Francis Smith: The Information of Francis Smith 9 September 1702

Middx Ss The Informaion of Francis Smith of the parish of St Giles in the feilds Shoemaker upon oath this 9th day of September 1702

 Who saith that he became acquainted with one Mrs Labree about fiftēn months ago, by her frequently coming to one Elizab: Bonds in Southwark who is this informants Aunt and nursed a child for the said Labree and being very free with the Sd Labree she has told this informant that she did counterfeit the currant coyn of this Kingdome, and he this informant haveing some occasion to go into yorkshire the Sd Labree purroposed to go along with him and calling upon her at her Lodgings, which was at Mrs Nickolsons in Thames Street some days before he intended to sett forward to know if she was ready, he did see her then at her said Lodgings Edge Counterfeit money and he further saith that he being at his mothers house at Dallow Gill near Rippon in Yorkshire the said Labree did perswade this informant to take his mother and sister abroad which when he did for almost two days together the said Labree did counterfeit by casting about 20£ in shillings resembling ye currant coyn of this Realm, and that he has afterwards seen her edge & finish the same and has assisted her in ye doing of it, And further sayth that he hath see on Jane Salt finish and counterfeit & edge counterfeit money resembling ye currant the currant coyn of ys Realm (namely shillings) att the house of one Windgate a lighterman about Christmas last near a water workhouse in Thames street and further saith that he this informant has carryed severall ꝑcells of Counterfeit money from the said Labree to the said Bond, to pay for nursing of her child aforesaid and that this informants wife has Recd: counterfeit money from the Sd Jane Salt, who would sometimes say it was of her own makeing and sometimes that Labree did make it And further saith that he this Informt hath seen ye aforesd Jane Salt about 4 months agoe at this Informants Lodgings in Holborne edge counterfeit shillings with a blunt kniwfe and sometimes with a file & that he this informant together with Susan his wife were present, and assisted her in the marking the same about the edges. & he further <1v> sayth that he hath received about 20 or 40 shillings at a time of the Sd Labree allowing her after ye rate of 20d good money for 3£ counterfeit money, and the last times he remembers to have received any was about January last.                     Francis Smith Jurat capt anno et die supra dic cor me J: Stanley