The petition of Sarah Bartlet of Willesborough, Kent, 13 January 1658
To the Right Worshippfull The Justice [sic.] of the peace for this Countie of Kent holding the Sessions at Canterbury this 13th Day of January in the yeare of our Lord Christ 1657.
The humble Petetion of Sarah Bartlet of Willsborow in the foresaid Countie Widdow = Sheweth
That where as her late husband George Bartlet out of his good affection to this Com[m]on Welth did put himself a souldier vnder the officers there of for many yeares against the com[m]on Enemies of this pr[e]sent Gouerm[en]t: in which seruice hee had receiued many & great wounds both at land & sea: it pleased god at last to take him out of this life wh by sicknesse while hee was in the seruice of this Com[m]on welth at Sandwitch in December – 1656: where hee left the said Sarah his poore widdow much in debtt & two small children for her to bring vp in which sad condition shee hath found som comfortable releife formerly from your Worshipps for which shee is thankefull to god & to your Worshipps humbly prayeing your worshipps will be pleased yet againe to shew mercy to her in this her poore & desolate condic[i]on
And shee shall humbly pray &c
Allowed to her xxx s. in full not further to expect