Henry Horsfaile: The Information of Henry Horsfaile 21 August 1703 Isaac Newton c. 746 words The Newton Project Oxford 2019 Newton Project, University of Oxford

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 21 Aug 1703, c. 746 words. MINT 15/17/472, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK UKSurreyKew, RichmondNational Archives MINT 15/17/472 Henry HorsfaileChemistJoseph SmithhurstWatchmakerWilliam GreenoppThomas NealsonFerdinando CroudsonWilliam TaylorMichael LawsonJoseph ClaughtonJohn Airey [Verey]Anthony RichardsonSmithAnn HarrisonRichard GreenGeorge Taylor 21 Aug 1703 England English Unknown Hand MintClippers, Coiners and Embezzlers Transcribed by Kees-Jan Schilt

Lancaster Ss The InformaionInformation of Henry Horsfaile of Lancaster aforesdaforesaid Chymist taken upon Oath yethe 21.st day of Aug.t 1703

Who saith that Joseph Smithhurst of this Town Watchmaker, did importune this Inform:tInformant to Engrave or cut a seal or Stamp to Counterfeit Stamp paper, which he this Inform:tInformant did doe, and delivered the SdSaid Stamp to the SdSaid Mr Smithhurst, about 6 or 7 years agoe, and rec.dreceived One Guinea for the SdSaid Stamp or Seale from yethe SdSaid Smithhurst, And further saith ytthat much ab.tabout the same time, One William Greenopp and Thomas Nealson of Furness in this County bought each of them a stamp or Seale of this Inform:tInformants cutting for counterfeiting Stampt paper withall, and gave to this Depon.tDeponent about 26. shillsShillings a peice for the same, and Saith that he did See the Said Thomas Nealson make use of yethe SdSaid Counterfeit Stamps by trying it Trying it upon paper, and further saith that the said Nealson did did shew unto this Deponent a counterfeit Stamp for paper wchwhich he told this Inform:tInformant he had from Ferdinand Croudson (since Executed) And further saith that one William Taylor of Hammond head, in the County of York, did bring this Informant unto Michall Lawsons house near Stelle in the SdSaid County of York, And that ab.tabout 4. Years agoe he did see the SdSaid Lawson, make a counterfeit Shilling, by strikeing it with a Hammer, between a pair of Dyes upon an Anvill. And that about 12. months agoe the SdSaid Wm Taylor, bro.tbrought a pair of Blank dyes to this Informant to cut or engrave, to counterfeit halfe Crownes, and at another time bro.tbroughtalso a pair of of blank dyes to be engraved to counterfeit Crown peices withall which were delivered back (when finished) to the SdSaid Willm Taylor by this Depon.tDeponent the SdSaid Michael Lawson being also present: and did at times receive from the SdSaid Taylor and Lawson, about fifty shillsShillings for cutting the 2. pair of Dyes as aforesdaforesaid. this Deponent further saith that the SdSaid W.m Taylor brought him first acquainted with one Joseph Claughton (since executed for high treason) as also with the SdSaid Michael Lawson and John Airey alsalias Verey, whome this Inform:tInformant hath been told is a notorious Coyner. And he the SdSaid Airey did bring unto this Inform:tInformant one Single Dye to finish to counterfeit shillings withall. And one Anthony Richardson in Over Wyarsdale Smith did call upon this Inform:tInformant for yethe same Dye, but this Depon.tDeponent did never finish it, and yethe SdSaid Richardson did also bring one other Single Dye to counterfeit halfe Crowns withall, And doth further say that According to the best of this Depon.tDeponents memory he has made and furnished ab.tabout 3. pair of Dyes for the said John Airey to counterfeit Crowns and halfe Crowns withall, and has been importuned to engrave or make more but refused so to doe. And he further saith that one Ann Harrisson, did frequently bring and carry Dues and Messages between this Informant and the said Airey, whome this Informant is told she lives at Cockram in this County of Lanc. This Depon.tDeponent doth own that he did counterfeit Stamp paper in the town of Lancaster with a Stamp of his own makeing and did sell the paꝑpaper sometimes to Richd Green of Kendall (an Acquaintance of yethe SdSaid John Aireys & sometimes to Tho.s Nealson aforesdaforesaid And saith that ab.tabout two year agoe, he did sell Stamp paper to the SdSaid Will Taylor at a very Small vallue. And further saith that George Taylor of this Town of Lancast.er & broerbrother to yethe SdSaid Willm Taylor, did receive from this Inform:tInformant a counterfeit stamp for paper, for wchwhich he sometimes gave this Inform:tInformant 6.d at a time or a shilling, or a small Treat, & further upon his Oath saith ytthat he hath seen yethe SdSaid George Taylor use yethe SdSaid stamp upon paper severall times, and that the last time he did see him was not above 3. months agoe, and doth beleive he hath the SdSaid Stamp by him now at this present. he further saith that the aforesdaforesaid In.o Airey told this Depon.tDeponent ytthat he had Got a pair of 12 Crown dyes cut at Leverpoole, by 2. men in one Afternoon, And he doth own he did once cast one counterfeit shllingShilling in yethe town of Lancaster Capt. et jurat &ct coram me Tho: Sherson. Hen: Horsfaile