The petition of Thomas Croper, Lancashire, Epiphany 1657
To the Right worshipfull Justices att the sesions houlden att Manchest[e]r greetinge
The humble petition of Thomas Croper dessires that yo[u]r worship pleasure to take his sad condic[i]on into Consideration hee haueing a wife and fower smale Childer[en] and haueing nott any thing there with to subsist w[i]th all where by are brought into great want and povertie these are therefore to dessire yo[u]r worship pleasure to grant them some reliefe yo[u]r peticinor haueing beene a souldier all the continuaunce of wares in the service both in Ingland and Scotland for the states service and now being brought into greate want and nessecitie may it please yo[u]r good worships the premisses considered to grant some releife vnto them as yo[u]r wisdomes shall thinke requisite and Conveniant and yo[u]r petic[i]on[e]r as in dutie bound will ever pray: wee whose names are here vnder subscribed dessires yo[u]r worshipsfull to take this poore man & his familes Condition in to Consideration and helpe them to some releife as wee Consider it is a Charratable deede and wee shall rest yo[u]rs
Rob[er]t Bathe
Abraham Stansfield
Edwarde Leigh
John Keinon
Ch[urchwardens] & Ou[erseers]