The petition of Mary Elmes of Towcester, Northamptonshire, January 1684
To the Right Worship[fu]ll S[i]r Roger Norwich Barro[ne]tt And ye Rest of ye Worship[fu]ll Bench:
The humble Peti[ci]on of Mary Elmes Widdow Relict of William Elmes of Towcester deceased
Humbly Sheweth.
That yo[u]r petico[ne]rs Late Husband in the Service of his Late Ma[jes]tie was wounded And was vpon his application to this Bench: and Considerac[i]on had of his Condic[i]on and Faithfull Service to his Late Ma[jes]tie was allowed a penc[i]on w[hi]ch hee received vntill his Death: That beinge Lately dead and Leaveing yo[u]r Petico[ne]r Four Smale Children, in a very poor & Indigent condic[i]on and altogether vnable to provide for themselves:
Your Peticon[e]r prays that yo[u]r Worships would be pleased to allow her Something w[ha]t shall seeme Fitt to yo[u]r Worships vpon ye considerac[i]on abouesaid for the placing out one of her Children, who is now fitt to be put to a Trade, And if hee bee not putt out very Speedily will Loose what Learning yo[u]r poor petico[ne]r hath been able to bestow upon him, not being able to keepe him to Schoole any Longer:
And yo[u]r petico[ne]r shall ever pray &c.
<referred to the Justices>
<Int[rabit]>
<Mr Benson to giue ye peticoner 4 s. on sight>