The petition of Mary Higginson of Kirkdale, Lancashire, Midsummer 1651
To the Right Wor[shi]p[fu]ll the Justices of the Peace for this County of Lancaster sittinge vppon the Bench at a session of peace at Ormiskirke.
The humble petition of Mary Higginson widdow late wife of Robert Higginson late of Kirkdall neare Liu[e]rpoole in the County of Lan[caster] deceased.
Humbly sheweth to yo[u]r Worships that yo[u]r Pettitioners late husband beinge a souldier vnder the Comand of Capt[ain] Crofte & through his owne folly in Runninge away from his Collers was Apprehended & brought to Preston And there suffered death for the said fact. And the Cunstable of Kirkedall aforesaid did by warrant sease uppon all that smale parcell of goods that your poore Petitioner had left her (for & towards the maintenance of her selfe and a younge Child) to defray the Charges of yo[u]r Petitioners husband with the Cunstable & others who Carried him to Preston in a Cart hee beinge lame & not able to travell on foote which was an extrordinarie [sic.] Charge soe that yo[u]r poore petitioner beinge not onely deprived of her husband who was a tradsman [sic.] & well able to maintaine his Charge, but alsoe of all her goods as aforesaid, which would haue beene towards the maintenance of her Charge by reason whereof shee is become very poore & in noe wise able to maintaine her selfe & Child.
Wherefore the premisses Considered yo[u]r poore Pettitioner most humbly desyres that yo[u]r worships would be pleased (out of yo[u]r wonted Clemencye to works of this Nature) to grant her an Order for her some releife and maintenance in this her poore & distressed Condicon, which way shall seeme most Fit and Convenient in yo[u]r grave wisdoms.
Yo[u]r Petitioner shall ever pray &c.
Col[one]l: Birch