John Handcock: The information of John Handcock 19 February 1700/1

Middx Westmr } Ss The Informaion of John Handcock Carver of the Parish of St Giles's Cripplegait taken this 19.th day of Febr. 170$\frac{\mathrm{0}}{\mathrm{1}}$.

He saith he this Informant going to carry some money to Mary Webster (wch he owed unto her) upon Sunday the 12.th day of Janry last he this Informant did se the Sd mary Webster in a Parlour belonging unto her dwelling house in Wine-office-Court in Fleet street, and did there and then see the Sd Mary Webster fileing or deminishing with a small file a peice of gold coyn, but whether it was a French Pistole or a Guinea this Informant is not very certain.

He further upon his Oath sayeth that there lay upon the table just beofre her a great Quantity of Guineas to the number (as this Informant veryly beleiveth) of 50. or 60. and did likewise see some fileings of Gold dust in a paper upon ye Sd Mary Webster's Lapp.

This Deponent further saith that he did then and there see one John Chapman brother to the aforesd Mary Webster weigh one Guinea in a pair of Small Scales, upon the Sd table where the aforesd Quantity of Guineas lay.

And this Deponent further saith, yt he did then and there see Mary the daughter of the aforesaid Mary Webster blowing the fire with a pair of Bellows, in wch fire there were severall Tobacco-pipe-heads which (upon this deponents comeing in) were presently Snatcht away by ye Sd Mary the Daughter, who togeather with Mary ye Mother, and ye aforesd John Chapman the Brother, were in a very great consternation & Surprise and were not able to Speak unto this Examinant for near halfe a Quarter of an houre.

And this Informt further saith upon his Oath, that the Sd Mary Webster the Mother did cause a certain Furnace to be made in her Garrott: but for what use he doth not know for that he this Informant has enquired of her, and her answer to this Informant has been, that what she did there was for her Fancy, and yt she did what nobody else could do, And that he this Informant hath seen a Sack of charcole at a time in the aforesd Garrott, and that he verily beleiveth She useth some illegall practices in reliaon to the Counterfeiting of the Currant Coyn of this Kingdome.
                                        John Handcock Capt & jurat aid et die Sꝑdict coram me J Stanley