The petition on behalf of Mary Peake of Blackley, Lancashire, Michaelmas 1649
Right worshipfull
This poore woman your petitioner is in verie lamentable and pitifull Condition and without some order from you vppon Consyderation of her Case lyke to sterve with her twoo smale Children: shee is left with fyve Children and no meanes to mayntayne any waies nether of themselues nor from the perish [sic.] nor any place to worke in and twoo of her Children are vnfitt for anie worke, the elder is not six yeares of age. Shee hath few frends her husband is a souldier for the parliament & hath beene Constant since the first Rysing is now in Ireland vnder Capt[ain] John Seddon his name is Henerie Peake & her name is Mary Peake of Blakley. If shee had thought of petitioining [sic.] shee might haue had dyvers hands to haue certifyed the truth of what is herin & more. But a word for the wise is suffitient Job. Would search out the poors Cause but trulie this womans is palpable & Cries out for speedie Releife at least her twoo yongest Children. If you Can doo any thing help them for them poore that favor the armie haue few helpers.
The wryter her neighbor
Abraham Hilton.
[Illegible]
Ch[urchwardens] & ou[er]seers of Manchester.