Cheshire Quarter Sessions: 1658

Richard Piddall and 12 other inhabitants of Bramhall. QJF 85/4/123 (1658)

Much honoured gentlemen

It may hereby please you to understand, that the crying
noyce of sin (especially in our towneship) is that which at presente
enforceth us to cry unto you for justice against it. We have
not formerly beene used thus openly to complaine, whilst
wickednes kept it selfe within some boundes, but now it
rendring our partes more Sodome like then English, through
some connivance and [imp...tie?] (peradventure) it hath mett
with, ites high time for all (right worshipfull) that would have
peace here and glory hereafter to bend their bow against it.
But that we may not be further tedious, we make bold to
certifye your worships that in our towneship we have an alehowse
formerly kept by on Richard Browne, and now by one Richard
Fallowes and a kinswoman of the said Brownes, (who as some say
are lately marryed but the trueth of this your worships may knowe
if it please you further to inquire thereof) this Fallowes is
a smith and since his comeing into the towne to worke tabled
himselfe at this alehowse, who hath beene much suspected
a long time (through many symtoms that were taken notice of)
to be too familiar with the sayd Brownes kinswoman, but none
could prove it, till God discovered their secret wickednes by her
concepcion with child. And the last weeke another yong woman
who often did worke at the sayd alehowse was delivered of
an obortive birth and (as it is sayd) fathered her child of this
Fallowes also by the examinacion of whom and of the women that
were with her in her travell, your worships may come to have more
knowledge of the trueth and of what sad attempts the yong woman
made to have kept secrett their wickednes.

Worthie gentlemen that which we beg from you, is the same which God requires
from you to witt that condigne punishment may be inflicted on theis
offenders, and that the howse may be suppressed from selling of ale and
beere for the future, it being a howse that harboureth drunkardes
frequently and other misdeameanours that [depende?] thereupon. Soe
having discharged our duties we leave it to your worships to determine
praying that God may stir up your heartes and make you instruments of his
glory herein, and of peace to [our?] county and in particuler to us who are
Your worships servantes
to be commanded.

• Richard [.iddall?]
• William Thomson


• Ralph Milener
• Hugh [illegible]
• Robert [illegible]


• Raph Smith
• William Browne
• William Adshead
• Thomas Hoult
• William Burch
• John Brentnall
• Richard [Fallowes?]
• Richard Thorniley

Margaret Knowlesley, widow. QJF 85/4/124 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace att there
generall quarter sessions held for the
county of Chester

The humble petition of Margret Knowlesley
a poore destressed widdowe

In all humblenes shewethe

That your petitioner and her auncestours tyme out of minde
have lived in there severall tymes in Namptwich within the said county
and that your petitioner was married to Randle Knowlesley her
late husband 46 yeares; he being borne at Wibunbury within
the said countye.

That your poore petitioners husband Randle Knowlesley was
a souldier in the armye for the defence and safetye
of the common wealth of England against the common
enemye in the island of Man for the space of five
yeares in which service he dyed; leaving your destressed
petitioner and her charge in a most deplorable and starving
condicion; she havinge noe comfort but her sonne
who is now in his highenes service in the army in France

And inasmuch as your petitioner hath been true and
faithfull for the common wealths good not onely
against the enimye att the seige att Namptwich
but ventured her life in her jorney to Wemm
to prevent the betrayinge of yt by the Kinges partye
and alsoe att Litchfeild and Stafford
and other places.

And in regard your poore petitioner is reduced to a
pereshinge estate her humble request is that
she may have some smale pencion for her
preservacion and livelyhood in her sad
condicion.

And she shall ever pray etc.

Edward Speed and Thomas Bradbury, late overseers of the highways in Miccle Trafford. QJF 85/4/126 (1658)

County of Chester

To the worshipfull the justices of peace att the present
quarter sessions held att Chester for and within the sayd
county

The humble peticion of Edward Speed and Thomas
Bradbury late overseers of the way in and for the
townshipp Miccle Trafford

Sheweth
That whereas your petitioners have fetched severall warrantes
from the justice of peace to compell Richard
Cottgreave of thaforesayd towne to pay his proporcion
towardes the repayre of a roade that is in the sayd
townshipp beinge 5 shillings and 11 pence (notwithstanding the rest
of the inhabitantes have payd their partes,) and hee
hath and doth refuse to pay the same, not alleadging
any reason why hee will not and alsoe that your petitioneres
have layd downe the money aforesayd for the sayd
wayes

May itt therefore please your worshippes
the premisses beinge considered to
graunt your order that the sayd
Richard Cottgreave may pay the
moneyes beinge 5 shillings - 11 pence which your
petitioneres have already disbursed or
else they are like to loose the
same

And your petitioneres as in duty bound will ever pray etc

William Barnett. QJF 85/4/128 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace
of the county of Chester att the quarter
sessions att Chester January 1657

The humble peticion of William Barnett

Sheweth that your peticioner by reason of a wound which
hee received in the parliamentes service att the
takeing of Shockelach Hall att present is, and for
many yeares hath been in great misery and his
parentes who formerly kept him being now dead
your peticioner is constrayned in necessity to beg
your worshipps favour if hee may bee taken into
the list of the pencioners pentioners for this
county and that hee may have some allowance
forth of Malpas parish yearly for the supply
of his necessityes in regard there is noe
pencioner or maimed souldier within the said
parish where your peticioner was borne as may
appere by the certificate annexed and your
peticioner will pray etc

13 people in support of William Barnet of Hampton. QJF 85/4/129 (1658)

To the honourable Sir William Brereton knight and
barronet and the rest of the worshipfull justices of peace

Att the quarter sessions holden att Chester.

Well knowing the sad condition that William Barnet of
Hampton now liveth in, by reason of a wound received in the
parliament service att the taking of Shocklach Hall, then
under the command of Captain Andrew Brereton and being in
no wise able to helpe himselfe, his parentes being dead in
whose life time he was not burdensome to his parrish; but
now through want he being in danger to loose his legge
unlesse some present course be taken for his cure
which of himselfe he is not in the least able to doe:
wee therefore who know it to bee true make bold
to intreat that he may bee taken into the list of the pencioneres
for this county, there goinge a greate deale of money forth
of the Malpas parrish yearly; and in that parrish noe
maimed souldieres save only hee: theise our desires wee
have presumed to make knowne unto you; and desire your
order herin, as being nothing but what is well worthy
your consideration, and tested by the certificate of

Your worships most humble servants

• Andrew Brereton
• John Brereton
• Randull Palin
• Robart Smyth
• Randull Croxton

• William Holland
• George Mainwaring
• Randull Eddowe
• Egerton Brette


• Robert Roe
• Peter Dod
• William Brocke
• William Bostocke

The inhabitants of the hundred of Wyrrall. QJF 85/4/130 (1658)

County of Chester

To the worshipfull the justices of peace att the present
quarter sessiones held att Chester for and within the
sayd county

The humble peticion of the severall inhabitantes within
the hundred of Wyrrall

Sheweth
that there is a great roade in the sayd hundred leading
betweene Chester and Great Neston which is a sea port
towne in the sayd hundred much decayed and
out of repayre soe that itt now is scarce passable
and alsoe whereas wee the sayd inhabitantes have
beene alwaies ready and willing to contribute
towardes the repayre of bridges and highwayes
in other places within this county

May itt therefore please your worshippes
the premisses beinge considered [illegible]
and alsoe that the adjacent inhabitantes
to the sayd roade are not able to
repayre the same to graunt your
order that the rest of the county may contribute
something towardes the repayring of
the sayd roade and your petitioneres as in
duty bound will ever pray etc.

John Gouldson. QJF 85/4/132 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace at
the generall quarter sessions of the peace to bee
houlden for and within the sayd county.

The humble peticion of John Gouldson

Sheweth
That your petitioneres father John Gouldson in his life
tyme for the space of 3 yeares untill hee was
slayne faythfully served the parliament under
the commaund of Captayne Rathborne, and upon
that consideracion your petitioner was admitted pencioner
within the hundred of Wyrrall and received 1 pound - 6 shillings - 8 pence
for 4 yeares together untill Master Thomas Robinson
was head counstable, whoe denyed to pay the
sayd pencion to your petitioner not alleadging any
reason for itt.

Wherefore the premisses beinge considered
and alsoe that your petitioner is unable to
gett his living by reason of a lamenesse
which is in his limbes, may itt please your
worshippes to allow your peticioner a competent
pencion to your petitioner for the future, and
alsoe to order your petitioner to receave the
pencion formerly allowed him for 3 yeares
which is yett behind and unpayd him

And your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray
etc.

Peter Jackson. QJF 85/4/133 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace
att Chester

The humble peticion of Peter Jackson

That Ellen Jackson your peticioners daughter did lately beare a
bastard child, and in her extremity of labour thereof, shee
fathered the same upon Raphe [Ya...is?]. Whereupon your
petitioner obteyned a warrant to [illegible] apprehend the said Raph
who did and doth soe obscure himselfe that your petitioner cannot
serve the said warrant. Though hee bee of a great ability estate

Your petitioner craveth that hee may have an
order that the said Raph may keepe
the said child

Joyley Wyld, widow. QJF 85/4/134 (1658)

To the honourable his highnes justices of the peace for the countie of Chester

The humble peticion of Joyley Wyld widdowe

Sheweth
that your peticioners late husband Joseph Wyld did (in his life time videlicet
from March 1642 untill the time of his death, which was about October
last past) faithfully serve the parliament under the severall comaundes of
Collonell Booth Collonell Duckenfield and Captain Philip Eaton as by some
of their certificates hereunto annexed may appeare.

That your peticioners said husband dyed in the said service and hath left
your poore peticioner and two small children destitute of all meanes or
freindes to releive them, insomuch that your peticioner (though to her
power endeavouringe) is not able any longer to provide for them
and herselfe without your honours commiseracion herein.

May it therefore please your honoures to admitt your peticioner
a competent pension for the yearely releife of her and
her said two small children and shee shall ever pray
etc.

Thomas Wainewrigh of Baddeley. QJF 85/4/136 (1658)

To the worshippfull the justices of the
peace etc.

The humble peticion of Thomas Wainewrigh
of Baddeley.

Humbly sheweth
That whereas your peticioner for severall yeares past haveing lived in the
towneshipp of Baddiley without being troublesome to any and now
being destitute of an habitacion, being and not able to take any uppon the
racke through his present poverty: alsoe haveing a wife and foure
children to maintaine and nothing to maintaine them of but what he gettes
by his owne industry and laborious endeavoures, he is likely to be exposed
to great misery and calamity unlesse by your pious consideracion in time
prevented

May it therefore please your
worshipps to comiserate your
poore peticioners condicion and
grant him your order to erect
a cottage uppon some part of
the wastes in Baddiley aforesaid
he haveing already obtayned
free leave and consent of the lord
of the soyle and the inhabitantes
here soe to doe and your peticioner
shall ever pray etc

John Hoole, son of Thomas Hoole late of Wibumbury. QJF 85/4/137 (1658)

To the honourable and right worshipful the justices of the peace etc and
gentlemen at this present assessions: the submissive request and
humble pettition of John Hoole sonne of Thomas Hoole late of
Wibumbury in the countie of Chester

Humbly craveth leave to showe unto this honerable bench that your petticioner
about 3 yeares agoe, was by the consent of Randull Boughey his father in law putt
an apprentice to one John Stringer then of Namptwich to learne the trade
and manuell occupation of a joyner for the terme of seven yeares, who had
and received from your said pettitioners father in law 7 pounds - 10 shillings with your pettitioner: butt
contrary to covenants your pettitioners said master left the country went to London and since
to seas and left your pettitioner now two yeares since untaught his trade and to be
further burdensom and chargable to his freinds, who have sent many letters
to enquire after the returne of the said master butt cannot heere anything theere
=of neither are the sure whether hee bee dead or alive: your petticioner being
a younger brother borne upon a small estate: and his saide father in law being
yett willing to lay forth himselfe further for the preferment of your pettitioner
to another master to learne the said trade of a joyner in the which your pettitioner
is allready entred

Your pettitioner most humbly prayeth the order of this honerable bench
to be freed from his covenantes and ingagementes to his said former master
that hee may legally ingage himself to another master

And your petitioner will ever pray etc

John Lace, a poor inhabitant of Tattenhall. QJF 85/4/138 (1658)

To the honourable his highnes justices of the
peace assigned for the county of Chester
in their generall sessione, the humble
petition of John Lace a poore inhabit
=ante: in the towneshippe of Tattenhall
within the said county

Sheweth
that the petitioner haveing long beene an inhabi
tant within the said towneshippe, and
mayntayned himselfe his wife and childe
by his dayly labour, and being now by
sickenes and other afflictions reduced to
much penury and wante and destitute of
a place of habitation

The premises considered he humbly prayes your
honours order to erect a cottage by the
consent of the cheife lord and inhabitantes
upon the waste of the mannor of [Tattenhall?]
aforesaid for the necesary releife of him
and his poore famyly.

And he will pray for your honours.

We the inhabitantes of Tattenhall
whose names are subscribed doe
testifie the truth of the petition
and desire it may be graunted

• Peter Dutton.
• John Rogers
paratextChurch wardens


• George Larden
• Ralph [Dods?]
paratextCounstables


• Thomas Dod
paratextCounstbles


• Moses Marsh
• Edward Spede


• John Bostocke
• Josias Clarke
• John Metcalfe
• George Edge
• Richard Dod
• Peter Filkin
• John Wrighte
• William Whitfeild
• Richard Whitfeild
• Richard Mosely
• Richard Jeynson


• Thomas Dutton
• Peter Tilston
• John Aldersey
• [R...?] Lowe
• [Samuel Bold?]
• Charles Hurst
• Eedward Bradfild
• John Browster
• Richard Dod
• John [Bouleton?]
• John [Dow..s?]
• John Hunt

Randle Ridgeway and Anne Ridgeway of Over Alderley. QJF 85/4/139 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace of the
generall quartre sessions of the peace held at Chester
the 19th day of January 1657.

The humble peticion of Randle Ridgeway and
Anne Ridgeway both of and within Over Alderley
within the sayd county

Humbly sheweth
that att the last quarter sessions of the peace held for and within
the saide county that honourable bench was pleased upon your peticioners
peticion then presented to order them the cottage in the sayde peticion
mencioned which is heareunto anexed before which tyme, one
John Chantler agent of or baliffe for Master Leycester had pulled
downe one halfe of the sayd cottage and carried it away and
allsoe tooke possession of some smalle quantity of ground tyme
out of memory of man thereunto belonging by which your peticioners
are deprived of any theire former lyvelehood and unles your
honours favourable order be to them in this theire lamentable
condicion extended, for theire peacable injoyment of the said
cottage and ground theire unto belonging the are lykely to be
turned vagrants, as by the sayd peticion heare unto anexed
more at large it doth and may appeare.

May it theirefore pleace this honourable bench to take the premisses
into consideracion and to grante to your peticioners the
order of this courte that the sayde Chantler may bring the
materialls of that building he pulled downe, and caried
a way back againe and that they may allsoe enjoy
the sayd cottage and ground theire unto belonging
without interruption, rendring yearely payment for
the same according to the [illegible] rent
theire of hearetofore formerly payd

And your peticioners
will ever pray

Randle Ridgeway and Ann Ridgeway of Over Alderley. QJF 85/4/140 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the p peace of the
generall quarter sessions of the peace held at Middlewych
the 7th of Aprill 1657.

The humble peticion of Randle Ridgeway and Ann
Ridgeway both of and within Over Alderley with in the
sayd county

Humbly sheweth
That your peticioner Randle Ridgeway is a poore necessitous person of an indisposicion
and distracted temper and not able to help conteyne and keepe him selfe from
ruine, and hath nothing to st sustaine him selfe in his necessitous and sad
condicion, but what he receved from some few charitable and well disposed people
togeather with his sister Annes industrie care and constant provision, over and for [illegible]
without which such charitable actes as he doth most thankfully and humbly receive from
others would not in any measure supply and support his necessitous condicion, and
your peticion doe humbly shew that the sayd Anne Ridgeway hath not any thing to
sustaine or supply her owne and her brothers occasions withall but what shee hardly
laboriously and earnestly earnes, by handy laboure of makeing buttons, yett
hath neither of your peticioners been in the least chargeably or burthensome to any
the inhabitantes or neighbours in Over Alderley, wheire the doe at present inhabitt
and your peticioner doe further shew that not onely the but theire parents have
lived remayned and continued in the cottage wherein the now are in Over
Alderley aforesayd, for and during the whole tearme and tyme of forty
yeares and upwards without the least interuption of any person or persones what
soever. But now soe it is may it please your honours that the worshipfull Peter
Lecester of Tabley within the sayde county esquire did very lately command and
require your peticioners to provide for and remove themselves forth of the
sayde cottage of or house wheire in the have soe long lived for theire they should
not stay nor have any resydence nor upon any parte of his land (though they
were borne upon and have continued theire soe long as above sayde) and that
he would cause the house wheire in your petitioners have lived and still doe live to
and have noe other place to [resort?] unto pulled downe by and [thr...?] [illegible]
imperious dealing your petitioners will be turned or rather exposed to vagrancy
which they humbly conceive the law in any sence intends not or to be cast
upon such places as will nether receive or allow them any house roome
or conveniency to live in, or to gett theire livinge which will render
the sayde condicion of the above sayd Randle most intollerable to your
peticioner Ann.

The premisses tenderly considered may it therefore please your honours to grant to your
peticioners the order of this court to confirme uphould and establish them in
the poore cottage wheire they now live, and that such course may be taken
they may not be turned vagrants, nor that Master Lecester may neither
[disquiett?] or molest them in theire injoyments thereof nor pull downe
the sayde cottage as he hath protested and threatned to doe. And the rather
because of theire long continuance theire, and the extremity or cruell
hardship they will unadavoydably be putt unto yf disturbed removed
or theire cottage pulled downe in that they know nott who will receive
them

And your peticioners will ever as in duty
bound pray.

John Griffith. QJF 85/4/141 (1658)

To the honourable Collonel Brookes Collonel Croxton, Barron Bruen Collonel Gerrard Collonel
Berkenhead, Captaine Whiteworth and Captaine Partington and the rest
of the honourable comanders now or in the late warrs for the comonwealth
of England within the county of Chester etc

The humble petition of John Griffith

Sheweth that your petitioner was twelve yeares in the service for the said comon
wealth in the late warrs in Tarvin garrison and else where
and was plundred of all his estate and meanes of livelihood by
the occasion of the said warrs, and was an officer for the collecteing
and gatheringe in of all kind of provision for the garrison of
Tarvin untill the reducement of Chester which was for many
yeares.

That your petitioner is now growen aged dim of sight lame of
his limbes and not able to doe service as formerly
and that hee hath an aged woman to his wife, and att
this present both of them remaine in a very sad and
deploreable condicion and are like to perish unles your honours
releeife in comisseracion and pitty of theire povertie bee extended
to them.

Your poore petitioner humbly prayeth your honourable favor and pious
consideracion that you would bee pleased to make your
poore petitioner one of the pentioners in your honours severall hundredes
for his releeife, or otherwise as in your honours pious wisedomes
shalbee thought meete.

And your poore petitioner
shall pray etc.

Henry Warner, Richard Lamb and Thomas Hesketh. QJF 86/1/114 (1658)

The To the justices of the peace etc.

The humble peticion of Henry Warner of Altrincham
Richard Lamb of Timperley and Thomas Hesketh of
Dunham in the said county

Sheweth that at the last quarter sessions held at Knutsford your peticioner Henry
Warner appeared appon his recognisance for the good abearing the other peticioners
being suertyes for him and it was alleadged that your peticioner Warner after his
being bound was druncke and theruppon the said recognizance being eighty pound
penalty [was?] [illegible] [to be?] estreated although your other peticioners Lamb and
Hesketh were then absent.

Now forasmuch as your peticioners are very poore and their whole
substance depends uppon the order aforesaid and your peticioners
being in great hopes that they can produce sufficient
wittnesses who will give full satisfaccion for the reverseing
of the aforesaid order

Your peticioners therefore humbly pray
that the whole matter may be reheard
at the next generall quarter sessions to
be holden within this county and that
in the meane time the former order for
estreating the said recognizance may be
suspended and your peticioners as in duty
bound shall ever pray etc.

John Cooper of Clotton, butcher. QJF 86/1/115 (1658)

To the worrshipfull the justices of peace
at this present sessions assembled.

The humble peticion of John Cooper of Clotton butcher

Sheweth
that whereas a certaine pencion of foure nobles per annum was
heretofore granted unto James Baguley late of Clotton aforesaid being
a maimed souldier, who late was lately called into Scotland leaveing
one boy behinde him (by name James Baguley) which your peticioner
alloweing him the aforesaid pencion of foure nobles to maintaine
the same child which said summe is now denied by the treasurers to be
paid [unlesse?] since the said James Baguley is not at present
within this commonwealth of England whereby the child is
likely to be exposed to great penury and want (unlesse in
time by your worshipps prevented) [illegible]

May it therefore please your
worshipps to grant your order
to the treasurers of the county for
prisoneres and maimed souldieres
to pay the aforesaid summe of
foure nobles per annum to your peticioner
for the maintenance of the
said child and your peticioner shall
ever pray etc

Randle Palin, register for the parish of Malpas. QJF 86/1/116 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace
for the county pallatine of Chester assembled
att the generall sessions houlden for the said
county in the shyre hall the 19th and 20th
day of January 1657

The humble petition of Randle Palin regester
for the parrish of Malpas:

Sheweth that your petitioner being by the full
[consent and good approbation?] of the minester [illegible] and
major parte of the parrishioners of the said parrish
elected regester and sworne to the true and faithfull
keeping of the regester booke and of all accompts of
mareiges birthes and burialles in the said parrish before
Thomas Manwaring and Jonathan Bruen esquires and
justices of peace and quorum for this county in the
yeare 1653 and ever since that time hath observed
and performed the same now whearas their is severall
persons whose names are under written in the said
parrish have made a breach of the said act and have
made clendestine marriages and now live in the
grand sin of adultery and that the same act declareth
that all marriages both lawfull and unlawfull are
reffered to the right worshipfull the justices of peace
att their generall quarter sessions I humbly desire
this worshippfull bench to take the said act into
consideration and to graunt your worshipps order
for the convaying the said persones to the common goale
or such other punishment as this worshipfull
bench shall thinke meete:

Anthony Barlow and Dorothy Lewis
John Davies and Ellin Hooper
paratextTo appeare and hath
a certifficate from a justice and
minister Randle Wyan and Anne Manning
Edward Price and Anne Phillips
Randle Carsley and Elizabeth Gervis
Randle Woolley alias Thomas and Elizabeth Dew
paratextTo appeare on Saturday
[illegible] Randle Mooreton and Anne Price
Richard Doynton and Anne Boult
paratext[illegible] Robert ap Hugh and Davis and Alze Tumkin

Richard Dollett
and Mary Low
Thomas Edge
and Mary Hopley

William Taylor
and Mary Alliatt

Everard Sherman. QJF 86/1/117 (1658)

Middlewich Aprill
29th 1658

To the right worshipfull the justices of the
peace att this present quarter sessions.

The humble peticion of Everard Sherman

Humbly sheweth that your petitioner uppon the 5th of March last past (being a
sheriffes bayliffe) was employed by one Anne Wayne to serve an [execucion?]
issued out of the sheriffes countie courte att her suite; uppon the goods of Thomas
Broome and of Middlewich, and before hee had levied the same
hee was assaulted by the said Thomas Broome Marye his
wife Thomas [Amerye?] and John Hodgskinne, and by them beaten
[and?] [illegible] with an iron pestell iron fire shovell and
iron tongues and other weapons, insomuch that your petitioner was by them
cast out of doores for dead, and there left in the open streete
wallowing in his blood and hath received such a wound in his left
arme that hee is informed by persones of good skill that hee shall
never have any considerable use of itt while hee liveth that uppon
informacion of the truth of the premisses before Collonell Croxton
hee was pleased to committ Broome and his wife to prison for
want of sureties and to take sureties for Thomas Amerye his
appearance to answer the same att this present sessions, and John
Hodgskin hereuppon fledd

Your petitioner therefore humbly prayes that your worshipps wilbee
pleased to consider the injurye hee hath received in the
due execucion of his lawfull writt [illegible] which may tend to
the evill example of others and your petitioner yett not recovered
but in danger of his life, and that you wilbee pleased
to continue the said Amerye still bound and the said Broome
and his wife to finde sufficient sureties such as this court
shall thinke fitt to accept or else to remayne in prison
till your petitioner bee recovered in his health and as bound hee
will ever pray etc.

William Bayley of Calveley, laborer. QJF 86/1/118 (1658)

To the worshippfull the justices at this
present sessions assembled etc

The humble peticion of William Bayley of Calveley
laborer

Sheweth
that your peticioner haveing lived within the parish towneshipp of Calveley
in the parish of Bunbury for the space of twelve yeares dureing
which time he hath maintained himselfe and family without
being troublesome to any and [haveing?] five child seven seven children
(six whereof were borne within the said townshipp of Calveley) and his
wife to [maintaine?] [illegible] destitute of an habitacion to live in
being [illegible] to take any uppon the racke he is able
likely to be exposed to great misery and calamity unlesse
by your pious consideracion in time prevented

May it therefore please your worshipps
to granth your peticioner liberty to erect a
cottage within the townshipp of Calveley
aforesaid he haveing already obtained
free leave of the lord of the soyle there
soe to doe and your peticioner shall ever
pray

Anne Moseley and two small children. QJF 86/1/119 (1658)

Middlewich Aprill
29th 1658.

To the right worshipfull the justices of the
peace att this present quarter sessiones.

The humble peticion of Anne Moseley and two
small children.

Humbly sheweth that your petitioners husband William Moseley
went souldier under the command of Generall Venables
the voyage for Jameca and left your petitioner 3 small children
and her selfe and noe maynteynance nor estate but
your peticioners owne labour, that your petitioners husband never returned
but for ought your petitioner knowes was lost in the said service
or otherwise disposed of, soe that your petitioner is deprived
of him, and one of her children since dead, and the other two are
unable for themselves, and your petitioner since Generall Venables returne
hath [had?] [illegible] [allowance?] for a little tyme which hath
beene kept from her by the space of 12 twelve months
last past and upwards (as may appeare by the certificate
of Captayne Whitworth) and your petitioner and her children are
all most sterved for want of releife

Her most humble request to your worshippes therefore is
that in reference to her lamentable condicion you
wilbee pleased to afford her some pencion or releife
towards the maynteynance of her selfe and poore
children, and the rather for that your petitioners said husband
hath beene a souldier in the service of the common
wealth all the tyme of the late warres and as in
dutye bound etc.

Daniell Cartwright of Coppenhall, husbandman. QJF 86/1/122 (1658)

To the worshippfull the justices of the
peace of the county palatine of Chester

The humble peticion of Daniell Cartwright
of Coppenhall husbandman

Humbly sheweth

That whereas your peticioner being bread and borne within
the townshipp and parish of Coppenhall and haveing lived within
the said townshipp for the space of 48 yeares, alsoe
haveing his mother being of the age of 97 yeares (yet
liveing) and his wife and five small children to maintaine
and nothing to maintayne them on but what he gettes by his
owne industry and laboure and now being destitute of an habitacion
for himselfe and family to live in for want of which (being not
able through his poverty to take any uppon the racke) he
doth suffer much hardship and is likely to be exposed to much
misery unlesse by your pious consideracion in time prevented

May it therefore please your worshipps
to grant your peticioner leave to
erect a cottage within the
townshipp of Copenhall he
haveing free leave and consent
already of the lord of the soyle here soe
to doe

And your petitioner shall ever pray

Dorathie Venables, the relict of Richard Venables. QJF 86/1/123 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace of the
county of Chester, at this sessions assembled

The humble petition of Dorathie Venables
the relect of Richard Venables

Humbly sheweth
that your petitionour Dorathie Venables the relect
of Richard Venables lately deceassed, being in possession of one
house, and garden, scittuate, and being in Namptwich of the
chourch land, the inherritance of Sir Thomas Wilbrahams
the which house cost her husbandes father above one hundred
poundes buildinge, her husband being borne in the said house
and tennantes to itt neere 14 fourescore yeares payinge per anno thirteene
shillings foure pence; and your petitionour was married above 13
yeares unto the said Richard and brought two hundred poundes
and above to the said house; your petitionour being now aged above three
=score and foure yeares, shee is left alone, destitute, and
threattened, by the lordes bayliffes to be cast forth and dis=
possessed of the said house, Sir Thomas and his lady promised [they?]
the would not hinder mee her of itt, but his bayliffe sayth hee
hath power to doe what pleaseth him, your petitioner beinge a gentlewo=
man, astranger, one of the Grays of Lestershire

Humbly prayeth this honourable bench
to take pitty and commiseration, one
your petitioneres sade condicion and be pleased
to be ameanes, that Sir Thomas and his ladye
in her behalfe, that she may have her
house, and garden, payinge the [anti...?]
rent, or a reasonable fine for her
life

And shall ever pray etc.

Elizabeth Kent, late wife of John of Little Hassall. QJF 86/1/124 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace of the county
palatine of Chester assembled at the quarter sessions at Middlewich

the humble peticion of Elizabeth Kent late wife of John of Sandbach
Little Hassall in the county aforesaid

Sheweth
that whereas your peticioner hath lived a miserable life with John Kent
aforesaid her husband about three yeares hee entertaining other strange
women and so much addicted to them that at last hee left and forsooke
your poore peticioner his wife whom shee followed as farre as
Bristowe endeavouring to regaine his affection but shee laboured in
vaine hee the said John her husband bringing one of his lewd women
to lodge together with him and her in the same bedd upon which shee
desisted to seek after him and hath for this seaven yeares lived as
a widdow having never heard of him nor from him by all that
time

May it therefore please your worshipps to grant that
your peticioner may bee free in a second choice of another
husband if the lawes of the land will permitt and suffer
her so to doe you will ingage your peticioner in all humility
to pray etc

The inhabitants of Stanthorne, Occleston, Newton, Hutton and adjacent towns. QJF 86/1/125 (1658)

[County?] of
Chester

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace
now assembled att Midlewich.

The humble peticion of the inhabitantes of Stanthorne
Occleston Newton and Hutton and other townes adjacent

Sheweth
that whereas some of your peticioners have binn formerly [indicted?]
for not repaireinge the highway at the wallench although
your peticioners have endeavoured as much as in them lyeth
to have the way passable to their great charge and expences
but their hopes have binn still frustrated and made ineffectuall
by reason of severall floodes and cannot in any wise prevent
itt unless a stone cawsey may be erected and made at
the side of the water which workmen conceave will
cause it to be passable and permennent which charge will
be to the valew of 60 pounds or thereabout.

May it therefore please your worships to consider
the premisses in regard that severall persons
have binn in great danger of their lives
and that the way is very usefull upon severall
occasions as alsoe to prevent future
dangeres and wee shall ever pray etc.

• Ralph Walley
• John Pearson
• Richard Shawe
• Edward Minshull
• Robert Jackson
• Thomas Bouroughes
• William Hitchen
• Raph Holland
• William Higinson
• William Farrington


• William Yates
• William Harrison
• Mathew Wright
• William Ravenscroft
• Thomas Bousier
• John Dudley
• William Carter
• Hughe [Kincy?]
• Thomas Leigh

Elizabeth Lydiatt of Hatton, spinster. QJF 86/1/126 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace and
quorum for the county pallatine of Chester etc

The humble peticion of Elizabeth Lydiatt of
Hatton spinster

Sheweth
that her brother John Lydiatt and Elizabeth his wife both dyed within
a fourtnight about two yeares since, and left behind them two small
children Thomas and George thone about nine yeares of age, and thother
about foure, which have noe meanes or goodes to maynetayne them, but
must eyther have begged or starved had not your poore peticioner taken
care of them,

That your petitioneres mother is yet livinge, very old, decrepit, and not
able to helpe her selfe, and that she hath a brother who is a meire
idiott, and changlinge, and cannot goe from doore to doore to begg his
bread, all which are helples to themselves, and have nothinge to releive
them withall

May it therefore please your good worshippes to take commiseracion
upon the sad and truly to be pittied conditions of your poore
peticioneres mother, brother, and nephewes, and to grant your
order for some mayntaynance for them accordinge as in
your grave wisdomes shall seeme meete

And your petitioner as in all duty bound
shall ever pray for your good worshippes

Robert Wyld, a maimed and lame soldier. QJF 86/1/127 (1658)

The humble peticion of Robert
Wyld a maimed and lame souldier
in the state service

Sheweth right worshipfull and worthy honourable
bench desyreinge your good favour to take
unto your good consideracion your pooer peticioners
estate and condicion hearein beinge a bated
a third parte of my former pencion beinge
very unable to gett any parte of my liveinge
as formerly I have done by reason of hard
tymes and my charge increased and the
badnesse of tradeinge humbly desyreinge
your worships thy favours and goodness to grant me
your peticioner further order for the continuance
of my pencion your poore petitioner wilbe
ever bound to pray for your good health
and happyness

William Houghe of Bradwall. QJF 86/1/128 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace
at this quarter sessions

The humble peticion of William Houghe of
Bradwall sheweth

That whereas your petitioner, beinge borne in the parish of
Sandbach, hath beene ever ready to performe personall service
in the warres for the Lord Protector, and this common-wealth
and was a souldier in the last battle at Worcester.

And whereas your said petitioner hath a greate charge of wife and
children and noe house to live in but the last winter both
himselfe and family (haveinge noe habitacion but a poore shelter
made of cloddes) were almost destroyed with cold, and wante of other
necessaryes.

Wherefore the humble request of your petitioner
is, that your worshipps wilbe pleased to grante
an order to your petitioner that hee may have
some conveniente place appointed him
in Bradwell, wherein to erecte a house
and your petitioner shall ever pray etc.

• William [Flecher?]
• Hugh Lownes
• John Hope
• Hugh Hodgkinson
• John Bowlte


• William Oldfeild
• Joseph Menshull
• John Hogekenson
• William Sutton
• Richard Chesworth
• John Child

Thomas Snelson of Swettenham. QJF 86/1/129 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace at the quarter
sessions held at Midlewich in the county of Chester

The humble peticion of Thomas Snelson of Swettenham

Sheweth
that your peticioner was borne and hath lived in Swettenham
aforesaid for the space of 35 yeares and upwards and that hee
was a trained souldier in the parliamentes service from the
begining of the late warrs under the comand of Colonell
Venables untill Chester was reduced that he hath a
wife and fower small children, and the howse wherein hee
hath lived for many yeares last past beinge now otherwise
disposed of and noe other howse in the said towne to be taken
for money he is at present destitute of an habitacion
that your peticioner hath obtained the consent of the cheife
lord for erecting a cottage upon the wast within the
said towneshipp for an habitacion and succour of himselfe
his wife and children

The premisses considered your petitioner humbly prayes
that he may have the order of this worshipfull bench
for the erecting of the said cottage according
to lawe

And your peticioner shall ever pray etc.

• Thomas Snelson.

Elizabeth Bradbury, wife of Hamnet Bradbury of Sutton, labourer. QJF 86/1/130 (1658)

To the right worshippfull the justices of peace for the
county palatine of Chester now assembled at
Midlewich.

The humble petition of Elizabeth Bradbury wife
of Hamnet Bradbury of Sutton labourer.

Sheweth
that your poor peticioner with her husband have lived
seaven yeares within the townshipp of Sutton and
sixteene yeares within the parish of Presbury and have
had eight children borne in the said parish whereof one
is dumbe and have lived in good creditt and repute
amongst their neibours but of late yeares beinge fallen
into poverty and havinge soe great a charge of children
their neighbours are not willinge they should have
any habitacion within the said township for their money

May it therefore please your worshipps to
take your peticioners sad condicion into your
favourable consideracion and grant
that your peticioners husband may erect
a cottage upon the wast within the said
towneshipp and your peticioner as in
dutie bound will ever pray etc

Richard Burroughs. QJF 86/1/131 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace now
assembled att Midlewich.

The humble peticion of Richard Burroughs

Sheweth
that your peticioner was borne in Wincham in the parish of Great
Budworth and since hee was of abillity of body hath binn
a painefull and labourious servant where hee hath binn
hired and intrusted, but by reason of a long and tedious sicknes
[is?] unable to helpe himselfe and that little that hee got is
[already?] spent hee by reason of his weaknes and not able
[illegible] [...orke?] or helpe himselfe is now constrayned to peticion
[illegible] worships order for some releife and sustenance or
[illegible] hee is like to famish beinge destitute both of money
and freindes

May it therefore please your worships
to take these thinges into your serious
consideracions that some course may
be taken for the releife of your
poore peticioner and hee will ever
pray etc.

Timothy Adams. QJF 86/2/115 (1658)

To the worshippfull the justices of the peace at this sessions assembled.

The humble peticion of Timothy Adams

Sheweth
that whereas there was 5 marke in arreare for the building of Burr bridge wherupon
it was ordered that it should be received from Namptwich unlese it was shewed to the contrary at next
quarter sessions which they did accordingly.

May it therefore please your worshipps to grant
your order that the petitioner may receive the said
summe of 5 marke being in arreare
from the hundred of Namptwich and
your petitioner shall pray etc

Frances Morgell. QJF 86/2/116 (1658)

County palatine
of West Chester
1658

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace [illegible]

The humble peticion of Frances Morgell of [illegible]

Sheweth and informeth
that your said poore peticioner was as yet never suspected or detected for any manner of leaudnes or [mis...?] [illegible]
reputed and taken generally to bee a just true and honest woman untill now of late your said [illegible]
John Moumford of Adlington aforesaid dish turner for fynding and unjustly detayning [illegible]
(as hee alledgeth) by whose clamourous aspercions hee enddeavours not only to deprave [illegible]
your said peticioner as her lyfe and porcion wherby your said peticioner is depryved of her for [illegible]
hath [illegible] already [not only?] receyved great losse and disgrace by reason of the said [illegible]
your peticioner expulse your peticioner her native cuntry to the utter ruine and overthrow [illegible]
may receyve apleonary recompence and satisfaccion from the said Moumford not [illegible]
have and suffer condigne punishment for his so greevous and palpable offence [illegible]
ground of his slander from the mouth of aconjurer or wiszard and the [wiza...?] [illegible]
beginninge (as your said peticioner doubteth not to prove) for one William Taylor of [illegible]
Mounford to goe alonge with him and did shewe him the said wizardes [habit...?] [illegible]
consulted together concerninge this matter and the said Mounford hath alsoe [alre...?] [illegible]
at the howse of the said wizard.

Wherefore the premisses most tenderly considered your said [p...?] [illegible]
and that for Godes cause and zeale of justice to bee [illegible]
and distressed cause of your worshippes said peticioner as [illegible]
recompence as shall seeme most fitte in your [illegible]
peticioner is poore and not able to wage lawe [illegible]
all duty bound dayly praye for your worshippes [healthe?] [illegible]

James Croxton, a poor soldier. QJF 86/2/117 (1658)

To the honourable and right worshipfull the jusices of the
peace assembled in sessions att Namptwich.

The humble petition of James Croxton a poore souldyour

Shewinge
that the peticioner was borne in Wrenbury Frith in this county and there
was brought up untill he was able for service, and then lyved as
a paynefull servant in the parish, and carryed himselfe honestly and
justly and in good repute and then marryed, and uppon the last Scottish
invation the peticioner served as a souldyour in the states service under
Captaine Whitney and was att Worcester fight and there adventured his
lyfe in that battaile. Butt when he came home againe his wyves
weaknes and a charge of children cast the peticioner downe and the peticioners
[elder?] brother gott into the howse with his father and soe outed the
peticioner and he hath noe place of habytacion butt by sufferance as
yett

His suite to this honourable bench is, that aswell in
regard of his birth and residensie, as of his service for
his contrey he may have order to erect a coate
to lyve in upon somme part of the wastes in Wrenbury
or Frith the peticioner procuringe the consentes of
the lordes and charterers of the said towneship
and he will ever pray etc.

Ellenor, wife of Thomas Cotton of Cotton, esquire. QJF 86/2/118 (1658)

To the right honourable the Lord Bradshaw
cheife justice of Chester.

The humble peticion of Ellenor the disconsolate wife
of Thomas Cotton of Cotton in the county of Chester esquier

Sheweth
that your poore peticioner having for divers yeares lived with
her sayd husband (in a sad condicion) by reason of severall and
sundry extravagancies and intollerable abusing your peticioner
(not fitt to bee expressed or mencioned in a peticion) shee beeing
inforced for feare and perill of her life to live apart from him
yet by his permission and approbacion in promise of competent
maintainance which hee unjustly detaynes from her to her
utter ruine shee having neither subsistance for food or
rayment.

Her most humble suite is that her sayd husband
may bee required to appeare before your lordshipp
at Chester in the assize weeke that such further
course may bee taken herein as may bee most agreeable
to justice and your judicious judgment

And shee will ever pray for your lordshipp

Margarett, wife of Richard Rutter of Aston. QJF 86/2/120 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices
of the peace for the county of
Chester att their quarter sessions
of peace houlden att Namptwich
the 13th day of July 1658

The humble peticioun of Margarett wife of
Richard Rutter of Aston in the said county

Sheweth
that your petitioner have hath heretofore kept
an alehouse and therein hath behaved herselfe
orderly and civilly as may appeare by a certificate hereto annexed
from the most sufficient of the towneship of Astonn
afforesaid and alsoe that your petitioners house is conve
niently scituated and able to give entertainement to
travellers and alsoe a person of [a?] good repute amongest her
neighbours:

May it therefore please your worships
to admitt your petitioner to brew and sell
ale as formerly shee hath donne

And your petitioner shall
ever pray etc.

Edmund Robertes, a poor maimed soldier. QJF 86/2/121 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices
of the peace att this present sessiones

The humble peticion of Edmund Robertes
a poore maymed souldier

Humbly sheweth that your petitioner is a poore weake
impotent man, and made altogether unfitt for labour
or paines taking by reason of his many wounds received
in the late warres in the service of the commonwealth.

That your petitioner hath foure small infants and his wife
lately dead and hath noe estate att all to maynteyne
them nor any subsistence neyther from for them nor
himselfe, but what hee is enforced [illegible] beyond his
strength and to the hazard of his life to labour for
which your petitioner hath endeavoured soe long to doe that hee
is in noe wise able longer to continue itt, but himselfe
and his foure small helplesse infantes are unavoidably
likely to [sterve?] and perish.

Hee therefore humbly implores your worships
wilbee pleased to admitt him a pencioner
in this countye and to order him such yearely
pencion as shall seeme meete to your grave
wisdomes according to his necessitious and [distressed?]
condicion and as in duty bound hee will
ever pray etc.

William Olliver of Werneth, husbandman. QJF 86/2/122 (1658)

Cheshire
sessions

To the right worshipfull the justices of the
peace and quorum for the said county

The humble peticion of William [Olliver?] of
Werneth in the said county husbandman

Humbly sheweth
that your peticioner together with his wiefe children
and family have lived and continewed in the said
towne for severall yeares last past menteyneing
themselves by and through their handie laboure and
great paines takeing without beinge burthensome
unto any in the said towne but beinge nowe destitute
of a dwelling house to inhabite in as formerly

Your peticioner humbly prayeth
your good worshipps according to your
accostomed goodnes to take his
condicion into consideracion and
to grant him order to erect a
cottage upon the wast (or some
parte thereof) in Werneth aforesaid
to thend hee and his famyly may
not for the future bee destitute of
habitacion there hee first obteyning
lycense of the cheife lord of the
premisses soe to doe

And your peticioner shall ever pray.

Thomas Titherington of Titherington, yeoman. QJF 86/2/123 (1658)

To the right honourable the justices of peace and quorum for and within
the county of Chester at the generall quarter sessions of the peace
held at Namptwiche

The humble peticion of Thomas Titherington of Tithorington within the
said county of Chester yeomann

Humbly sheweth
that your peticioner beinge duely elected to bee supervisor for the highwayes within
the towneship of Titherington within the said county for this present yeare and alsoe sheweth that the
causey at thend of Bach bridge is fallen into some decay and that yt hath
togeather with the said bridge beene built by a generall charge [illegible] of the whole
county and that the said cawsey is now in some decay and if tymely course be not
taken and remeady made and had yt may come to be a vast and a greate charge to repaire
the same, which said decay hath beene viewed by severall knoweinge persons, and
the present charge which wilbee requisit to repaire the same will amount unto the
summe of five poundes, as by the certificate hereunto annexed more fully
yt doth and may appere.

May yt therefore please your honours to graunt the order of this
court, that soe much money may bee laid uppon the county
and leavyed and gathered and paid for the repaire thereof to such persons as yow shall instrust
and nominate to see the said worke perfected and to give such accompt
as yow shall please to order and direct and the rather because
if present and speedie remeadie bee not had and made afarr
greater summe will not doe the same, it beinge a very
greate and common high way.

And your peticioner as in duty bounde
will ever pray etc.

Thomas Titherington, supervisor of the highways for Titherington. QJF 86/2/125 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace at their
monethly meeteinge at Prestbury.

The informacion of Thomas [T...nor?] [illegible] Titherington supervisor of
the highwayes for the towneship of Titherington

Humbly sheweth
that their is a breach in the cawsey att thend of Bach:
bridge which will cost a reasonable summe of money to
repare yt which said bridge hath beene erected and
built by the whole county and the neighbowrhood
not able to repaire the same.

May yt therefore please your worshipps to graunt
the order of this court that this informer
may with the assistance of some sufficient persons
veiw the same and consider, what may repaire
yt to prevent a farr greater charge and to
thend the next court of sessions may uppon
your order graunt such remedie and way to
repaire the same as to their judgementes shall
seeme most meete.

• Thomas
  Titherington
  overseer

The supervisors and inhabitants of Acton. QJF 86/2/126 (1658)

To the worshipfull the justices of the peace
att this present sessions assembled

The humble peticion of the supervisours and inhabitants of Acton

Sheweth.

That wheras the pavement or cawsey scituate betweene Namptwich and
Acton church commonly called Acton pavement beinge a common high
road betwixt London and Ireland for carts and carriages to pass
that way both to Chester and Ireland and all North Wales is very much
out of repaire; and whereas there was heretofore a parcell of land with
in the said parrish lyinge in Henhall enclosed which was assigned to re
paire the cawsey untill it was taken away by Earle Rivers who is
the lord of the waste there; and seeinge that your petitioners have computed
with workemen that noe lesse then 100 pounds will sufficiently repaire
the same and that the parish wherein the same lyes is noe way able to
repaire the said pavement, since the charge thereof will amount unto
soe great a summe consideringe the very many waies the [are?] charged
with within the said parish and alsoe your petitioners have upon the like oc=
casion readily contributed their assistance to other places.

May it therefore please your worshipps to con=
sider the premises and to lay the said summe of
one 100 pounds upon the whole county or otherwise
as your worshipps shall thinke fitt

And your petitioners

Mary Vernon, wife of John Vernon of Newton, yeoman. QJF 86/2/127 (1658)

To the right worshippfull the justices of the peace for
the countie pallatine of Chester now assembled
at Namptwich.

The humble petition of Mary Vernon wife of John
Vernon of Newton yeoman

Sheweth
that your poor peticioner hath formerly peticioned and made
knowne her greevances and great distresse to the right worshippfull
the justices of peace for this countie and they ordered that
your peticioners husband should either take your peticioner home to
his house and allowe her such sustenance as the rest of his
family had and decent apparrell to wear: or els to give
your peticioner four pownds yearly to be paid her quarterly: and
your peticioners husband did take your peticioner home upon this order
but after a certaine season hee beat your peticioner and locked
all from her that she could not come by a morsell of bread
to sustaine her self but was forced to goe to her frendes for
releef and cloathes to put on or els she had famished and
starved.

May it therefore please your worshipps to consider
of your poor peticioners sad condicion and grant
that your peticioners said husband may shall either take
your peticioner unto him (which your peticioner most
desireth) and allowe her such food as the
meanest of his houshould hath: or els to
pay her four powndes a year to be paid
quarterly or what in your judgments shall think meet towardes her maintenance and
your peticioner as in duty bound will ever pray etc

Anne Clowe, widow. QJF 86/2/128 (1658)

To the right worrshipfull the justices
of peace at this sessions assembled

The humble peticion of Anne Clowe the
wife widdow.

Sheweth.

That your petitioners late husband being called to Worcester
fight gott such a cold there that he fell into a consumpcion through
the same, which he never recovered but lay very long weake being
uncapable to gett a livelyhood for his wife and five small
children untill about Whisontide last, about which tyme he
died and left your peticioner and her five children in a very [sad?]
miserable and deplorable condicion, as alsoe very great of the sixt
whereby she is not able to take any paines for their severall
lively hoodes.

May it therefore please your
worshipps to grant your peticioner
an annuall stipend for
the maintenance of her
selfe and children and your peticioner
shall ever praye

Thomas Pierson of Butley. QJF 86/2/129 (1658)

Countie of
Chester

To the right worshippfull justices
of the peace for this countie of Chester at
there quarter session held at Namptwich
the 13th day of Junly now asembled
for the said countie

The humble
peticion of Thomas
Pierson of Butley
in the parishe of
Prestbury

Humly sheweth that whereas your peticioner
was borne within the towneshepp of Butly
Butley and parishe of Prestbury and hath
there lived ever seince and now is married
and hath a charg of children and hath
not anie house to live in but of taking uppon the racke and
the inhabitence of the said towneshepp doe
refuse to sett your peticioner anie house room whereby hee
your peticioner his wife and children are
like to perrishe and your peticioner for want
of house room was forced to put up
a peticion to the right worsheppfull Sir
William Brereton Master Stanley and
Edward Hid at there monthly meetting at
Prestbury ther held the 11th day of May 1658
where there worshepps were pleased to grant
that your peticioner should to be referred to the oversiers of the
poore in the towneshepp of Butley to doe there duty
according to law or untill further order bee given
or the order of quarter sessiones for the erecting
of a cottage

Your petitioner therefor humley prayes that your
worshepps will be pleased to take the premisses
in to your grave and serious consideracion and to grant
your order that your petitioner may have a cottage erected
and sett up in some conveniant place within the said
towneshepp of Butley and your petinor as in duty
bound will ever praye

Mary Holland of Over, widow. QJF 86/2/130 (1658)

To the right worshipful the justices of peace att this sessions assembled

The humble peticion of Mary Holland of Over widdow

Most humbly sheweth that your poore very poore petitioner haveing had first
leave of Master Major of Over about the third of May last, (that being
the fare time there) brewed soe much ale onely as that John Armston
an excise man, gaged the said brewing to bee halfe a barrell, and noe
more, for the which your petitioner offered to pay to the said excise man soe
much as by act the said halfe barrell did amount unto the truth [whereof?]
may appeare by a schedule hereunto annexed upon oath before the
said Master Major of Over but the said Armston and his companion re=
fusing to take your petitioners money soe tendered as aforesaid came
with force and armes, and without constable or commission from the said Master
Major and broke your petitioners house, tooke all her waring apparell
that she had (save that on her back) much affrighted and astonished
your poore petitioner and her, to the undoeing in deed of your poore
petitioner and her poore children, who although of good parentage
(being daughter to Henry Starkey of Darley esquire) yet hath
noe other income or subsistance, but such or what shee getteth
by her needle to mainetaine her selfe and her pore fatherless children

May your worships therefore be gratiously pleased to correct
the sad abuses of these men, such high oppressours of the
poore and fatherless, and to grant your honours order
to the constables of Over for the receiving of her said
apparrell againe which as yett lye detained att Dorothy
Ellams's widdow in Over aforesaid, and your poore petitioner
as for ever bound shall for ever pray etc

Randle Turner, an infant. QJF 86/2/132 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices
of the peace att this present sessions.

The humble peticion of Randle Turner an
infant

Humbly sheweth that your petitioners father and mother
who lived in Congleton dyed about 7 yeares since and
left your petitioner and two small children more an estate
to the value of 37 pounds presently after whose decease
one of the said children allsoe dyed, and your petitioner and one other
being then onely left one William Peever of
Bradwall uncle to your father petitioner by the fathers side
did importune one your petitioners uncle
by the mother to suffer him to take your petitioner and
his meytye of the said estate into his custodye to educate
and did promise to condisend that your petitioner and other
uncle should by his free consent have the other child
and the other moytye of the said estate, and that hee
would maynteyne your petitioner according to his quallitye and
employ his estate for his best advantage, hee haveing
gott the said estate and your petitioner into his custodye hee
doth employ his estate to his owne use and [...es?] your
petitioner a begging.

Your petitioner therefore most humbly prayes the
assistance of this honourable courte for his releife
herein who is otherwise likely to perish or bee
chargeable to the parish where hee was borne or
else perish without releife, and as in duty bound etc

John Hussey the elder, parish clerk and sexton of p. Nantwich. QJF 86/2/133 (1658)

To the right worshippful the justices of the peace
at this sessions assembled

The humble peticion of John Hussey thelder parish
clerke and sexton of the parish of Namptwich

Sheweth.

That your peticioner beinge imployed in the offices aforesayd and in and
for the said parish hath for wages due to him by the said offices foure
pence from every househoulder within the said towne and parish
and forasmuch as William Browne Richard Jacson Randle Gibbons
Raphe Jackson John Yardley and John Read junior all of Nampt
=wich aforesayd with divers other inhabitants of the sayd towne
are behind and unpayd to your peticioner the said wages due to him
as aforesayd although the same hath bin demended seaverell times
from them by your peticioner, yet neverthelesse they denye to pay the
same to your peticioner except your worshipps warrante for the
collectinge of the same although the same hath accordinge
to the custome of the sayd parish bin payd by the inhabitants
thereof to your peticioner or to his predecessours time out of minde

May it therefore please your worshipps that your
peticioner may have releefe accordinge to the
ordinance for payinge of church dutyes and
that yow will bee pleased to grant your petitioner
warrant to gather the said wages due to
your peticioner by distresse accordinge to the said
ordinance and that the warrant for the
gatheringe of church dutyes due to the
church wardens of the parish aforesaid and
for your petitioner may be joyned togather in
one warrante

And your petitioner shall pray etc

Anne Hardy. QJF 86/2/134 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace of the
county pallatine of Chester assembled at this their
present quarter sessions of the peace houlden att
Midlewich Namptwich the 14th of Aprill July 1658

The humble peticion of Anne Hardy a poore cripple

Sheweth
that upon the peticion of your poore peticioner presented unto
your worships at the quarter sessions held at Namptwich July
the 15th 1651 itt was ordered that in respect that your
peticioner was borne in Wimbaldesley within the parish of
Midlewich, but yett had lived for a longe space within the
parishe of Minshull, and beinge not able to gett her liveinge
or to goe abroad for releefe, that the church wardens
both of the aforesayd parish of Midlewich and Minshull
should from the sayd 15th day of July 1651 pay unto
the said Anne Hardy the summe of sixe pence [illegible]
weekely for and towardes her releefe and menteynance
which was by the sayd churchwardens of the sayd parishe
of Midlewich for the most parte unperformed, insomuch
as your peticioners applyinge her self unto your worships at
the quarter sessions held at Midlewich Aprill the eleaventh
1654 procured a further order for payment of all arreares of
the sayd vi pence a weeke and for continuance of the sayd
payment, and yett the sayd churchwardens of the sayd
parishe of Midlewich have not payd unto your peticioner but
xxxix shillings ii pence, and now refuse to pay any more without a
further speciall order for that purpose, and forasmuch
as your peticioner for want of payment is forced to live
on the charrity of her frendes

Therfore humbly prayes that some strict and
speedy course may taken that the churchwardens
of the parishe of Midlewich may both pay her the
arreares now due unto her, and alsoe continue
their paymentes (accordinge to your former orders

And your peticioner shall ever pray [etc?]

Jeane Barlow of Lower Peour. QJF 86/2/135 (1658)

[Com?] Cestria

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace, within
this county assembled at theire quarter sessions at
Namptwich the 13 day of this instant July 1658 the
humble peticion of Jeane Barlow of Lower Peour
sheweth.

That whereas one Thomas Darlington of Brooke=howses, within the
parrish of Whitegate, in this county: hath beegotten one bastard
child, on the body of one Ellen Barlow, daughter to your
petitioner, who did lawfully father the same uppon the same
Darlington in the tyme of her greattest anguish in her travell
(the gettinge of which child hee doth not deny) but notwithstandinge
doth not come in, to take course, and order for the same accordinge
to law, albeeyt there have beene all probable meanes used to bringe
him thereunto, to the great trouble, and chardge, of your petitioner
with whome the child is, who is soe poore, that more then she gettes with
her hand labour she hath not to maintaine her selfe fower poore
children of her owne, and this infant of her daughters, and if
ether death, or sicknesse, seize upon her, they are all like to bee
cast upon the parrish where she and all her poore children are
but at pleasure, in a poore cote upon the wast which she feareth
the neighbourhood will pull downe, except, the father of the
bastard bee by your good worshipps ordered to free the towne
of the same, and brought in, to performe, what more, you in your
wisdomes shall appoint

The premisses tenderly considered, the man beinge soe
aversse both to authority, and the ministers who are
ymployd to execute the same, have beene remysse
in theire offices, whereby justice is retarded and
some of your worships warrantes neclected, humbly [praeth?]
your further assistance herein accordinge as you in your
grave wisdomes shall thinke meete, and the law [provides?]

Isabell Clarke of Ranow, widow. QJF 86/2/136 (1658)

To the honourable bench at the generall sessions of the peace

The humble petition of Isabell Clarke of Ranow widow

Humbly sheweth
that whereas your petitioner hath committed afoule and scandalous offence
for which she suffereth condigne punishment and humbly confesseth that she
hath justly deserved what is inflicted upon her

And also whereas the end of the law inflicted upon offenders is to bring them
to the sight of their offences and to humiliation and reformation of life
and your petitioner is truly penitent for her foule offence and is in hope that
this punishment inflicted upon her (through the blessing of God) will
soe worke upon her heart to prevent all foule miscarriages for time to come

May it therefore please this honourable bench to take your petitioners
condicion into your pious and charitable consideration, and to
thinke the punishment already inflicted upon her to be sufficient
and to release her to goe to her poore children which doe also
suffer in her absence. And the rather your petitioner humbly
beggs this favour, because the towshipp of Ranow is and
wilbee burthened with her poore children soe long as
she is in this condicion which (upon your serious consideracion)
if you would be pleased to order that the father of this
bastard child now with your petitioner may take it from her
to mainteyne it, and to [g...?] being an able man to doe it
and to graunt her liberty to goe home to her children to
keep them to worke, and by Gods assistance she shall and
will with all diligence imply her self and her children
in worke that none of them shalbee burthensome to
the said townshipp, and this infliction of punishment
upon your petitioner shalbee awarning to her all her dayes

The premisses considered if this honourable bench wilbee
pleased to graunt your petitioners humble request
she and her poore children shalbee obliged to pray etc

The churchwardens and overseers of the poor for p. Wibunbury. QJF 86/2/137 (1658)

To the right worshipful justice Thomas Manwareing
and justice Jonathan Bryan esquire

The humble request and petition of the churchwardens
and overseers of the poore for the parish of Wibunbury

Most humbly sheweth unto your worship that a poore child of
of one William Tompsones of Hough in our saide parish
lately deceased of whom with his wife allsoe deceased,
your pettitioners have been att greate coast and charge in the
time of theire sicknese and buriall, have left behind
one child which as yett is mainteined and kept at the
charge of the saide parish.

May it therefore please your
worships, (if to justice it appertaine)
to grant your order that the grand=
father of the saide child one
Randull Tumpson of Swettenham
may be ordered to take the saide
child and keepe it, if your worships
shall soe thinke meete and accord
ing to law

And your pettitioners will ever pray
etc

Raphe Dod of Bonebury. QJF 86/2/138 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace at the quarter sessions
for the cownty palatyne of Chester etc.

The humble peticion of Raphe Dod of Bonebury a poore
blynde man aged fowerscore yeares or thereabouts.

Humbly sheweth unto this honourable bench

That whereas your poore peticioner did heretofore by his owne honest labors and
indeavors mayntayne himselfe and famely with creddit and comfort, and releived the
poore according to his abilitye, untill aboutes ten yeares agon, that his sight fayled
him which to his great charge he used all meanes to recover but could not procure
any helpe for yt, and by reason thereof hath byn forced to live upon the charetye
of his good neighbors and parrisioners who having many others more in the parrishe
to bee releived your poore peticioner being altogether to help himselfe unhable and
is like to suffer much by reason of his wantes if some speedy course be not taken
in his behalfe.

May it therefore please your worships to take the lamentable condicion
of your poore peticioner into your serious consideracion
what way of mayntenance and what allowance your
worships shall think meete for your poore peticioner during
the little remayning tyme of his life and your peticioner
shall dayly pray etc.

Rose Snelson of Swettenham, widow. QJF 86/2/139 (1658)

County of Chester.

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace and quorum assembled
at the bench at quartersessions at Namptwich.

The humble peticion of Rose Snelson of Swettenham wydowe.

Sheweth and informeth.

That wheras your worshippes poore peticioner beinge a very poore woman having a great charge of smale
children is unjustly interrupted of her just right tytle and possession of apart of howsinge by
Thomas Snelson of Swettenham aforesaid weaver who pretendes atitle from her late husband deceased
for aterme which is already longe since expyred, and intendeth to hould and possesse the same
so longe and untill the said Snelson have built himselfe a cottage upon Swettenham [heath?]
(yf hee can have and obtayne so much favour.) And in the interim your peticioner [illegible]
destitute of any habitacion whatsoever to her great greefe and undoinge. And the said Snelson [illegible]
therein by forcible possession and letten down the buildinges therof contrary to lawe [illegible]
good conscience your poore peticioner being a very poore woman and farr unable to [illegible]
for righting of her just complayning cause therein.

Wherefore the premisses (most tenderly considered) your said poore peticioner [illegible] [humbly?] [illegible]
this honourable bench and that for Godes cause zeale to justice and tender pitty [illegible]
to your peticioner and children as to take such speedy course and order [illegible]
as shall seeme most just in your worshippes wisdome so as the said buildinges therunto
belonginge maye bee reedifyed before winter and your peticioner will as
duty bound dayly pray for your healthes and happines heare and hereafter.

Dorothy Calley. QJF 86/2/140 (1658)

County of
Chester

To the worshipfull the justices of peace for the
county of Chester in their quarter sessions

The humble peticion of Dorothy Calley

Humbly sheweth that your peticioner haveinge lived some yeers
last past within the township of Tattenhale within the said
county and demeaned her self amongst her neighbours
[sc..ely?] and peaceably not beinge burthensome to any have
=inge maintayned her selfe by teachinge younge children
to reade and sowe but nowe groweinge in to yeeres and
wantinge a place of abode to live in.

The premises considered her humble desire
is your worshipps would be pleased out of your
goodnesse and charity to graunte your order
with consent of the said lords of the said
manner that shee may have liberty to
erecte some small place upon the comons
or waste of Tattenhall for her to live in
and shee as in duty bound shall ever pray
for your worshipps health and happynesse.

The inhabitants of Tattenhall in support of Dorothy Calley. QJF 86/2/141 (1658)

To the worshipfull the justices of peace for the
the county of Chester in their quarter sessions
held for the said county.

Wee whose names are hereunder subscribed inhabitance
of the towneshipp of Tattenhall doe humbly certify
that Dorothy Calley of our said towne hath lived amongst
us for some yeeres last past and hath demeaned her
selfe amongst us [sc...ely?] and peaceably and maintayned
herselfe by teachinge yonge children to reade and sowe
our humble desire is your worshipps will be pleased to graunt
your worships order with the consente of the lords of the manner
for the erectinge of acoate upon the wast of Tattenhall
for her to inhabitt in and the rather because shee is
very usefull for the educateinge of yonge children wee
haveing none that teacheth schoole neere us thus wee
thought good to certify and remaine

Your worshipps servants

• John [Wrenshaw?]
• Hugh Dod


• George Edge
• Peter Dutton
• Robert Edge the marke of
  


• Peeter [Falkn?]
• Peter Tilston
• Raph Lowe
  the marke of


• John Bruce
• George Lorden

John Bromley of Wichmalbank, innholder. QJF 86/2/142 (1658)

Namptwich July the 13
58

To the right worshipful, the justices of peace att this sessions assembled

The humble peticion of John Bromley of Wichmalbank comitatu Cestria inholder

Most humbly sheweth, that your petitioner was and is ever forward, since the first, to act, and pay any thing (according
to reason and his power) advantagious to this state and cause; offered Master Lewellin
and the rest of the excise men, to pay by barrell, or thirty-shillings with bond per quarter (their utmost
demand being thyrty two) yet did they distraine your petitioners horses, demanding 40 shillings for the distraine
and fifty shillinges per quarter for brewing ale or beere, to sell for the future, threatning
also to fetch a second, and a third distraine, thereby to seize upon all that estate your
petitioner had for him, and his to subsiste upon in the world, and that if your petitioner shold give bond,
hee that said Master Lewellin would upon the least default, give up your petitioners bond into the exchequer
to receive the forfeiture, on purpose, through apparant malice, to keep your petitioner from brew=
ing ale, or beere, to sell as formerly, although hee keep, and long hath kept a common, and
ancient inne for that purpose; whereby your petitioner (liveing formerly in good creditt and
repute amongst his neighboures, and never sued for any debt of his owne) is now,
since thiese excize mens late showne cruelties, sued, and dayly cald upon for monney
both which, had never happened to your petitioner had hee but injoyed his former freedome of
brewing to sell, the which, since the proclamation of this same sessions, your petitioner
hath divers, and severall times sought for to obtaine, by goeing downe to the office, there
to give bond and security, but could never find any person or persons there, unto whom
your petitioner might once tender the same, through which none composition with them, (though upon
like and equall tearmes much sought for by your petitioner) hee your said petitioner, is not onely
debarred of his brewing, but of buying his beere of the common brewer to retaile it,
who refuses soe to sell it him, through thiese excize mens sollicitations, warneinge,
and importunities, and by them brought thereunto.

May your worships therefore be gratiously pleased, to putt your [illegible]
[illegible] power into practise, for the righting of such wrongs, [conferd?]
upon you; that soe your petitioner like others in the like case, may ether pay propor=
tionably by barrell, or give equall bond, which may not be challenged but upon
just and good grounds (if any such shall happen) according to the act in the
case made and provided; and that your petitioner relying, and casting himselfe
wholly, upon your worships, may not be thus exposed, and lye open to thiese [illegible]
apparant malice and fury, tending, to his, and his childrens overthrow, but that
by some meanes, as your worships in your graver judgements shall judge just [illegible]
act provides, your petitioner may be relieved, the ruin of him and his prevented,
and your petitioner, as for ever bound, shall for ever pray etc.

Randle Sharman, late surveyor of the highways in Buglawton. QJF 86/2/143 (1658)

To the worrshipfull the justices etc.

The humble peticion of Randle Sharman late surveyor of the highwayes
within the towneshipp of Buglawton

Sheweth

That whereas a summe of nine pounds and upwards was imposed uppon the
Buglawton aforesaid towards the repar of the highwayes within and about the
said towneshipp as alsoe towards the building of Danehenshawe bridge betwixt
Lawton Lowe and Congleton, yet nothwithstanding there are severall who doe neglect
to pay the severall summes imposed uppon them towards reparacion of the said highwayes
and making of the saide bridge (towitt) John Hollinshead of Buglawton yeoman
William Gibson of Biddle in comitatu Stafford husbandman John Portor of same husbandman.

May it therefore please your worshipps to grant
your order to levey and gather by distresse or
otherwise the severall summes imposed uppon
the severall persons above named who
neglect to contribute towards the said
high wayes and making of the said bridge

And your petitioner shall pray etc

Elizabeth Clarke of Macclesfield, widow. QJF 86/2/144 (1658)

To the honourable bench at the generall sessions

The humble petition of Elizabeth Clarke
of Macclesfield widow

Humbly sheweth
that your petitioners late husband Christopher Clarke
was a souldier in the late warr under the commaund of Captain
John Leadbeater and was slaine at Hoult, and your petitioner
(being a desolate widow with a poore diseased child upon her
hand) had a yearely pension of fortie shillings allowed her
which was paid her quarterly for some few yeares after
but the order whereby it was graunted was afterwards
lost at another sessions where it was shewed to the bench
and she could not gett it againe

Since which tyme tenne shillings of your petitioners
yearely pension hath beene kept backe, with a
promise from the bench, that if need required
it should be added againe which never yet was done

May it therefore please this honourable bench to take your poore
petitioners case into your pyous and charitable consideracion
your petitioner herself growing into yeares is very dimme
of sight and can gett very smale towards a livelyhood
and her poore childes disease (being the evill) doth soe farre
grow upon her that she is not able to worke insomuch
that your petitioner hath beene constrained to sell those smale
necessaryes in her house to relieve her poore child in
her necessity

The premisses considered your petitioner humbly prayes that
this honourable bench will be pleased to order your petitioner
her whole pension in regard of her childs great
weaknes

And she shalbee engaged to pray etc

Richard Eldershaw. QJF 86/2/145 (1658)

Cheshire
[sessions?]

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace for the county
aforesaid at the quarter sessions houlden at Namptwich.

The humble peticion of Richard Eldershaw.

Humbly sheweth unto your worshipps that your peticioner hath soe many
yeares last past by vertue of a power from the worshipfull the
justices of the peace to him by their severall licenses
brewed and sold ale and beare in the towne of Auldlem in
this county dureinge all which tyme your peticioner hath
kept a civill and orderly house notwithstandinge some
persons (not loveinge your peticioner) endeavour to prevent
your peticioner from beinge bound

May it therefore please your good worshipps
to take the premisses into your consideracion
and grant your peticioner a license to sell
ale and beare unless cause can be shewed
to the contrary and your peticioner
shall ever pray etc.

William Francis of Acton, laborer. QJF 86/2/146 (1658)

To the worshippfull the justices of the peace this present
sessions assembled.

The humble peticion of William Francis of Acton laborer

Sheweth
that whereas your peticioner haveing lived within the parish of Acton within the
county of Chester for the space of twelve yeares and now being very
poore and about 60 yeares of age and haveing a wife and two children to maintaine
and nothing to maintaine them of but what he getts by his owne industry
and labour and now being very destitute of an habitacion and not able
through his present poverty to take any uppon the racke

May it therefore please your worshipps to grant
your peticioner an order to erect a cottage
uppon some part of the wastes within the
parish of Acton aforesaid he first
obtayneing free leave of the lord
of the soyle there soe to doe.

And your peticioner shall ever
pray etc.

• Edward Burghull
• Edmund Mainwaringe
• Richard Prachatt
• Randle [illegible]

Henrye Beighton of Bartomley. QJF 86/2/147 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the
peace att thies present sessions

The humble peticion of Henrye Beighton of
Bartomley

Humbly sheweth that your petitioner being a tallow chaundler
by trade and fully stockt and well to [live?], and having att
least fifftye pounds in stocke of candles and tallow, and being
uppon the fiffteenth day of December last abroad making
his marketts itt pleased God that by a violent fire
happening in the night tyme, all your petitioners whole estate
together with his dwelling house, was burnt and cleerely
destroyed to the utter ruine destruccion and overthrow
of your poore petitioner his wife foure small children and a poore
ould woman his mother in law insomuch that they are now
reduced to the charitye of theire freinds for a livelihood
and subsistence and your petitioner and his charge aforesaid
like to begg theire bread from doore to doore unles
your [illegible] worshipps ayd extended

His humble peticion therefore is that your honours
wilbee graciously pleased to afford your petitioner
your letters of request to procure him the charitable
benevolence of well disposed people in the severall
parishes within this countye to the end your petitioner if
God see itt good may gaine something towards
his releife by your worshippes gracious assistance
your petitioner being very desirous to labore for his living
for the maynteynance of his wife and family if bee
[illegible] any stocke wherewithall and as in duty [bound?]
hee will ever pray etc.

Inhabitants of the hundred of Worrall. QJF 86/2/148 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justice of peace now in sessions
at Namptwich

Humbly sheweth

That wheare as your poore peticiones of the hundred of Worrall, hath
beene alwayes readie to contribute to the repaire of many
bridges, in the body of this countie and now haveinge occasion to
desire the assistance of the countie towards the repaire of Neston
and Shotwick bridge to make them passable for cartes to goe
on soe that the cartars for Chester may goe (as usually they
have) the shore way to the shipinge with there ladinge
for Chester that thereby they may not goe the land roode
to the distroyinge and [cutinge?] out the causey to the great
damage of our hundred which said land roode hath cost lately
fiftie or sistie pounds to repaire.

Thereffore humby pray your worships that yu would afford your assistance for soe
necessarie worke and allow that the sume of thirtie pounds
may bee raised out of the whole countie to wards the make
inge and fittinge the said fore said bridges, soe that cartes may
pas that way and the other unusuall rode [repared?] and wee
shall be readie and continue willinge to contribute to others, as
yu in your wisdoms shall thinke fit:

And in dutie pray:

The inhabitants of Ranowe. QJF 86/2/149 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the
peace for the countye of Chester at the
generall quarter sessions of the peace houlden
at Namptwiech.

The humble peticion of the inhabitants of Ranowe
within the said county

Sheweth
that about the last of March 1657 one Reignald
Pickeford came into Ranowe, and there procured worke
at a coale myne, who in May after tooke a house from one
Richard Shawe, whereunto he brought his wief and children to
inhabite, from a place called Luddworth in the countye of
Derbie the place of their last settled aboad, that shortly after
the said Shawe beinge presented at a monthely meetinge for
enterteyninge the said Pickford and his family cast them
forth of his said house, and the said Pickeford his wief and
children beinge cast forth in the frost and snowe, and he beinge
a workeman at the coale pittes of one John Swindells of Ranow
aforesaid, the said John did receive them into some of his out
houseinge to save them from perishinge, untill the next month
ly meetinge after held at Presbury, whither the said John
did repaire to know the justices pleasures concerninge the
the said persons, who at that tyme commended the said charitable act of the
said Swindells, and desired the him to suffer them there to
continue untill further order, now soe it is that the said
Reignald himselfe, shortely after went forth of the said
townshipp, and doeth now inhabitte in Staffordshire, but
hath left his said wief and children in Ranowe, who without
the helpe and relief of this honourable bench for their removall
are likely to be burdensome and chargeable to the said township

The premisses [considered may?] it please this
honourable bench, to [illegible] [...der?] either
for the removeall [illegible] the said
Pickefordes wief and [illegible] [her?] said
husband; or unto [illegible] [...ir?] last
setled aboad, that [illegible]
be freed from soe [illegible]

And your petitioners will [illegible]

The inhabitants of the township of Kingsley. QJF 86/2/150 (1658)

To the honorable the justices of peace within the county
of Chester assembled at Nampwich this present quarter
sessions held for the said county.

The humble petition of the inhabitants of the towne
shipp of Kingsley

Sheweth
that there is a lane and common highway leading from
Torperley to Frodsham bridge commonly called Barkers Lane in
regard it adjoyneth to certaine lands within the towneshipp of
Neuton herunto belonging to one Henry Barker of Neuton aforesaid

That the middle of the said lane is the meete and bound betwixt
the said townshipp of Kingley and Neuton and the inhabitants of
either towne have time out of mind constantly repaired the said
lane as the highway lay; the inhabitants of Kingsley where the
highway and roade lay on Kingley side and the inhabitants of
Neuton where the highway and roade lay upon Neuton side

That the 9th of Aprill in the fourth of King Charles the said
inhabitants of Newton did peticion the then justices who ordred
that the inhabitants of Kingley should make the one half of the
said highway unlesse they cold shew cause to the contrary att the then
next quarter sessions

That the inhabitants then of Kingley did then shew for cause that
the highway and pavement did pavement did for the greatest part ly upon Neuton side
and that Kingsley had many other highwaies to repaire within ther
theire owne townshipp and that the said towne of Neuton had not any other high
way but onely the said lane within theire townshipp wherupon it
was by the said then next quarter sessions referred by Master John Savage
and Doctor Byrome then tow of the justices of the said county to view
the said lane and certifie or compose the difference betwixt the said [two?] townes wherupon the said referries mett and by the consent of the said
inhabitants of both the said townes it was then agreed that in regard
the said lane was in greate decay [illegible] [therefore?] the said inhabitantes
of Kingsley should for that present [illegible] therof and for the
reasons aforesaid they the said [inhabitants?] [illegible] [should?] for ever after
wards bee freed from all repaire [illegible] [...id?] highway

That the said inhabitants of Kingley [illegible] [a great par...?]
therof on Neuton side and have [illegible]
repaire thereof.

That neither the said agreement nor the [illegible]
being knowne to the jury att a [quart...?] [illegible]
for this county both the said the inhabitants [illegible]
of the said highway and the said inhabitants of [illegible]
standing the they well know the premises to be [illegible]
the inhabitants of Kingley to repaire the decayes now growing
in the lane and highway on Newton side

May it therfore please your honour to order that the said inhabitants
of Neuton may for the present repaire the decayes in the said high
way espesially those which are fallen on Neuton side and that the
truth of the premises may be referred and fully examined and
certified att the next sessions by such as your honours shall think
fitt in the meane while to intrust therwith that therupon such
finall order may bee made therin by your honors at the next sessions
as to justice doth appertaine.

And your petitions will ever pray for your
soules

Anne Moseley, widow of William Moseley, a soldier. QJF 86/2/151 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace for the county
pallatine of Chester now sitting at quarter sessions in
Namptwich.

The humble peticion of Anne Moseley the distressed widow of
William Moseley late of Kinarton a soldier deceased.

Sheweth,
that your petitioners said late husband faithfully served the common=wealth as
a soldier from the beginning of the late warres, and went over with Generall
Venables as a soldier to Jamaica, and never since returned, leaving
your poore petitioner and two poore children in a very meane condicion, having
no subsistence to releeve them but with your petitioners hard labour, till such
time as it pleased Captain Whitworth to commiserate her condicion, and by his
importunity to the committee appointed for Jamaica procured her some
small allowance, but within a short time it was debarred her and hath beene kept from her
above 15 or 16 moneths past, soe that your petitioner, and orphanes are in a very
languishing condicion, and ready to perish for want unlesse some other
timely provision be made for their reliefe, as by the certificate annexed
fully appears.

That your petitioner of late is credibly informed that the said committee have
perfect intelligence of the death of your petitioners husband, and that if she
had but meanes to beare her charges to the said committee, and in the
interim to mainteyne her said orphanes, she doubteth not, but they
will take her condicion into their charitable consideracions, and releeve her
as others in the same case.

The premisses considered your poore petitioner humbly imploreth your worships
clemency to be extended towards her, and to order her such reliefe
as will carry her and her orphanes on her said intended journey [illegible]
[illegible], as to your worships charitable wisedomes shall
seeme meet.

And your petitioner etc.

Thomas Williams of Broxton, labourer. QJF 86/2/153 (1658)

To the worshipfull the justices of the peace in theire
quarter sessions held at Middlewich the 7th day
of Aprill 1657.

The humble peticion of Thomas Williams of Broxton in
in the county of Chester labourer humbly sheweth that
your peticioner haveinge lived within the said towneshipp in
good creditt and as a poore and honest man for the space of tenn
yeeres last past but soe it is may it please your worshipps have
in a wife and six small children borne in the said towne and little withall to main
tayne them and unwillinge to cast them upon the parish
for releife (he never beinge chargeable to the parish former
ly, his humble request and desire is that you would be pleased
out of your goodnesse to [graunt?] your worships order to the inhabitance
of the said towneshippe that a habitacion or some place
of abode may be provided for your peticioner as your worshipps
and the towne [shill?] thinke that he his wife and six small
children may not be cast oute and lost for wante of a
place to live and abide in and your peticioner his wife and
children will ever pray for your worshipps health and
happinesse.

William Wright. QJF 86/2/155 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace
assigned for the county of Chester the
humble petition of William Wright.

Sheweth
that wheras your petitioner upon his humble
petition dyrected to the justices for
this county in their generall sessions
was by their order dated at Middlewich
the 29th day of Aprill 1658 thereby
dyrected to have a place of habitation
provided for him and his family in the
parish of Handley where the petitioner
hath beene an inhabitant for foure
yeares last past

Yet so it is if it may please your worships
that after notice given of the said order
some of the inhabitants refuse to give
your petitioner any releife at all, so that
your petitioner and his family remayne
unprovided of any place of habitation
which the petitioner prayes may be taken
into consideration, and he releived
according to justice

For which he shall
pray.

John Johnson of Gawseworth, husbandman. QJF 86/3/134 (1658)

[County?] of Chester

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace at Middlewiche
assembled

The humble peticion of John Johnson of Gawseworth within
the said county husbandman

[Humbly?] sheweth
That your peticioner was a foote souldier in the late parliamentes service
under the command of Captain John Leadbeater and was wounded
in the arme att Farnedon [whi?] in the said service, by reason whereof
hee is unable to gett his owne liveinge and that this court was
pleased heretofore to admitt him as a pencioner and had allowed
him thereby twenty shillinges by the yeare but since hath beene
reduced to thirteene shillinges fower pence by the yeare, which will
not by much in any smalle manner support or uphould his
necessitous condicion

May yt therefore please your worships to increase your
peticcioners pencion and allowe him the summ of forty shillinges
by the yeare, or such other summe yearely as may seeme
most meete to your judgmentes and to support your peticioner in
his want and necessity and the rather because the
[illegible] truith of the premisses does now fully appere by the
certificate hereunto annexed.

And your peticioner as in duty bound
will ever pray etc.

The inhabitants of Gowseworth in support of John Johnson. QJF 86/3/135 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace
at Middlewych assembled the first of September
1658

The humble certificate of the inhabitantes of
Gowseworth whose names are subscribed

Sheweth unto your worshipps that whereas John Johnson of
our townshipp was formerly wounded in the arme at
Farndon, under the command of Captain John Leadbeater
by which wound he became lame and unable to gett his
maintetenance and thereuppon had twentie shillinges
formerly allowed him towardes his mainetenance and
of late but 13 shillings 4 pence yearly which is a very small
pension towardes the mainetaineinge of himself and
family he beinge utterly lame and unable (as uppon
the veiwe of his arme will appeare) to doe little
towardes his livelyhood, and in regard wee paye
yearly forth of our townshipp towardes the relief of
maymed souldiers (and have noe more pensioners
amongst us) the some of 3 pounds - 6 shillings - 8 pence therefore wee
intreat your worshipps to consider the sayd deplorable
condicion of your sayd pensioner and afford him
yearly fourtie shillinges forth of the sayd 3 pounds 6 shillings 8 pence
which wee submitt to your worshippes consideration and
subscribe ourselves

Your worshippes most humble servantes.

• Edward Fitton
• William Brownell
• Richard Lowe
• William Harden
• Edeward [Kelsaw?]
• George Stubes
• Edeward Geskell
• Thomas Jackson
• John Brankraft
• Rondell Brewerton
• Edward [Giee?]
• Richard Lisle
• Edward Gardnor
• Nathaniell [Pas?]
• John Chorle
• Thomas Swaine
• John Swaine


• Thomas Redditch clearke.
• Edward Reddich
• Roger Henshall
• Edward Moreton
• George [Low?]
• John Johnson
• Edward Bradhurst
• Edward Sharman senior
• Edward Sharman junior
• Richard Posson
• John Plant
• Peeter Sidbotham
• William [Savaige?]


• William Hammond
• Roberte Hammond
• Edward Lowe
• John Gee
• John Johnson
• Edward [.elso?]

• John [Bollard?]
• John [Hiar?]
• John Hollines
• Edward [...ldon?]
• John [Pag?]
• Edward Gandy

The inhabitants of Newton near Kingsley. QJF 86/3/136 (1658)

To the honourable the justices to conserve the peace assigned
to heare and determine diverse trespasses and other
misdemeanours within the county of Chester att the generall
sessions of the publique peace held att Knotsford in
the saide county the 16th day of November in the yeare
of our Lord God 1658.

The humble peticion of the inhabitantes of the towne
of Newton neare Kingsley in the parish of Frodsham
in the saide county of Chester

Humbly shew
that whereas there hath binn difference betwixt your petitioners
and the inhabitantes of the township of Kingsley concerning
repaire of the highwaies betwixt the saide towneships
and that upon debate and hearing of the differences
betweene severall of the inhabitantes of both the saide
townships touching the repaires of the saide waies
att the last generall sessions held att Namptwich it
was ordered, that the saide waies in both townships
in reference to the present and future tyme should bee repaired
according to the manner and way prescribed and appoynted
by an order then produced in the saide courte formerly made
by the honourable Thomas Lord Viscount Savage and Sir John
Doane knight deceassed

Now forasmuch as that in obedience to the saide orders your
peticioners have repaired the saide way as much as belonges to the
saide township of Newton as may appeare by the certificate of
severall sufficient inhabitants in the saide parish of Frodsham
hereunto annexed

Your peticioners
humbly pray that in consideracion it is by the
neglect of the township of Kingsley the saide
waies are still unrepaired that your peticioners
may bee discharged of any damage may happen
against them being that both townes stand
presented for the same and that the inhabitants of the saide towne
of Kingsley for theire neglect as formerly in
the like case they have binn, may bee ordered
to dischardge the fees due upon the saide
presentment or pay such fines as shall bee
imposed upon the saide townships for theire
neglect of making the saide way or otherwise
as in justice to your honours may seeme
most meete

And your peticioners will dayly pray etc

• William Key
• Richard Weston

The petitioners in Mottram parish. QJF 86/3/137 (1658)

To the right worshippfull the justices of the peace for the county Chester

The humble petition of the petitioners in Mottram parish
humbly sheweth that the pentioners are all liveinge videllicet:
Widow Booth Widow Heape Widow Kindor Widow Wagstaffe
Widow Bradley Widow Wolley Thomas Bredburie Ellice
Collyor Gerrard Collyor.

Wee humbly intreate your good worshippes that these poore pentioners
may have theire allawance as formerly whereas there is in areare
behinde due to us one halfe yeares pay in Master Standleys time wee
therefore have petitioned for this small portion three or four
severall times and he hath promissed and never performed and
wee have had orders granted out upon severall petitions that we
should have the money paid us and yet we are without it the pentioners
are in great neede and necessity full of imperfections as lame and blinde

Therefore we humbly beseech and desire your good worshipps to
take this into serious concideration that we may have those
areares which are due to us which Master Standley and Thomas
[Deine?] have severall times promissed to us but yet have not full
filled theire promisse alsoe wee expect that we should have
our charges made up which we have beene at in makeinge [petitions?]
and in travellinge and wee your poore petitioners shall ever pray

The church wardens doe certifie
the truth of this petition

• Thomas Kenorley
• John [Collier?]

Edward Barber, Robert Bradford, Richard Turner, Edward Dawson and John Bischinhaugh. QJF 86/3/138 (1658)

The humble peticion of Edward Barber Robert Bradford
Richard Turner and Edward Dawson and John Bischinhaugh

To the honourable the justices of peace and quorum
for the county of Chester

Humblie sheweth
that whereas six hundred pownds is charged uppon the county
for the building of Otterspoole bridge theis peticioners humblie
pray that they may have the benefit of building the said
bridge they being inhabitantes in this county and giveing security
to doe the worke reasonably and sufficiently and they will
pray etc.

John Wrench of Shurlach. QJF 86/3/139 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace assembled
at the quarter sessiones at Knuttesford the humble peticion
of John Wrench of Shurlach in the county of Chester

Sheweth
that whereas your peticioner at the last great leet held
for the hundred of Northwich was presented by Raphe
Briscoe constable of the towneship of Shurlach
aforesaid for not repayring the lane lyeing next to the
landes of the said John Wrench which hee in no waies
was ever lyable to repaire nor maynteyne and
by sufficient evidence at the court aforesaid did fully
proove the same upon his traverse to the said presentment
notwithstanding one Richard Chantlor of Shurlach aforesaid Shipbrook devising
and maliciously intending to vexe and trouble your poore
peticioner hath ende threatned and your peticioner verily
beleeves to hath indicted him heere againe for the same offe
supposed offence and on purpose to impoverish him

May it therefore please your worships to supersede
and stay his proceedings heere and that the verdict
in the court aforesaid may end and determine
this matter and that your peticioner may not against
law bee twice vexed for one feyned crime
you would ingage your peticioner in all humility
to praie etc

William Phillipps of Hale. QJF 86/3/140 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace att the generall
sessions of the publique peace holden at Knottesford

The humble peticion of William Phillipps of Hale

Sheweth
that your petitioner with his wife haveinge inhabited in Hale by the space of
about 14 yeares past, and haveinge mainteyned themselves and theire
children (beinge now five in number) upon their owne labours, without
beinge burthensome to any, are now fallen into poverty, and disenabled
(in some measure) to gett theire liveliehoodes as formerly, and are altogeather destitute
of a habitacion.

And forasmuch as your peticioners neighbours in Hale are willinge
that your peticioner shall have a cottage erected upon some part
of Shadowe Mosse in Hale aforesaid, and your peticioner hath great
hopes to obteyne the consent of the lord or lords of that wast
for the same,

Your petitioner therefore humblie praieth that hee may have
the order of this court for ereccion of a cottage as aforesaid
and hee will apply himselfe speedily to obteyne the consent
of the lord or lords of the wast thereunto,

And as in duety bound will ever praye etc

Wee whose names are subscribed inhabitantes
and howseholders in Hale aforesaid doe hereby
(what in us lyeth, and as farre as wee are concerned)
freely consent, that the petitioner may have a cottage
erected, accordinge to his peticion, wee beinge
sensible of his poore estate, and great want
of a habitacion,

• Thomas Hesketh
• Richard Grantham
• Henery Hesketh
• William [Barrett?]
• Lawrence Hardey
• Thomas [Pirrin?]
• John Goolden
• Thomas Newton
• John Lambe
• Robert Hollinhurst
• William Wallton
• Hugh Coppocke


• William [Ecles?]
• [illegible] Partinton
• Robert [Persson?]
• William Partington
• Marie [Arstingshall?]
• Richard Janney
• William Coppocke
• Humfrey Worthington
• Richard Rylands
• Thomas Sanderson
• Edmund Newton
• William Hobson
• Robert Letherbarrow
  his marke
• John Warburton
• John Borgis
• Richard Lether
• Henry Warburton
• Isaac Rylands
• Henry Warburton
• Thomas [.older?]
• George Bury
• William Barrett [juniore?]

James Tittell and Elizabeth Houlbrooke, wife of John Houlbrooke. QJF 86/3/141 (1658)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace
for the county palatine of Cheshire sittinge att the
quarter sessions houlden in the county aforesaide

The humble peticion of James Tittell and Elizabeth Houlbrooke wife to John
Houlbrooke of Alurnley yeoman

Humblely sheweth unto your worships that whereas one Thomas Leech
of the foresaid towne and county beinge aman that is both bound to his
good behaviour as all soe to keepe the peace to all the leige people under
the command of the Lord Protector hath most voilently and uncively abbused
the wife of the foresaid James Tittell and John Houlbrooke callinge
them whores and nominatinge them whose whores the weare with diveres
orther candolouse reprochfull speeches to our wifes greate disgrace and wee
theire husbantes discreditt, our request and peticion his in this behalfe
unto your worships that your worships wilbe pleased to keepe the said Leech
unto his behaviour and the abearinge of the peace towarde us and all
other his highnesse the Lord Protectors true subjects and till wee may
take some legall course in the law to right our selves and prove our
wifes weomen of an other carrage

And wee as in dutye bound shall ever pray

Elen Urmeston of Meyre, widow. QJF 86/3/142 (1658)

County of Chester

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace
holden at Knuttesford for the county aforesaid
at their quarter sessions there houlden.

The humble peticion of Elen Urmeston
of Meyre widdow

Sheweth
that shee hath lived in the mannor and lordship of Meire aforesaid
for seaventeene yeares and upwardes last past, and for eleaven
yeares therof and more was marryed to Roger Urmiston deceased
and for soe longe both did with her sayd husband live (till about
Candlemas last) by whom shee had and hath four children
the yongest wherof was but a quarter old at the fathers
death; that since the death of her said husband shee
hath with her sole care and handlabour maintayned herselfe
and them (save what hath beene charitably bestowed on
her and them for their releife) now forasmuch as shee is
thus weake in estate, and overburdened by soe many
yonge children, and hath beene beholden to others as
aforesaid, and hath noe habitacion for herselfe or children
but at will of others,

Shee humbly prayes that shee may have liberty
to erect a cottage within the said lordship and mannor
of Meyre for her selfe and children wherin to
reside, and shee doubts not but the inhabitants
here will humbly in her behalfe [re...f?] her
consent and approbacion of the lord of the
said mannor herein,

Anne Smith. QJF 86/3/143 (1658)

[Com?] Cestria

To the honourable bench at the generall sessions of the peace

The humble petition of Anne Smith

Humbly sheweth
that your petitioner is now growing into yeares and weake in
body through many infirmities and diseases, and want a
place of abode to reside in, and in regard it was my
hard fortune to have a child, which hath occasioned me to
suffer much misery and distresse, and have undergone the
penalty of the law for my offence. But in regard of the
charge of my child, I cannot have intertainement in any place
to settle for the present

That your petitioner was borne in Hanley in the parish of Prestbury, and
brought up in Disley in the parish of Stockport, and soe soone
as your petitioner was growne up she lived in service and mainteyned
herself sufficiently untill she had that misfortune, for which she is truly
penitent, and although your petitioner hath brought this charge and
trouble upon her self yet if she had aplace of abode to reside in
she would not be burthensome to any place further, then for
some smale habitation to dwell in for her life

And in regard your petitioner was brought up in Disley within
the parish of Stockport it is her humble request that she
might have some place of abode there provyded for her to be
a succour in her ould age, and by Gods assistance she will
not be any further troublesome or burthensome to any person
whatsoever

May it therefore please this honourable bench, to take the case of your
petitioner into your pyous and charitable consideracion, and to give
order that some provision may be made for an habitacion for
your petitioner in or about Disley in the said parish of Stockport to
be arefuge for your petitioner in her ould age wherein your petitioner
humbly submitts her self to the wise consideracion of this honourable bench
to make such provision for her as in their wisdome they shall thinke
fitt and convenient

And herein you highly engage your petitioner to pray etc

The gentlemen and inhabitants of Nantwich in support of Margaret Woodward. QJF 86/3/144 (1658)

November 13 58

To the right worshipful the justices of peace att this sessions assembled

Wee the gentlemen and inhabitants of Namptwich whose names are subscribed
doe hereby certifie that Margarett Woodward wife of Thomas Woodward
of Namptwich aforesaid is, and ever hath bene, nothing to the contrary to us
knowne a woman of an honest, decent and civill deportment, very laborious
and painefull to mainetaine her self and children haveing foure all unable
for themselves, and soe dependant upon the said Margarett and her
sick husband, never well since this most malitious scandall raised upon
the said Margarett (to the great disgrace of her and her posterity) by one
Catherine Prince, for the stealeing of one yard of cloath; which the said
Catherine Prince by her invocation of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and turneing
of the riddle wold find out the said Margarett to have taken the said cloath
right worshipful the said Margarett, is a neighbour well knowne unto us all,
and hath very much used many of our houses in labouring and takeing
paines amongst us, wee never knew her to be faultie that way in the least,
and conceive this grand aspersion, to be a most malitious scandall,
which makes us all to become your worships supplicants that the said Margarett and
Thomas her husband being by the said Catherine bound to the peace, may
be now released, it being to their ruin to continue bound, the said Thomas be=
ing exceeding weake, their charge great, and nothing to mainetaine them
all but what the said Margarett acquires by her labour aforesaid; as also
that the said scandall tending to the overthrow and disgrace of them and
theires, may be looked upon, and we as bound shall pray etc

• James Smith
• John Brocks
• Thomas [Tench?]
• John Mainwaring
• Richard Venables

The inhabitants of Dutton, Leigh and Barterton in support of Robert Shingler. QJF 86/3/145 (1658)

To the worshipfull the justices at this present bench assembled.

Wee the inhabitants of the severall towneshipps of Dutton,
Leigh and Barterton, beinge at this instant present at the
court heere held for the towneshipps aforesaid and not
knowinge how to have that accomodation at this instant
nor any other tyme for our selves nor travellers as formerly
wee have had heere by reason that the bearer hereof
Robert Shingler is supprest from brewinge or sellinge ale or
beere: wee therefore whose names are hereunto subscribed are bold
to make knowne unto your worships the want of soe convenient a place
both for our selves and others, and that wee knowe not any one man
more fittinge to undertake the same then this bearer, nor noe place person
soe able and fittinge to give entertainement to people of all sorts as
hee is: neither have wee ever heard that hee hath any way misdemeand
himselfe duringe the tyme that hee did formerly brewe and sell ale.
Our humble request therefore is that your worships will bee pleased to
graunt him your lycense once more soe to doe againe that soe both wee
and others may finde accommodation, which now is wantinge. And for
soe doinge you will oblige both him and us to bee
your humble servantes

Barterton 12th July 1657

• Thomas Nedham
• [Ceycester?] Ran: Egerton
• Philip Prichard
• Ralphe Starkey
• Ralph Morhall [illegible]
• William Harcourt
• Thomas Blackburne


• John Turpin
• Peter Bromfeild
• John Hulton
• William Martin
• Joseph Rowcrofts marke
• Josseph Basartt
• John Barker
• John Broadhursts marke
• Richard Bancrofte
• John Worrall
• Abraham Darlington