Robert Tresler: The Information of Robert Tresler 27 February 1700/1

Middx & Westmr } Ss The Informaion of Robert Tresler Cloathworker within the Parish of S.t Giles Cripplegait taken upon Oath this 27.th day of Febr. 170$\frac{\mathrm{0}}{\mathrm{1}}$.

Who saith yt upon Sunday the 12th day of January last past, one John Handcock did desire this Deponent to goe along with him, to ye house of Mrs Mary Webster in Wine Office Court in Fleet Street, to bear witness yt the Sd Handcock did pay her $\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{2}}$ a Crown (wch he was obleiged to do weekly untill a debt was pd off that way due from ye Sd John Handcock unto the said Mrs Webster) and there comeing into a parlour wch belonged unto the Sd Mrs Webster, he this deponent did see ye said Mrs Mary Webster (in her morning Gown) Set at a <1v> 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 ye Sd Table, and did also See another parcell of coyn'd Gold loose in a Drawer belonging unto a Chest of Drawers, both wch ꝑcally 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 aforesd, and yt he did also see fileings or Dust in both the Sd papers, which Look't like the Colour of Gold.

And he further saith, upon his Oath, that he did at ye same time see a man in black cloaths in ye Sd parlour whome this Informant was afterwards told was John Chapman Brother to the Sd Mary Webster. And he further saith that Mary the Daughter of the aforesd 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.t further saith that after Mr Handcock had pd Mrs Webster ye Mother the $\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{2}}$ Crown as aforesd he came away. and after that this Deponent toldMr Handcock that he did suspect ye Sd 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 aforesd whome he found and Saw togeather in the parlour were in a very great surprise and consternion upon their comeing bolt into the parlour so Suddainly and therefore he this Informt told ye Sd Handcock yt they might bring themselves into trouble if they did not discover the Sd practices to some person or other. Whereupon he this Informant togeather wth ye Sd 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, yt it would look like Malice in him because yt he ought her money, but yt 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 ye papers was the fileings or ye diminishings of Guineas. And this Deponent further Saith, that he did go along with the said John Handcock to the Sd Mary Webster's house on ye next Sunday following in the afternoon to carry another halfe Crown when she refused to show John Hancock aforesd the paper of his Account, and was so very huffing that he did not pay her ye $\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{2}}$ Crown then. And this Deponent told the Sd Mrs Webster yt 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