William Johnson: The Information of William Johnson Farrier at the Barbers Pole near the Watchhouse in Radcliff highway 8 February 1698/9

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The Information of William Johnson Farrier at the Barbers Pole near the Watchhouse in Radcliff highway taken this 8^th. day of February 169$\frac{8}{9}$

Hee saith that 4 or 5 days before the apprehending of M^r Lawson Broadhurst and himself M^r. Lawson sent him to mrs Lawson the wife of the said M^r. Lawson for Flasks and Crucibles and brussells sand + Tanners ashes and a brush and said that one M^rs. Williams a soldiers wife had put away some hundreds of Spanish pistolls for him but they begann to be blown and would go no longer and he intended to try Guineas and French Pistolls and when the Informant had been two or 3 times for the said Things but could not get them the said Lawson bid the Devill take the Informant for his money would be all gone before he could get the things then on Tuesday night going again to M^rs. Lawson he mett Bazill Turton comeing out of her house and there received the Flasks of him but did not carry the Flasks to m^r Lawson because he had orders not to bring him any of the things till he had them all but on Wednesday night he carryed them all viz^t. the Flasks sand, ashes Crucibles and brush to m^rs. Lawson and the next morning being Thursday between 10 and 11 of the Clock the said Lawson cast a Guinea and a French Pistoll can cut them round with a pair of scissors and guilt them after he m^rs. Broadhurst had filed themand he put the Guinea in his pockett and the Informant saw it no more and that the said m^r. Lawson mrs Broadhurst and himself being apprehended that night upon their being sett at liberty he the said Lawson said that he could make a fool of twenty such as the Warden and M^r. Molyneux {in discourse}

W^m Johnson

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