The petition of Robert Skelhorne of Adlington, Cheshire, 16 January 1661
To the right wor[shipfu]ll his Ma[jes]ties Justices of Peace of the Countie Palatine of Chester at their generall Sessions holden at Northwich the 16o day of this instant January
The humble petic[i]on of Robert Skelhorne of Adlington in the Countie afores[ai]d husbandman
<humbly Sheweth>
That whereas Ralph Burges of Adlington afores[ai[d beinge a man of abilitie both of p[er]son & estate in regard thereof stood charged at the raising of the Militia on the late ingadgm[en]t of S[i]r George <Booth> either to serve himselfe or hyre a soldier to serve for him in the said service at whose request For & in considerac[i]on of the Sume of Three pounds of Lawfull English money Five shillinges whereof yo[u]r petic[i]oner received in hand and the residue was promised to be paid to him [illegible] vpon demand by the said Raph Burges did in his place in list himselfe for him in the expedic[i]on aforesaid & did soe continue listed vntill the designe was over at after w[hi]ch yo[u]r said petic[i]oner demanded the residue of the Moneys soe p[ro]mised to him by the said Raph Burges as aforesaid yet hee hath hitherto denyed to make paym[en]t therof & still doth denie to pay the same contrary to the truth to the great hinderance of yo[u]r said petic[i]oner who is a very poore man haveinge a great Familie & nothinge to mentaine them w[i]th but what is gotten by his handie Labor & therefore not able to contend at common law for right herein
Prayeth therefore that yo[u]r wors[hi]ps will be pleased to take his distressed condic[i]on into yo[u]r wors[hi]ps Considerac[i]ons & cause the said Raph Burges either to p[er]forme his said assumpsit or otherwise to doe therein as you in yo[u]r wisdomes shall thinke meet:
And as in bounden dutie hee will ever pray &c