William Butler: The Information of William Butler of Rupert Street in the parish of St James Westminster 15 August 1698

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The Informacon of William Butler of Rupert street in the parrish of St. Iames Westmr. Gen 15 Augt. 1698

Who saith yt. on the 13th. of this instant Augt. Iames Iones at ye Starr Alehouse in Kings head Court Covent Garden and Pearce Butler who is a lodger with the said Iones came to the Temple to this Deponent and gave to him one false half Crown, one false shill. and a bad six pence telling this Depont. that they were very good work the best that were to be had and would go off very well and the said Iones and Butler further told this Informt that the lay of the false pistolls was so noised that it was noe <22v> more dealing with them but at the same time gave to this Depont a false Ginea {sic} and said it was the best work that was to be got in England after a small time this Depont. having notice that some trouble would acrue to him abot. his bayling the sd Pearce Butler the other ꝑson that stood in a Recognizance with this Depont. before Mr. Iustice Tarton having given in a wrong name this Depont. did then tell me the said Peirce Butler yt. he would stand bayle no longer for him up whereupon the said Iones and Peirce Butler run out of the Sun and Popes head Tavern in Chancery Lane where they then were and being pursued by this Depont. Peirce Butler was seized by this Depont. and left in the custody of one Mr. Webb a Bayliffe till the said Depont went to Iones's house to search for false money and Coyning Tooles and when this Depont. enterd the said house meeting with the said Iones he was assaulted by Iones and his wife and severall persons unknown to this Deponent more then by sight and this Depont. was knocked down by the said persons and held down by them by one of their feet and knee upon his Breast and Throat till they had searched or robbd. the Depont of 5ll 18s of lawfull money togeather with some half pence or farthings and the false money and Ginea {sic} above menconed which done they turned the Depont out of Iones's house and shut ye Door upon him

Willm Butler

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