The petition on behalf of Orphan Ravenscroft, Cheshire, 9 April 1651
To the honorable Humphrey Mackworth Esq[ui]r[e] Cheife Justice of Chester
The most humble Petic[i]on of Margrett Ravenscroft
In all humble manner shewing that one William Rauenscroft a soldier vnder Collon[e]ll Gerrard about eight yeares past Lost his Life at Warington in the Parliaments service and his wife dieing on Childbedd both of them (by the Act of god) thus disposed of Left behinde them a poore infant. For pr[e]servation whereof yo[u]r pet[itione]r though A very poore woman hath endeauored for maintainance. Butt is noe Longer able to yeild the child subsistance vnless some pious & compassionate Course bee thought vpon Beinge may it please yo[u]r honnor great pittie after soe long succour to be forced to expose it to famishing & begging. The pr[e]miss[e]s Considered
Your honnors Pet[itione]r most humblie begeth in the name of this poore frindless fatherless & motherless orphant and for gods Cause that yo[u]r honnor wil bee pleased to sett downe such order and Course for the future As that some prouision of Releife may bee made in this Case for the Reasons aforesaid.
And yo[u]r honors Pet[itione]r and the poore orphant will euer pray &c
The Justices of Peace are desired to examine this busines & if noe mainetenance [illegible] bee left to this orphan from the parents then to take order it bee releiued in that p[a]rish where the sayd orphan was borne & the petitioner [?now] discharged theirof
9 Aprill 1651
H[umphrey] Mackworth
<40 s. p[er] Annu[m] to bee allowed as an orphan.>
The humble Petic[i]on of Margrett Rauenscroft in behalfe of a poore orphant.