Thomas Gervas: The Information of Thomas Gervas 5 March 1704/5

Author: Thomas Foster

Source: MINT 15/17/515, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK

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  - 16 August 2019
    - Transcribed by Kees-Jan Schilt
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<1r>

Com Lanc^er Ss The Information of Tho: Gervas of Lower Wyresdale in the Said County taken upon Oath this 5.^th day of March 170 $\frac{4}{5}$

Who upon his Oath informeth and Saith that one Thomas Beesley of Barnicar in the Said County Severall times within these two or three years last past, that he had cut stamps and Mills for Coyning Crowns and halfe Crowns for Severall Persons, but for whome the said Beesley did not tell this Informant And also did acknowledge & Confess unto this Informant at some of the Said times that he the Said Beesley had coyned halfe Crowns, Guineas & broad peices of Gold, and he furth^er saith that at the last Michaelmas faire at Lancast^er, the said Beesley came to this Informant and shewed him about tenn Crownpeices, which this Deponent beleives were Counterfeit Coyn, and desired this Informant to Exchange the same and Offered to take halfe a Crown or three Shillings for any one of the said Crown peices, and so proportionably for as many as this Informant shud think for to take, which this Deponent beleiveing to be Counterfeit as aforesaid told the Said Beesley he would not have any dealings with him, and this Informant further Saith that about 14. d ays Since (the Said Beesley being a Prisner in Lanc^er Castle) sent a letter to this Informant^s house by one Nicholas Hebson and <1v> therein desired this Deponent to come to him in the Said Castle, which about two dayes after this Informant accordingly did, And then the Said Beesly did desire this Deponent to bring a Ladder, and come over the same night about 12. a Clock, and open the said prison doors with a Key the Said Beesley had made for that purpose since his imprisonment in the Castle, And at the same time Offered this Informant 3.^£ for his assistance in the said Intended Escape, which this Informant refuseing to do, the Said Beesley then further desired this Informant to procure him a peice of Iron of about 16. Inches long, and sharpened at one End wherewith he told this Informant he designed to undermine and cut through the Prison wall in two nights time & from thence make his Escape. Tho: X ^{his mark} Gervas Capt et jurat &c^t coram Tho: Foster