Bridget McGowen to Benjamin Franklin and the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council (unpublished)
[February 22, 1788]

The Petition of Bridget McGowen of Solesbury Township, County of Bucks & said Commonwealth Creditor of James Barrett of said Township County & CommonWealth Mercht. & Dealer Respectfully Sheweth

That Whereas the said James Barrett Using and exercising the Trade & Business of A Mercht. and Dealer by way of Bargaining, Exchange rechange & Bartry and Seeking his Trade & Living By Buying & Selling for Just and Good Causes being Indebted to your Petitioner in the Sum of Two hundred pounds & upwards did on or about the Twenty second day of February Instant become a Bankrupt within the meaning of the Act of Assembly of the said Commonwealth lately made & provided entitled an Act for the regulation of Bankruptcy, to the intent to defraud and tender your said Petitioner and others his Creditors of their Just debts & duties to them due and oweing, In tender Consideration where of may it please your Excellency to Grant Unto your petitioner A Commission Under the Great Seal of the Commonwealth to be directed to such and as Many well disposed and Discreet persons as to your Excellency may seem Meet Authorizing them thereby not only concerning the said Bankrupt his Body, Lands Tenements Free holds and Customary Debts and other things whatsoever, but also concerning all other persons who by Concealment Claim or otherwise do or shall offend touching the premisses or any part thereof Contrary to the true Intent and meaning of the said Act of Assembly and to do and execute all and Every other thing and things whatsoever as well for & towards Satisfaction and payment of the said Creditors as for all other Intents and purposes according to the ordinance and Provision of said Act and your petitioner as in Duty bound will ever pray

her
Bridget X McGowan
Mark
To His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esquire President of the Supreme Council of the Commonwealth of Pensylvania.

[in BF’S hand] Let a Commission issue directed to Matthew Clarkson, George Hughes, Peter Baynton, Richard Bache, & David Lenox, Esquires, or any four or three of them, for the purpose within mentioned Feb. 22. 1788

B Franklin, Presidt.

To the Secretary of Council.

Bridget McGowen of Solesbury Township County of Bucks & Commonwealth of Pensylvania Spinster maketh Oath & saith that James Barrett of said Township County & Commonwealth Merchant & Dealer in indebted Unto me the said Bridget in the Sum of Two Hundred pounds and upwards and that the said James Barrett is become Bankrupt within the Meaning of the Act of Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pensylvania lately made & provided concerning Bankrupts as this Depont. is informed & believes.

her
Bridget X McGowen
Mark

Sworn before me this twenty second day of February 1788

[John Johnson]

Notation: Bridget McGowans Petition—Febry 23rd. 1788 in the Case of James Barrett a Bankrupt
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