James Blades: The Examination of James Blades 11 July 1702

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|{Dunhelen} Ss| The Exaiaion of James Blades in custody taken 11.^th July 1702

Who saith that about 4. years ago John Button als Broadley late of Cubeck in the north Rid of the County of York & Christoꝑ Shaw late of Larthington in Rid p^red Cooper went to W^m Busby of Thirsk in y^e said Rideing Grocer, then in York Goale and y^e S^d Button, and Busby had there a private conference together, and the S^d Button shew'd the said Busby an Instrument for coyning call'd an Edger w^ch the S^d Busby declar'd was a very good one, and also S^d that as soon as he got out of Goale he would Joyn with them in carrying on the trade of Coyning and would supply them from time to time with money, as they shud have occasion, and accordingly order'd Isaac Buby his Brother (who kept his Shop in Thirsk afores^d) to pay unto John Button 4. guineas, w^ch this Exa^t saw Pd by the S^d Isaac to the S^d Button, at Thirsk afores^d The Ex.^t further saith, that the S^d Wm Busby said he was ill used by Dan.ll Otty his father in Law, who had given him no porion w^th his Daughther, and also said <1v> that when he got out of Goale he would be revenged of him and would have prevail'd with this Ex.^t to have burnt the S^d Danll Ottys house, and S^d he would get some others to assist him, And further saith that ab.^t 4. years agoe, he see the afores^d X^tP Shaw fileing Iron and Steel togeather at Orton in Westm^er {ly} to make Instrum.^ts for coyning, and ab.^t $\frac{1}{2}$ a year after, he saw him a Henry Smithsons house Sen.^er at Larthington fileing of the like Instrum.^ts for coyning and that his Exa.^t before the fileing of the same, see the said X^tP Shaw assist the S^d In.^o Button in forgeing the same, and further sath that Robert Hutchingson of Gateside in the County of Durham Gen̄ and Ambrose Sympson of the same March.^t about 2 Years agoe bought a pair of Dyes or Stamps for halfe Crowns of this Exa.^t and gave him 4.^£ in good money for the same, And y^t the S^d Robt Hutchinson and Henry Smithson jun^ior of Rash in Swaldale about two years agoe went to Morpeth Goale (as y^e S^d Henry Smithson hath confessed) to one ..... Fox a prisoner there to be instructed how to whiten Copper. And further saith, y^t ab.^t 3. Years agoe y^e Exa.^t delivered to one David Hodgson of Westp. in y^e S^d County of Durham, Sixteen Counterfeit $\frac{1}{2}$ Crowns to utter for him and allowed the S^d David 2.^s6^d ꝑ lib for uttering the same. that ab.^t the same time y^e S^d David Hodgson invited this Exai.^t to his house, who accordingly came and there met one ChristoP Sheild of Toft hill in y^e S^d County of Durham Corver, who desired some Counterfeit money of this Exai.^t and Brought a Bottle of white wine to y^e S^d David Hodgsons house, w^ch he S^d Henry Young of Toft hill afores^d Gen̄ sent to drink with the Exa.^t and ab.^t 8. weeks after this Exa.^t met with the S^d Christ Sheild at the house of ...... Burdon of Cockfeild in the S^d County of Durham, where he delivered unto him 40.^s in Counterfeit $\frac{1}{2}$ Crowns, and allow'd him 2.^s6.^d ꝑ lib for uttering the same, And further saith that because he this Exait. not furnishing the S^d Sheild with such summs of false money as y^e S^d Henry Young had Occasion for, he therefore the S^d Young turned the S^d Chr: Sheild off from Corving. And further saith that W.^m Harwood of Bernards Castle whitesmith rec.^d from this Exait ab.^t a year & $\frac{1}{2}$ agoe Six Counterfeit $\frac{1}{2}$ Crowns, and had from this Ex.^t after the rate of 2&6.^d ꝑ lib for uttering the same, and that ab.^t 3. Years agoe he repaired a Loop & wedge for coyning belonging to the Inform:^t Exam.^t And further Saith that Ruth the wife of Mark Addington of Bernards Castle aforesaid Cordwain^er ab.^t 4. years agoe rec.^d from him 8. Counterfeit $\frac{1}{2}$ Crowns of Mix't Metall, he allowing 2.^s6.^d ꝑ lib for uttering the same, and y^t about 2. months after the said Ruth rec.^d from this Ex.^t 8. $\frac{1}{2}$ Crowns more of y^e like Counterfeit money at the same rate, And farther saith that ab.^t a year & $\frac{1}{2}$ agoe y^e S^d Ruth rec.^d a farther sum̄e of 8. $\frac{1}{2}$ Crowns of the like false moneys he allowing her as before; And this Exam.^t further saith that he see the S^d Chr: Shaw hold in his hand (at Whiteside in Swaledale afores^d) a peice of Steel w^ch was laide on a Shilling Dye till the S^d John Button Struck thereon with a ham̄er and gave the Impression of a Shilling - And further saith that about a year and $\frac{1}{2}$ agoe, Edward Gares of Shotten Edge in Northumb^er black Smith mended two wedges for Coyning, which the said Edward Gares S^d were brought to him from M^r Richd Warwick of Placey-hall (now in Morpeth Goale) in the County of Northumbe^erd afores^d and at the same time the Exam.^t coyned <2r> coyned {sic} in the S^d Edward Gares house at Shotton Edge afores^d for the S^d Rich Warwick betwixt 4. & 5. pounds of Counterfeit money, w^ch S^d Money this Exai^t gave the next day to the S^d M^r Warwick, who then prohibited to settle this Exam.^t and one Michael Turner, at y^e house of the said Edw.^d Gares to coyn for him, and P^d their Quarters, and accordingly took the S^d house of the S^d Gares for that use. and further saith that the S^d Rich Warwick hath often promissed this Exam.^t he would from time to time supply this Exa.^t with moneys, and other necessarys for carrying on the Trade of Coyning, And that the last Winter this Ex.^t did coyn in y^e house of the S^d Richard Warwick, in NewCastle to the tale of ab.^t thirty Shillings of Counterfeit money made of mixed Metall the said Richard warwick being p^resent at the Coyning thereof, and gave the Exam.^t 3. good Silver halfe Crowns to mix therewith. And further saith that ab.^t a year and halfe agoe, Thomas Greive of NewCastle Fitter, had about 3. pounds of Counterfeit $\frac{1}{2}$ Crowns of the Exam.^t and had Six Shilling ꝑ lib for uttering the same, and y^t the Ex.^t was bro.^t to the acquaintance of the S^d Tho^s Greeve by the afores^d Richd Warwick Capt. et examinin.^t coram Will Bowes                      James Blades