John Deacon: The Examination of John Deacon of Leadenhall Market Grocer 5 February 1698/9

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The Examinacon of Iohn Deacon of Leadenhall Market Grocer Feb^ry 169$\frac{8}{9}$

He saith that abo^t. 2 years ago Iohn Deverill (who formerly made Sword Hilts) brought to the Examinant's house a Deal box nailed down w^ch. was heavy and a few days after he brought or sent a great Iron Wedge to y^e Examinant's house and left it it {sic} there and the Exam^t. seing {sic} the said Deverell no more for above $\frac{1}{2}$ a year after open^d the box to see w^t. was in it and found in it a heavy {Masery} piece of Iron abo^t. {8} or 10 inches broad and 14 or 15 inches long hollow in the midle and y^t. the Exam^t. sold the said wedge for old Iron and aft^rwards meeting with Deverill bid him fetch his box away and Deverill did so. afterwards abo^t. $\frac{1}{2}$ a year ago the said Deverill and one Lawson comeing to the Deponents (which is the Swan Tavern in Leadenhall Market) to drink they brought with them a new wedge shorter then the former and left it there desiring the Exam^t. to lay it by which the Exam^t. did for abo^t. a month and then sent Iohn {Aunger} a Cooper and Kinsman of the Exam^t. to throw it away and he threw it into the Thames and that abo^t. $\frac{1}{2}$ a year ago the sd Lawson desired the Exam^t. to let him have the use of his Garret one day for ab^t. 2 houres and had there a Cha{ss}{ff}ing Dish of fire and his wife was with him there to assist him but w^t. they did together the Exam^t. knows not the Exam^t. saith further y^t he never was concerned w^th the sd Lawson or Deverell or any others in making or putting off false money nor knoweth and thing of their concern in such practises

In^o Deacon

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