Thomas Goose, Richard Williamson, William Burne and Ellinor Bee: The Examinations of Thomas Goose, Richard Williamson, William Burne and Ellinor Bee (formerly Ellinor Bryers), 23 February 1704/5

Com Lanc.er Ss. The Examinations of the Severall Persons here under named taken before us her Majesties Justices of the peace for the Said County whose names are here under Subscribed at Lancaster this 23.d day of Febr. 170$\frac{\mathrm{4}}{\mathrm{5}}$

Thomas Goose of Bonds near Garstang in the Said County Tanner Upon his Examination saith that he hath been acquainted with Thomas the son of Robt Beesley late of Barnicar Tanner (deceased) from his Infancy, the Said Thomas Beesley being born a near neighbour to this Examinant but this Examinant denyeth that ever he bought or sold or Exchanged any money with the Said Thomas Beesley. This Examinant saith about three Years agoe, he imployed the Said Thomas Beesley to cut some Bark for him, for which this Examinant paid him about 30. Shillings And that about a year agoe this Examinant bought of the Said Thomas Beesley a large Old bible, but then new bound up by him (as he said) for 5.s which this Examinant paid down in Money, namely 5. single Shillings

This Examinant being asked what dealing he hath of late had at Poulton in the Said County, Answereth that about a fortnight before last Christmas was the last time this Examinant was at Polton & that on a Market day with some hides to sell, but this Examinant sold none, neither had this Examinant any dealings in buying selling or in Exchangeing of moneys with any person what soever, Except four pence which this Examinant paid to William Watsons wife where he allighted at Poulton that day. And that the last time before that this Examinant was at Poulton was about Martinmass, and that the last before that was about a fortnight before Martinmass. but this Examinant denyeth that ever he pay'd or offered to pay any money to any person in Polton which was ever challenged or suspected to be counterfeit or bad, or which this Examinant himselfe suspected or knew to be so                                         Thomas Goose

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Lancer SsRichard Williamson of Lower Wyersdale in the County of Lancer on Examination saith that he hath know Thomas Beesley the son of Robt Beesley deceased from his Infancy he being born a near neighbour to this Examinant but this Examinant denyeth that ever he had any dealings of buying & Selling putting off or Exchangeing of money, with or for the Said Thomas Beesley in his whole life time This Examinant saith that he haveing some time past been imployed by Captain Jn.o Hamilton to look after the Grounds of his Grace the Duke of Hamilton in Nether Wyesdale, was about two years agoe told that there was in an Empty house, in the Lordship where no body dwelt a smoak seen to come out of the Chimney of that house, that after this, the Examinant with one Thomas Johnson, James Ruby, Tho. Goose William Burn and Ellin Bryer Widdow, went into the house that Evening where they found a fire had been lately made but was clear out, and in an upper Roome of the house they found a little Leathern purse, with some small peices of Iron Brass and Lead in it, which this Examinant im̄ediately brought to Captain Hamilton who after looking on them return'd them back to this Examinant bidding him keep them by him, which this Examinant did do, and yesterday when the Bayliffs came to apprehend this Examinant he told them of the Said little Purse and other things, and delivered the same unto the Bayliffs hand.                                    Rich.d Williamson

William Burne of Barniker in the said County husbandman on Examination saith that he hath known Thomas the Son of Robt Beesley (deceased) above 20. years agoe but denyeth that ever he had any dealings with the Said Thomas, other than as follows (viz) that last sum̄er was 12. months, the Said Tho: Beesley bought milk of this Examinations wife a pennyworth or 2.d at a time, in the whole this Examinant beleives near 10.s worth, for which he paid this Examinant or his wife 6.d or 1.s at a time. but this Examinant (nor his wife as he beleived) never received any peice of money above the vallue of a twelve penny-peice of him the said Thomas Beesley in his whole life, This Examinant further saith that about a year last past his wife sold the said Thomas Beesley two New Shirts which came to 5. Shillings, he the Said Beesley paying this Examinants wife 2s-6d in money, the price of one of them *when he took them away) but not readily paying for the other, This Examinant sometime after that tooke one of the said shirts from off an hedge where the same lay a drying, whereof the said Thomas beesley being acquainted, requested the same of this Examinant but this Examinant refusing to part with it he prevailed with this Examinant to exchange the foule shirt for the clean one then in this Examinants custody, and after that he declared that he would come even with this Examinant The said Thomas Beesley at the same time drawing his knife against this Examinant And saith that he this Examinant hath one of the said shirts now in his Custody for want of pay.                                    Will: Burne

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Ellin Bee the wife of John Bee formerly Ellin Bryers Widdow on the Examination saith, that she hath know Thomas the Son of Robert Beesley for severall years last past and saith that in or about the month of November was 12. months, the said Thomas Beesley had a bed in her house, near two months togeath.er in Barnicar where she now dwelleth for which privilidge he was to pay the 1.s a week but never paid one penny of money neither did this Examinant ever pay receive or Exchange from or with the Said Thomas Beesley in the life time                                         Ell: Bee.

The Examinations aforesaid of Thomas Goose Richard Williamson, Willm Burne and Ellinor Bee were taken at Lancaster the 23.d day of Febr. 170$\frac{\mathrm{4}}{\mathrm{5}}$ ut suꝑa coram nobis       Cha: Rigby. Edm.o Cole       Thomas Sherson. & Jn.o Hidgson.