Citty of Chester Ss } Examinatīns taken upon Oath before Wm Bennet EsqrEsquire Mayor of the Citty of Chester and John Williams EsqrEsquire D.tyDeputy RemembrRemembrancerof yethe Same Citty upon Tuesday the 17.th day of October in the Eleventh year of his Ma.tiesMajesties King Willm yethe Third over EngldEngland &c.t Anno Fin 1699.

Thomas Chaddock ServtServant to Mr James Manwareing of yethe Citty of Chester Merch.tMerchant examined upon Oath saith ytthat yesterday being yethe 16.th day of this last October about 8. a clock at night Mrs Maynwairing (wife to yethe SdSaid Mr James Mainwairing) this Examinants Mistress acquainted this Exam̄tExaminant ytthat she discovered a sort of Sulphurious Smell in yethe Parlour of the SdSaid Mr Mainwairings house, wchwhich Smell she fear'd proceded from Some dangerous Fire ab.t yethe SdSaid house wchwhich Smell she feared , wchwhich upon this ExaiāntExaminant Searched Severall Rooms in yethe SdSaid house and ꝑticularlyParticularly the Back Cellar where this ExaiāntExaminant observed a Smoak comeing through a brick wall from yethe dwelling house of Mr Joseph Horton on yethe West side of yethe said Sellar and gave an Acco.tAccount thereof to his SdSaid Mistress Who immediatly Sent for yethe SdSaid Mr Mainwairing (he being then out of said house) Who presently returned home, and this ExaiāntsExaminants SdSaid M.rs Sent him to yethe SdSaid Mr Hortons house to enquire further there concerning yethe said fire & this ExaiāntExaminant went according by between the Hours of Eight & Nine at night to yethe SdSaid Mr Hortons House and knocked at yethe door, and instantly heard Some borly going down a pair of Staires towards the Seller of yethe SdSaid Mr Hortons House, and ab.tAbout 2. Minuits afterwards the SdSaid Mr Horton came up Staires out of yethe SdSaid Sellar and Standing upon yethe SdSaid Stairs (as this ExaiāntExaminant beleives) he yethe SdSaid Mr Horton asked this ExaiāntExaminant what was the Matter, who answered that there was a fire in yethe said Mr Hortons Sellar wchwhich put this ExaiāntsExaminants Mrs in great fear, Mr Recorder haveing observed yethe Smoak to come thro yethe Wall of the SdSaid Cellar, Whereupon SdSaid Mr Horton replyed, that it was very true ytthat there was a fire below, and ytthat the Smell wchwhich was then ꝑceivedperceived did ꝑceedproceed from some Salt Petre which he yethe SdSaid Mr Horton used in refineing, and ytthat all was Safe, and this ExaiāntExaminant im̄ediately answered and related to his SdSaid Master & M.rs twhat yethe said Mr Horton had told him, but this ExaiāntExaminants SdSaid Master being unsatisfied therewith Sent this ExaiāntExaminant a Second time enquireing him to See the place where the SdSaid fire was and upon what Occasion, whereupon this ExaiāntExaminant went again between the Hours of 9 & 10 at Night and Knocking at yethe SdSaid Mr Hortons door, he presently came to the door, and when this ExaiāntExaminant told him his business as aforesaid, He ynthen SdSaid Mr Horton said he would SHew this ExaiāntExaminant where yethe SdSaid fire was, and opened the door and let in this ExaiāntExaminant, and im̄ediately locked yethe door again, and layd his hand upon the Wall, in yethe Hall of yethe said House and SdSaid the Smoak came ytthat way, and ytthat he was only melting down some Brass to make Some im̄ages on for to be used at his Country house at Cotton Hook and ytthat all was way Safe, and ytthat this ExaiāntExaminant Should See yethe place where yethe fire was yethe Next Morning, but this ExaiāntExaminant pressing to Se it im̄ediately He yethe SdSaid Mr Horton took this ExaiāntExaminant down into yethe SdSaid Cellar, and there Showed him yethe SdSaid fire wchwhich was there Glowing and burning away violently, and there was then a peice of a Melting pot upon the fire, and Severall Great Stones were thrown down from about the said the said Fire and the said Mr Horton being then in a very great seat said he had been Melting Brass and Silver but that he was then a putting out the said Fire and all was very Safe and that he would Not Stir till he saw yethe Fire quite out Tho: Chaddocke