The petition of Roberte Smithson of Skelmersdale, Lancashire, Michaelmas 1657
To the right wor[shipfu]ll the Justices of peace and Cora[m] nowe sitting the Asessions [sic.] of peace at Wigan theise
The humble petic[i]on of the poore distressed Rob[er]te Smithson of Skelm[er]sdale sheweth
That y[ou]r wor[shi]ps pet[itione]r hath a wife & 4 poore smale Children now in Skelm[er]sdale afores[ai]d: And that hee never had any abyding place but there, since hee was a sould[ie]r vnd[e]r the right wor[shipfu]ll Col[one]l Standish now here, one of the s[aid] Justices: And that now the Inhabitants of Skelm[er]sdale afores[ai]d iust vpon winter (when hee hath wrought very sore all sum[m]er amongst them) will needs turne y[ou]r poore pet[itione]r and his wife & children out of the Towne; to be starved for want of Harbour.
Wherefore y[ou]r pet[itione]r humbly prayeth this Court to take his Condic[i]on into their serious Considerac[i]ons; And to allow him in this his misery such manteynance as y[ou]r wor[shi]ps Judgm[en]ts shall thinke fitt. For w[hi]ch pious deed of pitty y[ou]r pet[itione]r as in duty obliged (w[i]th his poore wife &c will ever pray for every of y[ou]r wor[shi]ps healths & eternall happienes:
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