William Brookes: The Deposition of William Brookes 10 April 1699

William Brookes of the Parish of Moulstanton in the County of Stafford Taylor deposeth as followeth. That this Examinant living near to Jno Sparry & Selling ale the Said Ino Sparry came to this Examinants house and desiring this Deponent to walk with him to one Hartleys house, being near Wetley Moore which was about Michalmas was 12 months and this Deponent accordingly went with the Said Jn.o Sparry toward the Said Hartleys house, and the Said Sparry desired this Deponent to Stay near the Said Hartleys House till he returned thence, but the Said Sparry Staying longer then he proposed this Examinant went to the Said Hartleys house where he found the Said Sparry with one man called Hartley, and a woman which he called Margt Lees and upon this Examinants appearance those persons Seemed to hide Some things from his view which the Said Ino Sparry reply'd you need not Scruple at this Examinant presence for that this examinant he knew to be a friend and after that he Saw the Said woman and man wash boyle and finish Severall pieces into 5 Shillings pieces and $\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{2}}$ Crownes Some of which were brass and which they make look like Silver many of which pieces were perfect brass but after that hartley and Margt Lees, had washed and boyld & finisht the Same they looked like perfect good Crownes and half Crownes and at the Same time this Examinant Saw Jno Sparry give unto the Said Hartley 40.s of good money as this Deponent thought and the Said Margt Lees delivered to the Said Ins Sparry 3.££ of that money made at that time the Same was all Charles and James's coyn

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