The petition of Sarah Pendleton, Lancashire, Easter 1656
To the Right worship[fu]ll the Justices of the Peace and Quoru[m] now sitting Att Manchester:
The humble petic[i]on of Sarah Pendleton wife of Thomas Pendleton
humbly sheweth
That yo[u]r petic[i]on[e]rs husband about Tenn or Eleaven monthes since did leave yo[u]r petic[i]on[e]r w[i]th a Charge of three Children [illegible] and being att the tyme of his leaveing her yong with Child hath now fower, and although her said husband is a private Souldier vnder his highnes the Lord Protector yett by Reason of the Small pay that a private Souldier hath which is but Nyne pence a day yo[u]r petic[i]on[e]r never rec[eive]d any thing fro[m] her s[ai]d husband for or towards the maintainance of her [illegible] selfe and fower smale children but hath whyle shee had any goods out of the same p[ro]vyded for their pr[e]sent maintainance; but hereafter vnles shee haue an allowance for their maintenance in some reasonable sorte, shee and they are either like much to suffer by want, or otherwise to bee troublesome and burdensome vnto the p[ar]ishion[e]rs and neighbours.
May it therefore please yo[u]r worships to take into Considerac[i]on yo[u]r petic[i]on[e]rs and her childrens sadd Condic[i]on and graunte her some order for some allowance to bee p[ai]d her by the officers appointed for that purpose whereby yo[u]r worship will doe an act of much Charity and pr[e]vent the want that is otherwise likely to fall vpon them, & yo[u]r petic[i]on[e]r shall ever pray &c.
Ch[urchwardens] & Ou[erseers]
[Illegible]