Thomas Chaddock: The Examination of Thomas Chaddock, servant to James Mainwairing 17 October 1699

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|Citty of Chester Ss }| Examinatīns taken upon Oath before W^m Bennet Esq^r Mayor of the Citty of Chester and John Williams Esq^r D.^ty Rememb^rof y^e Same Citty upon Tuesday the 17.^th day of October in the Eleventh year of his Ma.^ties King Will^m y^e Third over Engl^d &c.^t Anno Fin 1699.

Thomas Chaddock Serv^t to M^r James Manwareing of y^e Citty of Chester Merch.^t examined upon Oath saith y^t yesterday being y^e 16.^th day of this last October about 8. a clock at night M^rs Maynwairing (wife to y^e S^d M^r James Mainwairing) this Examinants Mistress acquainted this Exam̄t y^t she discovered a sort of Sulphurious Smell in y^e Parlour of the S^d M^r Mainwairings house, w^ch Smell she fear'd proceded from Some dangerous Fire ab.^t y^e S^d house w^ch Smell she feared , w^ch upon this Exaiānt Searched Severall Rooms in y^e S^d house and ꝑticularly the Back Cellar where this Exaiānt observed a Smoak comeing through a brick wall from y^e dwelling house of M^r Joseph Horton on y^e West side of y^e said Sellar and gave an Acco.^t thereof to his S^d Mistress Who immediatly Sent for y^e S^d M^r Mainwairing (he being then out of said house) Who p^resently returned home, and this Exaiānts S^d M.^rs Sent him to y^e S^d M^r Hortons house to enquire further there concerning y^e said fire & this Exaiānt went according by between the Hours of Eight & Nine at night to y^e S^d M^r Hortons House and knocked at y^e door, and instantly heard Some borly going down a pair of Staires towards the Seller of y^e S^d M^r Hortons House, and ab.^t 2. Minuits afterwards the S^d M^r Horton came up Staires out of y^e S^d Sellar and Standing upon y^e S^d Stairs (as this Exaiānt beleives) he y^e S^d M^r Horton asked this Exaiānt what was the Matter, who answered that there was a fire in y^e said M^r Hortons Sellar w^ch put this Exaiānts M^rs in great fear, M^r Recorder haveing observed y^e Smoak to come thro y^e Wall of the S^d Cellar, Whereupon S^d M^r Horton replyed, that it was very true y^t there was a fire below, and y^t the Smell w^ch was then ꝑceived did ꝑceed from some Salt Petre which he y^e S^d M^r Horton used in refineing, and y^t all was Safe, and this Exaiānt im̄ediately answered and related to his S^d Master & M.^{rs t} y^e said M^r Horton had told him, but this Exaiānts S^d Master being unsatisfied therewith Sent this Exaiānt a Second time enquireing him to See the place where the S^d fire was and upon what Occasion, whereupon this Exaiānt went again between the Hours of 9 & 10 at Night and Knocking at y^e S^d Mr Hortons door, he p^resently came to the door, and when this Exaiānt told him his business as aforesaid, He yⁿ S^d M^r Horton said he would SHew this Exaiānt where y^e S^d fire was, and opened the door and let in this Exaiānt, and im̄ediately locked y^e door again, and layd his hand upon the Wall, in y^e Hall of y^e said House and S^d the Smoak came y^t way, and y^t he was only melting down some Brass to make Some im̄ages on for to be used at his Country house at Cotton Hook and y^t all was way Safe, and y^t this Exaiānt Should See y^e place where y^e fire was y^e Next Morning, but this Exaiānt pressing to Se it im̄ediately He y^e S^d M^r Horton took this Exaiānt down into y^e S^d Cellar, and there Showed him y^e S^d fire w^ch was there Glowing and burning away violently, and there was then a peice of a Melting pot upon the fire, and Severall Great Stones were thrown down from about <1v> the said Fire and the said M^r Horton being then in a very great seat said he had been Melting Brass and Silver but that he was then a putting out the said Fire and all was very Safe and that he would Not Stir till he saw y^e Fire quite out                                         Tho: Chaddocke