The petition of Mary Burnham of Steeple Bumpstead, Essex, 1653
To the R[igh]t Hono[u]r[a]ble & R[igh]t Wor[shipfu]ll the [three illegible words] Justices of the peace of the Countie of Essex.
The humble petic[i]on of Mary Burnham widd[ow] the late wife of Will[ia]m Burnham of Steeple Bumpsted deceased.
Humblie Sheweth
That whereas her said late husband was heretofore a Serieant under the Commaund of Capt[ai]n Thomas Smith and then receiueing a wound in the p[ar]liam[en]t service att the takeinge of Burley house whereby he utterly lost the use of his right hand, Whereupon it pleased this Hono[u]r[a]ble Bench to graunte unto him a yearely penc[i]on of iiii li. he haveing a wife & Fiue poore small Children, Nowe it haueinge pleased God to take away yo[u]r petic[i]oners said husband shee beinge lefte very poore w[i]th all her Children upon her hands, haueinge not any thinge in this world left for theire reliefe but are in exceeding greate want.
Most humblie beseecheth this Hono[u]r[a]ble Bench to take her distressed Estate into yo[u]r gracious considerac[i]on and for the Lo[r]ds sake, to graunte & Continue unto her the said penc[i]on of Foure pounds p[er] Ann[um] for the reliefe of yo[u[r said petic[i]oner & her poore Children.
And as in duty bound they shall for eu[er] pray for yo[u]r Hono[u]rs &c.
<The widdowe Burnha[m]s Petic[i]on>