The petition on behalf of Elizabeth Gill of Rufford, Lancashire, 16 July 1650
To the right wor[shipfu]ll the Justices of peace & Quoru[m] att the sessions of the peace houlden att Ormskirk the 16th of July Anno D[o]m[ini] 1650
The humble petition of William Guttrige of Rufford.
Most humbly sheweth.
That one Edward Gill a souldier in Ireland hath left a child of his caled Elizabeth Gill; his wiefe is dead & the chyld is vnprovided for, And Burdens the Towne of Burscowe in the custodye of William Gutteridge in the said Towne.
The said William Guttrige is a very poore man & hath many poor children to maintaine of his owne & cannot maintaine theim but by the helpe of his good neighbors:
Albeeitt Thomas Allerton of Lathom is the onely Naturale Grandfather vnto the said Elizabeth Gill and is a very rich man, w[i]thout any charge of Children or otherwise, for the releife of yo[u]r petition[er] & the said Towne of Burscowe.
May itt please yo[u]r wor[shi]pps to give order in court that the Grandfather to the said child shall keepe & maintaine the said child & free yo[u]r petition[e]r & the said Towne of Burscowe. And yo[u]r petition[e]r will ever pray to God for you all.
Wee whose names are subscribed Doe knowe the pr[e]misses to bee true.
Henry Hill Churchwarden
Henry Such
Alex[ande]r Breres:
Rob[er]t Hesketh
Thomas Hill
Homphfrey Morecrofte
The grandfather to keepe itt