Samuel Fletcher: The Examination of Samuel Fletcher borther to John Fletcher 18 May 1704

Com Lancer Ss. The Examination of Samll Fletcher brother to the aforenamed John taken at the same time & place[Editorial Note 1]

Who on Examination saith that on Wednesday the 3.d day this Instant may this Examinant going to the shop of John Ryley, he there & then saw Chr: Emerson (who was then a meer stranger to this Examinant) fileing or working upon an hand-vice, who asked this Examinant if he was not one of the Fletchers Brothers, and on fryday last the Said Emerson come to this Examinant and desired this Examinant to lend him halfe a Crowne or a Crown peice, telling this Informant that he wanted to buy some things and that his wife would be with him the next Thursday following, and bring him Money and then he would repay this Examinant But this Examinant not haveing so much money, and the said Emerson pressing very much upon this Examinant to lend him some money, this Examinant went and borrow'd a crown peice of one Robert Craven a neighbour, and lent it to the said Emerson who went his way, and since that time this Examinant saw him no more until last tuesday.     This Examinant denyeth that ever he was in the house of the said John Ryley with the said Emerson or ever saw him at any other work or Imployment, but about the Hand-vice as aforesaid.             Sam: Fletcher

The Examination of Alexander Fletcher &c.t Who saith that the first time he ever saw Christoꝑ Emerson was at the shop of John Ryley Smith on Tuesday the 9th day of this Instant may working upon an hand-vice, and on fryday last saw him with this Examinants Brother, when he came (as this Examinant hath since been told) to borrow mony of him, but this Examinant had no discourse with him but com̄on talk about Cattle which are all the times that ever this Examinant saw or conversed with the Said Emerson, neither did this Examinant ever see him imployed in any other work but as aforesaid.                                   Alex: FletcherCapt et Exam̄ coram nobis 18.mo die maij 1704 Cha: Rigby Tho: Sherston