Robert Sowerbutts: The Information of Robert Sowerbutts 12 July 1704

Com Lancaster Ss Information of Robert Sowerbutts late of Poulton in this County husbandman taken upon Oath July 12.th 1704

Who upon his Oath saith that on or about the 28.th of Augt last his this Informant went with Mr John Elletson then Keeper of her Majesties Goale at Lancaster to the house of one Mr Abram Rawlinson in Furneis in this County, and that the Said Mr Elletson togeather with this Informant, went up staires in with the Said Rawlinsō into a closet which was by Mr Elletson & this Informant Searched, and there found two files a large hand-vice, and 5. crucibles, in one of which crucibles was a counterfeit Guinea (all which by order of Mr Elletson) was careyed to Mr Elletsons house in Lancaster by this Deponent, and left with his wife, and this Informant remembers, that when he discovered the Said false Guinea, he acquainted the Said Elletson therewith, and Mr Elletson replyed, that his discovery said it would be worth a hundred pound to him, and afterward at Huntsbank the Said Elletson bid this Informant say nothing on't. That about a month ago this Informant asked the Said Elletson, for the Said things so found in the Said Rawlinsons house as aforesaid, when the Said Elletson reply'd why! what do you want them? And this Informant hath been told that the Said Mr Elletson hath had and received the sum̄e of thirty pounds Sterling from the Said Rawlinson for his the Said Elletsons favour to him the Said Rawlinson & the concealment of the Said matters as aforesaid, and this Informant remembers that one Anthony Askew of Lancaster whitesmith a relation of Mr Elletson who was comeing along Kent stones, with this Informant from the said Rawlinsons house he moved this Informant to throw and cast away the said files hand vice & crucibles and false guineas and further saith not.            Robt Sowerbutts Capt. &ct. coram Willm Buckley