Edward Holt: The Examination of Edward Holt 18 May 1704

The Exaiaion of Edwd Holt of Wanswood {sic}[Editorial Note 1] in the said County[Editorial Note 2].

Who on Exaiaion saith that ab.t 3. years agoe this Exam.t being a prisner in the Castle at Lancaster for debt, Christoꝑ Emerson als Borrows was brought thither for Fellony, with whome this Exam.t became acquainted dureing wch time this Examinant, has heard him in open discourse amongst the prisoners in open discourse {sic} tell of many evill practices, concerning Clipping and counterfeiting money: But the Sd Emerson being discharged out of Goale whilst this Examinant continued prisner this Exam.t never saw him after untill fryday in Easter week last, that this Exam.t light on him at Loughpreston in the County of York, but this Exam.t was not in any house with him there, but only Spoke to him in the Street when ye Sd Emerson - where this Exam.t lived, saying he would come and See this Exam.t at his house if he ever happen'd to come that way.      And further saith that on Munday the first day of this Instant May, the said Emerson came to this Exam.ts house, at Harwood aforesaid, and telling this Exam.t he was to worke at <1v> at {sic} his trade of a Smith with John Ryley and staying that night at this Exam.ts house but stay'd not: and on thursday evening (the 11.th instant ), he came again and lay all night at this Exam.ts house, after wch time this Exam.t saw him no more till last tursday, that he came with Henry Brackon of Lancaster and others to apprehend this Exam.t upon a Warrant.

This Exam.t doth deny that ever he was with the said Christopꝑ Emerson either in the house or Shop of John Ryley, nor did ye Sd Emerson ever propose anything to this Ex.t concerning clipping Coyning or Counterfeiting Money, nor never told this Exam.t of any Ingredients mettalls or Instrumts for yt use or purpose

THis Exam.t also denyeth that he did ever send or advise ye Sd Emerson to goe to ye house or shopp or the said John Ryley, or ever sent any messages or token for that purpose or to receive him, but the first time yt ye Sd Emerson Saw ye said Exam.t at his house, he told this Ex.t that he had yt day before called of John Ryley, and was to go again the next day to work with him.                                                        Edw: Holte

The Exaiaion of Tho.s Holt the son of the aforenamed Edward Holt taken at the same time.

Who on Exaiaion saith that on Munday ye 1.st of this Ins.t may Christoꝑ Emerson als Burrows, came to this Exam.ts house in Harwood (where this Exam.ts father Edw. also lives) and pretending a former acquaintance wth this Exam.ts father (who was not then within) desired a nights lodging there, which this Ex.t consented to, he say that he had called of John Ryley that day who is a Smith and also Sd he was to go the next day to work with him, and accordingly he went the next morning (as this Exam.t beleives) to worke and came again to this Exam.ts house to lye the second night. That on Fryday ye 5.th this Exam.t goeing from home and not returning before thursday night ye 11.th Instant, was told the Sd Emerson was then in bed in this Exts house, and about 7. of the clock the next morning he came to this Exam.ts beddside, and desired this Exam.t to lend him a Crown peice or two halde Crowns, but this Exam.t denying to lend him any he went away, and this Exam.t never daw him after untill last Tuesday.     This Exam.t denyeth that ever he was in the house or shop of John Ryley with the Sd Emerson or ever saw him use any sort of work in the fire or otherwise, nor never heard him propose or discourse anything concerning the makeing or counterfeiting of money, or of any Instruments for that purpose.                                                  Tho: his T mark