Thomas Chaddock: The Examination of Thomas Chaddock, servant to James Mainwairing 17 October 1699

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Citty of Chester Ss } Examinatīns taken upon Oath before Wm Bennet Esquire Mayor of the Citty of Chester and John Williams Esquire Deputy Remembrancerof the Same Citty upon Tuesday the 17.th day of October in the Eleventh year of his Majesties King Willm the Third over England &c.t Anno Fin 1699.

Thomas Chaddock Servant to Mr James Manwareing of the Citty of Chester Merchant examined upon Oath saith that yesterday being the 16.th day of this last October about 8. a clock at night Mrs Maynwairing (wife to the Said Mr James Mainwairing) this Examinants Mistress acquainted this Examinant that she discovered a sort of Sulphurious Smell in the Parlour of the Said Mr Mainwairings house, which Smell she fear'd proceded from Some dangerous Fire ab.t the Said house , which upon this Examinant Searched Severall Rooms in the Said house and Particularly the Back Cellar where this Examinant observed a Smoak comeing through a brick wall from the dwelling house of Mr Joseph Horton on the West side of the said Sellar and gave an Account thereof to his Said Mistress Who immediatly Sent for the Said Mr Mainwairing (he being then out of said house) Who presently returned home, and this Examinants Said M.rs Sent him to the Said Mr Hortons house to enquire further there concerning the said fire & this Examinant went according by between the Hours of Eight & Nine at night to the Said Mr Hortons House and knocked at the door, and instantly heard Some borly going down a pair of Staires towards the Seller of the Said Mr Hortons House, and About 2. Minuits afterwards the Said Mr Horton came up Staires out of the Said Sellar and Standing upon the Said Stairs (as this Examinant beleives) he the Said Mr Horton asked this Examinant what was the Matter, who answered that there was a fire in the said Mr Hortons Sellar which put this Examinants Mrs in great fear, Mr Recorder haveing observed the Smoak to come thro the Wall of the Said Cellar, Whereupon Said Mr Horton replyed, that it was very true that there was a fire below, and that the Smell which was then perceived did proceed from some Salt Petre which he the Said Mr Horton used in refineing, and that all was Safe, and this Examinant im̄ediately answered and related to his Said Master & M.rs what the said Mr Horton had told him, but this Examinants Said Master being unsatisfied therewith Sent this Examinant a Second time enquireing him to See the place where the Said fire was and upon what Occasion, whereupon this Examinant went again between the Hours of 9 & 10 at Night and Knocking at the Said Mr Hortons door, he presently came to the door, and when this Examinant told him his business as aforesaid, He then Said Mr Horton said he would SHew this Examinant where the Said fire was, and opened the door and let in this Examinant, and im̄ediately locked the door again, and layd his hand upon the Wall, in the Hall of the said House and Said the Smoak came that way, and that he was only melting down some Brass to make Some im̄ages on for to be used at his Country house at Cotton Hook and that all was way Safe, and that this Examinant Should See the place where the fire was the Next Morning, but this Examinant pressing to Se it im̄ediately He the Said Mr Horton took this Examinant down into the Said Cellar, and there Showed him the Said fire which was there Glowing and burning away violently, and there was then a peice of a Melting pot upon the fire, and Severall Great Stones were thrown down from about <1v> the said Fire and the said Mr Horton being then in a very great seat said he had been Melting Brass and Silver but that he was then a putting out the said Fire and all was very Safe and that he would Not Stir till he saw the Fire quite out                                         Tho: Chaddocke