A breviate of the life of Margaret, the daughter of Francis Charlton ... and…

§. 2. We were born in the same County within three miles and an half of each other; but she of one of the chief Families in the County, and I but of a mean Freeholder (called a Gentleman for his Ancestors sake, but of a small Estate, though sufficient): Her Father, Francis Charlton Esq was one of the best Justices of the Peace in that County, a ⟨p. 2⟩grave and sober worthy man, but did not marry till he was aged and grey, and so dyed while his children were very young, who were three, of which the eldest daughter and his only son are yet alive. He had one surviving Brother, who after the Fathers death maintained a long and costly suit about the Guardianship of the Heir (yet living): This Uncle (Robert) was a comely sober Gentleman, but the wise and good Mother Mary durst not trust her only Son in the hands of one that was his next heir. And she thought that Nature gave her a greater Interest in him than an Uncle had. But it being in the heat of the late Civil War, Robert being for the Parliament, had the advantage of strength, which put her to seek relief at Oxford from the King, and afterwards to marry one Mr. Hanmer, who was for the King, to make her interest that way. Her house being a sort of a small Castle, was now garrisoned for the King. But at last Robert procured it to be besieged by the Parliament's Soldiers, and stormed and taken; where the Mother and the children were, and saw part of their buildings burnt, and some lye dead before their eyes; and so Robert got possession of the children.

§. 2. We were born in the same County within three miles and an half of each other; but she of one of the chief Families in the County, and I but of a mean Freeholder (called a Gentleman for his Ancestors sake, but of a small Estate, though sufficient): Her Father, Francis Charlton Esq was one of the best Justices of the Peace in that County, a ⟨p. 2⟩grave and sober worthy man, but did not marry till he was aged and gray, and so dyed while his children were very young, who were three, of which the eldest daughter and his only son are yet alive. He had one surviving Brother, who after the Fathers death maintained a long and costly suit about the Guardianship of the Heir (yet living): This Unkle (Robert) was a comely sober Gentleman, but the wise and good Mother Mary durst not trust her only Son in the hands of one that was his next heir. And she thought that Nature gave her a greater Interest in him than an Unkle had. But it being in the heat of the late Civil War, Robert being for the Parliament, had the advantage of strength, which put her to seek relief at Oxford from the King, and afterwards to marry one Mr. Hanmer, who was for the King, to make her interest that way. Her house being a sort of a small Castle, was now garisoned for the King. But at last Robert procured it to be besieged by the Parliament's Soldiers, and stormed and taken; where the Mother and the children were, and saw part of their buildings burnt, and some lye dead before their eyes; and so Robert got possession of the children.