The petition on behalf of James Bradshawe of Culcheth, Lancashire, 15 January 1650
To the right wor[shipfu]ll the Justices of peace & Quoru[m] att the sessions of peace holden att Wigan in the county Palatine of Lancaster the 15th daye of January 1649 &c.
The humble petition of Elize Greene & Jane his Wiefe two poore people of Culcheth in Winwick parish
Most humbly sheweth
That they haue for the last sixe yeare past keept a poore infant caled James Bradshawe the sonn of Thomas Bradshawe of the same Towne & parish lawfully beegotten; the mother is dead the father is gon forth of the country vppon service for the state of England & ever sithence or since the Warrs began in England hath bine & is a sowldier for the Parliament in England.
Yo[u]r petition[e]rs are very poore poeple; & vnable to keep the said poore child any longer: for God sake.
May itt please yo[u]r wor[shi]pps according to the lawes and customes of this Realme of England; to allowe some compotent meanes for the maintainance of the said poore child & yo[u]r poore petition[e]rs Will ever pray to God for you all.
Ch[urchwardens] & ou[er]seers to p[ro]uid w[i]th the assent of Col[one]l [?Relorest]
[Illegible]