James Beer: The Information of James Beer 19 September 1698

|Devon Ss| The Informaion of James Beer of the Parish of Axminster in y^e said County Inn Holder taken upon Oath the 19.^th day of September ANNO DNI 1698

The said Inform^t Saith that ab.^t the Latter End of Aprill last the Driver of M^r Thomas Morriss's Waggon left at his house in Axminster aforeS^d a Small Box directed to be left in Axminster for one M^r John Harris. This Informant further Saith y^t no ꝑson comeing for the said Box and being inquisitive to know what was therein because the box was of a greater weight than usuall of such a bigness, did on Thursday last (togeather with one James Daniell Jun^r. of Axminster aforeS^d) open the Box found therein, five Severall peices of Iron of Severall Formes, the Likeness whereof this said Inform^t never saw before but was im̄ediately told by the said James Dan.^ll that four peices thereof were like some peices of the Engine he saw at the Castle in Exeter the last Assizes when M^r William Bird was on his Tryall for Coyning                      James Beere

Jurat coram nobis William Deak Henry Walrond

The Informaion of James Dan.^ll Jun^r. of Axminster taken on Oath y^e day & year aforS^d The said Inform^t Saith that he with the above said James Beere did open the Box above menioned and found their in as above said fice Several Peices of Iron of Severall formes and further saith y^t four peices thereof, were well like some peices of y^e Engine he Saw at y^e Castle of Exon y^e last Assizes when M^r Will: Bird was on his Tryall for Coyning.                                                   James Daniel ju^r

Jurat coram nobis William Deak Henry Walrond