Edward Holt: The Examination of Edward Holt 18 May 1704

The Examination of Edwd Holt of Harwood[Editorial Note 1] in the said County[Editorial Note 2].

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

This Examinant doth deny that ever he was with the said Christopꝑ Emerson either in the house or Shop of John Ryley, nor did the Said Emerson ever propose anything to this Examinant concerning clipping Coyning or Counterfeiting Money, nor never told this Examinant of any Ingredients mettalls or Instruments for that use or purpose

THis Examinant also denyeth that he did ever send or advise the Said Emerson to goe to the 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 that the Said Emerson Saw the said Examinant at his house, he told this Examinant that he had that day before called of John Ryley, and was to go again the next day to work with him.                                                        Edw: Holte

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

Who on Examination saith that on Munday the 1.st of this Instant may Christoꝑ Emerson alias Burrows, came to this Examinants house in Harwood (where this Examinants father Edw. also lives) and pretending a former acquaintance with this Examinants father (who was not then within) desired a nights lodging there, which this Examinant consented to, he say that he had called of John Ryley that day who is a Smith and also Said he was to go the next day to work with him, and accordingly he went the next morning (as this Examinant beleives) to worke and came again to this Examinants house to lye the second night. That on Fryday the 5.th this Examinant goeing from home and not returning before thursday night the 11.th Instant, was told the Said Emerson was then in bed in this Exminants house, and about 7. of the clock the next morning he came to this Examinants beddside, and desired this Examinant to lend him a Crown peice or two halde Crowns, but this Examinant denying to lend him any he went away, and this Examinant never daw him after untill last Tuesday.     This Examinant denyeth that ever he was in the house or shop of John Ryley with the Said 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