Joseph Horton: The Examination of Joseph Horton 17 October 1699

<1r>

Citty of Chester Ss}The Examination of Joseph Horton Gent taken before Will: Bennett Esquire Mayor of the Citty of Chester & John Williams Esquire Deputy Recorder of the Same Citty upon Tuesday the 17.th day of October in the 15.th year of his Majesties Reign King William the 3.d over England &c. Anno dmi 1699.

Joseph Horton Cittizen and Goldsmith of London but now resident in the Citty of Chester being Examined Saith that on fryday last at night he Lay at his Country house at Cotton Hook near Chester & came from there to his house in Chester on Satturday Last about 11. of the Clock in the Forenoon and returned thence to Cotton-Hook about Eleaven of the Clock in the night of <1v> the same day and stay'd there till Yesterday being the 16.th day of this Instant October and came from thence on foot to his said house in Chester about 8. of the Clock of the fore noon of the Same day, and then haveing Lime sand and Bricks in readiness in the Sellar of the said house he im̄ediately Sett himselfe to Work and made up Some Mortar, and haveing about 3. days before lay'd the Foundaīion of a Furnace in the Said Sellar and raised the Same about 3. brickes high from the Floer this Examinant proceeded therein Yesterday in the Morning and finished and perfeced the Same with his own hands, by 11. of the Clock in the forenoon of the Same day haveing carried the Worke also to make up the Mortar with his own hands, And then this Examinant im̄ediately built a fire upon the said furnace and put about 50 or 60 pounds of brass Mettall into Severall potts upon the Said fire, in Order to be Melted and refined, intending therewith to make some Images of fine Brass to be used at his said Countrey house at Cotton Hook. And about 12. or 1. of the Clock the Same day he went to dinner haveing the said Potts upon the Said fire, and dined on a peice of Porck haveing no other Company att dinner than his own Children and Maid Servant. And further this Examinant saith that for about 7. years last past, he hath been acquainted with one Mr Bery alias Roberts born and bred in Westminster as this Examinant hath heard and beleives, and is Intitled to an Estate of 200.£ per annum in Westminster aforesaid (as this Examinant hath also heard and beleives) and the Said Mr Roberts for about 12 months last past hath usually lived & reseided with this Examinant, but this Examinant hath not Seen him at all within 3. dayes last past, and is very particularly certain that he the Said Roberts did not live with Examinant yesterday nor was he concern'd with this Examinant in the Makeing Setting up or useing the said furnace in this Examinants Sellar, but this Examinant alone after dinner Yesterday attended the said Metall in the Said Potts, and about 4. of the Clock in the Afternoon the Said Metall began to Melt, and this Examinant continued attending and Fluxing the Same haveing given directions to his Said MaidServant if any body enquired for him to say he was not at home, because the said work required continuall attendance, and this Examinant Expected to have been been employ'd about the Same, the greatest past of the Last night, but about 6. or 7. of the Clock att night this Examinant haveing received Severall Messages from Mr James Mainwareing that the said Mr Mainwareings house was on fire, the Examinant used all the Expedition he could to demollish the said Furnace & put out the Said Fire which was thereon, in which time Severall of the Said melting Potts were broak or overturned and the said Mettall ran into the fire And whereas a Certain great Brass Engine or Instrument haveing a strong Iron Screw at the one End of it and the other end or Some part thereof melted away, was found last night upon Search in the Cistern of Water there, This Examinant declareth that he never before that time used or Saw the Same Engine or Instrument nor doth he know how or by waht means the Same Engine or Instrument was conveyed into the Said Cistern                                         Jos. Horton Capt apud Civit Cester: die & an̄o primo Suprad. coram Wm Bennet Mayor John Williams                 Vera Copia Exami ꝑ Roger Comberbach                               Cler pacis &c.t