20 Records of the Rising in the West, A.D. 1655. 
She acknowledges the kindness of Richard Cromwell and 
Sydenham in the following letters :— 
Mrs. Penruddock to the Lord Richard Cromwell, 
** My L, 
Could I return a gratitude suitable to the high obligations which your 
L‘shippe hath been pleased to honor me and mine with all, I should think my 
pen well employed, but since I cannot I hope your L'ship will remember who 
it was that accepted the widow’s mite, and upon that consideration will not 
refuse my humble and grateful acknowledgement for your high favours already 
so charitably begun, beseeching your L‘ship to give such a continuance to them 
that I and mine may reap the benefit of our requests by your L*ships further 
favourable intercession, which shall assuredly whilst I live oblige me to be 
My L‘. 
Your grateful humble 
May 30 Servant 
1657.” ARUNDELL PENRUDDOCE, 
But this monetary assistance was soon exhausted, having been 
partly pledged perhaps before it was paid. Two months afterwards 
she is again obliged to importune the kind-hearted son of the Protector 
and Sydenham. The |etter to the latter comes first in order of time, 
Mrs. Penruddock to Colonel Sydenham. 
“ My La, 
An humble gratitude ought allwayes to attend a charitable Perform- 
ance, Such is mine at present for haying understood by my cosen Bowman, of 
my cosen Fitzjames’ his sollicitation to your Lordshippe and your Lordshippes 
favourable assistance, and dispatch of my childrens late petition, I could not 
but returne A just acknowledgement w. I and mine must for ever Pay to 
your Lordshippe as a tribute to your charity. I understand by my cosen 
Bowman that there is A second petition in behalf of my children presented to 
his Highnesse, w*". is likewise referred to your Lordshippe and others to report, 
My humble request therefore, is to your Lordshippe (and that with teares) to look 
upon, and consider the distress of my Poore Orphans, who are allready soe 
miserable that they have only this comfort that they are soe young that they 
know not their calamity, and that your Lordshippe would be pleased to quitt 
yourself of my Troublesome Importunity by addinge your favor and assistance 
to the second petition wt. a speedy dispatch w, will be a double charity con- 
considering the season of the yeare cominge on w™. will prove Some Present 
Benefitt and for the future engage my poore childrens Prayers and myselfe 
for ever to be. 
My L‘, 
June 25 Your Unfortunate Kinswoman and 
1657: humble Servant 
My humble service to ’ ARUNDELL PENRUDDOCK, 
my noble cousen your Lady 
My cosen Bowman will acquaint 
you with all the particulars,” 
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