Children which formerly hee had well mainetained by his Industry and Callinge are now by his death brought into a very sad Condic[i]on and in extreame want & necessity.
Yo[u]r Petic[i]on[e]r therefore in all humblenesse prayes yo[u]r worshipps will take into yo[u]r good Considerac[i]ons the sad and Lamentable Condic[i]on of yo[u]r poore petic[i]on[e]r and fyue small Children who are now in great necessitie & want, and that you would grant some such Order for theire Releife & mainetenance as yo[u]r Worshipps shall thinke good and yo[u]r Petic[i]on[e]r shall euer pray for yo[u]r health and eternall happienesse.
Martha Kershawe
Wee whose names are subscribed doe know the Petic[i]on to bee true and that the Petic[i]on[e]r and her Children are in a Condic[i]on much to bee pittied which wee humbly Certifie and are
James Scofeld
Abraham Stansfield
Rob[er]t Bathe
Zach[ary] Taylor
Ga: Gartside
Edward Leigh
To Recomend to the [?minist[e]rs] of whole County & to pay to: