The petition of Robert Chapman of Timperley, Cheshire, Trinity 1653
To the Right worr[shi]p[fu]ll the Justices of peace at this present sessions:
The Humble Petic[i]on of Robert Chapman of Tymperley
Humbly Sheweth vnto y[ou]r Good worr[shi]pps that y[ou]r Petic[i]on[e]r is an Armour dressor by Trade and hath beene in Actuall service for the Parliam[en]t: And now of late y[ou]r Petic[i]on[e]r haueinge a wyfe and one litle Child, & smale toe subsist vpon: Besydes his Howse out of repayre, & his Smithy downe to the Earth: And he altogether vnfurnished toe buy himselfe such workeinge tooles as belonged to his Trade: Did without Lyecance Brew Ale for a furtherance towards the furnishinge himselfe of such things as hee could not worke without; And in the meanetyme hee sufferinge noe bad excersises or vnlawfull company in his Howse.
May it please y[ou]r good Worr[shi]ps ye pr[e]misses, & the poore mans Condic[i]on considered to Mittigate the Rigor of ye Lawe in that Case p[ro]vided as in y[ou]r worr[shi]ps discretion shall seeme fitt
And y[ou]r Petic[i]on[e]r will euer pray: &c:
<remitt fine & to forbeare brewing vntill licensed>