The petition of Thomas Chowley of Woodhouses, Cheshire, Epiphany 1654
To the worshippfull ye Justices of peace of the County Palatine of Chester the humble petic[i]on of Thomas Chowley of Woodhowses in the County aboues[ai]d and Lordshipp of Frodsham
Sheweth vnto yo[u]r Wor[shi]ps yo[u]r said poore petitioner (who to the vttermost of his power for the space of many yeares passed hath done seruice to the state and in the same often ieoparded his life) how that in the moneth Nouember last a sudden and raging fire happened in the dwelling howse of yo[u]r poore peti[ti]oner which before it could bee extinguished burned downe 2 bayes of building with most of his howshold goods to ye vtter vndoing of himselfe and of his wife and children who by reason of that sudden calamity were exposed to extreame necessite, they being therby depriued not onely of harbour but alsoe of other necessaries for their relief in this present life and to this day haue had noe subsistence sauing what they haue been supplyed w[i]th by their Charitable neighbours & parishioners.
Now the humble suppication [sic.] of yo[u]r poore petitioner (who by the aboues[ai]d great losse is vtterly disabled to reedifie his said demolished howse) vnto yo[u]r worshipps is that yee will bee pleased to commiserate his deplorable condition and to afford him yo[u]r Order for Collections in such parish Churches in this County as in yo[u]r wisedomes yee shall find meet for and towardes the reedifying of the said howse Soe yo[u]r wor[shi]ps poore pet[itioner] with his wife and children by yo[u]r meanes together with the Charity of deuout people beinge relieued shall ever bee bound to pray &c
<Wee whose names are vnderwritten to whose view the s[ai]d lamentable fire hath been presented doe certifie of the trueth of ye contents of this petition.>
<James Cokayne>
<Richard Hale }>
<Richard Widden} wardens>
Thomas Hyalt Tho[mas] Latham Richard Brownent
Richard Sanion William Johnson William Hatton
Thomas Sanion William Litlemore
Richard Smith Rich[ard] Nangreaue
<absent>