The petition of Thomas Mason of Dutton, Cheshire, 21 October 1656
To the right wor[shipfu]ll the Justices of Peace assembled together at the Quarter Sessions held at Knotsford Octob[er] 21 1656
The humble petition of Thomas Mason of [illegible] Dutton in the County of Chester Carpenter
Sheweth
That whereas your Petitioner is a poore man, and chargeable with the maintenance of his wife & seauen of his children w[hi]ch he dayly mainteyneth by his dayly hand labour haueing noethinge else to mainteyne the same with, and haueing formerly bin a souldier for the state at Worcester fight for ye late Lord Kilmurrey in regard whereof the Lady Kilmurrey hath giuen liberty to your Petitioner to erect a Cottage upon ye wasts within the towneship of Dutton soe farre as lawfully she may
The premises considered
Your Petitioner humbly prayes that by Order of this Court hee may bee authorized to erect continue & mainteyne a Cottage within the sayd Towneship of Dutton whereby your Petitioner may bee enabled to mainteyne himselfe his wife & children without being burthensome to any And your Petitioner as in duy bound shall eu[er] pray &c
<[?confirmed] w[i]th Consent>