The petition on behalf of the child of Thomas Blande of Skerton, Lancashire, Easter 1652
To the Right Wor[shi]pp[fu]ll the Justices of the peace and Quoru[m] at the Quarter Sessions of Lanc[aste]r
The Humble petic[i]on of Elizebeth Blande of Skerton a poore widdowe
Humbly Sheweth that Thomas Blande yo[u]r poore petic[i]oners sonne hath beene a soldier For the Parliam[en]te of England since the beginninge of the tymes of Warr and is nowe in service For the saide Parliam[en]te w[i]thin the Realme of Scotlande vnder the Command of Maior Roger Sawrey and hath left beehinde him one little Motherles Child vnder the Age of sixe yeares w[hi]ch is nowe kepte & mentained w[i]th yo[u]r poore petic[i]on[e]r thoe shee bee verie vnable soe to doe haueinge noethinge in the world to mentaine her selffe w[i]thall but the Charitable benevolencies of well affected people.
In tender Considerac[i]on whereof maie it therefore please yo[u]r good wor[shi]pps to grant some Competent Allowance to yo[u]r poore petic[i]on[e]r toward the mentainance & education of the said Child. And yo[u]r pore petic[i]on[e]r shall euer praie &c
Ch[urchwardens] & ou[er]seers of Lanc[aster]
[Illegible]