[137]. Baillie (Lady Grisel), House Book, Introd. Ixiv.
[138]. Fiennes (Celia), Through England on a Side-saddle, p. 224.
[139]. Yorks. N.R. Q.S. Rec., Vol. I., p. 29. 1605-6.
[140]. Hertfordshire Co. Rec., Vol. I., p. 63. 1639-41.
[141]. Hist., MSS. Com. Var. Coll., Vol. I, p. 113, Wilts. Q.S. Rec. 1646.
[142]. Cox, Derbyshire Annals, Vol. II, p. 176, 1693.
The following cases are representative of an immense number of petitions from widows and the impotent poor:
1608. Margaret Johns having dwelt in Naunton Beauchamp for 55 years has now no house or room but dwells in a barn, she desires to have house room and will not charge the parish so long as she is able to work.
1620. Eleanor Williams charged with keeping of young child is now unprovided with house room for herself and her poor child, her husband having left the soile where they lately dwelled and is gone to some place to her unknown. She is willing “to relieve her child by her painful labour but wanteth a place for abode” prays to be provided with house room.
(Bund, J. W. Willis, Worcestershire Co. Records, Vol. I., pp. 116-7, 337).