Thomas Chaddock: The Examination of Thomas Chaddock, servant to James Mainwairing 17 October 1699

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Citty of Chester Ss } Examinatīns taken upon Oath before Wm Bennet Esqr Mayor of the Citty of Chester and John Williams Esqr D.ty Remembrof ye Same Citty upon Tuesday the 17.th day of October in the Eleventh year of his Ma.ties King Willm ye Third over Engld &c.t Anno Fin 1699.

Thomas Chaddock Servt to Mr James Manwareing of ye Citty of Chester Merch.t examined upon Oath saith yt yesterday being ye 16.th day of this last October about 8. a clock at night Mrs Maynwairing (wife to ye Sd Mr James Mainwairing) this Examinants Mistress acquainted this Exam̄t yt she discovered a sort of Sulphurious Smell in ye Parlour of the Sd Mr Mainwairings house, wch Smell she fear'd proceded from Some dangerous Fire ab.t ye Sd house wch Smell she feared , wch upon this Exaiānt Searched Severall Rooms in ye Sd house and ꝑticularly the Back Cellar where this Exaiānt observed a Smoak comeing through a brick wall from ye dwelling house of Mr Joseph Horton on ye West side of ye said Sellar and gave an Acco.t thereof to his Sd Mistress Who immediatly Sent for ye Sd Mr Mainwairing (he being then out of said house) Who presently returned home, and this Exaiānts Sd M.rs Sent him to ye Sd Mr Hortons house to enquire further there concerning ye said fire & this Exaiānt went according by between the Hours of Eight & Nine at night to ye Sd Mr Hortons House and knocked at ye door, and instantly heard Some borly going down a pair of Staires towards the Seller of ye Sd Mr Hortons House, and ab.t 2. Minuits afterwards the Sd Mr Horton came up Staires out of ye Sd Sellar and Standing upon ye Sd Stairs (as this Exaiānt beleives) he ye Sd Mr Horton asked this Exaiānt what was the Matter, who answered that there was a fire in ye said Mr Hortons Sellar wch put this Exaiānts Mrs in great fear, Mr Recorder haveing observed ye Smoak to come thro ye Wall of the Sd Cellar, Whereupon Sd Mr Horton replyed, that it was very true yt there was a fire below, and yt the Smell wch was then ꝑceived did ꝑceed from some Salt Petre which he ye Sd Mr Horton used in refineing, and yt all was Safe, and this Exaiānt im̄ediately answered and related to his Sd Master & M.rs t ye said Mr Horton had told him, but this Exaiānts Sd Master being unsatisfied therewith Sent this Exaiānt a Second time enquireing him to See the place where the Sd fire was and upon what Occasion, whereupon this Exaiānt went again between the Hours of 9 & 10 at Night and Knocking at ye Sd Mr Hortons door, he presently came to the door, and when this Exaiānt told him his business as aforesaid, He yn Sd Mr Horton said he would SHew this Exaiānt where ye Sd fire was, and opened the door and let in this Exaiānt, and im̄ediately locked ye door again, and layd his hand upon the Wall, in ye Hall of ye said House and Sd the Smoak came yt way, and yt he was only melting down some Brass to make Some im̄ages on for to be used at his Country house at Cotton Hook and yt all was way Safe, and yt this Exaiānt Should See ye place where ye fire was ye Next Morning, but this Exaiānt pressing to Se it im̄ediately He ye Sd Mr Horton took this Exaiānt down into ye Sd Cellar, and there Showed him ye Sd fire wch 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 <1v> 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 ye Fire quite out                                         Tho: Chaddocke