Middx & Westmr } Ss The InformaionInformation of Robert Tresler Cloathworker
within the Parish of S.t Giles Cripplegait taken
upon Oath this 27.th day of Febr. 170.
Who saith ytthat upon Sunday the 12th day of January last past, one John Handcock did desire this Deponent to goe along with him, to yethe house of Mrs Mary Webster in Wine Office Court in Fleet Street, to bear witness ytthat the SdSaid Handcock did pay her a Crown (wchwhich he was obleiged to do weekly untill a debt was pdpaid off that way due from yethe SdSaid John Handcock unto the said Mrs Webster) and there comeing into a parlour wchwhich belonged unto the SdSaid Mrs Webster, he this deponent did see yethe said Mrs Mary Webster (in her morning Gown) Set at a Table
Table with a Small file in her hand, and Scales and weights upon the Table, as also a considerable Quantity of coyn'd Gold upon yethe SdSaid Table, and did also See another parcell of coyn'd Gold loose in a Drawer belonging unto a Chest of Drawers, both wchwhich ź¯‘callyparticularly this Deponent verily beleiving to be also Guineas.
And this Deponent further saith that he did see a paper lye upon the said Mary Websters Lapp, and another paper upon the Table aforesdaforesaid, and ytthat he did also see fileings or Dust in both the SdSaid papers, which Look't like the Colour of Gold.
And he further saith, upon his Oath, that he did at yethe same time see a man in black cloaths in yethe SdSaid parlour whome this Informant was afterwards told was John Chapman Brother to the SdSaid Mary Webster. And he further saith that Mary the Daughter of the aforesdaforesaid Mary Webster was also in the Room at the same time, and to the best of his remembrance was Sate by the fire. And this Depon.tDeponent further saith that after Mr Handcock had pdpaid Mrs Webster yethe Mother the Crown as aforesdaforesaid he came away. and after that this Deponent toldMr Handcock that he did suspect yethe SdSaid Mrs Webster to be Guilty of some unlawfull practices by deminishing of Guineas the Currant coyn of this Kingdom and had the more Suspicion for that the 3. persons aforesdaforesaid whome he found and Saw togeather in the parlour were in a very great surprise and consternionconsternation upon their comeing bolt into the parlour so Suddainly and therefore he this InformtInformant told yethe SdSaid Handcock ytthat they might bring themselves into trouble if they did not discover the SdSaid practices to some person or other. Whereupon he this Informant togeather wthwith yethe SdSaid Mr Handcock went fortwith to acquaint one Mr Poole (who is one of my Lord Mayors officers) thereof, and Mr Poole said if the said Handcock should make any Stir about it, ytthat it would look like Malice in him because ytthat he ought her money, but ytthat he would acquaint some of the heads of the Parish with it who should have an Eye upon him or to this Effect, And this deponent further saith upon his Oath, that he verily beleives that the Dust before mentioned to be in yethe papers was the fileings or yethe diminishings of Guineas. And this Deponent further Saith, that he did go along with the said John Handcock to the SdSaid Mary Webster's house on yethe next Sunday following in the afternoon to carry another halfe Crown when she refused to show John Hancock aforesdaforesaid the paper of his Account, and was so very huffing that he did not pay her yethe Crown then. And this Deponent told the SdSaid Mrs Webster ytthat she did not look so blank or dejected now as she did the sunday Before, or words to that Effect. Robert Tresler Jurat ano et die Supradict coram me Philip Howard