The petition on behalf of Mary Ackers of Whiston, Lancashire, Epiphany 1659
To the R[igh]t Wo[rshi]p[fu]ll the Justices of peace & quorum att the gen[er]all Sessions att Wigan
The Humble petic[i]on of the Inhabitants of Whiston in the p[a]rish of Prescott on the behalf of Mary Ackers daughter of John Ackers late of Whiston aforesaid aforesaid dec[ease]d an Orphand about 7 yeares old.
Sheweth
That her late father was a souldier in the parliam[en]t Service vnder the Com[m]and of Liv[etenan]t Col[one]l Aspinwall and hath left her in a very sadd and deplorable condic[i]on destitute of all releif and not any thinge whereby to keepe her aliue, onely w[ha]t shee getts by begging from the charitable hands of her Neighbo[u]rs.
Soe that yo[u]r petic[i]on[e]rs humbly craue that yo[u]r worshipps would take take [sic.] ye pr[e]misses into yo[u]r serious Considerac[i]ons & appoynt some way of releif for yo[u]r poore petic[i]on[e]rs Orphand without w[hi]ch shee will bee in danger to starue.
And yo[u]r Humble petic[i]on[e]rs (whose names are subscribed) as in all duty bound shall eu[e]r pray &c.
Edward Deane
Edw[ard] Darbishire
Henry Hawson William Webster
John Ackers
{Churchwardens} & Ou[erseers]
{Several illegible words}